Best Online Blackjack Casinos July 2024
In this comprehensive guide to the best online blackjack casinos, I'll share the top five real money sites for blackjack and the ones to avoid. I'll also explain how to find the right online casino, real money blackjack versus free blackjack games, variants of blackjack, types of games, rules, strategies, and more.
BEST BLACKJACK BETTING SITES
CONTENTS
- Top 5 Real Money Online Blackjack Casinos
- Online Blackjack Casinos to Avoid
- How to Find the Right Online Casino
- Online Real Money Blackjack vs Free Blackjack
- Variations of Blackjack
- Types of Blackjack Games
- Rules of Blackjack
- Online Blackjack Strategies
- Blackjack Glossary
- History of Blackjack
- Best Online Blackjack Casinos FAQs
TOP 5 REAL MONEY ONLINE BLACKJACK CASINOS
In this section, I'll focus on our top five recommended real money online blackjack casinos, why they are one of the best for playing online blackjack, other features they offer, and their pros and cons.
CAESARS PALACE ONLINE CASINO
Caesars Palace Online Casino offers new players a welcome bonus of Get a 100% Deposit Match up to $2,500 + 2,500 Rewards Points! with the Caesars Palace bonus code VIBONUS2500
Once you've signed up, you can choose from over 20 variants of online blackjack, including an exclusive title called Caesars Player's Choice, which allows you to choose from five different starting hands. There are also a number of live dealer blackjack games to play as well as other features like the Caesars Rewards Program, where you can earn tier credits and rewards credits for continued play, which returns some great prizes like trips and hotel stays.
PROS
- Game variations from top developers.
- Enticing welcome bonus and ongoing promotions.
- Strong rewards program with great prizes.
CONS
- Only available in some states.
- Blackjack games only have a 5% contribution to the welcome bonus.
BETMGM CASINO
BetMGM welcomes new players to the site with the following bonus of Get a 100% Deposit Match up to $1000 + $25 on the House! with BetMGM Casino bonus code VIBONUS.
Additionally, there are a range of ongoing promotions such as cash bonuses, daily jackpots, and more. In total, I counted around 30 online blackjack games on the site spanning a range of variants such as Infinite Blackjack, First Person Blackjack, Speed Blackjack, and a handful of live blackjack games.
The BetMGM Rewards program has five tiers - Sapphire, Pearl, Platinum and Noir; these tiers offer a range of prizes as you progress from discounted room rates and shows to free spins, room upgrades, air travel credits, and complimentary cruises.
PROS
- Large game library.
- Generous welcome bonus.
- Strong rewards program with an array of benefits.
CONS
- Withdrawal process can take time.
- Pages can be slow to load.
DRAFTKINGS CASINO
DraftKings welcomes new players with a 100% deposit match bonus worth up to $100 as well as a range of ongoing promotions for existing players once you've signed up. I counted 40 different games of online blackjack available on the site including a number of exclusive titles such as DraftKings Basketball Blackjack, DraftKings Bingo Blackjack, and DraftKings Four 20s Blackjack. The online casino also has plenty of live dealer blackjack games for players to try as well.
DraftKings Casino has a Dynasty Rewards VIP program where you can earn tier credits, elevate your tier status, and receive VIP treatment with exclusive custom offers, a personal VIP host, access to game tickets, private events, and more.
PROS
- Several exclusive online blackjack games.
- Great rewards program with exciting benefits.
- Well-designed software and app.
CONS
- Wagering requirements are quite high for some games.
- No 24/7 live chat support.
FanDuel Casino
New players in (PA, MI, or NJ) can get a welcome bonus at FanDuel Casino of: Deposit $10, Get $20 In Site Credit & Play It Again up to $1000! The offer in West Virginia is Deposit $10, Get $20 In Site Credit & Play It Again up to $1000! which also doesn't require a FanDuel Casino bonus code – just register for a new account by using our links.
Once you've signed up, FanDuel Casino offers a number of ongoing promotions for existing players in the form of daily jackpots. I counted 28 different online blackjack titles on the site including exclusives like the Live Dealer Blackjack Lobby, FanDuel Live Dealer Infinite Blackjack, FanDuel Football Blackjack, FanDuel NHL Blackjack, and Blackjack Player's Choice.
PROS
- Several FanDuel exclusive online blackjack games.
- Awesome customer support.
- Fast withdrawals within 48 hours.
CONS
- Welcome bonus only applicable on first day.
- Limited number of casino games.
TIPICO CASINO
Tipico Casino offers new players a choice between two welcome bonuses; either up to $500 deposit match bonus plus 500 free spins or a 400% deposit match bonus up to $100 plus 500 free spins. Tipico Casino also offers existing players promotions such as bet deals, free spins, and more. A search for blackjack in the search bar revealed 13 games including Bet the Set 21, Live Dealer Speed Blackjack, and Live Dealer Lightning Blackjack.
PROS
- Solid banking options.
- Choice of welcome bonus.
- Generous wagering requirements.
CONS
- Lacking live casino games.
- Not enough bonuses.
ONLINE BLACKJACK CASINOS TO AVOID
In this section, I'll focus on three online blackjack casino sites to avoid.
PLANET 7 CASINO
Planet 7 Casino was established in 2008 by Ace Revenue Group and is widely considered to be one of the worst online casinos in operation with a reputation for ripping players off, slow payments, and capping player wins on deposit bonuses.
BALZAC CASINO
Balzac Casino has generated a poor reputation for slow response times, locked-out accounts, and taking over 18 months in some cases to process withdrawals.
21 DUKES
21 Dukes has picked up a less than impressive reputation for its online casino by only providing a small selection of game providers and charging fees for deposits and withdrawals.
Read: Learn more in our casino glossary.
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT ONLINE CASINO
In this section, I'll outline the key considerations to note when looking for the right online casino for you.
CHECK BONUSES & PROMOTIONS
Expectedly, new players are welcomed with an enticing bonus just for signing up for an account at an online casino as well as an array of ongoing promotions for existing players once you join. Ongoing promotions could include blackjack bonus bets and loyalty rewards. Also, if you can enroll in a bespoke VIP club or loyalty program, it's considered a great perk for online casino players.
MOBILE ACCESSIBILITY
Players should be able to access the same level of quality on mobile as you can on desktop across a range of devices. That could either be through a dedicated mobile app or just a mobile-optimized version of the site which is accessible via web browser.
SECURE GAMING
Security is an important consideration for players at online casinos, as you want to know your personal details and financial information are safe, so I favor sites that offer Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption. Additionally, I also prefer online casinos that obtained a license from a trusted governing body such as the Alderney Gambling Commission or the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement to know it is a reputable online wagering platform.
REAL MONEY BLACKJACK GAMES
Naturally, if you're looking for the right online casinos to play blackjack, then you'll need a large number of blackjack games to choose from including all the best variants. Also, I love to see sites offer exclusive games, which is what separates the best online blackjack sites from the rest.
FREE BLACKJACK GAMES
Online casinos that have free blackjack games so players can play for fun or test out new strategies without having to wager any of their own bankroll is considered a great offering for all users. These free online blackjack games should set up instantly with no downloads needed.
QUICK PAYOUT SPEEDS
Players must be able to land any winnings from an online casino so they need to process withdrawals swiftly and easily. Ideally, that will be within hours and not days with 24/7 customer support on hand if you run into any issues.
ONLINE REAL MONEY BLACKJACK VS FREE BLACKJACK
In this section, I'll dive into everything you need to know about online real money blackjack versus free blackjack.
REAL MONEY ONLINE BLACKJACK
Real money online blackjack means playing for genuine cash that you can win or lose. This is tempting for players as you will open up huge bonuses and promotions to utilize as well as massive real money prizes offered in online blackjack tournaments. You will also find a wider array of online blackjack variants when you play for real money and you can take advantage of live dealer games for a more immersive experience.
FREE ONLINE BLACKJACK
Free online blackjack allows players to experience blackjack games online without having to wager any of their own money. You can play instantly because no sign up or downloads are required and you don't have to worry about losing any of your money - although you cannot make any money either. Free blackjack is a great way for players to practice strategies and hone their skills and is perfect for those who just want to play for fun.
VARIATIONS OF BLACKJACK
There are a vast number of different online blackjack variants which all come with their own rules and ways of playing.
AMERICAN BLACKJACK
American blackjack has become the dominant form at online casinos largely due to its popularity in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The main aim here is to beat the dealer in a showdown with the best total being 21, so you want to get as close to that number without going over it as possible. Players start with two cards and can improve your total by hitting which adds another card to your hand. Going over 21 means you've gone bust and lost the hand.
Here are the the rules of American blackjack:
- The dealer can't stand on soft 17
- The dealer receives a second hole card at the start of play faced down
- The dealer checks for blackjack
- Players can only double down on any starting total
- Players can split up to three times (except aces which can only be split once)
- Players can only split cards worth 10 or 11 (the cards can be mixed eg. 10s and Queens can be split)
EUROPEAN BLACKJACK
The fundamentals of the European blackjack game are the same as American blackjack but there are a number of different rules, which I will include below:
- The dealer can stand on soft 17
- The dealer doesn't receive a second hole card until the player/s have completed their moves
- The dealer doesn't check for blackjack
- Players can only double down on starting totals of nine, 10 or 11
- Players can only split cards once
- Cards worth 10 or 11 can only be split and the cards have to match (eg. King and King).
MOBILE BLACKJACK
Mobile blackjack games work exactly the same as they do on desktop, with the only difference being players are accessing them on mobile devices. They can span a range of variants and types.
MOBILE EUROPEAN BLACKJACK
Mobile European blackjack utilizes exactly the same rules as I've outlined for European blackjack above, with the only difference being players are playing on their mobile device as opposed to desktop.
SINGLE DECK BLACKJACK
Single deck blackjack is played with just one deck of cards rather than the usual six to eight decks. Playing with fewer decks reduces the house edge, so this version theoretically gives you a better chance of winning, with the average house edge for single deck blackjack being 0.014% as opposed to 0.577% for eight-deck games.
DOUBLE EXPOSURE BLACKJACK
Also known as Double Deck blackjack - this game uses two decks of cards rather than the usual six to eight. The rules typically follow the American format and the main reason to play this version is that the house edge is lower than usual at 0.341%.
TYPES OF BLACKJACK GAMES
Up next, I'll look at a number of different types of blackjack games in more detail:
BLACKJACK SURRENDER
Blackjack Surrender is favored by many players as it allows you the chance to surrender your hand and regain half of your bet in certain situations. This could either mean an early surrender in which you quit the hand and pay half of the initial bet before the dealer checks for blackjack, which reduces the game's house edge by 0.62%. On the other hand, it can mean a late surrender, in which players can surrender but only after the dealer has turned their cards. In this case, players can take half of their bet back only if the dealer doesn't have blackjack.
BLACKJACK SWITCH
In this game, the player will play two hands at the same time and has the option to switch the top card from each hand after the first four cards are dealt to improve their chances of winning. A super match is a side bet which pays out if the first four cards dealt (to the player) contains a pair, two pairs, or three of a kind.
LIVE BLACKJACK
Live blackjack allows players to enjoy as close to a real casino experience as possible by pitting themselves against a live dealer in real time via video link. These games come in a range of variants while allowing players a level of social interaction not possible in video blackjack games.
ATLANTIC CITY
Atlantic City blackjack games follow the usual American rules we've outlined above except that players have to surrender their cards after the initial deal has been made and after you've taken a third card. As the name suggests, this type of game originated in the land-based casinos of Atlantic City.
PERFECT BLACKJACK
Also referred to as Perfect Pairs blackjack, players can make a side bet on whether the dealer, themselves, or both players will be dealt two of the same cards. If the first two cards are a perfect pair (representing a pair in the exact same suit), then the payout could be as much as 25 to 1.
RULES OF BLACKJACK
Here are some general rules of blackjack:
- Players are dealt two cards face up and the dealer receives one card face up and one card faced down.
- Players can choose to 'hit' and receive additional cards or 'stand' and keep their current hand unchanged.
- Players can 'double' their original stake on any two-card combination, but they will only receive one more card.
- If a player's first two cards make a total of 21 - that's blackjack.
- If a player's first two cards add up to any other total they can decide to either 'draw' or 'stay'.
- Players can draw cards until they are happy with their hand.
- If a player's cards total nine, 10, or 11 (without an ace), they can double down.
- If a player's cards total 16, 17, or 18 when they have an ace, they can double down.
- If a player goes over the total of 21 at any time, their hand is considered a 'bust' and immediately results in a loss.
The dealer's rules for blackjack will depend on the online casino and variant but some general rules include:
- The dealer cannot make bets.
- The dealer must count their ace as 11.
- The dealer is the last to reveal their second card.
- The dealer hits on 16 or below and stands on 17 or above.
VALUE OF CARDS
- Number cards (2-10) - The value of a numbered card is equal to its rank, from two to 10.
- Face cards: Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 10.
- Aces: Aces can be worth one or 11 depending on which is most advantageous to the player. If counting the ace as 11 gives a player a score over 21, the ace will be worth one.
ONLINE BLACKJACK STRATEGIES
In this section, I'll outline a number of good online blackjack strategies to follow when playing.
MANAGE FUNDS
How you manage your funds goes a long way when it comes to dictating how successful you will be, so set a budget and stick to it. Never bet money you can't afford to lose and do not chase losses in the hope that you'll claw them back and win.
USE A STRATEGY CHART
Players can use basic blackjack charts to see which hands you should theoretically be hitting, standing, and doubling down on.
LEARN BETTING SYSTEM
As a player, you can choose from a range of online blackjack betting strategies to gain an edge and improve your chances of beating the dealer:
- Martingale: Players double their bets when they are losing based on the approach that wins and losses come in equal measure. Eventually, you'll wipe out losses with one big bet, but it does require you to have a large bankroll or you risk running out of money.
- D'Alembert: Players raise their bets by one unit every time they lose and when you win, you lower your bet by one unit - which makes D'Alembert known as one of the safer blackjack betting systems.
- Fibonacci: Based on a famous mathematical sequence called the Fibonacci sequence, each number is the sum of the previous two numbers. So the sequence goes like 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, etc. As a betting system, players' bets progress along the Fibonacci sequence each time you lose and if you win, you'll stick with the number you were on. A similar system to Martingale but less risky.
- 1-3-2-6: Also known as a split strategy, players bet 1, 3, 2, and 6 units consecutively with unit bets only increasing if the player wins. If you lose, you'll remain on one unit until you win again.
- Parlay: This is known as a positive progression betting system with the idea of creating a pyramid of winnings. If a player wins, you'll bet the winnings and the original bet and if you lose, you'll bet the original amount.
- Oscar's Grind: Originally designed for the game of craps, Oscar's Grind has now been successfully applied to blackjack. It's a progressive system in which bets increase by one unit if the player wins, so bets will double every time a player secures a win.
LIMIT LARGE WAGERS
Players who make huge wagers on one bet can often burn through their bankroll quickly, so it pays to bet responsibly - particularly if you are playing a new variant or at an unfamiliar site.
COUNT CARDS
Players can consider blackjack card counting in order to level up your game, but be aware that although it's an easy skill to start, it's very difficult to master. Card counting is the technique players use when you keep track of the number of high and low cards left in the dealer's deck and when done successfully, you can raise your bet when you know the odds are stacked in your favor, increasing your chances of winning big.
It's possible to count cards when playing blackjack online but it's much harder than counting cards in a land-based casino. That's because online blackjack games are played with random number generators (RNG) - similar to a continuous shuffle machine - which makes it almost impossible to accurately predict which cards remain to be played.
BLACKJACK GLOSSARY
- Bankroll: The total of all money you have access to for gambling purposes.
- Blackjack: This game is a battle to get the best hand, which includes an Ace and a card with a face value of 10.
- Burn Card: The first card down from the top of the deck, named so because it is "burned" (removed from the deck) to disrupt the order the cards to follow and foil attempts at cheating.
- Bust: When your hand is worth more than 21, you'll automatically lose your bet. This is avoidable if you choose to fold or "stand."
- Deck Penetration: Percentage of cards that have been in play since the previous shuffle and an important consideration for card counters.
- Double Down: Option to double your original bet that comes with the limitation that you must accept exactly one more card. This action cannot be performed on a hand containing more than two cards.
- Even Money: Type of blackjack insurance available when a player has blackjack but the dealer is showing an Ace; the player can ask for even money and automatically receive a payout of 1-to-1 rather than 3-to-2.
- Face Cards: The jacks, queens, and kings in a deck.
- First Base: This is the player at the seat immediately to the left of the dealer, who will receive their cards first and is the first to act in a game.
- Flat Betting: When you bet the same for each hand with no variation in bet size, which is typically considered a bad strategy and only makes sense if you aren't counting cards.
- Hard Hand: A hand that can only have one value - either without any Aces or with a high value that any Aces can only be worth one.
- Heads Up: When just one player is playing at a blackjack table - most online blackjack games are played heads-up.
- Hit: Asking for an additional card from the dealer in hopes of improving your hand.
- Hole Card: The card that's dealt faced down and can only be revealed once players have decided what they want to do with their hands.
- House Edge: This generally refers to a casino's long-term advantage which is expressed as a percentage of a player's initial bet and varies depending on blackjack games, bets, players, and strategies.
- Insurance: If a dealer draws an Ace as their face up card, they will offer players to take insurance, which protects you in the instance that the dealer is holding a card valued at 10.
- Natural: A hand that does not require any action to be worth 21, only containing two cards and cannot lose.
- Paint: Slang terms used by blackjack players to refer to face cards.
- Push: When you tie with the dealer using a non-busted hand, this results neither in a win or loss but a 'push'.
- Soft Hand: Also referred to as a 'soft 17', these are hands with an Ace in them. They are called 'soft' because the hand has two different values - the ace can be either one or 11 plus the value of the other cards. Some blackjack casinos and variants will force the dealer to hit on a soft 17, while others will force them to stand. Always check the rules of blackjack games before you play.
- Split: Players have the chance to turn their hand comprising of two cards of the same value into two separate hands. This essentially creates two hands against the dealer.
- Stand: When you choose not to hit on a hand and instead keep the cards you have already.
- Surrender: At some online casinos and blackjack variants you can surrender half your bet if you don't like the look of your hand.
- Up Card: The card belonging to the dealer that is dealt face up.
HISTORY OF BLACKJACK
Blackjack is one of the oldest casino games in the world with its origins dating back centuries. Exactly when it started it causes a great dispute, which will be highlighted in this section.
17TH CENTURY
The first reference of blackjack dates back to 1601 and 1602 in the writing of 'Rinaconete y Cortadillo' by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, which implies that 'ventiuno' (Spanish for 'twenty-one') was being played in Castile since the beginning of the 17th century. Some suggest the game goes back even further, possibly even to the time of the ancient Egyptians.
18TH CENTURY
Another theory claims that blackjack originated in France in the 18th century with a game that was known as Vingt-et-Un. References to this game are found in the book 'Round Games with Cards,' written by Baxter Wray in 1891 in which he details the game as a popular one. There are also first records of blackjack in Britain during the 1770s and 1780s, although the first rules appeared in Britain in 1800 under the name 'vingt-un'.
19TH CENTURY
'Twenty-One' appears in the United States in the early 1800s, with the first American rules of 1825 being a reprint of the 1800 English version. English 'vingt-un' later developed into an American variant in its own right which was renamed blackjack around 1899.
20TH CENTURY
The game was still referred to as '21' when it was gaining popularity in Nevada in the US around 1931 when the Silver State first decided to make gambling legal. In order to attract more people to the game, some casinos offered a special bet which meant that a hand featuring either of the black jacks plus the Ace of Spades would pay 10-to-1 odds to the lucky player who received it.
21ST CENTURY
Online gambling started around 1994 and blackjack is now comfortably one of the most popular online casino games in the world, with a huge number of variants available online and players playing on a range of devices.
BEST ONLINE BLACKJACK CASINOS FAQS
To learn more about online blackjack, please refer to the questions and answers below:
HOW DOES BLACKJACK WORK?
Blackjack is a card game where players compete against the dealer; the goal is to have a hand that is closer to 21 than the dealer's without going over that number.
IS ONLINE BLACKJACK RIGGED?
Online blackjack is not rigged, particularly if you are playing at fully licensed and regulated casinos.
CAN I PLAY BLACKJACK ONLINE FOR FREE?
Players can play free demo versions of blackjack at a number of online casinos.
CAN I PLAY BLACKJACK ONLINE FOR REAL MONEY?
Yes, you can play blackjack online for real money at many online casinos.
WHERE CAN I PLAY ONLINE BLACKJACK?
You can play online blackjack at a host of different online casinos - just choose one of our recommended sites on this page to get started.
IS IT SAFE TO PLAY BLACKJACK ONLINE?
It is safe to play blackjack online for real money if you choose a reputable and licensed casino like the ones we recommend on this page.