Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the USA due to its relative simplicity and excellent odds that make it equally suitable for novice or seasoned players. There are many new variants online with exciting side bets or different rules that make it even more favorable to punters.
Keep scrolling to discover more about this game of 21, including its types, rules & tips to help your gameplay improve.
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You may very well be familiar with the layout of a blackjack table from movies or visits to brick-and-mortar casinos. If you don’t know the rules yet, the game may seem complicated, but it really isn’t. Let’s look at how it’s played, its basic rules and what your winning chances are.
It is a card game where participants play against a dealer. There can be several other players at the same table, all competing against the dealer.
In virtual titles, you are playing against the computer. One, two, four, six, or eight decks of cards are in use, depending on the variant.
The objective of the game is to get your total card value as close to 21 as possible without going over and beating the dealer’s card value.
The objective is to get your card value as close to 21 as possible. Before you sit down at the table, you’ll have to learn how cards are valued.
Card | Value |
2 through 10 | Face value |
Jack, Queen and King | 10 points |
Ace | Either 1 or 11 – whichever is more favorable |
You start the game by placing a bet. Both you and the dealer will get two cards. Yours are face-up while the dealer has one card facing up and the other facing down. You now have the following options:
Available options | What do they mean? |
Hit | You ask for another card. |
Stand | You are happy with the two cards you got and don’t ask for another. |
In certain situations, you’ll have more options offered. These are the main ones:
Other available options | What do they mean? |
Double down | Players can double their initial bet and draw just one more card. Some casinos only allow you to double down when your cards total 10 or 11. Doubling down is only allowed after the initial two cards have been dealt. |
Surrender | In some casinos, you can give up your weak hand and get half of your bet back. |
Split | Pairs can be split into two hands for double the chance to win. When you decide to split, you’ll have to place the original wager again. |
Insurance | If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, players can decide to buy insurance against the dealer’s potential blackjack by wagering half of their bet. |
Side Bets | Many real money casinos offer various side bets that players can place together with the original bet (e.g., Perfect pair) |
Online casinos are now regulated in multiple US states including New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Casinos that obtain their license from the local gambling authority can offer online table games, including blackjack to punters who are over 21 years of age and are physically located within state borders; Platforms offering games will have to adhere to strict laws and regulations, pay taxes after their operating income and are subject to regular audits.
Casinos and betting sites must employ geolocation technology to ensure their players are staying within state borders while playing. This check is done by confirming your computer’s IP address or getting location data from your cell phone operator.
While the European and American variants are two of the most widely accessed forms of the game, there are many innovative versions available in online casinos. Gaming studios go out of their way to create both virtual and live dealer titles with a twist. Now, let’s look at the ones you’ll commonly find on US platforms.
In this variant, there are two decks of cards used. There is no face-down card as the dealer only gets one card at first. Doubling down is restricted to hand values of 9, 10 or 11.
Bet | Payout | Probability | House edge |
Natural win | 3 to 2 | 4.78% | 0.40% |
Insurance win | 2 to 1 | 30% | 3% |
Other win | 1 to 1 | 43.3% | 0.40% |
Ties | push | 8.7% | 0.40% |
Here, the dealer gets two cards: one card faces up and one faces down. Players may play 1, 3 or 5 hands at a time.
Bet | Payout | Probability | House edge |
Natural win | 3 to 2 | 4.78% | 0.50% |
Insurance win | 2 to 1 | 30% | 3% |
Other win | 1 to 1 | 43.3% | 0.50% |
Ties | push | 8.7% | 0.50% |
Here, the dealer stands on soft 17 and can peek for Blackjack as there is a hole card in this variant. Players are allowed to split their cards up to a maximum of three times.
Bet | Payout | Probability | House edge |
Natural win | 3 to 2 | 4.78% | 1.31% |
Insurance win | 2 to 1 | 30% | 3% |
Other win | 1 to 1 | 43.3% | 1.31% |
Ties | push | 8.7% | 1.31% |
Players are dealt two hands at the same time, and they can switch the top cards to improve their two hands. There’s also a side bet called Super Match which pays if the player’s first four cards contain a pair, two pairs, or three of a kind. While the probabilities and payouts of the regular bets are the same as in the American and European versions, the side bets work out as described in the table below.
Bet | Payout | Probability | House edge |
Pair | 1 to 1 | 0.352205 | 0.58% |
2 pair | 8 to 1 | 0.015342 | 0.58% |
3 of a kind | 5 to 1 | 0.019567 | 0.58% |
4 of a kind | 40 to 1 | 0.000357 | 0.58% |
This variant has side bets where you can bet on having two of the same cards in either suit, symbol or both. The house edge is rather high for these bets as described in the below table.
Bet | Payout | Probability | House edge |
Perfect Pair | 30 to 1 | 0.016867 | 8.05% |
Colored Pair | 15 to 1 | 0.019277 | 8.05% |
Mixed Pair | 7 to 1 | 0.038554 | 8.05% |
Strategy charts will help you apply a suitable strategy. This way you can minimize the house edge and maximize your chances of winning. Strategy charts are available online for free.
This card game offers the lowest house edge of all casino games.
House edge | Between 0.42% and 1.5% – depending on the variant |
Probability of winning in any round | 42.22% |
Probability of losing in any round | 49.10% |
Probability of a tie | 8.48% |
These figures apply to the usual gameplay. Side bets carry a higher risk, and we advise you to think long and hard before placing them.
Name | Casino | Software producer | Link to play |
21 + 3 Progressive Blackjack | Galaxy Gaming | https://nj-casino.goldennuggetcasino.com/games/blackjack/21-3-progressive-blackjack/play/free/ | |
Blackjack | Unibet, BetMGM | IGT | https://nj.unibet.com/games/all-games/Blackjack-igt/play/free/ |
Draftkings Blackjack | Draftkings | ||
New York Jets Blackjack | Borgata, BetMGM | Evolution | |
Multihand Blackjack Surrender | Unibet, Draftkings | IGT | https://nj.unibet.com/games/all-games/Multi-Hand-Blackjack-Surrender/play/free/ |
In all variants of the game a win typically pays 1:1, except for certain cases.
If you bet $1 and win, you’ll get your original $1 back plus an additional $1.
Getting a blackjack normally pays 3 to 2 and this is clearly advertised on the table mat. You should stay away from games that pay out 6 to 5 or worse.
If you bet $10 and get a blackjack, you will earn an additional $6 in your winnings.
Side bets can pay much larger sums. The highest paying side bet is 1,000 to 1 and it is paid if you have two queens of hearts, and the dealer has a blackjack.
You bet $1 and you get two queens of hearts, you’ll get a $1,000 payout.
You’ll find multiple titles in all our recommended casinos. Our current favorite site to access the game is Golden Nugget, where you’ll find two dozen titles on offer including virtual and live dealer formats.
Caesars, BetMGM, Borgata and DraftKings also have a great selection, however, games can only be played after a successful registration.
You can take advantage of different casino bonuses when playing 21 online. All the casinos we recommend at Profitsquad offer generous welcome bonuses to new players.
Many platforms offer a small amount (e.g., $25) of free bonus for new players just for signing up. After claiming the bonus, you’ll be able to use it for the game of your choice. However, note that there may be wagering requirements before you can cash out any winnings. Claiming no-deposit bonuses is a great way to boost your bankroll without risking your own money.
Casinos often match your first deposit in the form of a deposit bonus. You can claim up to $1000 of bonus at several American sites. Note, that some table games, including blackjack, may not count towards wagering, or only count as, for example, 10%.
You have two main options for playing real money blackjack online. You can go for a virtual game where everything is computer-generated, or you can choose to play with a live dealer through a live feed. Here are the main features of both options.
| Virtual | Live Dealer |
Minimum bets | Low minimum bets – e.g 10 cents | Minimum bets start around $10 |
Social aspect | Solitary play | Play alongside other players |
Pace | Can be very fast | Tends to be slow as other players must place bets too |
Availability | Many variants available | Multiple tables available |
Opening hours | Available 24/7 | Some tables only available during certain hours of the day |
Free play? | Available in demo mode | Not available in demo mode |
These games are available in any decent american online casino, however, there can be huge differences between platforms.
These are the considerations you should make before deciding where to play.
Choose a site that offers many variants. It is possible that over time, you’ll get bored with your favorite title, and you’ll want to try something a bit different. The best casinos offer over 10 titles.
Platforms team up with software providers to offer a variety of games. The most reputable studios create quality options that are always fair. If you choose a game from software producers such as IGT, Galaxy Gaming or Evolution Gaming, rest assured you’ll be in good hands.
American sites in many states must team up with local land-based casinos. This should give you peace of mind as they are reputable establishments. BetMGM, Caesars, Borgata and Golden Nugget have been in operation for years and they all provide high-quality entertainment.
New players can often claim generous welcome bonuses upon sign-up. Whenever you can, you should grab these deals and start your gambling session with some extra cash. Check if the site offers bonuses that can be used on blackjack before accepting the offer.
The below table should help you decide whether you should play for real money or try the free version.
Real money | Free |
You can claim bonuses and participate in promotions | Risk-free play |
You can win real money | Good for practice |
Live dealer options are available for that real casino feel | No sign-up required; you can play right away |
You can play with your friends in live dealer titles | Great option for pure entertainment |
While you may easily find strategy charts for the exact variant you are playing, some basic strategies apply to most versions of the game. Keep these simple rules in mind and you can improve your odds of winning.
Since the game of 21 requires some skill the choices you make can have a big impact on the outcome. While it is still quite an easy game, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind.
To minimize the house edge, you should apply an optimal strategy. The good news is that strategy charts are available for free online, and you are welcome to use them while playing blackjack. They will tell you what to do in every situation.
Decide what is the maximum amount you can afford to lose and stick to it. When you have spent it all, walk away from the table. Players all too often wager more money in the hope of winning back the losses, but they may end up losing even more.
This bet is not a good deal, statistically speaking. The probability of the dealer getting a blackjack is less than 33% yet you must wager half of your bet, so it is not worth the risk.
A good betting system, such as the Martingale, can help you control your bets and reach the winning level you decide. Perhaps, experiment with it in demo games and see how it works out for you.
Blackjack is one of the most popular table games in American online and land-based casinos. Playing the game online is possible through many exciting variants with a wide range of bet limits. It is easy to learn and applying basic strategy should give you a better chance of winning than any other casino game. Choose a reputable platform from our top list, claim your welcome bonus, and try your luck with the game of 21!
Card counters apply a value to each card that has come up during the game (+1, 0 or -1). The running number gives a good indication as to whether the player or the dealer is at an advantage based on the remaining number of high and low cards.
No, the game requires some skill too. Apply basic strategy and you can reduce the house edge to under 1%.
Your odds of winning are the same in a land-based casino as online. You have a 42.22% chance of winning each hand.
Yes, most casinos offer either a mobile app or a mobile-friendly website with the same great games you’ll find on their desktop version. This card game is particularly suitable for online play as there aren’t many buttons that have to fit on the screen.
Some American casinos offer demo versions of their games (for example Golden Nugget). You can also play free games at social sites.
If you play at a licensed American casino in a state that allows online gambling, you can play the game legally.
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