Online Blackjack

Table Blackjack vs Online Blackjack?

Blackjack is one of the oldest games in the world still played today, with historians hypothesizing that the Ancient Romans could have played a simple form of the game thousands of years ago. In any case, written evidence suggests blackjack – then called “ventiuna” – was played by the 16^th-century Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes. As a result, it is clear why it is still so popular, especially at sites like our own King Casino that have a vast range of choices.

Blackjack is still incredibly popular in land-based casinos too. However, online blackjack has become the best place to play, especially since the development of live blackjack. With a house edge as low as 0.5% using the appropriate strategy, blackjack is also one of the best online casino games to play regarding RTP.

Prior to playing, remember that new players can enjoy a 100% up to £150 match-up bonus at King Casino and 50 bonus spins through our welcome offer.

For details in this card game, keep reading to find out more blackjack in general.

Blackjack Game Overview

Blackjack is a classic online casino table game using cards where the objective is to get as close to the number 21 with your hand without exceeding this value. These days, it is typically played between a player and a dealer. Although throughout history, black jack has been played by friends and even in schools to teach mathematics. Going over 21 means you “bust”, and this is an instant loss.

The game begins with the dealer giving you two cards as well as themselves. Only one of the dealer’s cards is upturned at the beginning. It is up to you to decide whether your hand is close enough to 21 to “Stand” or “Hit”. I.e., to decline a new card or ask for a new one respectively.

There are many kinds of blackjack out there, but the generally accepted house edge can be anywhere between 0.5% and 2%. Blackjack house edge hugely rides on your strategy, as there are numerous ways to increase your chances of winning. We will get to these a little later, but for now, here are a few online blackjack options available on our casino site:

• Blackjack Multi-Hand V.I.P
• Blackjack V.I.P
• Live Blackjack VIP A
• Power Blackjack
• Blackjack Silver 2 Live
• Fortunate Blackjack V.I.P Live

Step-by-step Guide to playing Blackjack

The most important thing to know before playing blackjack for real money with us is how to play. There is no point starting a blackjack game without a keen grasp of the rules. Otherwise, it can be a massive waste of bankroll. So here is a step-by-step guide of how to play blackjack online:

1. Choose a site to start playing blackjack online. Ours is a great bet, with a fantastic selection of blackjack and a 100% up to £150 match-up bonus with 50 bonus spins welcome offer.
2. Once you are signed up, press ‘Play Now’ to launch your chosen online blackjack game.
3. Make sure to find out what the bet limits are for each particular online blackjack game, as placing an initial stake will be your first action. This is typically done by using the + and – buttons located at the bottom of the screen.
4. Next, players will be dealt two face-up cards. The dealer will also have two cards, but one of them will remain face down. Add up the values of your initial cards to work out the overall worth of your hand.
5. Now it is time to decide whether you want to “Hit” (ask for another card) or “Stand” (keep your current hand as it is). This process can be repeated until you “Bust” (go over 21 with your hand value) or “Stand”. At this point, the dealer will upturn his other card, and the two hands will be compared. Additionally, it is worth mentioning a few different actions open to players at specific points:

Insurance Bet: If the dealer’s first card is an Ace, players can take an insurance bet. This costs half your original wager and pays out 2:1 if the dealer hits a blackjack. Careful though, because it loses if you are not.

Split Bet: Sometimes, you will be dealt two cards of the same value. At these times, you are able to split the dealt cards into two separate hands. This requires an extra bet equal to your original wager, but you have twice as many chances to win.

Doubling Bet: In some versions of blackjack, players can double their bet after the initial cards are dealt. This is a beneficial tactic on a solid hand or weak first card from the dealer.

Winning Blackjack Strategies that Could Work Online

As many casinos professionals will tell you, blackjack is one of the table games you can most affect with a dedicated strategy. You can get as deep into blackjack strategy as you want. But for now, here are a few top tips to win at blackjack:

• Try blackjack card counting: You would have most probably seen blackjack card counting in films or T.V. series, as it has become a cult classic in modern culture. Whilst many casinos frown on blackjack card counting, it isn’t illegal. This tactic rides on the player keeping tabs on all the cards drawn, therefore accurately guessing what remains in the deck and betting accordingly. Just beware, blackjack card counting does not work in Random Number Generator based blackjack games.
• Don’t chase your losses: As with all casino games, players mustn’t start chasing their losses during a game of blackjack. The panic of chasing your losses will inevitably lead to bad decision making. In fact, you could end up far deeper in the red and unable to ever play again.
• Split Aces: The Split Bet can be very tempting during a blackjack game, but it is crucial that you only use it at the correct times. For example, the Split Bet is always encouraged if you are dealt a pair of Aces, but discouraged if you have a pair of 5s or 10s.

To help you hone your blackjack strategy further, here are a few things that can alter the house edge:

Blackjack Rule	House Edge Reduction
Games paying 6-to-5	+1.5%
Single Deck vs Double Deck	-0.5% vs 0.2% vs 8-deck game
Early surrender	-0.25%
Double down on any two cards	-0.25%
Dealer stands on soft 17	+0.20%
More than one card hit after splitting aces	-0.20%
Resplit aces	-0.10%

You can use these statistics to help your decision making whilst playing blackjack – this is an essential part of building a winning blackjack strategy. Players on our site will also find the following table beneficial. It shows the probability of busting on an extra card depending on the value of your hand:

Value of your hand	Probability of busting with an extra card
11 or lower	0%
12	31%
13	39%
14	56%
15	58%
16	62%
17	69%
18	77%
19	85%
20	92%
21	100%

Learning when to Hit or Stand is an essential part of a winning blackjack strategy. As a result, the information in the table above is of crucial importance.

Calculating the Payouts of Online Blackjack Games

Players can get so wrapped up in blackjack strategy that they forget to learn how blackjack payouts are calculated. Let’s be honest: this is an integral part of the blackjack experience. So before playing one of our many King Casino online blackjack options, make sure you know how much you could win.

Because blackjack is such an old game, there are several variations these days, all with different bet payouts. Here are a few of the most common ones to be aware of:

• 3:2 Blackjack: Blackjack games that pay out 3:2 are the best options for players. In these games, you will be rewarded 1.5x your bet when you hit a blackjack.
• 6:5 Blackjack: Some of them operate with a 6:5 payout for a blackjack. This is significantly less than 3:2 blackjack. In online blackjack, the type of payout will always be clearly stated.
• 2:1 Blackjack Insurance Bet: As we explained previously in this article, when the dealer’s up-card is an Ace, players can make an insurance bet. The payout here is 2:1 if the dealer ends up with a blackjack.

Reasons to Play Online Blackjack for Real Money

The original brick and mortar blackjack casino experience is incredible, but more and more people are turning to online blackjack these days. There are plenty of reasons for this. You can find a few below:

• Practicality: One key benefit of online blackjack at places like our own King Casino is practicality. Players no longer need to visit an actual real-life casino when they can play at home. Indeed, with mobile casino on the up, you can even play online blackjack whilst on the move.
• More options: These days, there are also loads of different options for players in the online blackjack sphere. It means that players can find the exact type of blackjack that suits them most.
• Faster play: Whilst blackjack in a casino isn’t exactly the most cumbersome of games, it can be noticeably faster via online blackjack. This means more enjoyment and ultimately more chances of winning. Blackjack rules are also faster to grasp.
• More affordable: Players will often find that online blackjack can also be more affordable than in brick-and-mortar casinos. This is because online blackjack providers have fewer operational costs to deal with and can subsequently offer better odds.

Best Online Games of Blackjack

By now, you must be itching to play online blackjack for real money with us here at King Casino. But what are the best blackjack games to play? Keep reading to find out:

Blackjack Multi-Hand V.I.P

In this version of online blackjack, players can play up to 3 different hands at once. It pays 3:2 and has an impressive 99.40%. The Split and Insurance bets are open, but players cannot utilize the lesser-known surrender option. There are 8 decks in play, and as they are governed by a Random Number Generator, blackjack card counting isn’t an option. Hit the ‘Play Now’ button to give it a go.

Blackjack V.I.P

In essence, Blackjack V.I.P is a single hand version of Blackjack Multi-Hand V.I.P. This is the simplest version of online blackjack you can play, with the rules of pertaining to the universal blackjack guidelines. Blackjack V.I.P is also played with 8 decks, so card counters won’t be able to utilize this strategy.

Those are a couple of online blackjack games to play for real money with us. Keep reading for a lowdown on the exciting world of live blackjack.

Live Dealer Blackjack

Have you heard of live blackjack? Courtesy of companies like Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play and NetEnt, live casino is fast becoming the future of online table games. It is characterized by the use of next-generation video streaming technology, which means that various table games can be played with real-life dealers.

Players can therefore enjoy the classic casino experience from the comfort of their own homes with live blackjack. And don’t underestimate the importance of a real-life dealer either!

We have plenty of live blackjack games in our incredible catalogue here at King Casino. Here are a few of the best:

Power Blackjack

Brought to you by the live casino pioneers Evolution Gaming, Power Blackjack is an exciting spin on the original game. With bet limits ranging from £1 to £1,000, Power Blackjack is a great option for low rollers and high rollers alike. One key difference is that 9s and 10s are removed from the decks during Power Blackjack. This means the RTP is lower at 98.80%, but a blackjack pays 3:1, so lucky players can win more money.

Blackjack Silver Live

Another live blackjack game from Evolution Gaming, Blackjack Silver 2 Live is aimed more at the high rollers judging by the bet limits of £50.00 to £1,000. RTP is set at 99.28%, which makes Blackjack Silver 2 Live a tasty proposition. Moreover, all players get to enjoy the quality approach to live casino aesthetics that Evolution Gaming have made their own.

Fortune V.I.P Live Blackjack

One for the more serious live blackjack players, Fortune V.I.P Live Blackjack takes place in a plush and decadent V.I.P suite. Evolution Gaming has aimed this version at customers with more cash to spend and a blackjack pays 3:1. Fortune V.I.P Live Blackjack is therefore a great option for high rollers willing to take risks.

Rules involved in Online Blackjack

Unlike other games at King Casino, blackjack is a game you play with rules, but that doesn’t mean it’s not as fun. Once the games begin, now it’s time to get to know a friendly term known as hitting in blackjack or 21.

Hitting

Now, be aware that hitting is optional, but it is sometimes the difference between winning the hand and beating the house edge and losing. It’s only really handy if your dealer initially gave you a low value hand to play with, that’s any total value beneath 12. Hitting is asking for a further 21, or blackjack card from the dealer, and you do this by tapping your index and middle finger together on the table during your turn.

Staying

You can choose to hit as many times as you like in one turn with these games, and can do so until you’re satisfied with your card total amount or until you bust. Then we have staying, which is where you choose to keep the hand you’ve been dealt, something many of us choose to do in life. You can choose to stay as soon as you’re happy with your card count and you can indicate that you want to stay with one wave of your hand face down on the table.

Folding

Staying is a good idea above a total card count of 11, but you might still want to play the odds to get the highest total beneath 21. You can also do something called folding in blackjack, which is the act of dropping out a hand in blackjack and having whatever bet you made forfeited automatically. Bear in mind however, that as per blackjack regulations you can’t win the hand anymore after you have decided to fold. You can fold at any time though, in a hand before you show any card, and you do this by simply exclaiming “fold”.

Minimum Bet & House Edge

In a casual game of blackjack, betting isn’t necessary but it can add an extra edge to blackjack depending on the bet’s value so that’s worth keeping in mind. Although online, or on land, a casino house edge will come into play and the bet value matters more. There’s almost always a minimum bet to play blackjack or 21, and only then will the dealer give you cards. There are rules in place for the dealer too, they can’t place bets, and have to hit if their cards are less than 17.

Play Order

There is also an order to the game which must be adhered to, whereby the dealer will show their cards after the players show theirs from left to right.

Best Blackjack Casino Sites in the UK

It is important to touch on what the best online casino sites to play blackjack are. Otherwise, you may keep choosing inferior options. Here are a few things to look out for with online casino sites:

• Super-secure site.
• Generous welcome offers.
• Nice variety of games.
• Variety of payment options.

Blackjack Bonuses & Free Chips

At King Casino, we tick all of the above boxes and then some. As a result, we are one of the best places to play online blackjack. You can find a quick guide on how to sign-up and claim the welcome offer below:

1. Input some basic pieces of personal information to start building your King Casino user profile.
2. Look out for an email with a verification link. You will have to click this to validate your email.
3. To claim the King Casino welcome offer, simply deposit a minimum of £20. In doing so, you can enjoy a 100% up to £50 match-up bonus and 20 extra spins for online slots.

Understanding the House Edge in Casino Games

Blackjack is one of the few games out there which is known for having one of the most favourable house edges of all casino games. It’s vital for players to get to grips with how the house edge works and to know which techniques and strategies can be utilised to reduce the house edge and up your odds of winning. These are some of the essentials to success with blackjack games. So, what is it? The house edge is simpler than you think – it’s just the advantage the casino has over the player, statistically speaking.

At a table in any casino, it is the dealer who represents the casino. Acting last in the hand, the dealer gets the advantage over other players by seeing their cards, potential mistakes and actions. When playing different variations of blackjack, like those at King Casino, the house edge can often be different from one to the next. In addition, different blackjack regulations can chance the house edge, and understanding this can help you choose the right variation to play at King Casino.

The edge percentage in blackjack varies dramatically, but it’s widely agreed that the most common is 0.5 per cent. But how is the house edge determined in blackjack? It depends on the players who are using strategies when playing blackjack, but it alters based on how well they’re executing that. With more experienced players for example, they know how to use advanced strategies when playing blackjack and this can reduce the house edge further to zero. In the same vein, if a player is enjoying blackjack minus strategy or practicing strategy incorrectly the edge advantage might rise by as much as two per cent.

However, there are ways to reducing the house edge in a game of blackjack, and this is something which is only achieved through a good strategy. Whether it’s basic or more advanced, knowing what decisions to make at what time can help you be successful. The more advanced strategies are nothing crazy. It might include some card counting which can bring it down to zero, but it can be difficult to master. Card counting is also something which is basically redundant when it comes to online casino play.

Summary

With King Casino you can find some of the best blackjack games around, from the classic variants to the more modern options. There’s no need to be put off either, as we hope to have demonstrated it’s a pretty straightforward game once you know how. This is much the case with most games in the casino too, so that should give you the feel good factor. As ever, be sure to play at a reputable and favourable online destination, like King Casino, and you can’t go wrong. With strategy and the aim of having fun, you’re sure to have a great gaming experience with blackjack.

Online Blackjack FAQs

How did blackjack acquire its name?

The common belief is that the game headed to America in the 1800s but it wasn’t popular in the game parlours. So, to try and entice more players to play blackjack casino houses changed black jacks rules a little. They started paying a 10 to 1 bonus when two cards were a jack of clubs or a jack of spades with an ace of spades. The resulting title due to this move became blackjack in America.

When the game of blackjack was initially introduced to the roster of regular casino games, the dealer only laid down one card deck. These cards were shuffled by the hands of the dealer and players received them face-down, pick the cards up and look at them. After that, the cards either got tucked under the chips or pulled in to themselves to indicate to the dealer if they wanted to stand or hit. The history of the blackjack card game is one of the most interesting of all.

How to play blackjack online?

First off, the process when you play blackjack – play begins with players making their bet and the dealer must then start and cards are dealt. The first two cards are given to the players, and the dealer gives themselves two cards too; of the two cards, one is face-up and the other is face-down for both the dealer and the player.

With this card deck game, in terms of value all the cards are dealt which count their face value. A picture card counts as 10 while the ace can count as 1 or 11. Card suits mean nothing in blackjack, as the total of a hand is the sum of the card values in the hand. After this, players must decide whether they wish to stand, hit, surrender, double down or split but the dealer makes their move last and the dealer must hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 to 21. Players will beat the dealer when their hand is more than the dealer has, or the player has 21 or less when the dealer busts.

How to win the dealer?

So, you’ve probably gathered by now that the point of blackjack, or more importantly how to play and win blackjack, is by beating the dealer’s hand by one of two ways, and there is a little blackjack strategy involved. The first way to win is by having a total which is more than the total of that which the dealer holds. The second is by not going over 21 with your total when the dealer does.

What is busting in online blackjack?

Busting, or when the dealer busts, is when either the player or the dealer’s hand exceeds the amount of 21. It’s occasionally called the term break when the hand of the dealer equates to more than 21. So, after cards are dealt a player has a 10-6 and draws a card to a value of more than 9, the player busts because their hand totalled 25. It’s pretty straightforward stuff and things only really become clearer once you begin to play the game, and you can find blackjack right here at King Casino.

Which are the basic rules of blackjack table game?

Blackjack is one of those games which you play at a semi-circle shaped table, covered in an opulent felt cloth and usually with seating for up to seven players. In front of every player is a circle or in some cases a square box, and it’s in there that the wager is placed using casino chips. The dealer is trained by the casino and responsible for making sure the cards are dealt properly. The dealer follows strict procedures around collecting losing player bets, paying winning bets, and just keeping the blackjack game ticking along nicely.

More often than not, you won’t find a land casino or an online casino where cash is used to make an original bet or a side bet. Instead, casino chips or checks are used, and these are bought once you’ve taken your seat at the blackjack table, virtual or not. You then wait for the dealer to finish the current round and then pop your cash on the table before the dealer and ask the dealer for your chips. The dealer converts your cash to chips and slides them on over and once you have them place the chips in a neat stack in front of you.

Many casinos will allow you to play two hands or more per round, if there are some empty spots on the table – this is more often the case with online blackjack games. If a player does this however, they must make a wager in each betting spot they want to get a hand. Bear in mind that in most casino houses, players must wager double the table minimum on every hand when playing more than one, so it’ll be more than the original bet.

How does each round of blackjack go?

Once the dealer has shuffled the deck of cards, one card is dealt, and then another, until altogether the players have two cards and the dealer has two cards. The card amounts dealt to those who play should be dealt one card at a time to each player, starting from the left side of the dealer. This is also the case with any side bet placed in blackjack and 21 games. Once the dealer has given all a card, next up everyone checks out their card deck to see who is in play and who has the house edge on side. When the card totals are all added up, the game of 21 or blackjack truly starts.

What values are there in blackjack cards?

In terms of the card values which are an important element when you play this game, and determines where the house edge is, an ace is either 1 or it can sometimes be 11. With the card values from two to 10, these are respectively 2=2, 3=3, and so on. When it comes to the jacks, queens and kings in blackjack, any of this card is your best friend when you play blackjack because all of those are individually to the value of 10.

What is the goal in 21 and why is it called Blackjack?

The goal of the game 21 when you play blackjack online is to make sure the value of your card deck totals to as near 21 as possible without exceeding – or busting it. In addition, probably more important, it’s up to you to beat the hand both the dealer and other players have drawn, harder if it is two hands. It’s a super fun game to play, and in some cases, you can win with the first two cards. If the dealer or other players have 20 and you have 19, you lose the hand. Pretty straightforward.

So, why is it called blackjack? There are a whole bunch of theories out there, but the reason why it’s called blackjack is pretty much just down to etymology. While it is likely you’ve probably never given any thought around why this card game is called blackjack, it’s interesting stuff nevertheless. When 21 made its way to American shorelines, gambling halls needed to promote 21 to disinterested punters. To promote the card game of 21, casino houses offered plenty of perks.

One of the ways casino houses promoted 21 to punters was by offering bonus payouts in addition to one included which paid more if a blackjack was dealt. A black jack meaning, a jack of spades either/or clubs, which was dealt alongside an ace of spades. It is now the most popular game with cards in the casinos, and as it became more popular over time, the bonus payouts started declining and the informal name of blackjack just so happened to stick around. It’s been that way ever since, and as a fun side fact it’s rumoured that the first casino in Vegas to hold a blackjack tournament was The Sahara in 1978.