How To Play Online Blackjack

The number one table game classic in any casino, blackjack has a low house edge and takes just minutes to learn. The goals and basic rules are simple. The numbered cards are worth the value printed on them, face cards are worth 10, and Aces can be worth 1 or 11. Your objective is to get closest to 21 without going over and beating the dealer.

You can play blackjack online at practically every legal, licensed, and social online casino in the United States. Learn how to go beyond the basics in our complete guide to playing blackjack.

Basic blackjack rules

You just read the blackjack basics above, but here they are again in greater detail.

• You and the other players at the table draw cards to get as close to 21 as possible without going over.
• Face cards are worth 10, Aces are worth 1 or 11, and the other cards are worth the numbers printed on them.
• Your hand starts with two cards.
• If you get an Ace and a face card in your first two cards, you have 21, also known as blackjack, and you are a winner.
• Any other combination of cards and you can either stand, hit (draw another card), double down (double your bet and draw just one more card, or split (place another equal-sized bet and split your hand into two hands).
• If you hit, you can stand or hit again after each card is drawn.
• If you go over 21, you bust and lose your bet.
• If you split, you’ll be dealt one more card to each of your two hands. Then, you can stand, hit, or possibly double down for each new hand.
• The dealer simultaneously draws one card up and one card down.
• Once all players either stand or bust, the dealer reveals the down card and draws, hits, or stands according to a prescribed set of rules.
• If the dealer goes over 21, all live hands win.
• Each player’s hand or hands are individually compared directly to the dealer’s hand, and the closest to 21 wins.

You’ll also find the basics in the video below from Caesars Entertainment, the company behind the popular Caesars Casino & Sportsbook brand. It promises to teach you how to play blackjack in just four minutes.

https://youtu.be/2hIGuuBZRFQ

Understanding basic blackjack terminology

Blackjack has a language all its own. Learn to speak it with the following list of popular blackjack terminology:

• Hit: Draw a card.
• Stand: Stand pat, drawing no more cards.
• Split: Bet again, taking the pair you’re dealt and turning it into the first card in each of two different hands.
• Double Down: Double your bet and draw one more card. Do it on 9, 10, 11, only 11, or any two cards, depending on the blackjack variant you’re playing.
• Bust: Go over 21, losing your bet. Dealers can go bust too.

Best online casinos for blackjack

Here’s a look at which legal and licensed US online casinos are the best for blackjack and why:

Caesars Casino & Sportsbook

Caesars has 21 blackjack games and counting, with more popular titles added all the time. That’s up there among the most in the country. The platform’s most popular blackjack games include:

• Blackjack Xchange (Buy and sell cards)
• Poker & Pairs Blackjack (With 100:1 side bets)
• Zappit (With the chance to swap out cards)

DraftKings Casino

DraftKings Casino has 20 or so blackjack games, proving it is more than just a sportsbook. That many blackjack titles puts it on par with the top competition. Fan favorites include:

• DraftKings Blackjack ($5K jackpot)
• DraftKings Retro Blackjack (‘80s retro arcade classic)
• Touchdown Blackjack (Football theme and $5K jackpot)

FanDuel Casino

FanDuel is a full-fledged online casino in addition to its notoriety as a sportsbook; its many blackjack options prove that. There are dozens available for desktop and mobile players. The most popular blackjack variants on the platform include:

• NetEnt Blackjack (Six-deck, three-hand classic)
• Zappit (With the chance to swap out cards)
• Blazing 7s Blackjack (Pays bonuses and jackpots on 7s)

BetMGM

BetMGM Casino has just a small selection of blackjack games, but the classics are more than covered. Favorites include:

• Blackjack First Person (Live dealer blackjack with a first-person view)
• Blackjack Millionaire Pro (With a side bet that has a $1 million top prize)
• New York Jets Blackjack (Live from a luxury box at MetLife Stadium)

BetRivers

BetRivers offers anywhere from half a dozen to more than two-dozen blackjack variants, depending on your state. The most popular include:

• Blackjack With Surrender
• Multihand Blackjack Surrender
• NetEnt Blackjack Surrender
• Blackjack First Person
• Blackjack Player’s Choice
• Blazing 7’s Blackjack
• Platinum Blackjack

You’ll also find all kinds of side bets, bonuses, and jackpots combined with classic blackjack at BetRivers.

How to play blackjack online

Now that you know which online casinos are the best for blackjack, here’s a look at how you can start playing online. You’ll need to sign up for an account, make a deposit, and choose a blackjack game.

Signing up for an account means you must provide the online casino with some personal information and account details. It’s basically your name, email address, last four digits of your Social Security number, username, and password. Just fill out the registration forms online and don’t forget to plug in the bonus or promo code listed on this page to ensure you get the best welcome bonus available. Accept all terms and conditions, and the online casino will verify your info and location before letting you know you’re good to go.

Then, you can deposit funds into your account using the most convenient banking method available. These usually include things like your debit or credit card, online banking, and even PayPal.

With a fully funded account, you’ll be ready to play blackjack online immediately. Just click the tab on the online casino’s website or app that says ‘Blackjack.’ You’ll find a menu of all the games available. There should also be information on how each one works. Make a choice and get in the game.

How to play online blackjack effectively

Here are some essential online blackjack tips that’ll help you play better.

• Hit with 11 or fewer.
• Stand with 12 or better when the dealer’s up card is a 4, 5, or 6.
• Stand with 13 or better when the dealer’s up card is a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.
• Hit Soft 17 (with an Ace).
• Stand with 17 or better.
• Stand with Soft 18 or better, except when the dealer’s up card is a 9, 10, or Ace.
• Stand with Soft 19 or better.

You can also play perfect blackjack by following this blackjack cheat sheet in four to eight-deck blackjack variants where the dealer stands on Soft 17:

How to play blackjack variants

There are many blackjack variants with subtle rule differences available at legal and licensed online casinos across the US. Here are some of the most popular variants and how to play each one.

• Classic Blackjack: Six decks; dealer hits on all 16s, stands on a soft 17; Blackjack pays 3:2; split only once; split Aces; double on any two cards; insurance available when dealer’s first card is an Ace, costs an additional half bet and pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack; surrender available costing just half of your bet.
• Multi-Hand Blackjack: Classic Blackjack rules, and you can play every spot at the table simultaneously.
• Single Deck Blackjack: One deck; dealer hits on all 16s, hits on Soft 17; split up to three times; split Aces only once; blackjack pays 3:2; insurance available.
• Blackjack Switch: Classic Blackjack rules, but you play two hands and can switch the top cards.
• Progressive Blackjack: Classic Blackjack rules, but you can place a side bet that pays out pieces of a growing progressive jackpot for Aces drawn.