Online blackjack, also known as the game of 21, is a relatively simple casino game played against the dealer. The player’s aim is to get as close to the score of 21 as possible without exceeding it. There are currently hundreds of rule variations that affect the house/player edge and player’s decisions during the game, but the major principles of blackjack stay unchanged. To get the hang of important blackjack rules and find some tips to beat the dealer, players of Nigeria are encouraged to keep on reading the guide below.
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Basics of online blackjack
Before the game begins, the player has to place a bet that normally starts at a few nairas and can reach 10,000 nairas in some online casinos. At the beginning of every round, the blackjack software gives two cards each to the dealer and player. One of dealer’s cards is open and the player can see its suite and value. If the player has an Ace and any ten-valued card, he is considered to have “Original Blackjack”, which wins the round (according to stats, the probability of hitting a Blackjack hand is about 5%). Anyway, on getting the original two-card hand, the player should decide what to do next. There are a few choices, marked on the user interface near the table. And this is where an NG player needs to know exactly what to do because an improper choice will decrease the chances of winning.Blackjack card values
Playing blackjack online for real money, one should know how each card in a deck is evaluated. Cards with a face value of 2 to 9 count respectively regardless of their suits (a nine of spades gives 9 points, a five of diamonds gives 5 points, etc.). Tens, Jacks, Queens and Kings are equal to 10 points each, and an Ace gives 1 or 11 points, whichever is more favorable for the player in a given situation. A hand consists originally of 2 cards but in the course of a round a player can hold five, six and more cards in their hand (Trivia: max number of cards in a hand without going bust is 11: four 2s, three 3s and four Aces – this is possible in the ballpark of 1 to 10 billion).Making a suitable decision
Real-life blackjack is a fast-paced game and this is why fans love it so much. But in online blackjack there is no time pressure and the player can ponder over what to do next for as long as needed. In this way, after the initial first deal both the dealer and player have two cards each, and the player has to make a decision. The set of decisions is limited to three options: take one more card (this action is called Hit), refrain from taking any more cards (Stand) or double the initial bet and take one more card (Double Down).There are comprehensive charts and strategies for each blackjack type that show player’s preferred behavior for each game situation (for example, a player should always stand when the cards’ total is 18). In some cases, a player gets two same-valued cards (for example, a jack and queen) in the original hand, and this allows him to split the hand and take one more card for each new hand, thus playing with two hands at a time. Some online blackjack variations in Nigeria allow for splitting only identical cards (2 fives), while the others enable splitting for any same-valued cards as in the example above (J + Q). Given this example, a player should be aware of the rules of the specific table played at the moment.Dealer’s actions
The game software always makes decisions for the dealer and performs all game activities according to a built-in set of rules without backing off from them. The player can make wrong, improper decision but the dealer always acts under a fixed algorithm that a player should be aware of. Dealer always goes second (after the player). The face-down card is turned up and the dealer then stands (if the total is 17 or higher) or takes another card (if the total is 16 or lower). Dealer’s moves are automatic and are governed by unique rules of that very game. Cards are dealt to the dealer until the next card dealt results in a bust, in which case the player is considered winner, or results in a higher total than the player’s.Blackjack variants in NG online casinos
Hundreds of blackjack online variants are known as of writing, most of them are compatible with mobile devices as well. The variants are basically the same but differ in some rule subtleties that change player’s decisions slightly. Besides, BJ variants differ in a house edge (the mathematical advantage that the software has over the player). Below are some of the most popular blackjack variants with short explanations for each. All of them can be played for real money:- Vegas Strip Blackjack. It is played with 4 decks and the dealer stands on all 17s. This is an on-demand variation because of exceptionally low house edge
- European Blackjack. Normally played with 8 decks, it has a unique “no peek rule” where the dealer initially has only one facedown card so the player does not know whether this is an ace or a 10-value card. A house edge varies between 0.4% and 0.7%
- Blackjack Surrender. The two peculiar features is that player’s BJ always wins (in many other variants, the player gets his bet returned if both dealer and player have BJ) and there is a Surrender option that enables the player to retrieve half of the bet
- Atlantic City Blackjack. Player may surrender if his hand is allegedly weaker than the dealer’s and split pairs three times instead of two as is the case in other variations. Dealers also have to peek for a natural BJ even on 10-valued cards. The house edge here is 0.35%.
Online blackjack is available all over the world, with both free play practice blackjack and real money casino blackjack common-place. All of the best online casinos in the world, will have various blackjack games, including live blackjack and random number generated blackjack formats, which often have different rules to spice up the gameplay.
Our top online blackjack casinos for 2021 are:
Best online blackjack sites
Blackjack is the no.1 casino game in the world and, if played by the standard rules, it boasts one of the lowest house edges, giving us the best chance of winning. Our team is here to provide you with everything you need to know about the game of 21: the basic, intermediate and advanced strategies associated with maximising your chances of victory.
Blackjack.com.au was founded by a group of gambling enthusiasts and journalists who are passionate about all things 21 and the various offshoots associated with our favourite game. It is our goal to provide you with an easy-to-access blackjack portal which allows you to make informed and intelligent decisions, based on facts, rather than luck.
Best International online blackjack casinos
Online blackjack is one of the staples of online casinos, with many countries around the world having regulated and legal online gambling available. The best international online blackjack sites are based in places like the United Kingdom and Malta, and feature many more types of blackjack and table limits, then blackjack games you would find at casinos.
Our guide to online blackjack will teach you everything you need to know to successfully play from wherever you are in the world, including run you through some of our favourite variants of blackjack online, live blackjack and where to play, table limits, rules and of course, important things like what deposit options and licenses specific online casinos have.
Live blackjack at online casinos
Live blackjack, or live dealer blackjack, is the no.1 way to play real money blackjack online, with live casinos having changed the face of online gambling forever. In short, live blackjack is when you watch the game unfold via a video feed from a casino or iGaming studio, and you can place your bets via a clickable table, also on your screen.
It’s one of the pitfalls of playing blackjack online that it lacks a social element, but this facet is constantly improving. Many of us still like the authenticity of being dealt cards by live blackjack croupiers, which is why we will take the time to journey to a land-based casino.
Game developers are constantly developing new ways to make it more interactive; it started with a basic live video feed of your blackjack dealer throwing the cards down on a table. Now you can interact with the blackjack dealer and other players, you can play side games in between hands and most importantly you can feel wanted.
This is not to say every live blackjack provider is worth playing; like all things, there are good and bad eggs in the basket. Blackjack.com.au recommends these blackjack software companies’ live casino platforms:
Just like at a land-based casino there are high standards associated with these ‘live dealer hubs’ which are enforced by independent auditors and implemented by pit bosses. Independent iGaming auditors like eCOGRA monitor every aspect of these live blackjack games, and you can rest assured they are a high standard.
Mobile blackjack sites
Real Money Online Blackjack
Playing blackjack games on your mobile device is a popular way for people to gamble on the go.
Blackjack development companies have seized the moment and have pumped millions of dollars into the development of real money blackjack games for mobile iGaming.
It is amazing how quickly the mobile platform has developed, from its humble origins when a few real money slots were rolled out by Microgaming less than 20 years ago, to the industry it has become.
Most of the world boast regulated markets and license casinos in their own jurisdiction, meaning businesses are pumping legitimate money into developing really cool features for online casinos, including mobile blackjack.
The latest in mobile blackjack play has been the emergence of live dealer with various software companies seeing the growing opportunities on offer in this space. While the streaming can lag on a 4G connection, the newer Android and iOS devices (that we use) 4G connections are sufficient to enjoy live dealer blackjack (roulette and baccarat) from your smartphone or tablet.
Online blackjack tournaments
Are you looking to hone your skills in competitions to show dealers and other players how playing blackjack is really done? Keen to win even more money? The BJ tournaments are where we can play against other players and dealers with huge cash prizes to be won. These daily and weekly tournaments are offered in the following formats:
Free roll tourneys: No cost to enter, simply join in and have fun.
Buy-in tourneys: Buy a virtual seat (usually higher in stakes) and compete until one player remains.
Sit & Go tourneys: You start when enough players join the table and can hop up and leave at any time.
Pre-set tourneys: Scheduled tournaments starting at specific times.
These tournaments having varying buy-ins and sociable games available from our computer or mobile device. With huge central cash pools, plenty of awesome bonus prizes, and backed by the International Blackjack League, such tournaments have all of the variety and excitement of land-based blackjack tournaments.
Blackjack strategy
Blackjack.com.au takes great pride in being the authority voice on all things 21. This means we have many strategy guides, whether it be on if insurance is a smart bet, or what to do when a dealer has a certain up card. We deal in facts rather than gut feelings. You can read plenty more about blackjack strategy, including 100s of different articles detailing the best and worst gameplay.
Best Real Money Online Blackjack
Online versus land-based blackjack
The online blackjack arena is more than just a virtual substitute: it’s a growing, viable platform and has a significant amount of advantages over its land-based counterparts. The technology behind such software is constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated; there is increased accessibility and convenience of play in the form of mobile and tablet gaming, more variety in game types and rules and you can play live dealer, which is a crystal clear stream of someone dealing your cards.
Online casinos have lower house edges due to the lack of overheads, and because of the many diverse variations they offer — games you would not find at land-based casinos. Ample low-stake and high-stake games are available to suit every type of gamer. Which cannot often be said about land-based casinos, with $25 the minimum per hand if you want to play standard rules at Melbourne’s Crown Casino. Online you can play for as little as 50 cents per hand.
All of these advantages have closed the gap between online blackjack and the land-based equivalent.
There’s no doubting the great energetic atmosphere, ambient music and presence of lively companions at a brick and mortar casino while playing a game of blackjack. For many people, the concept of playing blackjack anywhere but in a grand casino is an alien one, and replacing the table, dealer and other players with a computer screen and a mouse is still something many gamblers cannot fathom.
But the nature of gambling is forever changing – and fast, too. We see this with sports betting, and are seeing it more and more with the hundreds of available and secure online casinos. If you’re keen to get started at one, you’ll want to open an account with the best and safest gambling sites, and we are here to assist you in finding the ones which suits your personal preferences.
Benefits of online blackjack
- Accessibility
- Better Payouts
- Lower Minimum Bets
- Privacy
- Organisation
- Graphics, Themes & Ambient Sounds
Real money online blackjack
Playing online blackjack has become a very popular past time, but with it have come some angst, with many governments around the globe cracking down on offshore online casinos offering their citizens services. While Australia has strict laws canvassing online gambling many of the surrounding countries like New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea still allow their residents to gamble legally online.
If you are legally able to play online blackjack there will be a table at the top of this page, which is geo-targeted for you convenience. You can also access reviews of each casino and other information in the table. Our online casino guides are also easily accessible via the menus, with 100s of real money blackjack guides written by our experts.
Real money online blackjack is the no.1 game at online casinos in many countries around the world, and pre-ban of online casinos, blackjack was the biggest game at Australian online casinos.
In 2021, the only option to play real money blackjack in Australia, is to play at a land-based casino; or to play at an illegal overseas gambling site, which is not ideal. The illegal real money online blackjack available to Australians has a bad reputation amongst the public, largely through the Government targeting sites like Emu Casino with geo-blocking. The reality is Emu Casino does not provide a bad service to Australians, it is simply breaking the law.
While this is not really relevant to Australians anymore, when playing blackjack online for real money one of the most important things is the ability to fund your account. How you go aboutdepositing at online casinos will largely come down to where you are based in the world. For instance in regulated markets like the United Kingdom credit cards are the most common method, but in places like the USA you might have to try a little harder to deposit.
Common online casino deposit options:
- Credit Cards
- MasterCards
- Web Wallets
Australian casinos – Where to play blackjack down under
Australia is home to some great casinos with Melbourne’s Crown Casino probably the no.1 gambling venue in the country. Having said this, the Sydney Casino has undergone a transformation in recent years and is greatly improved, and we can’t wait for the launch of Barangaroo Casino in Sydney with it estimated to open in 2021.
Victorian casinos:
Crown Melbourne Australia has some famous casinos, none more so than Crown Casino in Melbourne, which is famous for dominating the landscape by the Yarra River and of course for its gambling. The Mahogany Room has established itself as THE high rollers venue with the famous and wealthy flocking to it from all over the world. It is the only casino in Victoria.
NSW casinos:
Sydney Casino owned by SkyCity Entertainment Group and is a popular gambling venue in the heart of Sydney. Has many great gigs and restaurants flanking the gambling facilities. It is the only casino in NSW but there are other forms of gambling allowed in pubs and clubs like pokies.
Queensland casinos:
The Star Gold Coast (formerly known as Jupiters) is probably the most well-known casino in Queensland, but there is also the more central Treasury Hotel and Casino in Brisbane. The Pullman Reef Casino is in Cairns and the The Ville Casino Resort is in Townsville.
Western Australia casinos:
Out West has some of the most restrictive land-based gambling in Australia, with Crown Perth the only place in WA you can play Keno. Enough of that though, Crown has plenty of blackjack and other tables games.
Tasmania casinos:
Wrest Point in Hobart is the pride and joy of casino’s in Australia’s smallest state. Well-known poker player David Walsh has built a limited casino at his Mona art gallery.
South Australia:
The Adelaide Casino is the no.1 gambling destination in South Australia. It is situated in the centre of Adelaide, easily accessible by public transport.
Northern Territory:
The NT has two casinos, with the Crowne Plaza in Alice Springs, while SKYCITY Darwin is another member of the Star Entertainment Group.
Blackjack games in Australian casinos
Every Australian casino features blackjack and it has long been regarded as the most popular game at these venues. If you walk into Crown Melbourne you will see over 50 blackjack tables on the floor. These tables will range in value from minimum $10 per hand right up to tables worth $10,000, or even more if you are lucky enough to venture into the high rollers room.
We talk about the pros and cons of each casinos blackjack offerings in their own articles, but as a general rule, if you are playing on lower denomination tables, you are forced to play Blackjack Plus, with the main difference being if the dealer hits 22, it is a push, not a bust. This rule has infuriated many players with lower bankrolls and is one to keep an eye out for. The minimum amount you can find a table with standard rules at Crown is $25.
Legal online gambling in Australia 2021
While online casinos are banned in Australia, there are some forms of legal online gambling, with these including sports betting, online lottery and lotto betting and some forms of casual games, like Keno. Easily the no.1 online gambling pursuit in Australia is sports betting, with many licensed online bookmakers accepting bets on everything from horse racing through to the prominent football leagues, the AFL, A-League and NRL.
Bet Real Money Online Blackjack
Online betting
The no.1 betting site in Australia is Sportsbet, with this bookmaker the biggest by money wagered. Other prominent sports betting brands in Australia, include Neds.com.au, Bet365.com.au and BetEasy.com.au, which was formerly Crownbet.
If you are new to online sports betting and want to learn more about the top betting sites for Australia, check out BettingSite.com.au. While if you are an International reader and want to learn more about sports betting and where to bet, read BettingPlanet.com.
Online lottery & lotto betting
Playing in Australia’s lotto draws is easy to do online in, with OzLotteries and The Lott the two lotto sites making it possible, with these accessible from certain states. The Lotto draws in Australia are worth millions of dollars and create a big storm when there are big jackpots. PowerBall is also another prominent lotto draw that you can buy tickets online for.
Lotto betting is an initiative that allows you to bet on the results of lotto draws from around the world. For a while it looked like the traditional lotto draws in Australia, were under threat from brands like LottoLand and PlanetLottery that pushed aggressively into Australia, but the Government, lead by the states has clamped down on lotto betting, with South Australia banning it completely.
Blackjack.com.au: Why we love 21
Blackjack has the distinction of being a part of several unique historic moments, such as being the first major card game, brought along with French colonists to North America in the 17th century, to explode in popularity; igniting the staying power of the first taboo Nevada casinos in the 1930s, and driving the advancement of basic strategy, mathematical probability for card games in the early 1950s and subsequent computer software that spawned from the research – all from a game with a goal of 21.
Blackjack is our favourite casino card game for a number of reasons. Other than its rich history, it’s a game that is easy to play and always engaging to learn more of. Strategies and tactics are key to success – not just pure luck – and it’s always more exciting to win when your own skill is put to the test.
We’re passionate about the game of 21 and that’s why we’re the one-stop authority and information nexus on all of your blackjack inquiries – we know what we’re talking about and we love talking about it.