Online BlackJack Real Money

Blackjack still holds its ground as one of the top casino games of all time available with real money at online and land-based casinos. On this page, you’ll find the best sites to play blackjack online for real money. We teach everything you need to know about blackjack including its history, types of blackjack, strategies to win, and short guides on how to play, how to win, which casinos make for the perfect live blackjack, and much more.

Best Sites to Play Blackjack for Real Money

It is very important to choose carefully the Online Casino to play with. Here is a selection of our highest recommended and most trusted Online Casino where you can play Blackjack and start earning real money! We only list legal gaming sites that are in compliance with US online gambling law.

The secure websites we’ve recommended have the best payouts and the most competitive odds. Furthermore, they have a great customer support, wide variety of games and free money bonus promotions. Want to know more? Contact us!

What is Blackjack?

Blackjack (also known as twenty-one) is one of the most popular casino card games in the world. One of the main reasons for its popularity is that blackjack is so simple to play. Also, a low house edge makes it appealing to those who long to beat the house. However, the game requires more than just luck to win.

Blackjack is a game of skill and chance. It is a comparing card game between one or more players and a dealer, where each player, in turn, competes against the dealer. Chance resides in the cards you receive and skill in the ways you play them. Crossing your fingers doesn’t help as you’d need the right strategy to increase the winning odds. Read below to learn how online blackjack for real money works.

How to Play Real Money Blackjack

Step 0 - The Basics

The rules involved in playing Blackjack are very simple, but you need to have a thorough understanding of them before you can start playing the game. Your main objective isn’t to get to 21 as soon as you can. You should get a stronger hand than that of the dealer without exceeding the 21 mark, instead. That’s your main objective as you play blackjack online.

For new players, it’s virtually crucial that you get to understand the value of each card found in the deck.

Cards numbered from 2 – 10 retain their face value
Kings, Queens and Jacks are all valued at 10. In blackjack, suits have no value
Aces are usually considered as a wildcard. You can choose to value them as 11 or 1. If you choose to value the Ace as 11, you have a hard hand while those who value it as 1 have a soft hand

In addition to knowing the value of the cards, it’s important that you also note the following points:

As you play blackjack online, a total of six-eight decks are used. Each deck has 52 cards
The deck is usually shuffled after 50% of the cards in the eight decks have been used

Step 1 - The Cards

At the beginning of each round, after betting in the dark, you are going to be dealt with two cards face-up. The dealer (for Live Dealer Casino) and software will also be dealt with two cards, with one of them facing down (the hole card).

Step 2 - The Player Moves

Depending on the cards that you and the dealer have, you can decide to take any one of the following options.

Basic Moves

Hit – When you hit, you are asking the dealer to deal more cards to you
Stand – If you stand, you’ve decided not to take any more card
Double Down – When you double down, you’ll be doubling your bet after which you’ll receive an extra card and hold down automatically
Split – This only happens if you have two similar cards dealt on the first round. When you split, you’ll get two separate hands. You’ll be required to place a second bet, equal in value to the first one. Most casinos accept a maximum of three splits

Advanced Moves

Take Blackjack Insurance – Blackjack Insurance is a bet that you can only bet if the dealer’s up card is an Ace or a 10-value card. When you take insurance, you are basically betting the hole card will result in a Blackjack or Natural.

Surrender – You peek at your cards and notice that you have an awful hand and that your chances of winning are very minimal. You can opt to surrender. However, this option is not offered across all online casinos. So it’s important to cross check the casino’s blackjack rules before starting to play.

For full details about how to play at blackjack online, please read our Blackjack Basic Strategy Complete Guide.

Step 3 - The Dealer Moves

Once every player has made his move, the dealer will go ahead and reveal his/her card.

If the dealer has a natural/blackjack the House wins
House must stand with 17 or more and must hit with 16 or less
If the dealer “bust” all players still in the game win their bets

Otherwise, the outcome is determined as follows.

Whoever has his/her card closest to 21 than the dealer wins and the casino pays out at odds of 1:1
Should your card value exceed 21, you automatically “bust” and you lose your bet
If you have a natural (the two cards have a value of 21), you have a blackjack, and the casino will pay out at odds of 3:2
Only if the value of your card is similar to that of the dealer, the result is a push, and you receive a full refund of your bet

Online Blackjack - Dealer Rules

It is very important to well understand the Blackjack online real money dealer rules. They depend on the cards that the dealer holds plus the online casino where you are playing the game from. Every online casino has its own unique rules, but they are usually the same in most instances.

If the dealer’s hand is a 16 or less, then he/she is required to hit until a hand from 17 to 21 is achieved, or he/she busts. However, in most instances, the dealer will stand on a soft 17. But they are obligated to stand on a hard 17, which is usually the safest bet for the house. The dealer can not choose what to do and that’s why the player changes the game strategy based on the dealer’s face up card.

How to Win Real Money Online Blackjack

Having gone through all the basics, it’s about time that we looked at the basic creeds of blackjack online winning strategy.

To increase your chances of winning as you play blackjack, you have to practice splitting your hands. From turning a losing hand into a winning one, splitting is an essential part of any blackjack online winning strategy
Always avoid splitting a pair of low-value cards as it will only double your chances of losing the bet. However, if you are dealt with a pair of Aces, always split them
Knowing the perfect time to double your bet is imperative. If the dealer’s up card is a low-value card and you hand an Ace together with a low-value card, you should always consider doubling down

For full details about how to win at blackjack online, please read our Blackjack Basic Strategy Complete Guide.

Playing Real Money Blackjack vs Free Blackjack Games

The following are some of the differences between blackjack and free games:

Real Money Blackjack:

Registration is mandatory. Must create an account with an online casino so that you can engage in huge real money prizes which are offered in blackjack tournaments.
Blackjack players who play for real money can enjoy live dealer games online just like in a brick-and-mortar casino with real dealers.
Requires to deposit money into the casino account before setting the bet levels.
Massive bonuses, free spins, and promotions are available online to the players who are playing the best real money blackjack.
Many types of blackjack online casino games are available to play with real money. Online casinos include dozens of variations to keep players interested and offer new ways to make money in-game.

Free Blackjack Games:

Does not require registration. These games are playable on online casinos without any need of creating an account.
You do not need cash deposits. Instead, you have virtual coins to use, which can be used to adjust your betting.
In these types of games, the players need not worry about losing their money as it is free to bet.
Free games are for those looking to play simply for entertainment purposes.
Playing free blackjack games is a great way to warm up, sharpen your skills, and practice to prepare yourself for real money games.

How We Rank the Best Casinos for Online Blackjack

We ensure that all of our recommended online casinos are reputable, safe, and secure. In order to bring you the best casinos to play blackjack, we review each legal US online casino on the basis of various features. The best way to convince you that our recommended casinos are the best in the industry is by explaining our process of ranking casinos.

Solid Security

Encryption is one of the security measures that online gambling sites have to use to keep their security certificate. With top-notch encryption software, our chosen online sites will maintain your personal and financial information confidential. In addition, we make sure that blackjack games are operated fairly, and that the odds are completely random.

Great Bonuses and Promotions

Bonus and promotions play an important role in any online casino. Blackjack sites offer a signup/welcome bonus in order to attract new customers and various promotions to the existing players. The loyalty program is one of the best types of blackjack bonuses offered to reward regular players.

A match bonus, reload bonus, cash back bonus, and free chips are also available to play online blackjack for real money. Blackjack games tend to count for a lower percentage when it comes to bonus clearing. So, be sure to check how much a casino offers for blackjack play before you try and clear your bonus.

Mobile and Tablet Gaming

It’s essential that the casino you choose has great mobile gaming options. A casino mobile app is a great way to keep the customers engaged when they are on the move. The best online casinos have dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. We ensure that these apps have a smooth interface and run fast, in fact, faster than desktop versions in many cases.

Fast Payouts

When you work with an online casino with a quick payout you can get your money in just a few hours. With fast payouts like Credit/Debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, AmEx), the money will be yours to enjoy before you know it. Our recommended blackjack sites all offer faster payouts. Meaning, you can get your cash within hours or up to a maximum of 3 days. If you encounter any problems, all our recommended sites have speedy 24/7 customer support.

Blackjack Game Variants

Blackjack is fun to play. With more variants available, the more entertaining it is. You will have plenty of choices at our best casino sites as they offer all popular blackjack variations. Some of the blackjack versions impress with their unique design, whereas others are just created to be different from the original blackjack.

Types of Blackjack Games

Blackjack is a classic game and there are many attempts made to improve it resulting in various types. The theme of the games is the same but the rule variations are different. Here are the most popular different blackjack variants available to play at legal US online casinos:

Single-Deck Blackjack

The classic blackjack variation is played with only one 52-card deck. If you are able to master this version of blackjack, you will be able to play any of its variants.

Blackjack Switch

In this blackjack version, each player is dealt two hands and is able to interchange cards between the two dealt hands. You can place a side bet called Super Match, which pays out if the first four cards dealt with the player contain a pair, two pairs, or three pairs.

American Blackjack

One of the classic variants of blackjack where the dealer gets their hole card (the one that remains face down) before the player makes any decisions regarding their own hand.

Live Blackjack

Involving a live dealer in real-time, this blackjack variation is the best option for those who prefer to play online but want to experience the fun and thrills of a retail casino. Players can enjoy a real casino gaming experience with live dealers from the comfort of their home via a video link.

European Blackjack

This game is played with two decks of cards and is sometimes also called a “double-deck” blackjack. European blackjack carries a house edge of .39% and only allows you to double with a 9, 10, or 11. Unlike others, this variation of the game most often requires the dealer to hit on soft 17s.

Atlantic City Blackjack

This blackjack variation is similar to Vegas Strip originating in casinos based in Atlantic City. This casino game involves 8 decks of cards and has a higher house edge. This version comes with different rules like players can split their cards up to 3 times and the dealer can stand on 17 and they can also see if they have got a blackjack.

Blackjack Surrender

Blackjack Surrender is similar to classic blackjack but the player has the option to surrender after the first two cards are dealt. If the player takes this option, he/she will recover half of the stake amount.

Perfect Blackjack

Players have an option to side-bet on Perfect Pairs before cards are dealt. If their first two cards are of the same value or face card, they have a pair, and the side bet wins.

Live Dealer Online Blackjack

Live Blackjack is played in real-time and run by real human dealers which makes the game very realistic. Higher-resolution live streaming, greater Internet access, and bandwidth along with developments in optical recognition software have allowed live dealer blackjack to become the choice for many.

You can play live dealer blackjack games and bring the real feel of an exciting visit to a casino right to your desktop and mobile screen. Players can interact with each other and with the dealers as the hands are played out, bringing the feeling of a night at a brick-and-mortar casino home. There are quite a few different live casino blackjack games to choose from, including Standard Blackjack, Party, VIP, Common Draw, and Perfect Pairs.

If live dealer blackjack games are what you are after, just take a look at our shortlist of the best live blackjack sites:

Mobile Blackjack

Online casinos have seen a huge increase in players waiting to enjoy blackjack games for real money on mobile devices. Mobile blackjack is playable on any latest model Android or iOS smartphone or PC. Free mobile blackjack games are perfect for players looking to play blackjack for fun, with all the excitement of the gameplay at absolutely no cost. There are no downloads needed, and you won’t even have to hand over any personal information or sign up for an account.

The mobile blackjack gameplay, on the other hand, is as close to the one in a real-live casino as possible. All players need to do is navigate the game through their web browser or the interface of the mobile casino application of their choice. The rules of the game are the same as the ones of the games provided in retail casinos, but everything is easier in the mobile version, as users are offered to play easily with just a few taps on the screen of their tablet or smartphone from the comfort of their home.

Blackjack Tips

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games, the game is fun but not as simple as some of the other online casino games. It requires skill and at least some level of strategy. There are some advanced tips that you can use to bring down the house edge further to improve your chances of scoring a big win. Here are a few basic tips that can help you improve your blackjack play. We start with a couple of basic tips related to general aspects of the game:

Manage your bankroll

Players need to be careful about a part of the game that is managing their bankroll. The art of managing your bankroll plays an important role in determining how long you manage to stick in the game for as well as how big the amount you can stand to win is as a result of managing your bankroll. It helps us to tell the maximum amount that you should be comfortable spending before starting the game. If the player is not able to reach the maximum bet, it is better to walk away from the bet.

Learn a strategy

The main strategy comprises all of the playing decisions a player should make in order to keep the house edge as low as possible. This strategy is based on the mathematics of blackjack and has been tested through computer simulations. If the player follows it correctly the house edge is reduced to the minimum. It is the best way to play every possible combination.

Avoid making big wagers on one bet

Like other table games, players in blackjack need to avoid betting half of their stack at once – this is a reckless game. The players need to bet in a planned or responsible way so that they need not face any problems at the end of the game and they can earn huge rewards. With the help of smart betting strategies, you can increase your chances of victory.

Consider Blackjack Card Counting

Card counting is all about odds, probability, and remembering what cards have been played and what cards must be left in the pack. There is an equal number of high and low cards in the deck(s), and the most basic card counting system assigns a value of positive, negative, or zero to each card seen. Then, when a card is dealt, the value of that card within the player’s system is adjusted to fit their own card counting approach.

How much are cards worth?

Just like with any other card game, each and every card has its own value.

How much is an ace worth in blackjack?

The value of an Ace card can be either 1 or 11, whichever is more beneficial to the person holding the hand.

How much is a King worth in blackjack?

King is worth 10.

How much are cards 2 to 10 worth in blackjack?

The cards 2 to 10 are worth their numerical value. For instance, 2 is worth 2, 3 is worth 3, so on.

How much is a Jack or Queen worth in blackjack?

The value of Jack and Queen is 10.

History of Blackjack

There is no clear consensus as to where the blackjack game started. Researchers believe that blackjack possibly dates back to the time of the ancient Egyptians and has developed and evolved over the years into the game we recognize now. It probably evolved from the 18th-century French game Vingt-et-un, which translated means twenty-one. However, a Spanish tale called Rinconete y Cortadillo, in the 17th century has reference to a game similar to blackjack.

Blackjack is known to spread across North America with French colonists in the early 1900s. The game was still called 21 when it gained popularity in Nevada, following the state legalization of gambling in 1931. Though the rules were slightly different from present-day blackjack, the game is pretty similar. For instance, the player with cards closest to 21 than the dealer wins but there were more betting rounds throughout each hand and only the blackjack dealer was allowed to double.

In the 1950s, the first blackjack card counters appeared and became more popular after some people discovered the strategies to remove house edge.

Online Blackjack Casinos FAQs

How does Blackjack work?

In blackjack, players play against the dealer and attempt to reach a score of 21 without exceeding it – before the dealer hits 17. The dealer gives out cards and players must choose whether to take on more cards or stop at their current amount. You can win if you don’t bust and your total is higher than the dealer cards. If your cards count exactly 21, it can mean even bigger winnings.

What are the pros of playing Blackjack online?

Playing online blackjack gambling comes with some distinct advantages such as providing players with flexibility, and some unique features including:

Best Casino Odds
Great Casino Bonuses and Rewards
Low House Advantage
Highest Payouts

Can I play online Blackjack games for free?

Yes, most online casinos with real money games also offer free online blackjack games so you can get used to the game, develop your strategy and have fun without risk. However, even though these games look, sound, and feel just like the real thing, you cannot keep any of the winnings that pile up while playing for fun.

What is the house edge in real money Blackjack online?

All real money online blackjack games have a house edge that works in the casino’s favor. The house edge is a percentage that indicates the average loss to the original bet, making it easier for the player to estimate the expected losses during a single hand or gaming session. In other words, the house edge will tell you which games are the most profitable.

Games with a high house edge will pay out less on average over time compared to those that have a house edge that’s lower. In blackjack, against players with a basic knowledge of blackjack strategy, the house edge is a little over 1%. This means, on average, you’ll lose $1 for every $100 you gamble.

What do these abbreviations at online Blackjack casinos mean?

To keep it simple for the player, most of the table rules are already abbreviated on the online screen of gameplay. However, knowing what is allowed and not allowed will make the game easier for you. Some of the most common abbreviations are as follows:

BJ: Blackjack
S: Stand
P: Split
PA: Player Advantage
PE: Playing Efficiency
EV: Expected Value
HA: House Advantage
DAS: Double down is only allowed when you split a pair
BS: Basic Strategy
BSE: Basic Strategy Edge meaning you can get better odds using your basic strategy
DOA: Double Down on any of your initial cards
D10/11: You can only double down on 10s and 11s
OU / O/U: Over / Under 13 side bet
PS: Split 15 or 16 as if you had a pair
ESR: Early surrender allowed. You can surrender your initial hand when the dealer has a natural blackjack (21).
LSR: Late surrender. Lose half of your bet when the dealer gets a non-natural blackjack (21).
H17: This means that when the dealer has 17 (as a soft hit) he must hit.
RSA: You can re-split Aces

What do these Blackjack terms mean?

Hit – When you wish the dealer to give you another card, you hit. Meaning, you draw a new card to add to your hand.
Push – A push is a tied hand that causes your original bet to be returned to you.
Surrender – Also known as Fold, which is allowed at some tables. You can surrender your hand without making any further decisions and you will receive only half of your stake back. Surrendering allows you to potentially save some money if your hand looks like a dud.
Bust – You are said to have ‘bust’ if the total of your cards exceeds 21 and your hand is folded and your bet is lost. The bust also means you have run out of money.
Split – If you receive two cards of the same value, you have the option to split, matching your initial wager.
Stand – If you like your first two cards or have hit and taken another, you can choose to stand at any time. Meaning, you won’t take another card.
Double Down – It means doubling the initial wager. If you have a promising starting hand, and the dealer looks weak—time to double down.

Is it better to surrender early if I don't have good cards?

Yes, surrendering is a good option if the cards in hand are not good. In fact, if you surrender early you only lose half your bet. It makes a lot of sense, in the long run, to get back half the money instead of losing the complete bet amount. However, there is also a chance that the dealer busts and you end up making the wrong decision to surrender.

Are the odds of winning online Blackjack the same as playing Blackjack at a land-based casino?

When it comes to blackjack, online casino sites use the same rules as land-based casinos. So, the same strategy and techniques work. However, the odds of winning online blackjack are more because of the casino site’s lower edge, online bonuses, rewards, and loyalty programs.

Is Blackjack luck, or can you use a strategy to improve your odds of winning?

Blackjack is a game purely based on statistics and can be beaten based on skill—no luck involved. There are some solid bits of mathematics and strategies that can help a player to improve the odds of winning.