Online Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most played online casino games in the US. Whether you prefer to play blackjack with real money, or hone your skills playing for free, it is exciting. Playing blackjack online is now possible, and it is also legal!
You can win only if you play, but you can withdraw only if you play with a legal casino. Find everything you need to know about online blackjack below!
Where Can You Play Online Blackjack for Real Money
Online blackjack falls in the casino games category, and as such, it's available where online casinos are legal in the US. In the last few years, the number of states with legal online gambling has grown significantly.
The table below shows all states with licensing for online real money wagering.
Is it Safe to Play Blackjack Online?
Playing blackjack online in the US is safe thanks to the expanding online gambling legalization. It may all seem confusing owing to the various jurisdictions influencing gambling legislation at the state level.
Notwithstanding, much of the legislation concerning online wagering is out of date and riddled with ambiguities. Starting in 2014 in New Jersey, the wave of gambling legalization made casino games more available, including blackjack.
Whether you play blackjack, or you play any other game, you have to physically be in a state where online casino games are legal. However, players have been known to seek the services of off-shore sites.
While off-shore sites may provide the gambling services they need, players should consider the fact that there is no legal recourse against these casinos. Rogue operators are keen to take advantage of this, and thus players may run the risk of falling into scams. They might even offer blackjack games with more favorable house edge, or more generous blackjack bonuses.
Licensing
Both the online casino operator and the casino game provider must hold a state-issued license. The vetting process is so meticulos, no person involved is left unchecked. The number of online blackjack game providers is not high, but even the few of them have to have their games go through rigorous testing.
All of the blackjack games you see online at the legal casinos showcased at Playinglegal.com have gone through this process. We have never, and we will never list illegal online casinos in the US.
IGT, NetEnt and Scientific Games seem to be the go-to providers of online blackjack in the growing US market. All of these are licensed in the US. In addition, you might find Scientific Games marketed as SG Games or SG Gaming.
RNG Audit
Online casinos need to have independent audits performed showing that their games are fair. An audit for the random number generator (RNG) a casino uses is one of the most important fair gaming assessments.
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) is a renowned software testing agency. It is authorized to operate in the US, and carry out game and server tests, consult and inspect anything related to online gaming.
Typically, casinos display certification from different testing agencies to let players know that they are protected against an unfair house edge. However, it appears that US online casinos still do not show any seals that are a result of independent software tests.
We hope that we will see reports of online blackjack games having their RTP tested. It's the only way the online gaming industry can make a better impression with skeptics.
Game Audits
Game audits don’t just stop at the RNG. Individual games are also audited for gameplay, quality, and safety.
Checks like this get done to ensure game providers maintain a high standard in the fairness of outcomes, excellent graphics, and minimal downtimes. This is to avoid issues such as clunky gameplay and outdated software so that players have the best online mobile blackjack games that run even better on their PC.
Unlike the RNG, this starts in the design process. As a matter of fact, you cannot call a game blackjack just because the goal is to get as close as possible to 21. There are other rules that have to be considered. There are consumer laws that have to be respected. These game audits ensure that players get exactly what they are promised.
Guaranteed Payouts
By playing online blackjack, you can win real money. But winning doesn't mean you will get your money out if you play at a non-US licensed casino. Payouts are facilitated through online payment methods such as e-wallets, card payments, and bank transfers, but only at legit casinos.
While payouts may take processing time, they are always made to the player as long as they meet the terms and conditions for payouts at the casino, such as wagering requirements.
However, you should note that payouts are only guaranteed at casinos licensed to provide services in the U.S.
Even if you play blackjack, with a bonus or without, a rogue casino will try to throw you in a minefield of vague terms. They will use this to justify their actions.
Real Money Blackjack vs. Free Blackjack
| Advantages of Playing Real Money Blackjack vs. Free Blackjack | |
|---|---|
| Real Money Blackjack | Free Blackjack |
| Win real money | Play without risking your money |
| Compete for jackpot prizes | Play different versions of blackjack |
| Earn loyalty points for real-money wagering | Improve your style of play |
Real Money Blackjack
Real money blackjack is serious business, as you can win and lose real money. Casino operators focus on the “win” way more when they promote their games. Either way, you have to deposit some to win some. However, you can also lose some on the way to winning.
Online blackjack is literally the same thing as going to your local brick-and-mortar casino, especially if you're playing in a live casino. The virtual blackjack games are light years behind what game studios like Evolution Gaming and Ezugi have to offer.
Free Blackjack
Free online blackjack was always available, even before the legalization of online gambling. It's a great way to get to know the game, see how certain rules affect the gameplay, and lastly, you can test all blackjack strategies you can think of.
In addition, while doing all of the above, you do not have to make a deposit. The majority of US online casinos offer free-to-play blackjack games. Once you feel ready, and confident, you can make a deposit and play with real money.
The excitement is nowhere near the same. You will 100% feel different when you play with real money, even if it's just a few dollars per bet.
Blackjack Games Available Online
There is a lot of blackjack games available with a range of unique rules. While all these preserve the basic principles behind the game, different versions include altered rules that add a twist to the game.
| Spanish 21 | Played with Spanish decks containing 48 cards, without the tens. This makes it harder for players to bust. |
| Classic | Applies the typical blackjack rules and uses normal 52-card decks. |
| Switch | Players can play two hands at the same time. The switch option lets you exchange the top cards between your hands to make better card totals. |
| Surrender | Blackjack with a surrender move players can use to back out of the game when they are likely to lose to the dealer. |
Live Dealer Blackjack
Live dealer blackjack is arguably one of the best forms of the game you can play online. It comes with the excitement you can see on the casino floors.
Playing against a live dealer is much more engaging than playing virtual blackjack. Online casinos licensed to offer casino games in the U.S. can offer live dealer blackjack. You just have to click on the ‘live casino’ section to get into the live-action.
Pros
- Play with live dealers in your preferred language
- Interesting side bets
- Play promotions tailored for live dealer games
- Live Chat feature allows for more interaction for players in the game
Cons
- Limited variety of games
- Slower gameplay
Professional Dealers
A good dealer can make the difference between just playing the game and truly enjoying the live blackjack experience. Game studios such as Evolution Gaming, famed as the leading developer for live casino gaming, go through a rigorous vetting process to get the very best croupiers on their tables. Dealers get vetted for language proficiency and understanding of the game.
No RNG, Real Decks
Computer-generated results can be a drag when you play online. Live blackjack gives you a chance to switch things up as you play with real decks that the dealer shuffles as you play rather than depending on the RNG to draw your cards.
Interaction With Other Players
The interaction you get from a live game is one of the biggest selling points of live blackjack. Players have the live chat that lets them interact with the rest of the players at the table and the dealer. Better communication means you have access to unique deals and bets only valid at your table. Live gaming is the way to play real blackjack online.
Flexible Table Limitss
Live tables come with a lot of choices when it comes to wagering limits. Casinos often have tables categorized according to different wager limits.
For instance, players may opt for regular or high-roller tables. The former gives you a range of low-limit bets, while the latter is meant for players looking for high-stakes games. You’re never out of options with such choices when looking for live online blackjack real money options.
Blackjack Bonuses and Promotions
Blackjack bonuses and promotions are among the best incentives for online blackjack players. Online casinos offer a gamut of bonus rewards for blackjack enthusiasts that could have you playing blackjack online for real money without having to risk your bankroll.
From free chips to bonus winnings in the form of jackpot prizes, you have tons of offers to choose from. You just have to know at which casinos to play.
Welcome Bonuses
Deposit bonuses typically focus on slot players but often allow you to play other games as well. You can use your welcome bonus funds on blackjack tables if you prefer this over slots. Bonuses such as this come with wagering requirements you have to fulfill before you can access your winnings.
Keep in mind that every casino operator is different, and these figures are examples.
| Wagering Requirements | 50x |
| Minimum Deposit | $20 |
| Maximum Winnings | $200 |
| Maximum Bet Per Game | $5 |
| Maximum Cashout Limit | $1,000-$100,000 |
No Deposit Bonuses
The amount of blackjack no deposit bonuses is quite low. Slots dominate this category. However, this doesn’t mean that there are no free bonuses that allow you to play blackjack online. Here’s how a standard no deposit bonus looks like.
| Wagering Requirements | 50x |
| Minimum Deposit | $20 |
| Maximum Winnings | $200 |
| Maximum Bet Per Game | $5 |
| Maximum Cashout Limit | $2,000 |
Live Blackjack Bonus Offers
This type of blackjack bonuses are the rarest. Coming across any is an opportunity worth taking. As their name suggests, they allow players to enjoy playing blackjack in the live casinos.
We haven’t found one yet in the US, but this is how it would look like.
| Wagering Requirements | 50x |
| Minimum Deposit | $25 |
| Maximum Winnings | $200 |
| Maximum Bet Per Game | $5 |
| Maximum Cashout Limit | $5,000 |
Blackjack Tournaments
Blackjack tournamnets were a thing years ago. It appears the current legal online casinos push slots over any other type of casino game. We hope to see them come back. They are not as exciting as poker tournaments, as there’s not that much skill involved. However, it was still good seeing all those seasoned players showcase their skills.
Prize money varied from casino to casino, with most operators offering a prize pool in the range of $3,000-$6,000. Tournaments often rewarded players according to a leaderboard, with the top player taking the most of the prize amount. Players only had to sign up at the casino to qualify for tournaments. Some required a buy-in of between $5 and $20.
Conclusion
With legalization of online gambling in the US, online blackjack is becoming widely available. Finally, US players can enjoy a game of blackjack online, without worrying if they’re going to get their winnings paid out.
In addition, thanks to the close inspection of the authorities, the auditors and the growing competition, online casino operators have to offer the best they can to all players, including blackjack players. If they don’t, someone else will!
Online Blackjack FAQs
Can you play blackjack online for real money in the US?
Yes. Legal US online casinos offer a variety of casino games, including blackjack. You have to make a deposit before you can start playing with real money. Claiming a bonus is still considered “real money blackjack”. However, the winnings are subject to the bonus terms.
Can you make money from playing blackjack online?
Yes. While you have the chance to win real money and make a profit from your winnings, this is no simple task as players have to meet wagering requirements for bonus bets. Making money would mean that you beat the house, which rarely happens even though not unheard of.
Is online blackjack legal in the U.S?
Yes. There are online casinos that offer real-money wagering for US players. These blackjack games are tested, and audited to ensure all players that they are getting a fair chance at winning.
What is the best online blackjack game to play online?
The most popular blackjack game online has to be Spanish 21, which includes a range of features favoring the player.
The most important one is the fact that if the player has a natural blackjack, he wins, no matter what the dealer has in his hand.
