The Best Blackjack Casinos in the UK 2020. Not all online casinos are equal when it comes to real money blackjack games. The UK market is so competitive right now, and online casinos are struggling to compete on all fronts. Just as some operators are amazing for slots, others have superb live games and other are set up perfectly for twenty one. Best uk online blackjack of 2020 In case you adore to play blackjack and are searching for the best spot to play blackjack online, check our reviews on the top online blackjack sites below. They will help you to choose the site that meets all your requirements perfectly. The benefits of online blackjack compared to land-based casinos Furthermore, we have covered some of the most popular blackjack games and we will tell you which is the best casino to play them at. Also, at the bottom of the page you can find our answers to some really interesting questions regarding the strategies and rules of playing blackjack. Best Blackjack Sites in the UK – Top 10 Blackjack Casinos 2020 Blackjack is one of the greatest classics – a casino game hugely popular and enjoyed by both seasoned gamblers and newcomers alike. As expected, it is one of the dominant titles across all online casinos, and playing blackjack with real money is an exciting and rewarding experience. So if you love offline casino games and want to play blackjack (21 card game), the United Kingdom is a perfect place. But brick and mortar casinos are usually visited by grown-ups. Millennials are looking for the best online blackjack UK can offer. According to the studies, people of their age prefer games of skills to the random games like slots.
If slot machines are the most popular casino game overall then Blackjack is without a doubt the most played casino table game. There’s not much in the online casino world that can compare with the feeling of getting a Blackjack dealt.
Unless the dealer has an ace or a ten, You have already locked in a nice payout, which is most cases is 3 to 2.
That’s one of the main reasons I have written this article – so You would be able to find an online casino offering Blackjack games with the best chances of winning, but I have also added a section in this article of some blackjack questions I have received and my answer to them.
Before going any further let me just add that all casinos listed on this page and website are completely legal and licensed by the UK Gaming Commission.
It’s of utmost importance that You select a casino site that offers Blackjack games that have favourable drawing rules for You instead of the house. What I’m referring to is a game type that allows You to surrender, double on splits and pays for a hand of BlackJack at 3 to 2.
Below are a couple of the best blackjack casinos that offer games that I described and a bit more. That’s what I’m going to be talking about in the next few paragraphs on this page, so keep on reading if You are interested in more.
This is the latest trend of the online casino world and actually has been going for years now – playing table games with live dealers. Blackjack is perhaps the most popular one here too and offered by any casino that actually spreads these kinds of games.
The obvious advantage of playing this game type is the experience. In fact, I did so myself right before writing this article. Regular online play (RNG Blackjack) is simply nothing in comparison to how awesome it is to have a real person dealing the cards. Even more, they will usually chat with You on a variety of subjects and You’ll both have some fun.
The verdict? It’s obvious – always prefer casinos offering live dealer games against those that only have computerized ones. There’s really no reason not to. Jackpot Paradise is one such site offering live games from MicroGaming and serving UK players.
Most big internet casino software providers have at least a handful of Blackjack variations in their portfolio. Having tried most of them I can make some recommendations from players perspective.
For live dealer games, I can suggest Evolution Gaming or MicroGaming. I tend to prefer the first because of the high quality gaming experience and of course, very attractive dealers from Eastern Europe. On top of that, You also get games with fairly low house edge and rules that are favourable to You as a player.
If You prefer being able to play on the go, this will be a big deal. Luckily for You, most online casinos are now mobile compatible. Users of iOS (iPhone, iPad and some iPod devices) as well as those of You using Android can play BlackJack at pretty much any casino. Refer to the toplist above for specific recommendations.
I’m finally not referring to the house edge or anything related to payout percentages of BlackJack, but rather talking about casino withdrawals. This is a MAJOR and very important aspect that can either provide You with a great or horrible playing experience.
Rule of thumb – never play at a casino that takes more than 48 hours (usually business hours) to process Your withdrawal. This is especially true to those of You using Skrill or Neteller. There is simply no reason for the casino to hold Your money and they shouldn’t.
In our blackjack FAQ section we answer some of the most confusing questions asked by blackjack newbies and for even those that have been playing for a while, bit just can’t seem to get their head around a particular concept. We really try to dumb things down just to make them as simple as possible. Expect the answers to be clear, concise and provided with example hands just so you can picture the situation.
Look out below these questions for more queries that have come from our readers. They are questions about tournament plays and all the answers come from our experienced Blackjack teams always out there on the tables learning more.
Blackjack FAQ
What do people mean by the term double down?
In Blackjack you can double your bet. This is known as a ‘double’. However, some players simply use the terminology ‘double down’.
This is where you bet an amount equal to your starting bet that initiated the dealer to deal to your position, so effectively you are doubling your bet. Once you do this, the dealer will only deal 1 more card to your hand, and then it will be the dealer’s turn to act.
Doubles are a great way to stop playing a straightforward strategy of trying not to go bust. This is a bad way to play Blackjack and increases the house edge. Read more below about hard ‘double downs’ whereby you can ‘double down’ even when there is a risk of going bust.
What is the difference between a ‘soft blackjack hand and a hard blackjack hand with Aces in the hand’?
Firstly, the Ace must be involved to describe the first concept of hard blackjack hands and soft blackjack hands:
A-2 = (3 or 13)
A-3 = (4 or 14)
A-4 = (5 or 15)
A-5 = (6 or 16)
A-6 = (7 or 17)
A-7 = (8 or 18)
A-8 = (9 or 19)
A-9 = (10 or 20)
A-2-7 = (9 or 20)
A-5-7 = (13) if the Ace counted as 11, then the hand would be 23
A-9-7 = (17) if the Ace counted as 11, then the hand would be 27
In each of these scenarios, the Ace must be 1 or if it were an 11, then the hand would bust by totalling over 21.
What is the difference between a ‘soft blackjack hand and a hard blackjack hand with Aces in the hand’?
2-3 (5)
3-4 (7)
3-5 (8)
4-6 (10)
2-9 (11)
7-8 (15) – Any card above a 6 will bust this hand
3-9 (12) – Any card above a 9 will bust this hand
5-8 (13) – Any card above a 8 will bust this hand
10-2 (12) – Any card above a 9 will bust this hand
5-7– (12) Any card above a 9 will bust this hand
What isasoft 17 and why on some tables does the dealer have to hit a soft 17?
This is probably one of the easiest Blackjack to explain. A dealer can normally ‘stand’ on a soft 17, which is a starting hand of A-6 or a hand with 3 or 4 cards that contain an Ace and the total comes to 17. In this whole scenario the Ace always counts as an 11.
A-6 (7 or 17)
A-3-3 (7 or 17)
A-2-4 (7 or 17)
Depending on the table you are playing at, the dealer will be forced to hit on a soft 17 rather than forced to stand.
In any scenario when the dealer is forced to hit, the dealer cannot bust the hand as if a card valued at 5 or higher comes out, the hand would become a ‘hard hand’ as the Ace would be forced to count as a 1.
What is a soft 21 and why does it sometimes pay even odds?
Use the same principles as a soft 17. Basically a soft 21 can happen when you split tens and you are dealt an Ace. Conversely, this is when you are dealt a pair of cards with a 10 value, you decide to split the hand, and you are dealt an A making the hand a soft 21. Splits with A-10 are not counted as Blackjack 3-2 payout, and so you will be paid even odds.
A soft 21 can be a Blackjack too, only if this is the hand that was immediately dealt out to you. At this point the player wins if the dealer does not have Blackjack.
What do people mean when they say a hard double down and soft double down?
If you have already read the above scenarios regarding ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ blackjack hands, then you will be able to understand what a soft and hard hand is.
When is the best time to use the ‘double down’ or ‘hit’ strategy with a hard hand?
This is a great questions and requires some good strategy. Firstly, a good time to double with a hard hand is when the odds of winning are 50/50. This is because your double is also paid back at 50/50 odds; effectively even odds. A score of 16 is a good time to ‘double’ or ‘hit’.
For example, if you had a ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ score of 16, the only card that can really come out and score are between 1 and 10 at this point, as an 11 Ace would be of no use. With the score 16, you need a 5 to make your hand count as a 21. 50% of the time an Ace, 2, 3, 4 or 5 would come out and not see you hand bust if you ‘hit’ or ‘doubled’.
On the other hand, 50% of the time a 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 will come out adding too many points to your 16 hand. All these cards would mean your hand would be bust.
You can also ‘double down’ or hit with a score of 15 ‘hard’ or ‘soft’. Only a 7, 8, 9 or 10 will make your hand go bust, so there is a 60% chance that your hand will not bust. The problem here is that if you hit an Ace, 2 or 3 on the hand you score will be 16, 17 or 18. The dealer will still have a good chance of beating you.
Optimal Strategy in both scenarios:
Hard 16: ‘Stand’ if the dealer’s up card is 2 to 6 or ‘hit’ if the dealer’s up card is a 7 to A.
Soft 16: ‘Double’ if the dealer’s up card is 2 to 6 or ‘hit’ if the dealer’s up card is a 7 to A.
Hard 15: ‘Stand’ if the dealer’s up card is 2 to 6 or ‘hit’ if the dealer’s up card is a 7 to A.
Soft 15: ‘Hit’ every time as the optimal strategy.
What happens if both the player and dealer have Blackjack or an equal score?
Usually no one wins or loses here and the players bet is pushed (returned). There are some tables around the globe that will rule a points or Blackjack tie in favour of the dealer; while, in other places ties are ruled in favour of the player; however, most of the time you will find that the game is tied and all bets are off with the player getting his/her money returned.
Why do some people say Insurance is not a good bet to take? And when is the right time to take an insurance bet?
If you do the maths, then mostly it is more unlikely for the dealer to have an Ace or 10 as their face-down card. On a typical 6 pack Blackjack game thee odds of the dealer having matched up with a 10 are 30.55% ruling 69.45% in favour of the player.
That means when you take out insurance, you will not be paid 30.55% of the time. However, this does not mean you should not wager the insurance bet.
Optimal Strategy by working out the percentages:
Simply calculate how many times the dealer has had an Ace up card and landed a Blackjack versus how many times the dealer didn’t have a Blackjack hand.
It’s basically a memory game. If you notice that when you didn’t bet insurance the dealer didn’t land Blackjack on several occasions, then it is logically time to bet the insurance.
Why do I sometimes hear the term “A stiff hand?” on the Blackjack tables?
When you this term, it is referring to a hard hand that totals 12 to 16. This is a tough hand to have because you can have trouble opting to ‘double’ as you could end up with a low hand if a low card comes out or you stand the risk of going bust if you ‘double’ or ‘hit’.
I play a lot of Blackjack tournaments, but I never seem to be able to advance by hustling my way into the top 2 thus more often than not coming 3rd instead. I’ve followed the system I have read here and other systems that have worked for pals of mine. What am I missing?
SIMON FROM NEWCASTLE, UK
There are plenty of blackjack tournament strategy books and blog posts out there today. Books are always a winner because they have earned the right to be published, and they are usually written by those that have used successful Blackjack strategies in the past.
Here are some tips:
I keep hearing people talking about variation in Blackjack. I have been using several Blackjack strategies in the past that have worked and then stopped working. A poker player friend of mine said that in poker many players understand the concept of downswings and upswings. What does this mean?
JURGEN FROM STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
Probably one of our favourite questions that has been sent in here. Poker players try to play an optimal strategy. This is a mathematical strategy used aside from the bluffing in poker, and is a very important side to the game of poker, which incidentally can be used to explain crazy winning and losing streaks in Blackjack.
In addition, it can explain a lot of the shortfalls in the reason why Simon from Newcastle is often coming third in tournament games.
Variation can change. It is the same as flipping a coin. The percentages are there, but probability doesn’t follow. You could be in a long term game versus a friend where in the begging his tails seemed to consistently hit way more than heads. Odd since probability gives you a 50% chance of winning, but you were losing consistently. This is the downswing.
As the game goes on it seems heads is a winner all the time now. Soon variation catches up with itself and your upswing is so good you are in profit. Sometimes variation doesn’t swing so good as to put you back in profit, but eventually the longer you play, the more heads will start to catch up and possibly overtake.
Blackjack is essentially the same thing. The percentages go along the lines of variation; especially if you are a tournament player. You will eventually find that if you continue to stick to your optimal strategy, then it will pay off. I would also recommend Wizard Of Odds, if you looking for even more info.
Hi there, I just wanted to say what a great site you have here and thanks for all the great information. My question relates to random number generators. Online how do the random number generators work and are they safe?
Max, From United Kingdom
Thanks for such a well thought out question Max, and for mentioning that you like our site. We often hear people talking about fixed casino and that’s why this is a very good topic for us to help people with. We are sure this is a questions thousands of online Blackjack players have.
Random Number Generators are basically strings of code in an algorithm. A bit like with Google or Yahoo where they use algorithms to fairly give you the best search results on their search engines when you are looking for Blackjack tables.
These codes are basically unbreakable. They are so advanced and mimic real to life play so well that there is no way for anyone to hack them and see what the next card is. This is because the decks are in constant shuffle mode. Unlike in a real life card game, the next card is always going to be the next card! Whereas online, in order to keep things safe, the next card is selected by you when you click the button to ‘hit’ or ‘double’.
Basically, the decks stops shuffling when you decide to act, and the card the decks stop on is the card that comes out. This also applies for the dealer, because you stopped the pack, so whichever order the cards stop in will also decide the dealer’s next cards.
This way the system is kept entirely fair, and stops intruders, and the host for that matter, from manipulating the game. This makes them totally safe!
Maybe you already know how to play blackjack, and if not, the article below will be useful for you. Blackjack is one of the most famous card games where a player plays against the casino. Players of online black jack are not competing with each other, their task is to beat the dealer and get a bonus increase of their stakes. Numerous varieties of Blackjack let you choose the most optimal variant of this card game for each player.
The cards are dealt from left to right by the dealer, so if you take the first seat you will get the cards first. The action begins from the first seat when all players have their cards. Some players may feel a kind of pressure on this seat as the dealer will be waiting for the player’s hits, stands or splits. Other players will be waiting for action too, so some players may feel they are forced to play faster than they want. Do not pay any attention to such things, you have all rights to take as much time as you require.
If you take the last seat you will be the last to act. It is often considered to be the most favourable place at the blackjack table. This makes sense only if you are counting cards, as seeing all cards laid gives you a bit more time to think. Possibility to control the action gives a wrong impression of the third-base position. There is a chance of saving or scarifying the hands of other players, so the seat implies certain pressure and sometimes scrutiny.
You can pick any seat that looks the most comfortable to you. In fact, there is no mathematical advantage in any seating position. The outcome of the blackjack game will not be influences upon the seat you take in case if you are familiar with a basic strategy. In the long haul, you and your skills are the factors that influence upon the game, and not the seat itself. If you have little experience how to play blackjack online, you may take the middle position. You will be able to enjoy the blackjack game without the pressure of the first of the last seat.
In Blackjack tournaments, a first-base button is often available. It is moving from left to right after each hand, giving all players equal opportunities, which is quite fair. Those who prefer the thrill of a real casino from the comfort of their homes will certainly enjoy live black jack, which can be played on lots of online casino sites with live blackjack UK.
The choice of the seat is only a part of the deal. The more important thing is to select the best online blackjack site for you. Please read our reviews as we are willing to help you in choosing the best venue to play blackjack online. Also, in our reviews, you can read more about sites providing live dealer blackjack games.