Feeling Like Playing Some Real Money Blackjack?

Blackjack differs from most other casino games, where the outcome is largely determined by luck. Blackjack allows you to think, plan, and utilise a strategy for winning. That is why this game is the preferred choice of many successful gamblers – it requires thought and skill, and you can win a fortune if you devise and follow a good strategy.

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If you want to play blackjack for real money, you need to know the ropes, so to say. We highly recommend that you spend some time playing for free before attempting the real deal. In order to help you, we have put together this article. We will attempt to summarise all important info about the game and the best online blackjack sites, so you can go in prepared and have the knowledge necessary to win.

Blackjack – Game Overview

As any other casino game, blackjack too has several variations. However, all of them share the basic core rules. When playing online for real money (you can pick the best blackjack casino for that on sites like realmoney-blackjack.com for example), you need to make sure you understand what type of game you are playing exactly – otherwise you might have a bad time. Let’s take a look at the general rules and some of the more common variations.

Rules & Variations

In all blackjack games, your opponent is the dealer. Both of you receive a hand that consists of two cards. Your cards remain face-up, while the dealer keeps one of their cards face-down. The goal is to get a combination that totals 21, or at least more than the dealer’s – without going over 21. All face cards count as 10 points, Aces can be either 1 or 11 points, and the rest of the cards have value corresponding to their number. Naturally, the best possible combination is an Ace and a 10-valued card, which is known as a blackjack.

Upon receiving your hand, you can do one of the following actions:

• Stand – You accept your hand as it is, and give your turn to the dealer.
• Hit – You ask the dealer for another card.
• Split – You split your two cards into two separate hands.
• Double – You double your bet and ask for only one more card.
• Insurance – You wager some money, and win if the dealer has a blackjack.
• Surrender – You stop playing and take back half of the money you bet.

Depending on the game you are playing, some of those actions may not be available. For instance, some blackjack variations allow you to split only cards of the same value, while others – only identical cards. As far as doubling goes, some rules allow you to double on any hand, while others allow that actions only on hands that total 9, 10, or 11.

Those little differences actually impact the game a great deal, as they cause the RTP percentages to change. More restrictions mean a higher house edge – leading to less earnings for the player in the long run. Before attempting to play real money blackjack, make sure you understand which variation you are playing and how the rules affect your RTP.

Side Bets

Some blackjack games feature side bets, while others don’t. There are many different types of side bets, but the two most common are known as Perfect Pairs and 21+3.

• Perfect Pairs allows you to place bets on the cards of anyone on the table – including the dealer’s. If both cards are black or both cards are red, you win 6 times your bet. If both cards are of the same suit, you get 12 times your bet. If the cards are a perfect pair – that means identical – then you get 25 times your bet. Pretty sweet.

• 21+3 allows you to bet on the combination of your opening hand and the dealer’s visible card. If the three cards form one of the poker combinations, you can win big.

Another interesting side bet is the so-called Bet Behind option. This allows you to bet on another player’s hand, and reap rewards if they manage to win.

Of course, not all casinos offer side bets like those. You have to check and see where those game options are available.

Table Limits

This paragraph does not relate to blackjack only, as it concerns all casino games in general. There are some tables that allow you to bet very little, and then there are those that have really high starting bets. Obviously, the former are suited for low-risk players, while the latter will appeal to the high rollers.

Bet limits depend on the operator and the software provider. For example, 888’s live casino has a significantly bigger betting range than most other operators. All players must look around and pick a blackjack table with limits that work for them. Make sure you don’t end up on the high rollers table by mistake!

The Top Developers of Blackjack Games

Let’s take a look at the people responsible for bringing us online blackjack – both RNG and live dealer games. Out of all the companies that deal with gambling software, three names stand out when it comes to this particular game.

Microgaming is famous as the first developer of gambling software. That is why their collection of blackjack games spans over 60 titles – both RNG and live dealer games. Their classic blackjack sports the lowest house edge among all online casino games – only 0.13%.

NetEnt have less blackjack games in their catalogue than other developers. But what they lack in quantity, they more than make up for in terms of quality. Also, when it comes to mobile versions, NetEnt’s titles are the standard to which all other games are measured.

Playtech too is among the leading developers of blackjack games. They offer a big selection of titles, among which is one of the most popular and innovative blackjack variations out there – Blackjack Switch.

Of course, there are many other companies that are worth mentioning. Games created by Cryptologic, Betsoft, IGT and Orbis are great examples of how online blackjack should be designed and executed.

Live Dealer Games

Many people are hesitant to try online blackjack, because they do not trust the random number generators and prefer playing with a real, breathing dealer. Fortunately, there are plenty of operators that offer live blackjack games. The dealers are professional and polite, and will make sure you get the blackjack experience you want.

The stream quality varies from average to exceptional, depending on the software provider. The folks at Evolution Gaming are hailed as the pioneer in live online gaming. Their live blackjack is everything you could want – outstanding audio/video quality and clean, intuitive interface.

Mobile Versions

If you are hooked on blackjack, you will probably want to be able to play wherever you are. That is why it’s important for you to choose an online operator that offers a mobile app that supports a variety of blackjack games. Those apps are developed mainly for iOS and Android – so if you are a proud owner of a Windows phone, you will have to wait for a bit.

We can safely say that the best live mobile blackjack games in terms of stream quality and stability are the ones powered by Evolution Gaming. You can find them at 888’s live casino, which we always highly recommend.

Bonuses & Promotions?

Playing blackjack online has numerous advantages – like the fact that internet casinos give you great deposit bonus offers, promotions, and opportunities. Sadly, those things are quite rare at brick-and-mortar casinos.

Another sad thing is that blackjack is not always included in the juicy bonus offers and promotions that the operators are so kind to offer us. Even if blackjack happens to be included, playing the game will only contribute 5% or 10% to your wagering requirements. Bottom line is, read carefully when accepting bonuses.

However, casinos like 888 have exclusive promotions for players who enjoy blackjack. Head over to their website to see what they have to offer.

Where to Play Blackjack For Real Money?

Almost all online casinos now offer blackjack games, but which ones provide the best overall experience? Let’s see what our Top 3 online casinos have to offer when it comes to blackjack.

• 888 Casino offers more than 25 live dealer blackjack tables and several RNG games, powered by impeccable Evolution Gaming software. Plus, they offer special bonuses and promotions for blackjack players. What more can a person what?
• Betvictor also features a good variety of RNG and live dealer tables. You will get to enjoy the separate custom studio with branded blackjack tables specially for Betvictor players. The games are provided by Evolution Gaming, and that name alone is a testimony for impeccable quality.
• Ladbrokes has nice collection of RNG and live tables, powered by Playtech. As we already mentioned, this operator offers the lowest betting limits we could find. This makes it perfect for both new players and experienced gamblers who like to play it safe.

As you can see, there is something special about each one of our Top 3 online casinos. It is up to you to find the one that suits you best.

Conclusion: Online Blackjack Can Be Really Good

While no one can deny the perks of playing in a brick-and-mortar casino, online blackjack certainly has a lot to offer. Aside from the great bonuses that some operators give out, we must point out the great diversity available in those games. Also, you will be able to play them whenever you want, wherever you want.

If you want to fully enjoy blackjack, you need to participate in the live dealer games, as they provide the most genuine experience. RNG games simply don’t cut it – besides, you cannot count cards when playing those, because the system shuffles them completely at random every single game.

Check out the games at our Top 3 UK casinos for the best real money blackjack gaming around. Good luck!