1 year ago

BEST ONLINE BLACKJACK CASINOS

Sportsgrid-Staff

Blackjack has a long history that dates back to at least the 1770s. Originally known as vingt-un (21 in French), it’s no surprise that it also happens to be the most popular casino banking game worldwide. Although the game has gone through some minor tweaks, the blackjack you play today is quite similar to the game that Americans renamed “blackjack" in 1899.

Of course, players of old didn’t have today’s technology, which has brought the game’s popularity to a whole new level. Having the ability to hop online to play blackjack is relatively new, but it’s completely revolutionizing the casino industry.

Best Blackjack Welcome and Sign-Up Bonuses

Casino Site	Promotion	Promo Code	More Info
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Caesars Palace	$2,500 Deposit Match Bonus	SGRID2500	43 Blackjack Games

Types of Blackjack

If you’re looking for a blackjack bonus, first you must determine what type of blackjack game you’d like to try. Also, if you don’t live in one of the states that has legalized online gambling, you might want to try social casinos instead. These casinos enable you to play with game tokens instead of cash.

Classic Blackjack

As the most played version of the game, classic blackjack features relatively simple rules. Eight decks of 52 cards are shuffled together. Anytime the dealer gets a soft 17, they’re required to hit. In other words, if there is an Ace card, their total could be seven or 17 before they hit. If you get a blackjack, you’ll typically be paid 3:2.

European Blackjack

European blackjack is extremely similar to classic blackjack. The primary difference is that the dealer doesn’t get their second card until the players are finished making moves. In classic blackjack, the dealer takes two cards at once. One is placed face up. The other card, known as the hole card, is placed face down.

Face Up 21

Face Up 21 is another variant of classic blackjack. In this game, both cards that the dealer receives are face up before players have to make any moves. For instance, let’s say the dealer has 18 and you have 16. Despite hitting on 16 being risky, you’ll know that taking the risk is the only way to win the hand. In classic blackjack, you’d only see the dealer’s first card, which makes it harder to decide whether to hit or stay.

Perfect Pairs Blackjack

There are two versions of perfect pairs blackjack. The first version is typically played in casinos outside the U.S., and it requires you to receive two identical cards in your initial hand. The second version, known as perfect pair blackjack, can be easily found at online casinos. A perfect pair can be found in either a player’s first two cards or the dealer’s first two cards. Just like with perfect pairs blackjack, the cards must match in suit and rank.

Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is another variant of classic blackjack. It’s played in much the same way, but there are a few key differences. Most notably, all Jokers and 10s are removed before game play begins. Additionally, this game has more payouts and options. Although this means you have a better chance of winning, it also means you’ll have to memorize more rules. Classic blackjack is a better place to start, but advanced players might prefer Spanish 21.

Blackjack Switch

Blackjack switch became a patented game in 2009. It allows players to make a move that would be illegal in classic blackjack. Rather than keeping two hands separate, you can swap the second card that is dealt to each hand. Be aware, however, that initiating a swap means that the dealer’s hand can go up to 22. Additionally, a blackjack pays even money, rather than 3:2.

Live Blackjack vs. Online Blackjack

Live blackjack can be played online versus a live dealer or in a real-life casino. Either way, it offers some significant differences to playing online blackjack against random number generators (RNGs).

Live blackjack has many perks, such as:

Enhanced transparency
Accessibility
Professional dealers
Watching them deal live cards
Social interaction

Of course, it also comes with some cons, including taking longer to play. For example, let’s say you have very little time available, but you still want to fit in a couple of hands. In this instance, it’s much better to choose online blackjack. However, if you have all the time in the world, live blackjack can make you feel almost like you’re in a real-world casino.

What matters the most is how comfortable you feel as you play both versions, though. Some people will prefer the faster pace of online blackjack while others want to know that they’re playing against a real dealer. There is no right or wrong answer, so always choose what works best for you!

Free Blackjack vs. Real Money Blackjack

Free blackjack provides a safe space for players to hone their skills. As there is no risk, you can try out different strategies that you might be afraid to use in a real money game. Another nice touch is that players who don’t have any money to gamble with can still stay in the game. On the other hand, free blackjack doesn’t have the same level of excitement, so you might get bored more quickly. Plus, you’ll be playing alone, which takes away the social interaction part of the game.

Playing with real money enhances your thrills but can also make the game too intimidating. Each move you make could have real-world consequences. You’re going to have to live with it regardless of whether this means you win $1,000 and feel the exuberance of victory or you lose $1,000 and feel the crushing defeat of loss. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. If you experience repeated instances of betting higher than this amount, it’s important to contact a gambling hotline.

Playing real-money blackjack comes with the following perks:

You’ll pay more attention.
You’ll make wiser choices.
Your strategy will improve over time.

Playing free blackjack comes with these benefits:

You’ll have an opportunity to practice.
You can play quicker games.
You can play just for the love of the game.

Ultimately, only you can decide whether to play a free game or one for money. Combining these two options may give you a slight advantage over those who play only for money, though. After all, you’ll be emboldened to try new techniques, and you might just find one that works way better than you would have thought.

How to Read Blackjack Odds

Blackjack requires strategy, which can influence your odds of winning. Due to the number of cards used, a dealer will win approximately 49% of the time while you will win around 42% of the time. The only way to improve your odds is to understand how they work.

Interestingly, you have better odds of winning if you initially have a nine through 11 than if you’re looking at 12 through 14 as long as you double down. Doubling down on a nine through 11 bumps your odds to 50%. Otherwise, you’ll need to have a 15 or higher to experience the same odds. Don’t forget to check the dealer’s face up card, too.

Let’s take a closer look at dealer odds. The second number represents their odds of busting on each hand:

Ace – 17%
10 – 23%
9 – 23%
8 – 24%
7 – 26%
6 – 42%
5 – 42%
4 – 42%
3 – 37%
2 – 35%

Now, let’s look at your odds of winning based on your initial hand. The second number represents your odds of winning each hand:

8 or below – 30%
9 – 42% Double Down
10 – 50% Double Down
11 – 50% Double Down
12 – 30%
13 – 35%
14 – 42%
15 – 50%
16 – 60%
17 – 70%
18 – 77%
19 – 85%
20 – 92%
21 – 100% or push

By considering all this information, you can double down on a nine through 11. Otherwise, if you’ve got at least 15, your odds of winning are around 50%. Don’t stop there, though. Instead, also consider the dealer’s face up card. If they have a four through six showing, it will make your odds of winning even better.