History Of Blackjack
Blackjack has an intriguing history and is widely believed to have evolved from a French game called Vingt-et-Un (twenty-one in French), played in the 18th-century. This game is thought to have originated from an older game called Chemin-de-fer, named due to the cards being kept in an iron box. In addition, Spain also claims to have influenced the game with it’s ‘One and Thirty.’ The name Blackjack itself heralds from a Nevada casino during 1931, the year in which gambling was legalized across the State of Nevada.
At that time in history, if you played the Ace of spades and a Jack of spades or clubs, the house would pay you out at ten to one odds on the bet. Sadly, this rewarding payout has disappeared from the game, but the Blackjack name has remained to this day.
Online Blackjack In Canada
Canadian players love online Blackjack, and there are numerous opportunities online to enjoy some fun at the tables. You can find multiple variations of the classic game and every version of real-money Blackjack available. Players can compete at any time of the day with a wide range of betting limits to suit every level of budget. If you want to play for free or for life-changing money, the Blackjack table and card deal is just a click away.
Take your time to find the right Canadian casino to suit your playing style and always ensure that they are correctly licensed and fully regulated. Then take a look at the key features of each online Blackjack game on offer. Seek out the one which will maximize your strategy and allow you to play within your budget, then take your seat and prepare for an exciting round on the Blackjack table.
How To Play Online Blackjack
The game of online Blackjack is based on the thrilling challenge between you and the dealer, and who can get the nearest to 21 in their hand. Hence, Blackjack is commonly referred to as ‘21.’ You may see the other players, and even interact with them if you opt for a live session, and their cards will always be visible. Alternatively, you can opt for a variety where you are the only player at the table, so that you can focus on the gameplay.
How To Place A Wager
From the casino lobby, you can choose which online Blackjack table and betting limits you want. Once you are ready, then you will need to place your bet. The chips normally have a number value which will depend on your chosen table’s minimum and maximum limits. A Blackjack table usually has five betting areas, so you simply select your chips and place them on the area in front of you. Then click the button ‘Deal’ to begin playing.
Classic Blackjack rules mean that all players will receive two cards, which will be face up, and the dealer will only have their first card exposed. The cards will be dealt from the player sitting to the left of the dealer to the player on the dealer’s right. Once you have received your two cards, you will be comparing them with the dealer’s and deciding what strategy to employ next.
Options In The Game
You now have four options to either ‘Hit,’ ‘Stand,’ ‘Double Down’ or if you have received a pair, to ‘Split.’ To ‘Hit’ means you will receive one more card and ‘Stand’ means that you do not want one. ‘Doubling down’ allows you to double your initial bet and also take another card. When you ‘Split,’ your pair is then played as two separate hands. Once all the players have completed their hands, then the dealer plays their own. You will then receive your winnings or lose your bet if the dealer beats your cards.
- Place your chosen wager between the table’s minimum and maximum limits
- Choose to Hit, Stand, Double Down or Split
- The dealer will turn their top card and play
- Blackjack itself (21) or the nearest to 21 wins
- Click the ‘Re-bet’ button if you opt to play again with the same wager
Play Blackjack Online For Free
If you are new to online Blackjack and want to give it a try, then the first step is to learn the fundamentals of the game. You can take some time playing the classic game entirely for free and learning the basic rules. It is the perfect way to get a feel for Blackjack and learn about your playing style. Then you are ready to move onto the real money tables, hopefully with the beginnings of a strategy in mind.
Play Blackjack Online With Real Money
Once you feel confident, then most players will want to try their hand at the variety of real money and multi-hand strategy games. Whichever option you choose, remember to always check the value of the dealer’s upcard, which should always direct your strategy. It can help to use a strategy card when you first start out. Set your budget and choose your seat furthest from the first base, which will allow just a little more time to make your decisions.
Blackjack Online Bonuses
For Canadian players, one more reason to enjoy Blackjack is the plethora of online bonuses that can be found. There are many casino welcome bonuses for new players that include table games, particularly the ones offering matched deposit bonuses. There are even some no deposit bonus codes to help you on your way. The right ones will boost your budget, and some players can also beat the house edge by combining them with strategies and skilled gameplay.
It is important, however, to be aware of any wagering requirements attached to bonuses, especially for playing online Blackjack. For instance, a bonus may require you to wager your bonus amount up to 30x, within a specified timeframe, before you can withdraw any winnings. In many cases, table games including Blackjack have a much lower contribution percentage to these wagering requirements than other games like online slot machines.
Online Blackjack Odds
The house edge on online Blackjack varies between casino, software provider and game variety. You can find some very low house edge variants of just 0.13% up to much less appealing figures of 0.59% and above. However, Blackjack is not just a game of chance, and it can also provide the best odds for any casino game when it is played correctly. Developing a strategy is key and understanding the probability of whether a dealer will go bust ensures that you will play your hand successfully. Remember, the goal is not to score close to 21 points, it is to beat the dealer.
Seeing the dealers face-up card allows you to strategize if you know the odds. For example, there are 52 cards in the pack so the odds of a 7 showing up will be 4/52. In Blackjack, the highest possibility is for a 10 value card to be played, as there are 16 of these, so the odds are 4/13. The question any experienced player will ask is “what are the odds of the dealer going bust if their face-up card is __?”
Blackjack charts and cheat cards showing all these odds are available online, and they are extremely useful for all levels of Canadian player. Playing online gives you the time and flexibility to consult these charts during gameplay and improve your decision making. Understanding these odds is critical when deciding on your bets and can enhance your winning chances tremendously.
Blackjack Rules
Playing Blackjack should be fun and engaging classic Blackjack rules are not complicated. Always check them before you start playing as some casinos have additions to, or variations on, the basic rules. There are also many offshoot varieties of the game to be found. Being aware of and understanding the basic rules will allow you to strategize well before you start playing.
Choosing how to play firstly requires knowing both the value of the cards and their odds. All the numbered cards are valued at face value, with Kings, Queens and Jacks all valued at ten and Aces at eleven or one. In classic Blackjack, the winner is the player or dealer who gets a hand of either 21, or the nearest to this, without going bust. Blackjack itself, or a ‘natural 21’, will automatically win and will usually be paid out at 3-2. If the player and dealer both have this hand, then your original bet will be returned, known as a ‘Push.’
Blackjack Strategies & Tips
Various Blackjack strategies have been heavily debated and deciding on yours should be part of the fun. There are books, online tutorials and the ever popular cheat card to help all Canadian players plan.
Your final strategy should always include what decision to make if you have a soft or hard hand. A soft hand is when you have been dealt two cards with a low total that cannot be busted if you take a ‘Hit.’ With a soft hand, it is normal to ‘Hit’ until you have a hand of 17 or more. A hard hand is if one of your cards has a value of ten and you have a high risk of going bust. It is recommended to ‘Stand’ if you have a hard hand, rather than risk going bust. It is also a good strategy to ‘Stand’ when the dealer has an upcard of 9 or over.
Paying attention to when the dealer shows a soft hand is also important, as there is an exciting opportunity that they will ‘Hit’ and subsequently go bust. Their weakest hand is generally when their upcard is between 4 and 6. When to ‘Double Down’ is another thing that needs planning, and as a general rule, it is a good option when you have between 9 and 11 and the dealer has an upcard of 9 or below. You can also elect to ‘Split’ your two cards at any value, but it is recommended to always split if you have Ace and 8.
Different Types Of Online Blackjack
Because online Blackjack is so popular, the attention of software developers has quickly brought us new innovation and more challenging versions of the classic game. There are also a huge number of variants with added features like Bet Behind and interesting betting options. The live casinos have brought all these to life, with real-time action and live dealers. Developments in technology have brought us improved graphics and low latency, with live HD streaming from real casinos worldwide. You can choose your dealer, customize the settings and enjoy chatting with the other players.
Among the huge array of different types of online Blackjack are options like Atlantic City Blackjack, Blackjack Switch and Spanish 21. An exciting new version is ‘Blackjack 5 Hand’, a challenge that means playing with five hands and not just one. Another great choice is Blackjack Surrender where you are allowed to drop your first cards if you don’t like the hand. If you are searching for even more of a challenge, then opt for Caribbean 21 Blackjack, where Aces only have the value of 11. For a complete change, Pontoon is the ultimate challenge as the dealer’s cards are both dealt face down, making it extremely hard to strategize.
Glossary
Early Payout – a rule allowing players to surrender cards before the dealer has checked theirs, costing half their initial stake.
Double Down – an optional bet where players can double their initial stake and receive one more card.
Double – see Double Down.
Stand – to opt to receive no more cards from the dealer.
Surrender – to forfeit a hand & half the stake after the first two cards have been dealt.
Split – to split two cards of the same face value and play them separately.
Hit – to have one more card dealt to a hand.
Bust – any hand that exceeds a value of 21 is bust.
Push – a tied hand between player and dealer, where the player receives back their initial stake.
Questions And Answers
What is Blackjack?
Blackjack is a hugely popular table game which can be played in casinos online, with many variations to choose from, including live dealer games.
Is online Blackjack legit in Canada?
Yes, it is legal. Canadian players are fortunate as there are a large number of online casinos that accept players from regions that have been granted provincial authority.
Can I play Blackjack on my mobile?
Yes, you can enjoy playing Blackjack on any mobile device or tablet. Most online casinos today have adapted to mobile gaming and real money casino games are fully optimized for the smaller screen.
Can I play online Blackjack for fun?
Yes, of course, you can! Online Blackjack is all about having fun, and you can even find games with a Blackjack Trainer to help you learn the ropes. The free Blackjack games also have a virtual bankroll for extra excitement.
How can I count cards?
It is impossible to count cards when you are playing Blackjack online. Automated software handles the deck shuffling, and this is normally done after every hand.
How much is the King worth in Blackjack?
The King is valued at 10, along with the Jack and Queen. All the other card values correspond to their numerical value and an Ace as either 1 or 11, decided by the holder.
Is Online Blackjack rigged?
No, online Blackjack is not rigged if you play in a reputable casino. All good Canadian casinos have licensing in place which guarantees fair gaming and Random Number Generators (RNGs) which govern the shuffle and deal of the cards.
Can I play Blackjack online for free?
Yes, you can. There are many Canadian online casinos that offer online Blackjack for free and fun. It is a great way to gain experience and try out your strategies without risking any money.
