Blackjack is a popular casino card game that requires players and dealers to achieve a sum of card numbers close to 21 at the end of the game. The individual with the closest number sum wins the game. The online version uses virtual cards which have the same value as their physical counterparts. The basic cards range from two to 10 while special cards like jacks, kings and queens are worth 10 as well, and an ace can be used as either one or 11. Players try to get their sums or ‘hand value’ to 21 without exceeding it.
Blackjack now has several variants which follow the same 21 rule but slightly tweak other elements like odds and cards. The top four variants are the American, European, Spanish 21 and blackjack switch, and so we will explain these in more detail throughout this post.
Gameplay and Rules
The game begins when all bets have been placed. Then, the cards are dealt between players and dealers. The player begins the game using ‘hit’, where cards are traded or stand, which indicates that the player is happy with the card pair. ‘Double down’ allows gamers to double the bet and take an extra card while ‘split’ separates the hand.
The dealer plays his round, and the game continues until they hit 17 or higher. The bust feature occurs when someone exceeds the 21 sum total. The individual with the higher hand value wins the game if no one busts at the end of the session. If the session ends in a tie, the player’s bet is returned.
The basic game strategy involves hitting (taking another card) on low totals (11 or under), standing on high totals (17 or above), and making decisions (hit/stand/double down/split) on mid-range totals (12-16), based on the dealer’s face-up card.
Online Variants
| American | European | Spanish 21 | Blackjack switch | |
| Decks | Six to eight | Two to six | Six | Six to eight |
| Unique quality | Dealer stands at hard 17 | The dealer only gets one face-up card until the player completes turns | All 10s are removed from the deck. | Players are dealt two hands instead of the usual one hand. |
| House edge | 0.61% | 0.40% | 0.45% | 0.58% |
The American variant has six decks containing 52 cards. Player odd is around 42.22%, and the house edge is typically 0.61%. European blackjack, often using just two decks (reducing house edge), follows core principles similar to those of its American cousin. Unlike American blackjack, the dealer gets their second card face down (“no peek”). The house edge is generally lower, around 0.4% to 0.7%, due to fewer decks, and the dealer is forced to stand on “soft 17” (a hand containing an ace that can be valued as one or 11).
Spanish 21 uses a deck of 48 cards (removing all 10s), offering a twist on blackjack and a new online casino experience. The variant offers bonus payouts for specific winning hand compositions (number of cards used) – a five-card 21 pays 3:2, while a seven or more card 21 pays 3:1. The house edge in Spanish 21 is generally lower (around 0.4%) due to the missing tens. The basic strategy involves hitting on lower totals (4-8 or 12) and standing on higher ones (18+).
In blackjack switch, two hands are dealt simultaneously. Therefore, players can switch the top card between hands. Notably, the odds are generally favourable for players with a house edge around 0.58%.
Tips for Improving Odds
- Get a thorough understanding of hands in blackjack.
- Set a budget
- Choose the variant that suits personal needs (the European variant has a low house edge)
- Register with dependable casino operators in the UK.
- Practice in the demo mode before using real cash
- Do not focus on card counting
Our Final Thoughts
Ultimately, online blackjack follows the mechanics of the physical game found in brick-and-mortar venues across the world.
However, the many different variants and their unique odds help add to these experiences. For those interested, classic blackjack players tend to opt for the familiar American variant, while the European version, Spanish 21, and switch blackjack suit players who are after some added adventure.