- Top Poker Players 10 Years Ago
- Best Blackjack Players
- Top Poker Players
- Top Poker Players Who Are Broke
- Top Poker Players 2020
- Successful Blackjack Players
Perhaps the most famous blackjack players of all time, the MIT Blackjack Team was made up of students and alumni from MIT, Harvard and other top colleges. The team used both card counting and other advantage techniques to win at blackjack at major casinos from 1979 through the early 2000s. The sad truth is, maybe 10 blackjack players out of 100 have a good handle on how to play all their hands correctly. And probably less than 1 in 100 really understands what it takes to win at the game overall.
Over the years, many blackjack players have become famous thanks to their casino exploits, contributions to theory, or the bestselling books that they have published. Without many of their efforts, we'd know much less about the theory and practice of playing blackjack, basic strategy, card counting and other advantage play. The following is only a partial list of some of the most famous blackjack players and theorists of all time.
The Four Horsemen of Aberdeen
This was the name given to four US army servicemen: Roger Baldwin, Wilbert Cantey, Herbert Maisel and James McDermott. Unlike many of the others on the list, these blackjack players are not known for beating the house or being great card counters. But they may have made the largest contribution to blackjack of anyone in this article: they developed the first ever complete and optimal basic strategy for blackjack that showed exactly how a player should play in every situation.
What makes this feat even more impressive is the fact that it was accomplished in the 1950s, without the aid of modern computers. While the four men were stationed at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, they used desk calculators to figure out the math behind blackjack. Their meticulous research made it possible for later writers and players to develop more advanced strategies, none of which are effective without basic strategy to stand on.
Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin is the author of The Theory of Blackjack, one of the classic mathematical texts about the game of blackjack. While he wasn't much of a player himself, he did extensive research on blackjack; he not only looked at optimal strategies, but also calculated how big an advantage the house had over an average blackjack player (it turns out to be about 2%). He also authored the popular book The Complete Card Counter's Guide to the Casino Game of 21.
James Grosjean
James Grosjean is best known as the author of the 2000 book Beyond Counting: Exploiting Casino Games from Blackjack to Video Poker. A professional blackjack player, Grosjean is best known for his legal victories over the gambling industry. He won a large verdict against the Imperial Palace for being illegally detained, while he has also won verdicts aginst Caesars Palace and Griffin Investigations, a private investigation firm that held information on card counters and other winning gamblers. These victories have made him something of a hero to gamblers for his ability to assert his rights against casinos and investigative agencies.
Tommy Hyland
Tommy Hyland is a professional player who has been playing blackjack since 1979. More notably, he is the manager of the world's longest running blackjack team. Not only has his team excelled at using techniques such as shuffle tracking and ace sequencing to gain even bigger edges against the house, but they are also well known for winning a case against Casino Windsor in Ontario, Canada. The casino attempted to prosecute Hyland's team of blackjack players for cheating, but the judge determined that the team was only using strategic methods to win and that these methods do not constitute cheating the casino.
MIT Blackjack Team
Perhaps the most famous blackjack players of all time, the MIT Blackjack Team was made up of students and alumni from MIT, Harvard and other top colleges. The team used both card counting and other advantage techniques to win at blackjack at major casinos from 1979 through the early 2000s.
While the MIT Blackjack Team was infamous in gambling circles for many years, they came to the attention of the public thanks to the release of the book Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich. Incidentally, the book itself was mostly a collection of stories Mezrich had heard about, mixed with a large amount of fictional content, though it was marketed as non-fiction. Nonetheless, the book captured the public's imagination, and it was translated to the big screen in 2008 as 21, a movie starring Kevin Spacey.
Lawrence Revere
If you've ever used a Revere card counting system, you owe a debt of gratitude to Lawrence Revere. His best-known book, Playing Blackjack as a Business, outlined several different strategies for card counting that ranged from simple to complex, and are still popular today. The most famous one is the Revere Point Count, which is still a benchmark by which other blackjack card counting strategies are evaluated.
Revere was more than just a blackjack player; he was also a casino pit boss, giving him additional insight into the workings of the casino industry and how to camouflage play to avoid being detected as an advantage player.
'Hollywood' Dave Stann
Also known as 'The Undisputed Bad Boy of Blackjack,' Dave Stann may be the modern blackjack player best known to television audiences. He appeared on a number of popular gambling shows, including the World Series of Blackjack, the Ultimate Blackjack Tour, Celebrity Blackjack and others. He is best known for his flamboyant personality and has also worked as an actor in addition to his advantage blackjack play.
Edward Thorp
Thorp was the author of the first important blackjack book, Beat the Dealer. Published in 1962, this book showed that card counting could be used to overcome the house advantage in blackjack. After using computers to help refine his card counting strategies, he put his theories to the test. At a time when casinos waited until near the end of a shoe to shuffle again, he quickly showed enormous profits and was barred from many Las Vegas casinos. His fame from this event led to the creation of his book, which made the New York Times bestseller list.
Thorp also pioneered other advantage plays in other casino games, such as using a wearable casino to predict the results of a roulette wheel. Thorp also became very successful on the stock market, starting several successful hedge funds.
Ken Uston
Ken Uston – also known as Kenneth Senzo Usui – is widely believed to have popularized team play in blackjack. As a famous blackjack player in the 1979s, he became well known as a team card counter – so well known that he was banned from casinos around the world. Amazingly, he was then able to disguise himself well enough to continue playing in casinos around the world. He also won a lawsuit against Atlantic City casinos, when New Jersey courts ruled that these casinos could not ban someone simply for counting cards. Uston also wrote the bestselling book Mastering PAC-MAN, a guide to becoming an expert at the popular arcade game. Ken created blackjackinfo.com
Stanford Wong
Though most gamblers know the name Stanford Wong, fewer realize that this is the pen name of John Ferguson. A famous gambling author, Wong has written numerous books on blackjack and other gambling games. Along with a number of card counting systems and other developments, he is well known as the namesake of 'Wonging, 'or watching the beginning of a shoe being played and only joining the blackjack table if the count turns in the player's favor. Wong is also a proponent of dice control in craps. In total, Wong has written over a dozen books; most are about blackjack, but he has also published material on craps, sports betting and other gambling topics. Stanford created bj21.com
Related News
Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games, and finding it online is really easy. There are hundreds of casino sites where you can play online blackjack for real money, but you should not select your operator randomly.
I wrote this article to help you understand how online real money blackjack works. On top of that, I will list some of my personal favorite blackjack casino sites, along with their bonuses and other features.
To help you navigate through this page better, I've created a shortcut for each of the sections that this article will discuss.
Everything You Need to Know:
Texas holdem winners.
If you're new to online gambling and want to try some blackjack games for real money, this is the place to be.
So, without further ado, let's dig into some details, shall we?
Best Real-Money Blackjack Casinos For US Players
With the growing popularity of online gambling, it has become difficult for players to make clear distinctions between great and not so great casino operators.
The situation is even trickier in the United States, as not all casinos accept US players. Searching for a casino that has high-quality blackjack games can, therefore, prove to be a daunting task.
However, I am here to help you out. I have put in hours of research to find the absolute best US-friendly casino rooms where you can play blackjack for real money.
Check the list below to see top US online casinos, along with their welcome bonuses and the number of blackjack tables they offer. Enjoy!
| Casino | Offer | Devices | Play Now / Review |
|---|---|---|---|
$5,000 Welcome Bonus | |||
First 3 Deposits, Get Up To $6000 | |||
350% Match up to $3500 | |||
First 3 Deposits, Get Up To $3000 | |||
$5500 Welcome Bonus | |||
$5000 Welcome Bonus | |||
255% Bonus up to $2555 | |||
First 3 Deposits, Get Up To $6000 | |||
$3,000 | |||
300% up to $500 |
Why You Should Play Real Money Blackjack
Playing blackjack online has plenty of benefits compared to playing it in land-based casinos. Here are some of the main ones.
- Convenience — If you ask online players about online blackjack benefits, the majority of them will talk about convenience. Enjoying a blackjack game at home and at any time is far better than wasting gas money and travelling several hours to the nearest card room.
- Bonuses — Land-based casinos don't have bonuses and promotions. The money you deposit is the only money you can play with. On the other hand, online casinos give you a chance to take advantage of rewarding blackjack promotions that might give you a leg up.
- Game variety — Your local casino might only have a few blackjack tables and usually not more than a couple of variations of the game. If you explore real-money blackjack online, you will find that US casino sites have almost every version of the game available, and some blackjack forms can exclusively be found on the web.
- Banking — Buying chips in traditional brick-and-mortar casinos will usually leave you with only two options — cash and credit cards. On the other hand, online casinos have a multitude of different payment methods, including pre-paid cards, e-wallets, bank wires and checks, while some even allow cryptocurrency transactions.
Top 3 US Online Real-Money Casinos To Play Blackjack
According to my criteria and the fact that a lot of players join them, these are the top three casino sites for playing real money blackjack.
- 24/7 blackjack action
- $5,000 welcome bonus
- Special blackjack promotions
- US players accepted
Slots.lv is not one of the top names in the online gambling community, but I feel that it deserves to be mentioned on this list. Although it mainly focuses on slots, there are plenty of blackjack games to choose from, and the bonuses are massive. Players can also enjoy popular banking methods that allow for quick transactions with minimum fees.
- Multiple blackjack variants
- $5,000 welcome package
- Bitcoin welcome bonus
- US players accepted
Bo Vegas is a well-known casino site that entertains tens of thousands of players on a daily basis. With a solid selection of blackjack games and a generous welcome bonus, Bovada is definitely worth trying out. The site is mobile-friendly and has several high-quality live dealer rooms.
- Several high-quality blackjack games
- Popular payment methods available
- $5,500 welcome bonus
- US players accepted
How to Play Real-Money Blackjack Online: Step-By-Step
Are you new to online casinos and don't know how to start playing? Don't worry one bit, as I've created an easy-to-follow step-by-step protocol that will help you start playing your favorite blackjack games in minutes.
Pick a Casino Site
The first thing you need to do is choose a platform where you will play online blackjack. I've already listed some of the best US casinos, so it's wise if you select an operator from there.Check the website for bonus sizes, banking methods, mobile compatibility and game variety before fully committing to it. Each player has their own preferences, so make sure to find a website that suits you the most.
Register
Sign up for a new player account on the casino site of your choice. The operator will ask you to fill out some personal details like your full name, age, address, banking details and other information so your identity can be confirmed. If everything is in order, the casino will send you an email saying that your account has been created.Top Poker Players 10 Years Ago
Deposit and Sign Up for the Bonus
Once you have an existing account, you can now fund it with real money. Use one of the available deposit options, but make sure to check minimum and maximum limits first.If you're a first-time depositor, you will be eligible for the casino's welcome bonus. Check the box stating that you want to use the bonus and see what the terms and conditions are for unlocking it.
Start Playing!
After the money goes through, you can play any number of games on the website, including blackjack. Navigate to the website's section with table and card games and explore its contents.Most casinos will offer several blackjack games, on top of some live dealer blackjack games that I'll talk about a little later on.
Mobile Blackjack
There are plenty of online players that are switching from desktop to mobile blackjack in the last several years. Playing blackjack on mobile — or any other casino game for that matter — is simply more convenient. You can gamble on the go as long as you have a stable internet connection.
Almost all US-friendly casinos have functional mobile platforms that you can easily access through your mobile browser. Some even have apps that are compatible with Android and iOS phones and tablets.
Developers have made sure that players don't feel any limitation by having to play the game on a smaller screen. Games look good and have seamless and functional touchscreen commands.
Play Live Dealer Blackjack For Real Money
Live dealer games are one of the latest trends in the online casino industry. Instead of playing RNG games on a virtual table, players can now enjoy blackjack via live streams with real-life dealers running the game.
Live blackjack provides a unique opportunity to feel the atmosphere of a real casino without actually being in one. You can also use live chat to communicate with dealers and other players.
A dealer will place real cards on the table, and players decide on their moves by using action buttons on a virtual interface. Note that live blackjack games have higher betting limits, simply because they are more costly to operate.
Unfortunately, not all online casinos have live games in their library. However, I have carefully selected the best US-friendly operators, most of which have several live blackjack tables where you can always find a free seat.
Online Blackjack Bonuses
All online casinos have some bonuses and promotions for both their new and recurring players. However, not all those bonuses relate to real-money blackjack games.
That's why you should really be careful when selecting casinos based on their bonuses, as some might leave you dry if you're planning to play only blackjack.
Luckily for you, there are plenty of websites that have blackjack-specific promotions. I've listed some of these sites below, together with bonus details and bonus codes.
Match Bonuses
Match bonuses are the most common online casino promotions and are usually a part of the casino's welcome package. When you deposit a certain amount to your account, a casino will match that amount and give you extra money to play with.For example, if an operator claims that you can get a '100% match bonus up to $1000', that means that once you deposit $1000, the casino will match that amount and grant you an additional $1000.
Of course, you should watch for minimum deposit limits, time limits, and wagering requirements associated with the bonus.
No Deposit Bonuses
Perhaps the most famous blackjack players of all time, the MIT Blackjack Team was made up of students and alumni from MIT, Harvard and other top colleges. The team used both card counting and other advantage techniques to win at blackjack at major casinos from 1979 through the early 2000s.
While the MIT Blackjack Team was infamous in gambling circles for many years, they came to the attention of the public thanks to the release of the book Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich. Incidentally, the book itself was mostly a collection of stories Mezrich had heard about, mixed with a large amount of fictional content, though it was marketed as non-fiction. Nonetheless, the book captured the public's imagination, and it was translated to the big screen in 2008 as 21, a movie starring Kevin Spacey.
Lawrence Revere
If you've ever used a Revere card counting system, you owe a debt of gratitude to Lawrence Revere. His best-known book, Playing Blackjack as a Business, outlined several different strategies for card counting that ranged from simple to complex, and are still popular today. The most famous one is the Revere Point Count, which is still a benchmark by which other blackjack card counting strategies are evaluated.
Revere was more than just a blackjack player; he was also a casino pit boss, giving him additional insight into the workings of the casino industry and how to camouflage play to avoid being detected as an advantage player.
'Hollywood' Dave Stann
Also known as 'The Undisputed Bad Boy of Blackjack,' Dave Stann may be the modern blackjack player best known to television audiences. He appeared on a number of popular gambling shows, including the World Series of Blackjack, the Ultimate Blackjack Tour, Celebrity Blackjack and others. He is best known for his flamboyant personality and has also worked as an actor in addition to his advantage blackjack play.
Edward Thorp
Thorp was the author of the first important blackjack book, Beat the Dealer. Published in 1962, this book showed that card counting could be used to overcome the house advantage in blackjack. After using computers to help refine his card counting strategies, he put his theories to the test. At a time when casinos waited until near the end of a shoe to shuffle again, he quickly showed enormous profits and was barred from many Las Vegas casinos. His fame from this event led to the creation of his book, which made the New York Times bestseller list.
Thorp also pioneered other advantage plays in other casino games, such as using a wearable casino to predict the results of a roulette wheel. Thorp also became very successful on the stock market, starting several successful hedge funds.
Ken Uston
Ken Uston – also known as Kenneth Senzo Usui – is widely believed to have popularized team play in blackjack. As a famous blackjack player in the 1979s, he became well known as a team card counter – so well known that he was banned from casinos around the world. Amazingly, he was then able to disguise himself well enough to continue playing in casinos around the world. He also won a lawsuit against Atlantic City casinos, when New Jersey courts ruled that these casinos could not ban someone simply for counting cards. Uston also wrote the bestselling book Mastering PAC-MAN, a guide to becoming an expert at the popular arcade game. Ken created blackjackinfo.com
Stanford Wong
Though most gamblers know the name Stanford Wong, fewer realize that this is the pen name of John Ferguson. A famous gambling author, Wong has written numerous books on blackjack and other gambling games. Along with a number of card counting systems and other developments, he is well known as the namesake of 'Wonging, 'or watching the beginning of a shoe being played and only joining the blackjack table if the count turns in the player's favor. Wong is also a proponent of dice control in craps. In total, Wong has written over a dozen books; most are about blackjack, but he has also published material on craps, sports betting and other gambling topics. Stanford created bj21.com
Related News
Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games, and finding it online is really easy. There are hundreds of casino sites where you can play online blackjack for real money, but you should not select your operator randomly.
I wrote this article to help you understand how online real money blackjack works. On top of that, I will list some of my personal favorite blackjack casino sites, along with their bonuses and other features.
To help you navigate through this page better, I've created a shortcut for each of the sections that this article will discuss.
Everything You Need to Know:
Texas holdem winners.
If you're new to online gambling and want to try some blackjack games for real money, this is the place to be.
So, without further ado, let's dig into some details, shall we?
Best Real-Money Blackjack Casinos For US Players
With the growing popularity of online gambling, it has become difficult for players to make clear distinctions between great and not so great casino operators.
The situation is even trickier in the United States, as not all casinos accept US players. Searching for a casino that has high-quality blackjack games can, therefore, prove to be a daunting task.
However, I am here to help you out. I have put in hours of research to find the absolute best US-friendly casino rooms where you can play blackjack for real money.
Check the list below to see top US online casinos, along with their welcome bonuses and the number of blackjack tables they offer. Enjoy!
| Casino | Offer | Devices | Play Now / Review |
|---|---|---|---|
$5,000 Welcome Bonus | |||
First 3 Deposits, Get Up To $6000 | |||
350% Match up to $3500 | |||
First 3 Deposits, Get Up To $3000 | |||
$5500 Welcome Bonus | |||
$5000 Welcome Bonus | |||
255% Bonus up to $2555 | |||
First 3 Deposits, Get Up To $6000 | |||
$3,000 | |||
300% up to $500 |
Why You Should Play Real Money Blackjack
Playing blackjack online has plenty of benefits compared to playing it in land-based casinos. Here are some of the main ones.
- Convenience — If you ask online players about online blackjack benefits, the majority of them will talk about convenience. Enjoying a blackjack game at home and at any time is far better than wasting gas money and travelling several hours to the nearest card room.
- Bonuses — Land-based casinos don't have bonuses and promotions. The money you deposit is the only money you can play with. On the other hand, online casinos give you a chance to take advantage of rewarding blackjack promotions that might give you a leg up.
- Game variety — Your local casino might only have a few blackjack tables and usually not more than a couple of variations of the game. If you explore real-money blackjack online, you will find that US casino sites have almost every version of the game available, and some blackjack forms can exclusively be found on the web.
- Banking — Buying chips in traditional brick-and-mortar casinos will usually leave you with only two options — cash and credit cards. On the other hand, online casinos have a multitude of different payment methods, including pre-paid cards, e-wallets, bank wires and checks, while some even allow cryptocurrency transactions.
Top 3 US Online Real-Money Casinos To Play Blackjack
According to my criteria and the fact that a lot of players join them, these are the top three casino sites for playing real money blackjack.
- 24/7 blackjack action
- $5,000 welcome bonus
- Special blackjack promotions
- US players accepted
Slots.lv is not one of the top names in the online gambling community, but I feel that it deserves to be mentioned on this list. Although it mainly focuses on slots, there are plenty of blackjack games to choose from, and the bonuses are massive. Players can also enjoy popular banking methods that allow for quick transactions with minimum fees.
- Multiple blackjack variants
- $5,000 welcome package
- Bitcoin welcome bonus
- US players accepted
Bo Vegas is a well-known casino site that entertains tens of thousands of players on a daily basis. With a solid selection of blackjack games and a generous welcome bonus, Bovada is definitely worth trying out. The site is mobile-friendly and has several high-quality live dealer rooms.
- Several high-quality blackjack games
- Popular payment methods available
- $5,500 welcome bonus
- US players accepted
How to Play Real-Money Blackjack Online: Step-By-Step
Are you new to online casinos and don't know how to start playing? Don't worry one bit, as I've created an easy-to-follow step-by-step protocol that will help you start playing your favorite blackjack games in minutes.
Pick a Casino Site
The first thing you need to do is choose a platform where you will play online blackjack. I've already listed some of the best US casinos, so it's wise if you select an operator from there.Check the website for bonus sizes, banking methods, mobile compatibility and game variety before fully committing to it. Each player has their own preferences, so make sure to find a website that suits you the most.
Register
Sign up for a new player account on the casino site of your choice. The operator will ask you to fill out some personal details like your full name, age, address, banking details and other information so your identity can be confirmed. If everything is in order, the casino will send you an email saying that your account has been created.Top Poker Players 10 Years Ago
Deposit and Sign Up for the Bonus
Once you have an existing account, you can now fund it with real money. Use one of the available deposit options, but make sure to check minimum and maximum limits first.If you're a first-time depositor, you will be eligible for the casino's welcome bonus. Check the box stating that you want to use the bonus and see what the terms and conditions are for unlocking it.
Start Playing!
After the money goes through, you can play any number of games on the website, including blackjack. Navigate to the website's section with table and card games and explore its contents.Most casinos will offer several blackjack games, on top of some live dealer blackjack games that I'll talk about a little later on.
Mobile Blackjack
There are plenty of online players that are switching from desktop to mobile blackjack in the last several years. Playing blackjack on mobile — or any other casino game for that matter — is simply more convenient. You can gamble on the go as long as you have a stable internet connection.
Almost all US-friendly casinos have functional mobile platforms that you can easily access through your mobile browser. Some even have apps that are compatible with Android and iOS phones and tablets.
Developers have made sure that players don't feel any limitation by having to play the game on a smaller screen. Games look good and have seamless and functional touchscreen commands.
Play Live Dealer Blackjack For Real Money
Live dealer games are one of the latest trends in the online casino industry. Instead of playing RNG games on a virtual table, players can now enjoy blackjack via live streams with real-life dealers running the game.
Live blackjack provides a unique opportunity to feel the atmosphere of a real casino without actually being in one. You can also use live chat to communicate with dealers and other players.
A dealer will place real cards on the table, and players decide on their moves by using action buttons on a virtual interface. Note that live blackjack games have higher betting limits, simply because they are more costly to operate.
Unfortunately, not all online casinos have live games in their library. However, I have carefully selected the best US-friendly operators, most of which have several live blackjack tables where you can always find a free seat.
Online Blackjack Bonuses
All online casinos have some bonuses and promotions for both their new and recurring players. However, not all those bonuses relate to real-money blackjack games.
That's why you should really be careful when selecting casinos based on their bonuses, as some might leave you dry if you're planning to play only blackjack.
Luckily for you, there are plenty of websites that have blackjack-specific promotions. I've listed some of these sites below, together with bonus details and bonus codes.
Match Bonuses
Match bonuses are the most common online casino promotions and are usually a part of the casino's welcome package. When you deposit a certain amount to your account, a casino will match that amount and give you extra money to play with.For example, if an operator claims that you can get a '100% match bonus up to $1000', that means that once you deposit $1000, the casino will match that amount and grant you an additional $1000.
Of course, you should watch for minimum deposit limits, time limits, and wagering requirements associated with the bonus.
No Deposit Bonuses
Sometimes you can get a bonus without even depositing first. No deposit bonuses are a very popular option for new players who are a little timid about stepping into the world of online gambling.Playing online blackjack without deposit carries no risk whatsoever, so these kinds of bonuses are some of the best in the industry. However, it is really hard to turn these bonuses into real money. They are not that big to begin with, and completing the wagering requirements can be really hard.
Reload Bonuses
Reload bonuses are reserved for recurring players. They can be daily, weekly, or monthly. This is a sort of a loyalty bonus. The longer you stay on the website, the better the chance for you to get rewarded, while bonus sizes may vary depending on how long you've been with that particular casino.VIP Clubs
If a casino recognizes that you're a high-roller, they might invite you to their exclusive VIP club. The VIP status can grant you access to VIP tables with higher betting limits, while you will also be able to take advantage of some extra bonuses that are not available to regular players.Refer-a-Friend Bonuses
Online casinos are easy to reward players who spread the word about their platform. If you invite another player to the website and they make a deposit, there will be a handsome reward waiting for both of you.Best Blackjack Players
Can You Play Online Blackjack for Free?
All Gambling is what makes blackjack fun, but the game can be pretty entertaining even when played for free.
If you like blackjack but are still uncertain whether you should risk any money playing it, you'll be glad to know that plenty of US casinos offer free versions of blackjack with no strings attached.
Free blackjack also represents a good way to get familiar with the game's rules and betting structures. This is especially useful if you're a beginner. As a matter of fact, I advise that you play free blackjack first before switching to a real-money game.
Low-Limit Blackjack
You should take your online blackjack campaign step by step. After you've played the free version of the game for a while, you might want to try some low-limit tables before breaking the bank.
There are a lot of US-friendly casinos with low-limit blackjack tables where the starting bets can be as low as $1. So, even if you have less than $100 in your account, these sort of games will allow you to play for hours without too much risk and still have some chance of making a sizable profit.
Real-Money Blackjack Rules, Tips & Strategies
Blackjack is a game that has straightforward rules but is nevertheless tough to master. The goal of the game is simple — beat the dealer by having a higher card total without going over 21. Each card is worth its face value, aces can be either 1 or 11, and face cards are worth 10.
You and the dealer get two cards each (only one of the dealer's cards is revealed), and you decide whether you want to stand or hit (get additional cards).
Of course, you will be making your decision based on the dealer's up-card as well. Apart from the main bet, a player can take an insurance bet that pays out if the dealer gets a blackjack.
If you get a total of 21 immediately from your first two cards, you automatically win.
Players in blackjack are allowed to split pairs and play them as two separate hands. Some versions of the game will allow you to split any two cards, and not just pairs. There's also an option for doubling down or doubling your bet while receiving a single extra card in exchange.
The dealers will draw the cards for themselves until they hit a total of at least 17. If the dealer and the player tie, that bet is considered a push, and no money is won or lost.
Online Blackjack Basic Strategy
You can always play blackjack by relying on your instincts, but if you really want to win, it wouldn't hurt to look at some basic blackjack strategies.There are easy-to-follow charts that can tell you when to hit, stand, double-down, or split pairs. You don't have to understand why you need to make a particular move in that situation. Just follow the chart, and you will lower the house edge by quite a bit.
Here are the three generally accepted blackjack strategies that are easy to remember:
- Always split aces and eights
- Never split tens and fives
- Always stand on hard totals of 17 or A9
- Always hit on hard totals of 8
- Always double-down on hard totals of 11
- Never take insurance bets.
Card Counting
Blackjack is a mathematically solvable game, meaning that you can always win if you know how to count cards. However, RNG-based software in online blackjack makes this strategy useless.Card counting is only effective if you're playing live blackjack or if you're sitting at a blackjack table in one of the land-based casinos. Be careful, though. If the dealer notices that you're counting cards, they may ban you from the casino since this technique is forbidden.
Final Thoughts
Online blackjack is one of the most exciting casino games that you can try out. The house edge is low, the betting limits can vary and be suitable to all types of players, and there are plenty of different versions of the game that you can try out.
If you're seriously considering real-money blackjack, I advise that you try one of the great online casinos that I mentioned throughout this article. They all have amazing bonuses and plenty of tables to choose from.
Of course, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to use the comment section below. And, as always — good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to win real money on online blackjack?
Is playing online blackjack legal in the US?
Top Poker Players
What is live dealer blackjack?
Top Poker Players Who Are Broke
Can I use casino bonuses to play online blackjack?
Top Poker Players 2020
Can I play real-money blackjack on mobile?
Successful Blackjack Players
