Real Money Online Blackjack Guide
Real money online blackjack is becoming increasingly popular at Internet casinos, and before you head over to an online gambling site we have provided some advice on how, and where, to play the game for real cash.
- What everyone should know about playing blackjack
- How to play online blackjack effectively
- The top online blackjack and gambling sites according to our experts
We have put together a list of some of the best real money online casinos for Canadian players where you will be able to get the most out of your money. Our team of experts go through each and every detail on thousands of sites to make sure that you can claim some of the best bonuses and that you can trust your money at a safe and reliable online casino.
Spin Palace is our number one casino of choice for blackjack players in Canada.
TOP ONLINE GAMBLING SITES FOR CANADIAN PLAYERS
About Blackjack and Gambling Online
If you don't know how to win at real money online blackjack before you start playing then it can be no fun, so before you start betting here are some tips.
When you play blackjack online for real money, your basic aim is to get as close to 21 as possible (without going over) by adding the numbers on two or more cards. In real cash games each player gets two cards dealt face up while the dealer gets one dealt face up and one face down.
Every casino will assign the same value to each card - an ace is worth one or eleven, a face card (jack, queen or king) is worth 10, and every other card is worth the number written on that card. A blackjack online casino will pit the player (or several players) against the dealer, just like in real brick and mortar casinos. The only differences is when online games cost less per hand, and you get through hands quicker so once you know how to play online blackjack you can play quickly.
When playing online blackjack for real cash you start with two cards and decide whether to 'stand' (stay with those two cards and let the dealer move on to the next player), or 'hit' (ask the dealer for another card).
Also, if you are dealt two of the same card in an internet blackjack game you can 'split' (turn your hand into two separate hands). You can also 'double down', which means you double your bet and get one more card but no more than that.
Online Blackjack Strategy
When it comes to blackjack Internet gambling sites will generally stick to the same rules for betting, but there are some variations to keep in mind.
Normally in real money online blackjack the dealer has to stand on 17, but sometimes a casino online will force them to hit on a 'soft 17', i.e. a 17 that includes an ace. Another feature common to some casinos is the ability to surrender half your bet without betting any more.
When playing internet blackjack (or the live game), it is usually worth your while to double down when your two starting cards total 10 or 11. On occasion a game will only offer these two options, but sometimes you will be able to double down in other circumstances.
Learning online blackjack
In all these cases you should check the rules at the casino where you are playing - in addition to learning how to play it makes sense to do your homework on specific rules before you start gambling.
If you want to learn how to win at real money blackjack online, certain things are a must. As well as knowing the rules there are some pieces of basic advice that you should heed at all times.
For those of you who enjoy the thrill of gambling, it could be the game for you. Blackjack for real money offers a fun game with many ways to win, and the game is easy to learn as well.
Online blackjack gambling for real cash is one of the most popular games around, and our reviewers have found the best places for you to play.
Blackjack FAQ
Are online blackjack games fair?
Yes. Online casinos are a lucrative business, but that's only because of the house edge associated with casino games and not because games played on the web are in any way unfair or designed to cheat players.
Sometimes it might seem like you're getting a string of bad hands but, unfortunately, it's all down to the luck of the draw. You can rest assured that all of the sites we recommend have been tested for their fairness and have passed with flying colours.
Is it rigged?
No. All of the action in online blackjack is determined by random number generators created by companies independent of the casino. Online casinos are subject to routine inspections, and the best on the web even go as far as to publish information about how much money they've paid out over the past months.
If a casino is found to be rigged or cheating customers, they're shut down, have to pay substantial fines and forfeit their profits. Because the penalties for running a fraudulent online casino are so severe, and the costs associated with setting one up are quite substantial, it's very rare that anyone tries to create a site designed to cheat its players.
Can I practice for free?
Yes indeed, when you log in to any online casino you'll be asked to select whether you want to play for free or for real money. There are a couple of reasons why it's a good idea to play for free before graduating to real cash games on the web.
First, you can use practice credits to get an idea of how quickly you'll deplete or supplement your bankroll if you play for real money at the same speed. Second, there are lots of different blackjack variants available in online casinos. Playing for free is a good way to get a feel for them without spending any money or checking the rules are the same as what you’re used to.
How many decks are used in online blackjack?
Between one and eight decks are used for online blackjack, but online casinos will usually use four or more. This is because a smaller number of decks improves a player's chances of winning, to the extent that the casino actually stands to lose money if they only use a single deck.
Don't get any ideas about trying to count cards, as online casino software is programmed to shuffle all the decks either at set intervals or even between every single hand. This makes advantage play all but impossible when you're playing blackjack on the web.
How good are the odds?
The odds for blackjack depend on a few things, including the number of decks used and the blackjack variant you're playing. As a general rule, the house edge is around 0.39%. These odds aren't bad as far as casino games go, so blackjack is a good choice if you want to be able to play for a while without spending too much.
If you can find a reputable online casino offering single deck blackjack with Vegas Strip rules, you should jump at the chance. In such games, players actually have a 0.1% advantage over the casino. For that reason, you'll almost never find these games in Canadian land-based casinos or venues on the web.
