Online Blackjack Review

Blackjack is a classic card game, ideal for the players who love to face the dealer. Thanks to its popularity it is now possible to play Blackjack Online in Canada. If you are new to the world of online casino games, this article will help you learn the basics of the popular card game and form your optimal blackjack strategy. Read the following tips and tricks to improve your skills and get started in the world of online blackjack.

Online Blackjack Overview

Online Blackjack is the digital version of the traditional card game. Once you join an online table, your goal is to achieve a hand closer to 21 than the dealer’s without going over. Of course, there are different formats available on numerous online platforms to test your strategies. Different versions offer different gameplay, betting options, and payouts to players.

Online Blackjack Gambling allows both traditionalists and those seeking a twist on the standard rules to enjoy the game. In classic blackjack, you will see only one card of the dealer because the second one is dealt face down. In innovative variations like Double Exposure, both dealer cards are visible so that you can evaluate the winning chances of the dealer better. Blackjack Switch is another variation that offers you the chance to swap cards between two hands. Progressive Blackjack offers a jackpot to lucky players, and Spanish 21 removes all 10s from the deck. We will explain the variations of the online blackjack games more throughout this guide.

What Is Online Blackjack?

Blackjack is essentially a battle of wits and strategy against the dealer. When the blackjack table is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, it turns into online blackjack. Of course, the online version embodies the essence of the traditional game, whether it is broadcast live or controlled by a computer. You can choose from a multitude of game variants, each with its own set of rules and strategies. On top of all this, you can interact with the dealer and other players during a Live Dealer Blackjack gaming session.

Guide To Online Blackjack Gameplay

Blackjack is a big classic in land-based casinos and it continues to be extremely popular in online casinos. It may seem difficult to understand How To Play Blackjack at first, but is easily understood once you master its rules. In this section, we will explain the rules of blackjack, from the flow of the game to the aim of the game, including the different hand types.

Basic Blackjack Rules

Before you start playing Online Casino Real Money games, especially card games like blackjack, it is important to understand the rules of the game. The objective of the game is clear: to beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding a total of 21. Each online gaming session begins with placing bets. Top Canadian Blackjack Casinos offer you a large variety of betting limits that can start from a dollar and go up to thousands of dollars. Once the bets are placed the game continues by the dealing of two face-up cards to the player and two to the dealer. One of the dealers’ cards is dealt face down.

Then you have the following options:

• Hit: Take another card
• Stand: Hold your current hand
• Double down: Increase the bet in exchange for one more card
• Split: Split a pair of cards into two separate hands for additional bets

One of the important Blackjack Rules to note is the option to surrender. When you surrender, you can forfeit your hand and lose only half your bet. This can be critical if you are anticipating that the dealer’s hand being blackjack is highly possible. There is the critical ’17 rule’ as well, dictating that dealers must stand once their hand value reaches 17.

Each card has its specific value in blackjack. Only Aces are flexible and they can be counted as 1 or 11 depending on the total hand value. Face cards are counted as 10, and number cards are at their face value.

House Edge

The house edge in a casino is a well-known concept behind the popular saying “The casino always wins”. This is the mathematical advantage that the casino has over players in the long run and is applied to all Casino Games, online or offline. This edge ensures that the casino will make a profit overall, despite the outcome of any individual game. The house edge in blackjack is very advantageous compared to other casino games. Depending on the variant, the house edge might change slightly. A good Blackjack Strategy can also help keep the house edge at a minimum. For example, the house edge in a standard game of blackjack using basic strategy is around 0.5%, but this can increase or decrease based on specific game rules like whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, the payout for a blackjack, and the number of decks used​​​​​.

Impact Of Deck Numbers

The number of decks in a blackjack game affects the house edge. The fewer the decks, the lower the house edge will be. This is because having fewer decks makes it easier for players to follow the cards that have been already played to make more strategic decisions. For instance, single-deck blackjack offers the lowest house edge, but casinos often adjust other rules to offset this advantage. As more decks are added, the house edge gradually increases, making the game slightly more challenging for the player to beat over time.

Doubling Down & Splitting Rules

Doubling down and splitting are two options in blackjack that may change the course of the game. If you think you have a strong hand, you may consider doubling down your initial bet. But there is a rule to follow. You may only receive one more card. The rules on which hands are allowed to double down vary by casino but you can usually double down if your hand totals of 9, 10, or 11.

Splitting, on the other hand, is an option when a player is dealt two cards of the same rank. For example, if you have two jacks you can split these into two separate hands, place an additional bet equal to the original bet, and then play out each hand individually. This option may increase your chances of winning by allowing you to turn the possibility of a single win into a potential double win. However, rules on splitting vary widely, such as limiting the number of times you can split or special rules for splitting Aces.

Dealer’s Play On Soft 17

The rule concerning the dealer’s play on a soft 17 (a hand containing an Ace valued as 11, making the hand total either 7 or 17) significantly impacts the house edge and your strategy. When the dealer stands on all 17s, including a soft 17, it benefits the player, reducing the house edge. Conversely, if the dealer hits on a soft 17, the house edge increases, as the dealer has a better chance of improving their hand. This rule varies from one casino to another and can also differ between blackjack variants offered within the same casino. Understanding how the dealer plays on soft 17 is crucial as it should influence your playing decisions in certain scenarios, especially when deciding to stand or hit on a hand that totals a lower number​​​.

Winning And Payouts

Winning in this game depends on creating a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer’s without exceeding it. If your hand exceeds 21, it’s a “bust,” and you automatically lose. A “blackjack” is an Ace paired with a 10 or face card on the first deal. This is the best hand that you can ever get and it usually pays 3:2, although some tables offer a 6:5 payout, which is on the lower side. Regular wins pay 1:1, meaning you win the same amount as your bet.

Types Of Online Blackjack Games

Now that we have reviewed the rules, it’s time to discover the types of blackjack games that you can find at top Canadian online casinos. Within these subcategories, we will provide you with the best variants found at a top Blackjack Casino, before going through the best blackjack bets.

• Classic Blackjack: This version is the foundation of all blackjack games. The classic version is played with one or more decks of 52 cards, and the goal is to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21.
• European Blackjack: This version is usually played with two decks of cards. One of the main differences from the classic version is when the dealer checks his cards. In a European Blackjack game, the dealer only checks for blackjack until after the player has completed their hand. This version also restricts splitting and doubling down​​​​.
• Spanish 21: Removing all 10 cards from the deck, Spanish 21 changes the game dynamics. This game offers more opportunities for nice payouts thanks to the special bonuses offered for 21s made with five, six, or seven cards and combinations like 6-7-8 or three sevens. The removal of 10s might look like a disadvantage but the additional payout options and the ability to double down on any number of cards make up for it​​​​.
• Live Dealer Blackjack: If you like to interact with the dealer and other players while playing any blackjack variant, Live Blackjack brings you the traditional casino experience by streaming live dealers directly to your screen. The best part is you play the game just as you would in a land-based casino.
• American Blackjack: This is the Classic Blackjack, but it uses six to eight decks and allows players more options to split, double down, and take insurance. In the American version, the dealer should stand on soft 17 as well. This is advantageous for the players because it slightly reduces the house edge. This game is also a favourite among players who want to try a blackjack strategy to maximize their chances of winning​​​.
• Multi-Hand Blackjack: As the name suggests, this variant allows you to play multiple hands at the same time. You still follow the standard rules but engage in several games at once. This version is perfect for pro players looking for the opportunity to apply their strategies across several hands simultaneously​​​.

Types of Online Blackjack Bets

If you want to master Blackjack you should know the different possible bets during a blackjack online casino session. This card game offers a wide variety of options to players: draw, double, stay, take an insurance, give up, and more. Each of these actions has a precise meaning and effect on your winning chances. You must understand them to play with strategy and maximize your chances of victory. Below is an overview of the different possible bet types in blackjack.

Online Blackjack Side Bets

• Perfect Pairs: This bet is all about the first two cards you’re dealt. If they form a pair, you win. There are three types of pairs: mixed (different suits and colours), coloured (same colour, different suits), and perfect (identical cards), with payouts increasing from 5:1 to 25:1, depending on the match. The house edge varies, but it’s generally higher than the main game, indicating a trade-off between higher potential payouts and increased risk​​​.
• Insurance Bets: Offered when the dealer’s up card is an Ace, this side bet allows you to wager on the dealer having blackjack. This bet pays 2:1 if the dealer does have a blackjack when both cards are revealed. This makes you break even on the hand if you lose your main bet. However, insurance bets are not recommended as the odds are not in the player’s favor in the long run​​​​.
• Easy Match: This side bet pays 5:2 if your first two cards are of the same suit. If your hand is a blackjack the payout stands even higher at 5:1.
• Royal Match: This side bet has the same focus as the Easy Match but requires you to have a king and queen of the same suit. The payout for this special pair is 25:1, offering an attractive reward for those lucky enough to get it.
• Over/Under 13: You might be familiar with the concept of over/under from sports bets. This option allows you to bet on whether the total of your first two cards will be over or under 13.
• Super Sevens: As the name suggests, this side bet rewards players if one or more sevens appear in their initial hand. The payouts increase significantly if you get two or three sevens, especially if they’re suited. The excitement of this bet comes from its progressive nature – the more sevens, the bigger the payout, reaching up to a thrilling 5000:1 if three suited sevens are dealt.
• Lucky Ladies: This side bet is about predicting your first two cards’ total value. If your initial hand totals 20, you win the Lucky Ladies side bet. The Lucky Ladies bet can offer a substantial payout of 1000:1 if you have a pair of Queen of Hearts and the dealer has a blackjack. Different outcomes like suited 20s, matched 20s, or just any 20, provide varied payouts from 25:1 to 4:1​​.
• Pair Square (also known as Rummy or Bet the Set): In this side bet, you’re betting that your first two cards will be a pair. Payouts for a pair can be quite generous, particularly for a perfect pair (cards of the same suit and rank), offering a quick chance to boost your winnings aside from the main bet​​.
• Lucky Lucky: This side bet takes into account your two cards and the dealer’s upcard. The goal is to make a total of 19, 20, or 21, with the best payouts for specific combinations like 6-7-8 or 7-7-7, especially if they’re suited. The Lucky Lucky bet adds an interesting twist by incorporating the dealer’s card into your side bet strategy, offering a blend of luck and excitement with potentially high payouts for those lucky combinations​.
• Match The Dealer: Here, you’re betting that one or both of your initial cards will match the dealer’s upcard in rank. Matches can be either suited or unsuited, with suited matches paying more. ​​

Are Blackjack Side Bets Worth It?

Side bets offer the potential for big payouts which can be attractive for most players. But deciding whether side bets are worth comes down to your playing style and your strategy in the long term. If you are playing for fun and not solely for profit, side bets might be a fun addition to your regular bets. However, they also come with a higher house edge, meaning that you will lose in the long term.

For example, Lucky Ladies side bet offers substantial rewards based on the combination of your cards and the dealer’s cards. While winning the huge 1000:1 payout is a possibility, the likelihood of hitting these combinations can be slim​​​.

To sum up, we suggest that if you’re a casual player looking for excitement, side bets can add extra excitement to your game. However, if your goal is to maintain the lowest possible house edge, sticking with the traditional blackjack bets might be better in the long run. Even the most favourable side bets have a house edge that doesn’t compare to the low house edge achievable with optimal strategy in the main game. That said, for players drawn to the chance of larger payouts, side bets like Super Sevens and Lucky Ladies can offer top payouts of up to 5,000:1 and 1,000:1​​​​.

How To Determine Whether Online Blackjack Is Reliable?

For anyone venturing into the world of online blackjack, knowing how to discern a trustworthy online casino is crucial. With myriad options at your disposal, the reliability of your chosen Online Casino Ontario site directly impacts your gaming experience and security. Here’s a brief guide on ensuring your online gaming session stays safe and fair:

Verify The Licensing of The Provider

A reliable online blackjack site will be licensed and regulated by a recognized authority. If the provider is licensed, this information is usually found at the bottom of the site’s homepage or in its “About Us” section.

Search For Reviews and Feedback Online

Leveraging the experiences of other players can offer valuable insights into a site’s trustworthiness. Look for user reviews and professional critiques on independent websites or forums dedicated to online gaming.

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