One of the Most Widely Played Casino Games – Read our Guide to Playing at a Blackjack Online Casino
For many land-based casinos the game of blackjack has been the mainstay of the whole operation. Almost since the very day the game was invented it has proved to be immensely popular with millions of people enjoying the game on a regular basis. No wonder then that it transferred so well and there are hundreds of blackjack casino online games to choose from. We think it’s safe to say that you’re considering becoming another one of the millions, otherwise you wouldn’t be here. Whether you’re an experienced casino player looking for a different direction or a complete beginner wondering what to play we can help. All you need to know to start playing casino online blackjack you can read here. Before we start explaining the ins and outs of the game we’re going to give you a little bit of the games history.
The history of the casino game blackjack
This particular history lesson isn’t going to take all that long because nobody is 100% certain how it all started. It’s a very emotive subject for a great many people, but it seems that a consensus of opinion has been reached by many that it’s the French we’ve got to thank for the game. A game called ‘Vingt et Un’ was played in French casinos around the 1700s which for anyone else is 21. It’s thought that this particular game was a combination of two other popular French card games, French Femme and Chemin de Fer. The Spanish had a very similar game but it was called ‘One and Thirty’, with the object of the game to reach a minimum of 31 with three cards. A number of people consider the origin of the game to go back much further and it was an invention of the Romans. But we’ll stick with the French for now because it wasn’t very long before the game spread across continents to North America. In Nevada, the state that first made gambling legal, a game called 21 was being played around the 1930s but it wasn’t proving to be very popular. So the casino owners introduced a special bet to try and encourage more people to play. If a player had either of the black jacks plus the Ace of Spades in their hand the casino was willing to pay 10-to-1 odds on their bet. Hence it was called blackjack. This payout was actually discontinued but the name stuck. So as you can see, blackjack has been around for a while. Albeit in various guises. It’s still evolving today and there are plenty of different variations you can play online. The latest innovation that’s catching on like wildfire is the live dealer casino. We’ve been looking at some of the live dealer casinos currently operating and have written some reviews. If you’d like to try this kind of format read what we’ve got to say.
How to play online casino blackjack
You might be thinking that the game of blackjack is going to be complicated but you’ll actually be wrong. It’s a rather simple game to play. The aim of the game is to get as close as possible to 21, without going over. Sounds pretty simple on the surface, and essentially it is. There are rules you need to know and we’ll be looking at those and you can have the opportunity to play for free to get in some practise before you play for real money at the best blackjack online casino. So let’s run through the game and then we’ll look at some of the additional rules you need to know. When you play the game it will be you, the dealer and a number of other players. The dealer first deals everyone two cards face up and then deals two cards for himself, one face up and one face down (known as the hole card). You then have to decide whether you want to hit, stand, split or double down. To hit means you want to be dealt another card. To stand means you want to stick with the two cards you’ve been dealt. Splitting means you want to turn your one hand into two and play them separately. While doubling down is pretty similar but you only get one more card without an option to be dealt another. If the cards in your hand total 21 or less you stay in the game. If they total more than 21 you’ve bust and are out of the game. When all the players have finished playing their hands the dealer reveals their card that was dealt face down. In order to win you have to beat the dealers hand. There are a number of additional rules you need to know. Insurance bets, for example, are offered in many online casino blackjack games. This type of bet is offered if the dealer holds and ace in their hand. Players are allowed to stake half their original bet, in essence betting the dealer will have blackjack. When a dealer has 17 or better in their hand the rules say they have to stand. This is in order to standardize dealer practice and allow players a small advantage at the table. Some blackjack online casinos do allow a little leeway. If the hand includes an Ace it’s known as a soft ace which means it can be counted as a 1 and the dealer will be allowed to take another card.
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There are plenty of variations to choose from if you want to play online blackjack
When you’ve found your way to the best online casino blackjack is going to be just one of the games available. But you might be surprised when you find out how many different variations of the game there are to choose from. To save you from feeling totally overwhelmed let’s introduce some of the most popular.
Classic blackjack
You’ll find this at most online casinos and that’s probably why it comes out as the most popular. The game is played with up to 8 decks and is played much the same as we’ve previously explained.
Progressive blackjack
This game is similar to classic blackjack but players are given the opportunity to win an ever increasing jackpot. The rules are the same, but there are a few variations as to when the cards can be split, hit, doubled or stand.
European blackjack
The cards are dealt slightly differently in this game and it tends to involve just 2 decks of cards. The dealers hole card (the card that’s dealt face down) isn’t dealt until all players have played their hands.
There are plenty of other variations you might find at the best blackjack casino online. But for those of you who are just beginning these are the games you want to be considering.
Why play blackjack at an online casino rather than a land-based venue
Convenience is always going to be the first benefit in any list when you’re comparing playing casino games online as opposed to in a land-based casino. There are very few people who have a bricks and mortar casino on their doorstep. So it would mean travelling long distances and possibly even booking hotel accommodation if you wanted to experience playing at a live casino. You won’t need to worry about getting stuck in traffic if you play online. And you won’t have to wait for hours to play at the next available table. If you play blackjack at an online casino you’ll also get a far wider choice of games to play. And that’s not just blackjack variations but a wealth of other casino games too. Playing at the best blackjack casino online means you’ll get to play far more games per hour. And if you’re using a mathematical strategy this will increase the odds of you winning. Quite simply, the more hands you play the higher your chances of winning. Playing at a physical table with 7 other players you can expect to play on average, 52 hands per hour. Whereas playing online, when it’s just you and the dealer, you could be playing up to 200 hands per hour. Playing heads up with dealer also eliminates the possibility of playing against another player who doesn’t really know what they’re doing. Another advantage worth mentioning is that you can change tables whenever you want to. For example, your hands might not be working out how you want them to and you think it’s worth changing to see if it’s any better at another table. You can even change casinos completely if you want to. We’ll finish up by sharing some tips on what to look for in the best blackjack online casino.
Things to look for in a top online casino offering blackjack games
You’re obviously pretty serious about playing blackjack online or you wouldn’t have made to the bottom of the page. So we’ll end with a few tips to help you find the best site to spend your money.
Security
This will nearly always feature near or at the top of our list of important features. It’s important to be able to trust an online casino before you start making real money deposits. All the reputable blackjack casinos will be licensed and regulated by a recognised regulatory body. One of the better known ones is the UK Gambling Commission. Such a regulatory body ensures the games are fair and that the casino operates in a fair and honest manner.
Plenty of games to choose from
You may have a favorite game to play but having the option to play a variety of others is always a good thing. At the best online casino blackjack games are always going to be a main feature but you should also look out for games such as roulette, slots, baccarat or Sic Bo.
Special bonuses and promotions
This may well be one of the first things you spot when you visit a new casino. But just in case it isn’t we thought we’d better point it out. Nearly every casino you visit will have its own unique set of bonuses and promotions running. Some will be really good and some not worth a penny. Read our section on casino bonuses and you’ll be able to decide which are the best ones to choose.
One final feature worth mentioning is the payout percentage. One of the main reasons for blackjacks longstanding popularity is that it’s one casino game where the house has the lowest edge. For many gamblers this is a very important factor and one that can always be taken advantage of.
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