Blackjack Casino Guide

Blackjack: The Basics

Blackjack, as we know it today, evolved from an older game called Vingt-Un. The original of the game is, however, unknown. The earliest record of this game dates back in the 17th century. It was described in a story written by Miguel de Cervantes, an influential Spanish author best known for his novel, Don Quixote. Because of this, many surmise that Vingt-Un is of Spanish origin. 

Over the centuries, the game has undergone several changes. It now has several variations, the most famous of which is the American Twenty-One. 

While each variation has a slight change in the rules, blackjack is the same at the core. Here are the basic things common to all variations of blackjack: 

The players are given two cards, face up. The dealer also deals himself two cards. However, unlike with the players, one of the cards of the dealer is face down. Players will decide whether to hit, split, stand, or double down.

If your hand is valued at 21 or lower than 21, then you’ll stand a better chance. This will, however, depend on the hands of the other players and the dealer. The player with better hands than the dealer will emerge as the winner. 

However, there may be slight changes to the rules depending on the variation you’re playing. Some variations will add limitations or use a different number of decks. Some variations also determine when the dealer must stand or hit. If you just understand the basics of the game, it will be easier for you to learn the other variants of blackjack.

Here’s a misconception about blackjack. Many think that in order to win, you need to have to hit 21. This is not the ultimate goal of the game. While having a hand valued at 21 is a winning hand, you don’t necessarily have to hit 21. As long as you beat the dealer’s hands, you’ll win the game.

Popular Blackjack Variations  

Blackjack comes in different variations. Learning the specific rules applicable to each variation is important in order for you to strategize better and decide which variation is best for you. The popular blackjack variations are as follows:

• Single-deck blackjack

This is the game of 21 as you know it. It is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, variations of blackjack. It has a more straightforward gameplay and hence, easier to learn than the others. It also offers greater odds. Because of this, this blackjack variation is available in most online casinos.

• Pontoon

Pontoon is basically the British or English variant of blackjack. It works similarly with standard blackjack, only that it uses different terms. In Pontoon, “hit” is called “twist,” “stand” is called “stick,” and “double down” is called “ stand.” There are also pontoon versions that impose a slight change to the rule.

• Atlantic City

In this blackjack variant, the dealer must always hit at 16 or less, and must always stand at 17. Atlantic City also has a “Late Surrender” option. In online casinos, the most popular Atlantic City blackjack is provided by Microgaming.

• Multi-hand blackjack

As the term suggests, you will play multiple hands at once in this blackjack variant. This is a more exciting variant because there’s various actions going on at the table. Play up to five hands at once.

• Double Exposure

Double exposure, as the name suggests, exposes both the dealer’s cards. Unlike in other blackjack variants, in double exposure, the dealer gets both his cards face up. This means that players will know exactly the dealer’s hands. Since players already have an edge, there are less insurance and surrender options in this variation.

• Spanish 21

Spanish 21 deviates from the other blackjack variations in terms of rules. All 10s are also removed from the deck in this variation. Spanish 21 allows the players to split and double down several times. You can also engage in a side bet called “Match the Dealer.”

• Blackjack Switch

In this blackjack variant, two hands are dealt to both sides. The player has the option whether to switch the two top cards with the two dealt hands or not.

• Super Fun 21

Another online blackjack variant is Super Fun 21. In this variant, the player wins if six or more of his cards show a total of 21. Players can double down at any point and can split four times.

What To Look for When Picking Online Casinos to Play Blackjack

Blackjack is a popular online casino game. Because of this, most online casinos offer at least a few variants of this classic game. Presented with so many options, it can be difficult for you to decide which online casino to play at.

With this, we have decided to come up with a criteria to help you choose the best online casinos to play blackjack. Look into the following criteria:

• Fun blackjack variants

While most, if not all, online casinos offer blackjack games. Not all offer a wide range of options. To get the most of your online casino experience, look into the online casinos that offer fun variants of blackjack, such as Blackjack Switch, Super Fun 21, and Spanish 21.

• Fair house edge

We know that online casinos are there to make money as well. However, there are online casinos that really offer fair house edge. Make sure that you choose a casino with a standard house edge for blackjack, which is a low 0.5%.

• Free blackjack games

Not all online casinos offer free games. Hence, it would be great if you choose a casino that allows you to practice different variants of blackjack through free games. Play blackjack for fun and take time to practice before you actually gamble with real money.

• Live dealer games

Get the ultimate casino experience by playing live dealer games. Blackjack is one of the live dealer games offered by online casinos. However, not all online casinos have a live games section. Hence, check this feature first before deciding to register at an online casino.

• Bonuses and promotions

Online casinos that offer special bonuses and promotions on blackjack games and other casinos games are a great choice too. This allows you to increase your bankroll, which you can then use for playing blackjack variants.

Mobile Blackjack Games

Blackjack is also offered on mobile online casinos. Because of its popularity, most online casinos make variations of blackjack available for mobile play too. Depending on the online casino you’re playing it, you can play blackjack games straight from a mobile browser or through a dedicated casino app.

The important thing is that blackjack games are compatible for various mobile devices, regardless of the platform: Android, iOS, Windows, and others. Play blackjack on the go, anytime.

Conclusion

It’s easy to see why blackjack is such a popular game. It’s a fun and exciting casino game that will never go out of fashion. As to which blackjack variant is best for you, ultimately, that would depend on your personal preferences. However, if you’re still new in the game, it’s great to start from standard or single-hand blackjack before trying out more challenging variants.

Use the criteria given above to find the best online casinos to play blackjack at. Have fun and enjoy the games. Gamble responsibly.