What is online blackjack actually?
Online blackjack is actually hardly any different from ordinary blackjack. However, the online variant has an advantage because you can now play the card game anywhere. Depending on the platform and online casino, either a computer or a dealer connected via live video takes on the role of the game leader. Citeulike can only recommend this way of playing because of the many advantages.
The main features of online Blackjack
Citeulike presents below the main features and advantages that, in our opinion, are decisive for switching from classic Blackjack to the online variant.
- Online Blackjack can be played from anywhere
- Live Video Dealer games are an interesting novelty that you must see
- High number of providers
- Best offers and odds for the player thanks to the high competition of the providers
- Card table games have high payout odds
- Despite the same game, the experience is a new one
- More innovation due to constant competition between providers
- Dealers are either computers or humans in live video
The history of online blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most important and pioneering games the gambling industry has ever produced. Blackjack has been played and loved all over the world for hundreds of years.
The card game has thus developed into one of the most popular games for gamblers and, along with poker and roulette, is one of the classic casino games. But where and when did the popular game have its beginnings and how did it develop into what it is today?
There is no historical document that gives the exact date when the game of blackjack was invented, but it can be assumed that during the Middle Ages various card games with rules not dissimilar to those of todayās blackjack were in circulation.
However, the Blackjack we know today is undoubtedly based on the rules and strategies of the French card game ā vingt-unā (twenty-one), which found its way to America in the 18th century through European settlers. By 1910, blackjack was already a fixture in gambling halls across the country, and after the Depression it became even more popular among Nevada gamblers.
Blackjack goes online
When online casinos began offering their games in the mid-1990s, blackjack underwent a pompous transition from the world of regular gambling to the world of online gambling. Now it was suddenly possible to play online blackjack at any time of the day or night, from anywhere in the world, and enjoy multiple game levels, different betting limits and excellent payout odds with the flick of a finger.
With the gambling boom of the 20th century and the rise of the big casinos, blackjack also became increasingly popular. Thanks to the developments of the internet in the 21st century, game variations are now possible that did not exist at all some time ago. The popularity of blackjack has undoubtedly increased due to the sudden convenience and entertainment factors and today online blackjack is ranked as the most popular internet card game.
The variations in online Blackjack
There are a variety of different ways to play the card game. You will get to know the different variants in more detail later in the text. Basically, the different variations are for those who have had enough of the classic 17 plus four and want to discover something new. The different variations are also there to satisfy the different wishes of the players:
- Classic Blackjack
- European Blackjack
- Multihand Blackjack
- Pontoon
- Double Exposure Blackjack
- and many more
Because although the game is always the same in the classic version, there are differences every now and then. Thatās why it makes sense that there are several variants of the game in order to supply the market in the best possible way.
Classic Blackjack ā a perennial favourite
Classic Blackjack is probably the most popular form of the game. Anyone who has ever heard of blackjack or played a game will probably have played this variant.
The objective is as simple as the game itself. At a table with up to seven players, everyone tries to defeat the game leader. However, the leader can only be defeated if the number on their own hand is 21 or closer than the leaderās hand. If either the leader or the player exceeds 21, the leader loses and the other player wins immediately. As a rule, two to four packs of cards are used.
The European variant of the card game
The European variant differs in a few aspects from the classic variant. However, the game should not cause any problems after a short familiarization phase. One change compared to the classic is the card decks. The European variant allows only two decks instead of up to four like the classic.
In addition, the dealer is influenced by another rule. In the game, the dealer has the obligation to stop at a soft 17. Since this is an advantage, casinos compensate for the rule by not allowing dealers to check their hands on a blackjack.
Multihand Blackjack ā winning with several hands
Along with classic Blackjack, this variant is one of the most frequently played variants of the game. The interesting thing about Multihand Blackjack is what the name already suggests.
The fact that players have several hands instead of one makes the game so popular among gamblers. As in the previous variant, the dealer does not control his hand on a blackjack. However, players can also only double down on a total of 9, 10 or 11. You can only split once as a player and the dealer must also stop at a soft 17.
Blackjack Variation Pontoon ā The Spanish 21
The so-called Spanish 21 is also very popular. This is mainly due to the fact that players of this variant have a higher chance of winning compared to other game types. This chance of winning is due to the fact that the dealerās two initial cards are face down and thus there is a certain lack of information.
The term Pontoon does not come from the Spanish coast as you might think, but from a combination of cards. If you have a hand of two cards with the value 21, you also have the so-called Pontoon. In addition, players are not allowed to stand as long as they have a value below 15.
Bonus Blackjack ā a certain similarity to European Blackjack
The game that has gained a following mainly because of the bonus in its name is not fundamentally different from the European variant. The only big difference is that there is an additional bonus option. This introduces more and more players to this variant. Because the bonus means that the game pays out much more frequently, unlike others.
There are not many other casino games that pay out as frequently as Blackjack, but there are also few that pay out as frequently among the Blackjack games as the bonus variant. The game is played classically with up to two decks of cards.
Atlantic City Blackjack ā entertainment and card game
Atlantic City Blackjack is one of the few Blackjack variants offered as a single as well as a multi-hand variant. Both versions have the same rules, but as usual with Multi Hand, you will definitely spend more.
The game is interesting for players as it has one of the lowest house odds and is therefore advantageous for the player. As this variant is an American offshoot of the game, the game is played with eight packs of cards. You can double your bet in this variant after receiving the first two cards. You can split up to three times and after splitting it is also possible to double.
Double Exposure Blackjack ā The Variant that Dances Out of Line
This variant is one of the few that differ greatly from the classic. However, Citeulike also recommends taking a look at this game. The game is played with up to eight decks of 52 cards each. The dealerās cards are face up in this version, but this will not necessarily be an advantage for you.
The casinos compensate for this imbalance by introducing a house advantage of up to 0.69%. This is almost double that of other providers in the industry. The rules of the game also state that the dealer wins all draws and thus exploits a further advantage in favour of the casino.
Spanish Blackjack ā an American variation
Although the game is called Spanish Blackjack, it is by no means a Spanish game. This is because the game, or rather the variant, originally comes from America. So it is an American variant, but it is still played with Spanish cards. The game consists of 48 playing cards and cannot be compared to anything else.
If you do not know all the rules of the game, this can be a huge advantage for the casino. In the game, a 21 and a blackjack can beat the same combination of the dealer. In addition, late surrender is allowed.
Blackjack with perfect pairs ā how it is played
The game starts as you know it from the classic game. However, there is an extra side bet for each hand. The side bet refers to the values of the first two cards. If they are identical, you have won the bet. Hence the allusion to the perfect pairs in the name.
In addition, doubling and splitting are allowed in the game and players can play up to five hands per round. In addition, the dealer must draw another card on a soft 17. This is how the game of perfect cards works. An absolute recommendation from Citeulike.
Online Blackjack with real money bet
Especially when choosing a casino where you want to play with real money, it makes sense to do extensive research. But besides the security and seriousness of the provider, you should also pay attention to the bonus conditions.
These differ greatly from provider to provider and are adjusted differently. You should therefore be clear in advance what your strategy is and only then make a choice.
You should also make sure how the company deals with disconnections and how the payout is generally handled. Therefore, Citeulike believes that Swiss players should think carefully about their gaming investment beforehand.
The main features of Blackjack with real money stakes
Although in principle, playing cards with stakes is no different from playing without, there are a few things you should be aware of before playing. Below, we at Citeulike have listed the main features of Blackjack with real money stakes.
- Learn about the provider before playing
- You are no longer playing with play, but with your real money
- Find out about their withdrawal methods before choosing a provider
- In case of disconnections, your money is usually not lost
- Withdrawals are automatic
- Before wagering your real money you should master the rules of the game perfectly
Tips to play blackjack successfully for money
- First of all, if you want to take blackjack seriously and become successful at it, you should take the points already mentioned to heart.
- This also includes that you should have mastered the game before you play with real money.
- You should have internalised the rules as well as the possible game variations so well that you can use them correctly even in your sleep.
- It also makes sense to learn terms, because there are still an astonishing number of blackjack players today who donāt know what insurance is or what split means.
Play online blackjack for free
But you donāt necessarily have to spend money to play Blackjack on the Internet. If you want to get to know the game first or if you donāt want to bet any money, thatās no problem at all. There are hundreds of providers who offer the fun of the card game for free.
The mobile version of online Blackjack
Regardless of the mobile provider, there are more Blackjack apps in the app stores than you will probably ever be able to test. It should be noted, however, that many of the new game variants are not available with all mobile providers.
In addition, you should also think about the choice of provider for the mobile variant. Many of the mobile apps do not allow you to play with real money or to withdraw it. Only mobile branches of real casinos are able to do this. Those who do not want to download an app to play can also rest easy. Thanks to technology, it is also possible to play via the browser of many mobile phones.
Rules of online blackjack
The rules of online blackjack basically overlap with those of the classic card game. Although the game is characterized by its complex strategies, the rules are relatively easy to learn.
- The aim of the game is to get your hand as close as possible to the card value 21, but not to exceed it. At the beginning of each round, each player places a bet.
- Then the dealer deals two cards to each player, which are dealt face up to everyone. The dealer also receives two cards, one of which remains face down.
- Next, the players are allowed to take turns making their moves, drawing, doubling down, insuring, and so on. At the end of a round, the dealer calculates his hand with those of the players and announces the winners.
- The numerical values in blackjack consist of the values of many other card games as well. An ace counts as 1 or 11 points. Face cards all count for 10 points and all other cards have their numerical value.
Online Blackjack strategies
As mentioned in the previous text, the rules of the game are easy to learn. However, the best Blackjack players master not only the perfect application of the rules but also many different strategies.
It should not be said that there is a perfect strategy in the game with which you will always win. Rather, it is important to adapt your strategy perfectly to the current game variant and to master it. The internet is also helpful in choosing a strategy. For Blackjack in particular, there are many strategy tables that show the best move and could thus help you incredibly if you use it correctly and consistently.
Tips for beginners and newcomers to the game
- Basically, everyone is the architect of their own fortune. When choosing the right provider and the right variant, you should listen to what your inner self tells you.
- However, for newcomers or beginners, the advice remains to inform yourself extensively about the rules and variations before playing. Before you start playing with real money, you should know them.
- Citeulike also recommends trying to collect a large amount of play money at the beginning of your Blackjack career before you burn your fingers on real money. This will also give you more confidence in the game.
Online Blackjack ā Conclusion
When you think about blackjack, the terms āskillā, āentertainmentā and ārewardsā may come to mind. Blackjack is one of the most well-known card games in the world and is played by millions of players in both physical and online casinos. Many variations of blackjack have been developed over the years, but they all follow a similar concept: the goal is to get as close as possible to the number 21 and beat the croupierās hand.
Thanks to the great popularity of the game before the internet, the number of online blackjack providers in Switzerland is not decreasing at all. This development is extremely positive for the end customers. Because the constant competition between the companies increases the quality of your experience immensely. That is why a look at the game online is an absolute must, simply because of the large offer.
About the author
Michael Dreher is a passionate lover of the casino industry, having seen the entertaining side of the gaming scene from a young age. Born in Switzerland, Michael is an English-fluent casino expert who has devoted his time and energy to understanding the industry, passing on must-have expertise to casino gamers across Switzerland and beyond.
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