Online Blackjack is a highly popular table game in online casinos today, offering players the classic gameplay of the traditional land-based format, mixed with the advanced features and mechanics of digital casino gaming.
Whether you’re new to playing Blackjack online casino, or simply wanting to refresh your gaming knowledge, we’ve provided an outline of the features and rules of the game. Revisiting the mechanics and understanding how it works is key to helping you make informed decisions when you next play.
Basic structure of the game
The gameplay structure of online Blackjack is much like its traditional land-based counterpart. It’s a game of chance based on the comparison of card values between you and the dealer. The goal is to reach a hand total closer to 21 than the dealer’s, without exceeding that number. If your hand goes over 21, this is referred to as a “bust”.
A standard deck of 52 cards is used in most online Blackjack games, although there are versions which may use multiple decks shuffled together to minimise predictability.
The card values of the game are simple:
- Cards from 2 to 10 retain their face value
- Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are valued at 10
- Aces can count as either 1 or 11, depending on what benefits your current hand
How a round of online Blackjack works
When a round of online Blackjack begins, you first place your wager. Once you’ve placed your bet, the game begins, and the dealer gives you two cards face-up. The dealer also receives two cards, but usually one is face-up and the other face-down (the “hole” card).
Once you’ve added up your total hand value, from here, you can take a number of actions:
- Hit: Request another card to improve your hand total.
- Stand: Stick with your current hand and end your turn.
- Double down: Double your initial wager and receive only one additional card.
- Split: If you’re dealt two cards of the same value, you may split them into two hands and play them separately (requires an additional wager).
- Surrender: Only available in some versions, this allows you to forfeit the round early and lose half your wager instead of playing to the end.
The dealer follows a fixed set of rules during their turn. They must usually draw cards until their hand totals 17 or higher.
Common Blackjack variations
There are several popular versions of online Blackjack, which can include:
- European Blackjack: The dealer receives only one card initially and draws their second card after players have completed their turn.
- Atlantic City Blackjack: Typically played with eight decks and includes the option to ‘late surrender’.
- Blackjack switch: Allows you to play two hands at once and switch cards between them.
- Live dealer Blackjack: The game is managed by a human dealer in a dedicated studio, and it’s streamed straight to your chosen device.
While each variation may differ slightly in gameplay, the core objective remains the same. However, make sure you carefully read the specific rules of each game before choosing to play, as certain versions offer slight changes to standard rules.
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The popular game of online Blackjack retains the format and principles of its land-based counterpart, with some adaptations and extra features designed for digital platforms. If you have any more questions about the specific rules and mechanics of online Blackjack, speak to your chosen online casino provider.
