How do we Rank the Top Blackjack Sites?
Ranking the top blackjack sites is not as easy as play them all and commend the sites where we won. There are a lot of factors that influence our recommendations, most of which have a far greater priority than the winnings. Just because we got lucky doesn’t mean you will when you sign up and play.
Instead, we examine blackjack sites with the view of putting together a perfect list of casinos. If you would like to know what types of criteria we look out while reviewing blackjack sites, you can read a few examples below:
- Blackjack variety: Blackjack is a game filled with side bets. While it might be intimidating to bet more than your stake, veterans will know the best payouts are in the side bets.
- Welcome Bonus: Blackjack is an incredibly popular online game, which means very few casinos offer dedicated bonuses for new players to get started. So, any online casino offering a welcome bonus that players can use on blackjack will stand out from the crowd. We recommend using these welcome bonuses not just on the games you love, but also on different side bets or variants you have never tried before. Who knows, you might find your new favourite.
- Customer support: Although it would be great if we could play all day without any troubles, sometimes that is not the case. That’s why we examine the support systems online casinos have in place to test their response time and effectiveness.
- Responsible gambling: Casinos or blackjack sites must offer protection to vulnerable gamblers and restrictions for players to limit their deposits. Although most players can enjoy gambling without the use of the restrictions, it’s always better to have safety features there incase you need them. After all, you may not need your cars airbags every day, but the time you do, you’ll be very thankful they were there!
While you may not know every single aspect we look at while reviewing blackjack sites, you can take solace knowing we have you at the forefront of our minds. We only recommend you the best blackjack sites to save you time and hopefully money.
How to Play on the Best Blackjack Online Sites
Online blackjack is a game of skill, with a fair bit of luck woven in. The aim of the game is to get as close as you can to 21 without going over. New players often underestimate the tactics needed to play blackjack online, as there are a wealth of betting options and moves you can make every hand.
Before the dealer gives you cards, you must place a bet. If the blackjack table you’re playing has a minimum bet, then you will need to meet it or exceed it to play. Some tables will have several side bets. These bets do not interfere with the regular game, instead they can prove very rewarding depending on what cards you’re dealt.
Understanding the blackjack table is only half the battle, now you need to make it work in your favour. Your aim is to have 21, but this is not a guarantee you will win. If your total is the same as the dealer, then you have tied. You don’t lose your bet, but you also don’t collect any winnings. Therefore, it’s critical that you stay on the right side of 21 as going over will confirm you cannot win, no matter what. Staying in will always give you a chance to win, as the dealer might bust.
When you’re dealt two cards of equal value, you can split them – but should you? As with any game where money is on the line, there is no right answer that applies for every situation. If the cards you can split are low, anything around a seven or lower, then you should split. This will give you two chances to end up with a good hand. If you have two jacks, then it’s unlikely to be worth splitting. This is because once these cards are split, there is only one card that can give you a better score, and eight that will give you a lower score than your original total.
However you play blackjack, always have risk in the back of your mind. The payout for beating the dealer is 1 to 1, meaning you double whatever you bet. So, it’s not worth taking enormous risks as you can’t win crazy jackpots like you can in slots.
Online Blackjack Gambling Sites Jargon Busted
Online blackjack is a lot easier once you understand all the unique terms and phrases. While you don’t need to learn all the terminology to be an excellent online blackjack player, it will help you get up to speed quickly.
- Stand: The term given to when a player sticks with the current total they have. After the player stands, they can’t receive any more cards and will hope the dealer ends up with a lower score, or busts.
- Hit/twist: When you want to receive another card, you can say hit, twist, or use a fancy hand gesture – if you were playing at the table.
- Split: A split can only occur when you’re starting cards are equal in value. When you split, you re-bet your original wager and get two hands to play, potentially doubling your winnings.
- Upcard: The dealer has two cards, one of them face up and the other is facing down. The face up card, called the upcard, gives you an idea of what the dealer’s score could be.
- Heads up: A heads up game is where you are the only player at the table taking on the dealer.
- Bust: Let’s say you have 15, and you ask for another card which has a value of seven or more, then you have busted. Getting 22 or higher means you are bust, and you are out for the round.
What are the Top Blackjack Sites for Real Money
Playing online blackjack to pursue profit is not a recommended way to make money. All the sites on this page require you to wager real money and we cannot guarantee anyone winning cash on any site. We recommend you play blackjack or any other online casino game as a source of entertainment, not a source of income.
If you are interested in the RTP for blackjack, or want to know how to maximise your winnings, then you should investigate side bets. Side bets offer players the chance to bet on something besides trying to get as close as you can to 21. These side bets usually have significantly higher payouts, which often results in a decrease in RTP as the chances of winning reduces.
Below is a list of a few side bets available on several online blackjack games:
- Perfect pairs: Players bet on whether the first two cards dealt will be a pair. The most common payout is a mixed pair where you’re dealt the same numbers in any suit. A coloured pair is when you get two of the same red or black cards and a perfect pair is when you get two of the exact same cards, for example, two tens of clubs.
- 21+3: A three card poker side bet where the players’ first two cards and the dealer’s upcard may equate to a payout. Forming a flush, straight, three of a kind, or a straight flush will cause a win.
- Lucky lucky: Another side bet using the dealer’s upcard. This time, your first two cards and the dealer’s upcard are added together. If these three cards equal 19, 20, or 21 then you will get a payout.
- Lucky ladies: If the first two cards dealt to you equal 20, or contain a queen, you win! You have higher payouts if the twenty is suited, matched, or if its two queens of hearts.
- Suit ‘em Up: Rewards players if they are dealt suited cards, pairs, blackjacks, or aces.
- Buster blackjack: The more cards the dealer busts with, the higher the payout. Some winning conditions require you to have a blackjack.
- Insurance: This is not a side bet to win big, instead it protects you from the dealer having a blackjack from deal. You can only buy insurance when the dealer’s upcard is an ace, and it will cost you half your bet.
Why Blackjack Sites UK?
Blackjack sites with a valid UK gaming license are under strict rules and regulations from the UK Gambling Commission. These rules enforce online casinos to protect vulnerable gamblers and take steps to ensure criminal activity and gambling do not mix.
As part of acquiring a UKGC license, online casinos must have their random number generation software tested for fairness. So, players who look for blackjack sites UK will know they have a greater level of protection.
UPDATED ON: October 21, 2021
