Blackjack is one of the most famous casino card games in the world. Playing online blackjack is becoming increasingly popular in Australia. Our guide will teach you where and how to play blackjack online, give you tips and strategies for winning big, and introduce you to different blackjack variations.
Almost every online casino site offers blackjack games, but we’re here to separate the best casinos from the rest. When selecting the best online blackjack sites, our experts review a few criteria. We look at the blackjack games offered and make sure the site has a variety of quality games. We also look at the casino’s safety record and licensing, customer service, banking options, and overall user experience. A site won’t make our list of best blackjack casinos if it doesn’t tick all the boxes.
Online blackjack is a digital version of the classic casino game. It allows players to enjoy the game from anywhere on their digital devices. It follows the same rules as traditional blackjack, where the goal is to beat the dealer by getting a hand value closer to 21 without going over.
Online blackjack gives players some advantages over in-person blackjack. First, it is more convenient, allowing players to choose when and where they want to play. Second, online casinos offer bonuses and promotions that can boost a player’s bankroll. Finally, there is more game variety than at in-person casinos. Players can choose to play against the computer with games controlled by a random number generator (RNG), or they can try their luck with a real, live dealer over video stream. Both options are available for Aussies to play.
When you play blackjack at a brick-and-mortar casino, you might only find one or two variations of blackjack to choose from. When you play online, however, you have oodles of options. Below are just some of the various blackjack games you can find online:
Since there are so many online blackjack games to choose from, it’s hard to narrow down which one is best. Single deck blackjack is always a favourite. It has a low house edge and is popular among strategic players who enjoy counting cards. Live blackjack is also preferred since it mimics the experience of in-person blackjack. Cards are dealt by a real dealer, making this variation exciting and engaging. We recommend trying out a few different games to see which one you prefer.
When playing blackjack online, you can play for free or for real money. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Playing for free allows you to try different games and get a sense of the rules for each one. You can also play endless rounds without worrying about depleting your bankroll. Of course, when playing for free you can’t win real money and don’t have the option of cashing out if you win big. Here are the pros and cons of playing for free vs. playing online blackjack for real money.
Gives you a chance to practise your strategy
Get a sense of rules and gameplay
Try different variations without depleting your bankroll
Gameplay could get boring after long stretches
You can’t cash out for real money if you win big
Not as exciting or engaging as real money play
Live dealer games aren’t available for free play
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Players who are familiar with in-person blackjack will find online blackjack easy to pick up. The basic rules are the same. However, there are a few differences you need to be aware of first. Here’s how to play blackjack online:
In online blackjack, the card values are straightforward: numbered cards are worth their face value, face cards are worth 10 points, and aces could either be worth 1 or 11 points — whichever is more advantageous to your hand. A ‘hard hand’ either does not contain an Ace or contains an Ace that must be counted as 1. A ‘soft hand’ includes an Ace that can be counted as an 11 without busting.
Here are our experts’ tried and true blackjack rules to live by. Keep these in mind when you sit down to play your next game:
Players use blackjack charts to make statistically optimal decisions for every possible hand that could be dealt in the game. They are based on the probabilities of various outcomes and help players minimize the house edge by choosing moves with the highest expected values.
Charts are typically laid out with the dealer’s upcard values across the top and the player’s hand values along the side. To determine your action (either hit, stand, double down, or split) find the intersection of your hand value and the dealer’s upcard.
There are several betting options that can enhance the excitement and strategy of online blackjack. The primary bet is placed at the beginning of the round. Players wager whether they can beat the dealer by getting a hand closer to 21 without going over.
Beyond this, players can choose to ‘hit’, ‘stand’, ‘split’ or ‘double down’. Players may split their hand if they are dealt two cards of the same value. This creates two separate hands and doubles their original wager. Doubling down involves doubling your bet in exchange for standing after receiving one additional card.
The table layout makes these betting options clear. There are marked areas for the main bet as well as designated spots for side bets like ‘Perfect Pairs’, which offer additional ways to win. It’s important for players to familiarize themselves with the payout structure of the specific game they’re playing, as it can vary.
| TYPE OF WIN | PAYOUT |
|---|---|
| Standard Winning Hand | 1:1 |
| Natural Blackjack | 3:2 or 6:5 (depending on the game) |
| Double Down Win | 1:1 |
| Split Hand One Hand Win | 1:1 |
| Split Hand Both Hands Win | 1:1 per hand |
| Perfect Pairs Side Bet – Mixed Pair | 6:1 |
| Perfect Pairs Side Bet – Coloured Pair | 12:1 |
| Perfect Pair Side Bet – Exact Pair | 25:1 |
| Insurance Bet | 2:1 |
Online blackjack is a game of both chance and skill and one of the few digital casino games that can be influenced through strategic play. Here are a few tips and strategies for winning at online blackjack:
When you decide to play blackjack online, you have a host of options when it comes to the different variations of the game. But, before you decide on a game version, you need to decide whether to play with a live dealer or alone on a machine.
If you play alone on a machine, then you’re playing RNG blackjack. The game rules are the same as in other blackjack types, and there are multiple game versions to choose between. The major difference is that the game is digitally controlled. This means that a random number generator decides which cards are being dealt.
The most popular way of playing online blackjack nowadays is by playing with a live dealer. You’ll be playing at the same table as other players, and the cards are physically dealt by a real-life dealer. These games are streamed from a game studio, and the cards are being shuffled at the table.
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Here are the most frequently asked questions that Aussies want to know about online blackjack:
It depends. Live blackjack offers players a more immersive experience which can make the game feel more authentic. Players who love a traditional casino atmosphere will enjoy this variation. RNG blackjack is faster-paced and more widely available. It’s great for players who prefer solo play and enjoy the virtual environment. One is not necessarily better than the other. It all comes down to personal preference.
No. If you’re playing online blackjack at a reputable licensed casino, then the games are perfectly fair. Random number generators built into the games ensure that each game is equitable, and the games by leading providers are consistently audited for fairness by third parties.
Yes. Australians can enjoy online blackjack at some of the world’s leading online casinos. Online casinos are not legally allowed to operate within Australia, but this doesn’t prevent Australians from legally enjoying online games at registered offshore casinos.
Yes. Having a strategy chart handy can improve your game and most online games follow standard rules so you can quickly reference the chart between hands. Just keep in mind that live dealer games run in real-time—ensure your decisions are prompt to keep up with the pace of play.
Not typically. Since live dealer blackjack is played in real time, it doesn’t allow for free play. We recommend honing your skills on some RNG games that allow players to play for free.
Blackjack is a game that is heavily luck-based, but there is strategy and skills you can learn that can help influence the game’s outcomes. Practice makes perfect in blackjack.
This can vary based on the game you’re playing. You can find both single-deck and multi-deck games of blackjack online. The number of decks is usually indicated in the game’s rules or information section.
Counting cards is a popular blackjack strategy at land-based casinos, but it is generally ineffective for most online formats. During live dealer games, cards are shuffled more frequently than in-person games. Many RNG-based games use a continuous shuffle machine which shuffles the deck after each hand, and many online games use multiple decks (6 or 8) which makes card counting much more difficult.
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