Blackjack Online: Strategy, Rules, How to Play, and Variations

Welcome to the thrilling world of online blackjack, where the excitement of casino games comes to life in the comfort of your own space. The objective is simple: beat the dealer by obtaining a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it.

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Ultimate Blackjack with Olivia
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How to Play Blackjack Online

Before the game begins, the dealer thoroughly shuffles the decks until the cards are well mixed. They then choose one of the players to cut and insert a plastic blank into the deck, called a cut card.

In the beginning, players place bets, and the dealer deals one face-up card to each player, including themselves, followed by another round of cards with the dealer's second card placed face-down.

The players must then decide if they want to hit, stand, double down, or split.

After all players have completed their turn, the dealer reveals the face-down card, which they must hit until their hand reaches a minimum of 17. You win if the dealer’s total is lower than yours or over 21.

To learn how to play blackjack, you must know its basic rules, the card values to count your total, and what the dealer does. Those are as follows:

  • From 2 to 10, the cards have the value they display, i.e., 2 = 2, 7 = 7, etc.
  • The King, Queen, and Jack are worth 10 each.
  • The ace is worth 1 or 11, and it’s up to you to decide its value based on your needs.
Perfect Strategy Blackjack
Perfect Strategy Blackjack
Beat the dealer's hand without going over 21!
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Vegas Single Deck Blackjack
Vegas Single Deck Blackjack
An extra twist with this classic!
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European Blackjack
European Blackjack
Enjoy a classic around the world.
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Premier Blackjack with Side Bets
Premier Blackjack with Side Bets
8 regular decks where the dealer must stand on all 17!
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Blackjack Terminology

Once you know how to play the game, what bets to place, and how much the value of the cards is, you should check out some basic terms. Some include the following:

  • Hit: To request an additional card from the dealer.
  • Stand: This term is used if the player doesn’t want another card but chooses to keep the initial two.
  • Bust: A hand that exceeds 21 and results in a loss.
  • Blackjack: The best possible hand, consisting of an Ace and a 10-value or face card (King, Queen, Jack), totaling 21.
  • Push: A situation when a player and the dealer have an equal card total. Neither the house nor the player wins or loses, and the player’s bet is returned.
  • Ace: A card valued at 1 or 11, depending on the player's hand.
  • Double Down/Doubling: Doubling the original bet and receiving only one more card.
  • Hard Hand: A hand that does not contain an Ace, or if it does, the Ace is counted as 1 to avoid the risk of busting.
  • Heads Up: A game played one against one. One player against the dealer.
  • Insurance: A side bet offered to a player if the dealer’s card is an ace is an insurance against the dealer’s hand, resulting in a 21.
  • Late Surrender: When a player may forfeit his hand and half the bet before the dealer checks for blackjack.
  • Natural: Another term for blackjack, a hand with an Ace and a 10-value card.
  • Pat hand: A hand that stands as is without taking any more cards. The initial two cards dealt to the player are a satisfactory hand and typically have a value of 17 or higher.
  • Soft Hand: A hand with an Ace, which can be counted as 1 or 11.
  • Split: Splitting two cards of the same value. Thereafter, play with two separate hands and double the bets.
  • Early Surrender: This is a rarer form of surrender where players can give up their hand before the dealer checks for blackjack.
  • Shoe: The device that holds multiple decks of cards in blackjack.
  • Cut Card: A coloured plastic card placed in the deck to signal when it's time to reshuffle.
  • Upcard: The dealer's visible card, dealt face up.
  • Hole Card: The dealer's face-down card.
  • Betting Circle: The area on the blackjack table where players place their bets.
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Jackpot City Offers Multiple Blackjack Variations

For those that want more thrill when playing, Jackpot City has a variety of blackjack games that come with slight differences in the gameplay and their rules.

Classic Blackjack

The classic blackjack table is perfect for beginners due to its simple and easy-to-understand rules. The main one you need to remember is that the dealer must get another card when the total of their hands is 16 or less.

Those who wish to play a classic game can try: 

European Blackjack

Played with two decks of cards, this variation allows the player to choose Double Down only when their first two cards have a total value of 9, 10, or 11. Also, the dealer must stand on 17 but doesn't have to peek for blackjack.

Switch European Blackjack and European Blackjack Gold are some of the games you can try at Jackpot City Casino.

Atlantic City Blackjack

Played with eight decks of cards, this variation allows a late surrender, which gives players the right to withdraw from the game by giving up half of their bet and keeping the other half. Also, you can split pairs up to three times and double down on any of the first two cards.

If you're interested in this variation, check out Switch Atlantic City Blackjack and Atlantic City Blackjack Gold.

Buster Blackjack

This variation has an optional side bet. Buster, which allows players to win based on the number of cards in the croupier’s busted hand. The bet must be made along with the blackjack bet before any cards are dealt.

Those who want to try this type can choose the Premier Blackjack with Buster Blackjack game.

Bonus Blackjack

Bonus blackjack has an additional side bet that gives gamers with a winning hand a chance to win an attractive bonus. For example, a 50:1 payout to players with a Jack and an ace of spades.

Vegas Blackjack

Originating from the bustling downtown casinos of Las Vegas, this version often incorporates a few distinctive features. Players can expect the dealer to stand on a soft 17 and allow players to double down on any initial two cards. Splitting pairs is usually allowed up to three times.

Multi-Hand Blackjack

Basically, this is the original game with only one twist. It allows users to play up to five hands at the same time. Each hand is independent, which means that players must place a separate bet and apply a different strategy to each.

Live Blackjack

Live blackjack in Canada can be played online, with a dealer streaming the game from a casino studio in real time. Players make live bets and can talk to the croupier via live chat.

Premier Blackjack with Buster Blackjack™
Premier Blackjack with Buster Blackjack™
Play up to 4 hands simultaneously!
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Premier Blackjack with Lucky Lucky™
Premier Blackjack with Lucky Lucky™
A popular yet simple card game from Switch Studios!
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Switch Multi Hand Classic Blackjack
Switch Multi Hand Classic Blackjack
Unique opportunities to win with this classic!
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Switch Vegas Downtown Blackjack
Switch Vegas Strip Blackjack
Take your chances on the strip!
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Switch Vegas Strip Blackjack
Switch Vegas Downtown Blackjack
Try your hand downtown!
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Basic Blackjack Strategy

Basic blackjack strategy is a fundamental set of guidelines designed to optimize a player's decisions and increase the chances of success at the blackjack table. The basic strategy provides recommendations for the player's actions based on their hand and the dealer's upcard. It guides decisions such as hitting, standing, doubling down, or splitting pairs.

Betting Systems

Betting systems include plans that tell players how to place their bets. Positive and negative progression systems are the two main types. The positive systems require increasing the bets when winning and decreasing them when losing, whereas the negative ones work the opposite way.

The three most popular betting systems are:

  • Martingale System: players double their bet after each loss. The player doubles their bet in an attempt to recover previous losses. This uses a negative progression betting strategy and carries a high level of risk.
  • Paroli System: this system involves doubling the bet after each win and is designed to capitalize on winning streaks. This is a positive progression strategy and is a more structured approach to betting.
  • Oscar's Grind System: After each winning hand, the player increases their bet by one unit. After a losing hand, the bet remains the same. Considered a positive progression strategy and is less risky.
  • Parlay betting strategy: where the winnings from a bet are reinvested into a subsequent bet. Players need to decide when to stop and return to their original bet or risk losing all accumulated winnings.
  • Flat Betting: where a player consistently wagers the same amount on each hand, regardless of whether they win or lose.

Winning Blackjack: Potential Payouts

There are specific situations in blackjack that can lead to different payouts:

  • Standard blackjack games: the payout of a winning hand is typically 1:1.
  • Natural blackjack: if you have an ace and a 10-value card, then the payout is 3:2.
  • Insurance: a side bet that pays 2:1 if the dealer has a natural blackjack.
  • Double Down: the payout is 2:1 on the doubled portion of the bet.
  • Splitting pairs: winning hand usually pays 1:1, but if one of the new hands gets a blackjack, the payout is typically 3:2.
Classic Blackjack with Sweetheart 16™
Classic Blackjack with Sweetheart 16™
Classic rules and an easy interface await you!
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Classic Blackjack with Ten-20™
Classic Blackjack with Ten-20™
Side Bets, Double Down, Split Hands, and Turbo mode!
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Switch Multi Hand Atlantic City Blackjack
Switch Multi Hand Atlantic City Blackjack
Classic Blackjack in a shiny new wrapper!
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Switch ReDeal Blackjack
Switch ReDeal Blackjack
An extremely easy interface and rules!
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How to Find Blackjack Games at Jackpot City?

Now that you know all the basics, you’ll be more informed when you choose a game. At Jackpot City, we have hundreds of slot games, so you can find one that includes the features you enjoy. Here’s how:

  • Simply log in to Jackpot City, and you will be in the games lobby. There are different categories of games, and you will select the “Tables” category. Within that category, there is another filter for blackjack games only. You will then have a long list of new, exclusive, and original games to choose from.
  • Once you launch your chosen blackjack game, you will see your balance, which is your bankroll, your bet amount that can be increased or decreased by selecting the different chip values, the deal button, the undo button, the BET x2button, and the clear button.
  • There is a menu where you can also see the game settings and the game rules button, which opens a page with all the information about the game.
  • Jackpot City doesn’t only cater to blackjack but also roulettevideo poker, bingo, live dealer games, and more. All can be accessed and played through the casino games lobby.
  • If there is a specific game you are looking to play, there is a search bar to type in the specific game name.

Mobile Blackjack and the Jackpot City Casino App

Jackpot City's online mobile casino provides convenient access to a variety of mobile blackjack games, allowing players to enjoy single-bet games, multiple-bet games, additional bets, and bonus features directly from their smartphones or tablets.

Whether using an internet browser or the tailored Jackpot City Casino iOS and Android apps, players can experience the action-packed blackjack games on the go.

Jackpot City Casino Player Safety and Security

Jackpot City Casino is fully licensed and certified by an independent testing agency. It incorporates top-notch SSL encryption technology to ensure a safe and secure gaming environment.

Jackpot City supports responsible gaming and advises users to play for fun. To ensure that, there is a separate Responsible Gaming tab where you can find self-exclusion periods, deposit limits, and other tools. Underage gaming is strictly forbidden.

Online Blackjack General FAQs

Is blackjack easy to play?

Yes, once you understand the basic rules of the game, it’s easy to play. However, it does take a few rounds before you get into it. If you want to practice, we suggest using demo mode.

Can I play blackjack for free?

Yes. Most titles at Jackpot City have both real money and demo mode play, which gives you a choice to play online blackjack for real money Canada or try the game for free.

Is online blackjack rigged?

No, online blackjack is not rigged, especially when playing at licensed casinos. Regulated casinos like Jackpot City incorporate advanced technology and encryption methods to ensure a safe and fair gaming experience.

Can you trust online blackjack?

Yes. Some key considerations to help you determine this are licensing and regulation, reputation, security measures, fairness and randomness, terms and conditions, customer support, responsible gaming features, and payment methods. Jackpot City has all of the above and more to ensure that you can trust our blackjack games.

Are online blackjack dealers real?

Online blackjack uses pre-recorded dealers from a studio, and the cards are Random Number Generated. When you play live blackjack, the casino dealers are real and streamed from a studio.

How to win at online blackjack?

Winning at online blackjack involves a combination of strategy, discipline, and understanding the game dynamics. Familiarize yourself with basic blackjack strategy, a set of guidelines that helps optimize decision-making. Patience is key and stick to a predetermined budget. Take advantage of the promotions and bonuses offered by Jackpot City. Consider the specific rules of the online blackjack variant you're playing, as they can influence your optimal strategy.

Online Blackjack Gameplay FAQs

Should I hit or stay on 16?

Basic strategy advises players to hit on a hard 16 when the dealer's upcard is 7 through Ace. This is because the dealer is likely to have a strong hand, and the player's best chance is to try to improve their own hand. However, if the dealer's upcard is 2 through 6, basic strategy suggests that the player should stand on a hard 16.

Does Blackjack beat 21?

Yes. A blackjack (Ace and a 10-point card) beats any other hand, totaling 21. However, a hand totaling 21 without being a blackjack is still a strong hand, and the outcome depends on how the dealer's hand compares to it.

How many decks are used in online blackjack?

It depends on the blackjack game. Generally, up to eight decks can be used, but it can be played with as little as one deck.

When to use insurance in blackjack?

Insurance is an optional side bet in blackjack that becomes available when the dealer's upcard is an Ace. Things to consider include understanding the odds that the dealer has blackjack, the number of decks in play, and the cards already dealt. Most experts recommend focusing on making optimal decisions based on the player's hand rather than taking insurance. If you are risk-averse and prefer minimizing potential losses, you might consider taking insurance if you have a strong hand and a significant bet on the table.

When to split in blackjack?

The decision to split applies when the player is dealt a pair. Always split aces and eights. This is because two aces together are a weak hand, and splitting gives you the opportunity to improve your chances of getting a strong hand. Splitting eights helps you avoid a vulnerable hand with a total value of 16. Never split tens; tens form a strong hand with a total value of 20. Consider splitting fours, fives, and sixes against a weak dealer upcard. The idea is to take advantage of the dealer's weak position and increase your chances of winning both hands. Avoid splitting nines against a strong dealer upcard.

How to deal blackjack?

After shuffling the decks and everyone placing their bets, the dealer then distributes two cards to each player, starting from the left; both cards are face-up. The dealer receives one face-up card and a second card face-down, known as the hole card.

Can you count cards in online blackjack?

No. Counting cards in online blackjack is ineffective compared to doing so in a physical casino. There are several reasons why, including continuous shuffling of the virtual decks after each hand or after a limited number of hands; faster speed of play making it difficult to get an accurate count; Random Number Generator software designed to ensure fair play and randomness, making it difficult for players to predict card sequences; and casino anti-card counting detection measures to detect and deter players from counting cards.
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