Master Online Blackjack and Play Like a Pro

If you’re just starting out with online blackjack at UK online casinos, the good news is that it’s a simple card game, and you can learn the rules fairly quickly. Your aim is to get a hand worth as close to 21 as possible and more than the dealer’s without going over (or ‘bust’).

We recommend familiarising yourself with the card values in blackjack before you start playing for real money. All cards from 2 to 10 have their face values, while the royals (Jacks, Queens and Kings) are worth 10. The ace can act as a 1 or 11 depending on your choice. If you’re dealt an ace and a card worth 10, this is known as Blackjack and is the best hand in the game.

Blackjack Betting Options

Blackjack games start with you choosing you much you want to bet and then waiting for your cards to be dealt. Once you have your initial hand, the following options are available:

• Hit: Add another card to your hand. You can keep hitting in online blackjack until the value of your hand exceeds 21 or you decide to stand.
• Stand: Submit your hand for that round.
• Split: If you’re dealt a pair of cards, you can double your bet to split it into two separate hands. This is often recommended if you’re dealt a pair of 7s or 8s.
• Double down: You can double your wager to get a third and final card for your hand. This can be beneficial if you’re initially dealt a hand worth 10 or 11.

Alongside the standard gameplay options above, some blackjack variants offer additional choices:

• Insurance bet: If the dealer’s face-up card is an ace, you can place an insurance bet worth half of your original bet if you think they have blackjack.
• Surrender: Some blackjack variants incorporate the surrender rule, which allows you to fold and receive half of your wager back if you feel you have a bad starting hand.
• Side bet: Certain online blackjack games allow you to wager side bets, which reward special payouts if you and/or the dealer are dealt specific cards.

Find the Best Online Blackjack Game for You

You can play multiple blackjack variants at top real money casinos. These slightly alter the rules in terms of how many decks you can play with, what the dealer must do and which additional bets you can place. Here’s a quick run-through of the most popular blackjack versions:

Variant	RTP	Best For	Key Features
European Blackjack	99.60%	Beginners	Most common variant and has classic rules where the dealer stands on a soft 17 and pays 3:2 for blackjack
American Blackjack	99.40%	Traditional players	The dealer must check for blackjack when they show an ace
Atlantic City Blackjack	99.65%	Experienced players	Features 8 decks and the late surrender option, and the dealer must hit on 16
Blackjack Switch	99.87%	Strategic thinkers	Played with two hands with option to swap the top cards between them
Multi-Hand Blackjack	99.60%	High rollers	Lets you play up to five hands at the same time
Spanish 21	99.58%	Risk-takers	The game removes all 10s and offers the Match the Dealer side bet
Double Exposure	99.33%	Advanced players	Both the dealer’s cards are face up, but insurance or surrender bets aren’t available
Double Attack	99.33%	Quick thinkers	You can double down after seeing the dealer’s cards
Super Fun 21	99.05%	Casual players	Player automatically wins if their hand reaches six cards

Take on Real Dealers in Live Blackjack

For the most immersive experience when playing online blackjack, you can try live dealer blackjack. These games are streamed in real time from purpose-built studios straight to your device, with professional, human dealers handling the action. You can play live blackjack games covering all popular variants, including those with a high RTP and that accept hundreds of players at once.

As live casinos have become more common, blackjack fans can now play live games to suit all types of budgets, from low-stakes buy-ins to VIP and high roller tables. The best online casinos also host live games 24/7, even during non-peak hours.

There are various benefits to playing live blackjack, including:

• You can take part in real games instead of those decided by RNG software.
• Full HD streaming with TV-quality sets and multiple camera angles.
• The option interact with the dealer and other players through live chat.
• Live games are available on both desktop and mobile.

Enjoy Blackjack Games at Mobile Casinos

Many UK gamblers now solely play at mobile casinos, partially because they allow you to load your favourite blackjack titles where and when you like. All you need to do to play mobile blackjack is visit a casino site on your smartphone internet browser or download dedicated casino apps.

When possible, we recommend the latter, as it enables further perks such as push notifications and biometric security. In both cases, mobile blackjack uses HTML5 technology to offer quick loading times, buffer-free gameplay and well-designed interfaces that automatically adapt to your device’s screen size.

Expert Tips and Strategies for Online Blackjack

Many players confuse blackjack strategy with tricks for ‘beating the game’. That’s not going to happen as online blackjack is a game of luck, and no strategy can predict the cards you’ll get in your hand. However, practice and preparation can give you more control over how you play and help to swing the house edge in your favour.

Here are simple tips to help elevate your blackjack game:

How We Review and Find the Best Blackjack Casinos

While our in-depth casino reviews are carried out by gambling experts with decades of combined experience, we’re players at heart. We base our reviews around key factors that British players find valuable in casino sites, and aim to provide hands-on feedback while thoroughly testing every casino to see if it meets our high standards.

This guarantee involves us using the same review process to deliver an impartial rating based on the following considerations:

• Valid Licensing and Security: Every blackjack casino we recommend must have a license from the Gambling Commission (UKGC). This is a simple but important stamp that shows the operator works under strict standards for gambling regulations related to player data and privacy. Our team checks that the casino has advanced SSL encryption and KYC account verification procedures, as well as measures to protect against money laundering.
• Bonuses and Promotions: We consider generous but fair casino bonuses to be the icing on the cake for leading blackjack gambling sites and look out for those that offer both welcome bonuses and reload offers for existing players on blackjack games. Our reviews also dig into the bonus terms to see details such as overall value, wagering requirements, expiry dates, withdrawal limits, and game eligibility.
• Payment Speed and Flexibility: The best online blackjack casinos enable instant deposits and rapid withdrawals across a variety of accepted payment methods. These should include debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid vouchers and mobile options that all involve fee-free transactions.
• Customer Support: This can make or break an online casino. You want to choose a platform that takes any issues seriously and deals with them in a friendly and professional manner. Our reviews involve direct contact with support agents, so we can assess their availability and contact methods via live chat, email, and FAQ help sections.