Blackjack games have long been favorites among casino patrons and players who host home games for family and friends. But it’s the recent appearance of online games that has given rise to its current popularity. 

If you already know the game's rules and just want to get started, check out our online casino reviews page for the best places to play. We recommend Europa Casino and Casino Tropez.

If you need more instructions and/or strategy, read our comprehensive game guide.  Simply click on the below links to learn more about the subject you're interested in.  They'll take you to pages that cover everything from basic game rules to advanced tips and strategy.  Good luck!

Rules

Playing online blackjack is nearly the same as playing in brick and mortar and casinos. You place your bet before the cards are dealt and face off with the dealer in every hand. Card values, hand rankings and betting structures are the same and players may “Double Down”, “Split” bets and purchase insurance. Read our rules article to familiarize yourself with the game and learn about its unique aspects.

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Strategy

Player’s decisions as to whether or not to accept or discard cards and accept or decline a third card greatly influence the game’s outcome. Accepted strategy mandates that players never split 10’s, always split aces and 8’s, and hit until 17 when the dealer shows a 10. For more information on popular strategies and how to implement your own, click the below link. 

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Where to Play Free Blackjack 

Whether you’re new to the game, need to tighten your strategy or just want to play a risk-free hand or two, free games are a great way to practice without putting your bankroll on the line. Nearly all reputable online casinos host a free version that features the same crisp graphics and quick load times as their cash play counterparts. To play Gambling City's free game or find others, click the below link.

Play Free Blackjack Games 

Blackjack Odds & Card Counting

Put simply, this is a game of skill, and its mathematical underpinnings must be understood in order to win consistently. The house edge results from the fact that the dealer completes his hand after all others have revealed theirs. Bust and you lose regardless of whether the dealer busts as well. Thus, it’s crucial to know the probabilities of busting for each two-card hand. Read our odds page for this info and more.

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Tips & Do's and Don'ts

Most casino games have a set of suggested player actions when faced with a specific situation. Here, these actions are hard and fast rules. The good news is, these tips increase your odds of winning over time. The bad news is….well, there’s actually no bad news. Memorize a few simple tips and you’ll be on your way to winning. 

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Game History

Blackjack wasn’t always the popular game it is today and its origins are, like so many casino games, are not entirely certain.  It’s speculated that the game, in its original form, was a combination of three other games; namely Baccarat, Seven-And-A-Half and Vingt-et-Un (21 in the Americas and Pontoon in Australia).  How it made its way across the oceans, into land casinos and onto the web is an interesting tale.  Our game history page tells it. 

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Game Glossary

Blackjack is fairly easy-to-follow, as far as card games go.  But as with any sport/game/activity, it comes equipped with a unique language that is entirely its own.  Players hoping to beat the dealer must speak this language.  Gambling City’s Blackjack Glossary can help.  Click the link below and you’ll be “talking the talk” in no time.

Read the Blackjack Glossary 

Game Summary

The advent of the online casino, which made remote play possible and provided a quick, convenient way to slip in a game or two without the hassle of travel, invited a younger, tech savvy generation to its players club.

Hollywood also contributed to the game’s allure. 2008’s ‘21’, which chronicled a card counting scheme that turned a group of MIT math whizzes into millionaires, captured the imagination of younger players and, undoubtedly, increased its fan base.

But more popularity means more competition, both in terms of the number of players and the vast array of online casinos from which to choose. And more competition means a greater need for knowledge, which is where Gambling City comes in.

While it is true that the game's house edge is generally lower than it is in other casino card games, the chances of winning consistently are only as good as your understanding of its rules and your employment of a solid strategy. We provide both and throw in comprehensive articles on blackjack tips, history and terminology, so you’re equipped to win.

Our online casino reviews tell you which leading gambling hot spots offer blackjack online and a free practice game, and assess everything from payout percentages to where to find the most well-attended games. Gambling City editors actually play in the casinos they evaluate, so you can rest assured you’re reading an unbiased review.

The above summaries each address an aspect of the game you should familiarize yourself with before playing. Simply click on the links provided and let the betting begin.