Online Blackjack
You can play Blackjack online for real money right here at Bet UK online casino, as we offer a wide range of both live and virtual Blackjack table games. In fact, we believe that we’re the best online Blackjack site in the UK, as our diverse range suits the needs of both new and experienced players, as well as those that prefer live dealers in their Blackjack gameplay, and players who want a more private environment. With games being created by a wealth of developers such as Evolution Gaming, IGT, Relax Gaming, and Playzido, you can be sure your Blackjack experience is in capable hands.
What is Online Blackjack?
Firstly, we'll look into the fantastic card game known as Blackjack, this game is a comparison card game between one or numerous players and a dealer. It's one of the most popular casino games available online and in land casinos. Players don't compete against each other, but instead play against the dealer. All players go first, aiming to get as close to 21 as possible without exceeding that figure, before the banker plays their turn. At 17 points or higher, the dealer will stick (unless the hand is a 'soft' 17, i.e a hand containing an ace and one or more cards totalling 6). Exceeding 21 means the player/dealer has gone bust and has lost the game.
How to Play Online Blackjack
If you’re new to Blackjack, or just looking to freshen up your skills, then our casino blog may be of interest to you. Here, you’ll find a wide range of articles that explain exactly how to play Blackjack. So, if you want to learn about hitting and standing, or you want to find out more about Blackjack side bets, then we have you covered. We even answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Blackjack, as well as providing you with a glossary of terms you’re likely to come across as you play.
How to use Blackjack Side Bets Online
When it comes to playing online Blackjack games, you will often find that there are new ways to play the game of online Blackjack and this often comes in the form of side bets. No matter what online Blackjack site you play at, you will find that there is at least one side bet in one of their games. Side bets are sometimes very easy to understand, particularly in online blackjack when you have a guide, some side bets on the other hand, can be confusing, so it is worth analyzing each side bet before you play UK Blackjack casino games. Some of the side bets that you might come across when you play Blackjack games can be found below.
Insurance: Insurance bets provide players with a back-up option in Blackjack games, as if the dealer has an ace face up, players can opt to add half their original stake and pays out at odds of 2/1 if the dealer has a Blackjack, so even if you lose, you break even. Of course, if the dealer has a 9 card and you still lose, you will lose the entire stake.
Perfect Pairs: Perfect Pairs is typically a variant of Blackjack rather than a side bet but on occasion, you will find it in the form of a side bet. In this scenario, when a player's cards are dealt and the player has two of the same card, they can receive payouts ranging from 5:1 to 25:1.
21+3: Another common side bet is the 21+3 which incorporates a number of elements from Three Card Poker into your Blackjack game, with this side bet you can receive five different payouts ranging from 5:1 to 100:1. These bets include Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Straight Flush and Suited Triple.
Tips for playing Blackjack online
When playing Blackjack online it is easy to forget what the best course of action is at certain times. So we've come up with five tips below to help you when playing Blackjack games.
Set a Bankroll - Don't always assume that Blackjack is a 50/50 game, the game is never guaranteed to go in any direction, set a timeslot that you're planning to play the game and select a Bankroll that is appropriate for that timeslot. A good bankroll is an affordable bankroll that will take you through a sustained period even if things don't play out in your favor. It is vitally important that the stake set is one suitable for you, putting your entire bankroll on a single game may work out for players sometimes but for the majority of the time, these situations end up going wrong.
Knowing when to split - Getting carried away and splitting whenever you get a pair is a quick way to lose all your bankroll. However, that's not to say that it shouldn't be done. Two pairs that we believe you should almost always split is aces and eights. Aces give you the best opportunity to land double Blackjack and even if Blackjack doesn't come, you have the best chance of winning. With eights, a hard 16 is a difficult hand to win as for the dealer to stand, they'll need to win the hand. For the majority of other card match-ups, you'll need to use your judgment to see whether or not it's worth splitting.
Focus on the Dealers Up-card - Unless you've been given a fantastic combination of cards, your situation will change more due to the dealers up-card rather than your cards. The dealer will need to have 17 or more to stand in most scenarios, if the visible card for the dealer is a nine, your response is going to be different if it is a card ranging from 4-6, having a strategy guide next to you is always a positive but keep in mind that your scenario changes more on the dealers card than anything else.
Play Live Online Blackjack Games
Our online casino collection contains plenty of live Blackjack varieties, from classic options to more unique variants. Live casino selections include Evolution Gaming’s Blackjack lobby, where you can explore a variety of tables until you find the one that’s right for you. These tables include Salon Prive, where it will just be you and a single live dealer, ensuring a more isolated experience. You can also join VIP tables were the stakes are generally higher, or even take part in Speed Blackjack if you want to play more rounds in a shorter timeframe.
Evolution are also responsible for a less-conventional style of game, in the form of Power Blackjack. Here, you’ll always be able to find a seat, as there are an infinite number available. What’s more, Power Blackjack offers some additional features, including tripling or quadrupling down on your bet, even after splitting. This can make for a more dynamic and unique experience when you play Blackjack online at Bet UK.
Online Blackjack Table Games
For a bit more input in your Blackjack sessions, you might want to consider online Blackjack table games. Titles such as First Person Blackjack offer the same functions as live Blackjack games, but without the need for a dealer. Instead, a random number generator determines the outcome of each round, which only begins when you’re ready. You’ll find similar gameplay in Deal or No Deal Blackjack too.
These table games can also be used to play Blackjack for fun, via the demo options, where you’ll be given a virtual balance so you don’t have to spend any of your own money getting to grips with the game, or working on your Blackjack strategy.
Hitting in Blackjack Games
When looking to hit in Blackjack, this means that you'll receive another card from the dealer. In Live Blackjack games, you will have a select period to choose this option, this is one of the Classic Blackjack moves that you'll find in all Blackjack variants.
Standing in Blackjack Games
When you're satisfied with the hand in-front of you, you'll be able to stand and keep your total going into the end of the round. In some Blackjack variants, you will have a set total that you'll have to surpass to stand; however, in most variants, you can stand on any total and any limitations in Blackjack casino games sit with the dealer.
Splitting in Blackjack Games
If you're dealt two cards, you have the option to split them into two hands and double your bet. This will act as two separate bets for the remainder of the round and the dealer will play against both hands, this option - if done correctly, is a fantastic way of maximizing the profit you can receive from a good hand, if done wrongly, you could end up with double the losses.
Doubling Down in Blackjack Games
If you're confident that with one more card you'll find the round, you may wish to Double Down, this will double your bet and provide you with another card, the negative here is that you MUST stand after receiving this card even if you aren't happy with your total. This is one of the most risky moves in Blackjack, casinos both online and on-land allow this move.
Surrendering in Blackjack Games
The option to surrender isn't offered in all Blackjack games and there is no guarantee you'll get it when playing at an online casino. Most strategy guides will say never to surrender and for the most part, we agree, you never know what the dealer may have but if you're extremely unconfident with your hand, you can surrender your cards and get back half your initial bet.
Insurance in Blackjack Games
When playing live dealer Blackjack games, you will find that the Insurance option is typically available when the dealers upcard is an ace, the dealer will ask if players wish to make an insurance bet. This bet allows you to win if the dealer has Blackjack at odds of 2:1 but does cost half your initial stake.
Blackjack FAQs
How many decks are used in online Blackjack games?
This can vary depending on the game, for example, Single Deck Blackjack is played with a single deck and most top online Blackjack sites will have a variety of options but typically, Blackjack is played with six-decks and a total of 312 cards.
What is a "soft hand" in Blackjack?
A soft hand is any hand that contains an ace, this means that the ace could mean either an 11 or a 1, the player is flexible with their options. Meanwhile, a hard hand is any hand that doesn't include a changeable ace.
What is the most expensive chip in Blackjack?
Typically in most online and land casinos, you'll find that the Orange chip is the most expensive, also referred to a pumpkin, this chip tends to be worth £1,000.
What is the difference between European Blackjack and American Blackjack?
Blackjack variants are small but the main change in the American game is that you receive your cards face-up. European Blackjack tends to be played with fewer decks but the rules around surrendering are better in American, so that could be the preference of Blackjack players who are looking to play at Blackjack casino sites.