Do you enjoy playing card games that involve a certain degree of strategy? What about a table game with the lowest house edge, i.e. the best odds of winning ever? If you’ve answered yes to these questions and you haven’t tried it already, then online Blackjack may be the game for you! And to make things even better, online Blackjack is now widely available across Canadian online casinos, so you can play it from the comfort of your own home, and also on the go!
In this article, we’ll provide you with tips and info so you can enjoy a rewarding online Blackjack experience with the best online casinos in Canada. You’ll learn how to start playing free Blackjack online, and what you should do before you play the game for real money. CanadaCasino will also give you an overview of how to play Blackjack by outlining the Blackjack rules and explaining basic Blackjack strategy. So let’s get started!
Our top 5 online Blackjack casinos offer a diverse choice of Blackjack games and offer a number of interesting casino bonuses to help you get started. So, click on the attached links to learn more about each platform and the bonuses they offer!
Also known as 21, Blackjack is a game of unknown origins. Its earliest mention is found in Cervantes’ short story Rinconete y Cortadillo, written in 1602, where he mentioned that characters were playing a game called ventiuna, whose aim was to reach 21 without going over. The game is played with the standard 52-card deck (most games are played with multiple decks, the number of which varies between two and eight).
Although classic Blackjack is still the most popular game, there are different variants of online Blackjack nowadays, each one with its own slight variations to the rules. Progressive Blackjack, for example, involves an extra side bet that players can place, whereas MultiHand Blackjack comes with the possibility of playing more than one hand at once. Online Blackjack and Live Blackjack games will also come with different table limits at the best Blackjack casinos, as operators are trying to offer something to suit different budgets and player preferences.
While playing online Blackjack, players will discover that there are two major types of Blackjack: virtual Blackjack and Live Blackjack. Although the rules for both are more or less the same, the way the gameplay is carried out is completely different.
Virtual Blackjack is an artificial, computerized game. The cards and the table are graphically designed to resemble an actual game, with animations to be as authentic as possible. There is no live croupier, instead, the game is linked to a Random Number Generator (RNG) computer, whose job is to provide a random result for every round. The rules of virtual Blackjack are the same unless a different variant is played. Virtual Blackjack enables players to play for free through the demo mode that is provided by the developer. This is a great option to practice strategy, especially if you are new to the rules of Blackjack.
As live dealer casinos are on the rise, Canadian players now also have the opportunity of playing Blackjack with a live dealer, in real-time! This certainly adds to the excitement, as it will feel just like stepping inside a real land-based casino. You will be able to chat with the dealer, who will also help you and explain basic Blackjack rules. To play live Blackjack online, you are required to join an online Blackjack live table. The casino will display the Blackjack tables on offer under its Live Casino category and will indicate at what time the games start. Unfortunately, you cannot play free Blackjack if you opt for a live casino game. This is because you will be playing with a real live dealer who is located inside a physical game studio, from where the action is streamed live to your desktop or mobile. This makes the costs for the developer higher than they are when you play Blackjack against the machine - in fact, in the latter case there are practically no costs involved once the game has been developed and launched. That said, you will find Blackjack Live tables with different limits at the best Blackjack casinos in Canada, so you can choose one that suits your budget.
Virtual Blackjack is quite popular amongst players, although in recent years it has been overshadowed by Live Blackjack, which presents a more exciting and authentic experience. Nevertheless, virtual Blackjack is still enjoyed by a good number of players who like to play quietly on their own and at their own pace. Virtual Blackjack is also favoured by amateur players, who can play the demo version to practise their technique. Apart from the classic version of Blackjack, these days there are many variants of virtual Blackjack and we shall see down below:
Live Blackjack has become so popular that providers are now coming up with original versions of the game that incorporate exciting twists to make the game even more interesting. The best online casinos would also feature a number of Blackjack variants which are becoming more and more abundant. Below are some of the most exciting Live Blackjack games:
For those of you who’d like to learn the Blackjack rules first or who are here to brush up their know-how, here’s an overview of the basics to help you get started
Blackjack is played between a dealer and 5 to 7 players on a semicircular table, where all players play against the dealer and not against each other. The aim is to get card value that doesn’t go over 21, but that is still higher than the dealer’s. Each card is worth its own value, except for the Ace, which can either count as ‘1’ or ‘11’. The Queens, Jacks and Kings are all worth 10 each.
Before cards are dealt, each player places a bet. Then, the dealer gives one card face up to each player and one card face up to himself. Another card is then dealt face up to each player, but the dealer’s second card is kept face down. Therefore, each player except the dealer gets two cards face up, and the dealer has one card face up and the other one face down. If a player’s first two cards are an Ace and another 10 card, then he’s been first-time lucky - this amounts exactly to 21 and the player wins. If both dealer and player have 21, then this is called a tie and the player takes back the amount wagered.
If the player’s cards do not amount to 21, then he can take one of the following decisions:
All this makes Blackjack a fast-paced game which is very easy to understand and play, even more so if it’s online Blackjack you intend to go for. But players must keep in mind that Blackjack is not solely a game of chance. Despite the undeniable element of luck, there’s a Blackjack strategy that every player should know!
Blackjack is known to be one of the games with the lowest house edge. In fact, the game affords the house an advantage of less than 1%. This, however, might vary depending on the number of decks that are being used in the game, the side bets on offer and their payouts. Most variants use up to 8 decks at the same time, but it is also common across games which use only one deck. The more decks of cards are used the higher the house edge would be and below we have constructed a small table with the house advantage for each number of decks of cards. This ought to help you determine the odds for every variant of online Blackjack.
Number of Decks | House-Edge |
Single Deck | 0.17% |
Double-Deck | 0.46% |
Four Deck Six Deck | 0.60% |
Six Decks | 0.64% |
Eight Decks | 0.66% |
A Blackjack chart is a colour-coded table showing you which decisions to take according to you and the dealer’s cards. It’s very simple and easy to understand and will ensure that you have the highest odds of winning. If you don’t play Blackjack according to the Blackjack chart, you risk not taking advantage of the low-house edge that comes with playing this game based on the best strategy.
Blackjack strategy involves making strategic decisions which improve your chances of beating the dealer. Before taking such decisions, it’s crucial to note what the dealer’s face-up card is. When this has a high value (say, 7 or higher), it’s best to keep hitting for a chance to get a higher value until you get a total of 17 or more. If the card is low value, the player should stop drawing if he has a value of 12 or more. There are a number of decisions that are considered to be a part of basic Blackjack strategy, which you can either learn by heart or apply by consulting a Blackjack chart.
The Blackjack chart was put together after a number of computer simulations put together millions of combinations of Blackjack hands. Through these simulations players could decide which moves to make to maintain the favour, making this chart a staple of Blackjack strategy. There are various other rules to Blackjack strategy which determine which action to take next, however, we shall focus on these in another article about playing Blackjack.
Apart from the main bets, Blackjack allows players to place a set of side bets if they wish to. These side bets add a certain excitement to the game and are placed in those few seconds before the next round commences. There are a number of side bets available:
If the dealer's face-up card is an Ace, the player will have the option of taking "insurance" before the dealer reveals the card. This insurance works as a side be this insurance involves a side bet that the dealer will get a Blackjack, which is independent of the main bet. This bet pays 2:1 and protects the player from disappointment in the likely event that the dealer gets a Blackjack.
The 21+3 side bet was adopted from Poker and is a wager that is placed when the player suspects that a number of scenarios might take place. These scenarios are:
The perfect pairs side bet is placed before the beginning of the round, and it is done by the player who believes he will get a pair in the initial hand. There are 3 different bets in this category:
The bet behind is where you place a wager on the outcome of a hand dealt to another player. This kind of bet can be placed both if you are sitting at the table or if you are just a spectator. This is an excellent way to participate even if the table is currently full. It is also a good idea to identify skilled players and bet on them, increasing your chances of making a profit even if you are not actually playing the game.
Card counting is a helpful technique that is not very difficult to learn but requires a lot of practice to be used successfully. Card counting is the ability to keep tabs on the cards that have been dealt and the ones that are still in the shoe. The purpose of this technique is to enable players to know when the advantage starts favouring them. Knowing if you have the advantage or not means you can take the appropriate action like doubling down, hit or stand.
Card counting is based on the mathematical proof that high-value cards in the shoe are more advantageous to the player than the dealer. Once the cards are shuffled, the shoe holds an equal number of high-value and low-value cards. However, this changes the moment the cards are distributed. If there are more high-value cards in the shoe, it means the player stands a bigger chance of getting close to 21. The same cannot be said for the dealer who is forced to stand at 17.
At this point, we have to mention that casinos will do everything they can to stop players from engaging in card counting and might even ban you from visiting the casino if you are caught. Furthermore, while playing online, this practice is next to impossible, especially when playing virtual Blackjack, where the generation of cards is based on a computer formula programmed with the odds of the game.
Online Blackjack has opened up many opportunities for Blackjack players that are unprecedented. The advantages of playing Blackjack online are many, opening doors to players who never had the opportunity to join a Blackjack table before. Below we are going to review some of the advantages that come with playing Blackjack online.
Playing online means that you can play as much Blackjack as you like at any time of the day. Unlike physical casinos, online gambling platforms are open 24/7 and are not tied to a particular location. That means that you can play your favourite Blackjack games without ever having to leave your home. Or else you can choose to play from other locations too since these days it is possible to play online casino games from your smartphone.
When playing Blackjack online, you have the opportunity to sit at different tables at the same time. They don’t necessarily have to be all of the same types of Blackjack but could be different variants. Playing multiple games concurrently is something that is unique to online gambling as in a land-based casino it is impossible to sit at different tables simultaneously unless you have a doppelganger.
Playing Blackjack online means that all kinds of players can now join this popular game. Providers offer multiple tables, all with a different betting range so both players on a budget and high-roller can play comfortably at a table that suits their pockets.
If you fancy playing free Blackjack with a bonus and winning real money, there is one possibility as well: You can join a Canadian online casino and claim its welcome bonus. Some casinos offer a percentage of your first deposit in bonus funds, for players to use on any game that they please. You can use this bonus to play free Blackjack with the possibility of winning real cash! What’s more, the best Canadian casinos also run regular promotions on Blackjack, which include reload bonuses, or even extra prizes if you get a Blackjack, so there are plenty of freebies to be had for existing players as well!
Before you play Blackjack with a bonus, it’s important to read the terms and conditions to make sure that you can really use the bonus on Blackjack games at the casino in question, and to take note of the wagering requirements and game weighting. Also, be prepared for the fact that Blackjack is a game with a very low house edge, so you will be required to wager your Blackjack bonus a number of times before you can withdraw any winnings.
As we’ve already mentioned a number of times, Blackjack enthusiasts have a choice between the classic version of the game and a number of variants, some of which are unique to the online world. Truth be told, a number of land-based casinos had come up with their very own Blackjack variants throughout the years, some of which were adapted for the online casino industry. Still, these days, the selection of online Blackjack promises plenty of excitement and diversity to every hardcore player and beginners alike.
Classic Blackjack, or as it is often referred to Blackjack, is the original version of the game. It is an exciting game and it has been played since the 17th Century. The game is played with more than one 52-card deck and offers players the possibility to place a number of side bets whether they are playing at the table or simply watching.
Infinite Blackjack was originally invented for land-based casinos, however, it became so popular that online providers adapted it for their online tables. It is an interesting variant that comes with a twist. The first thing to notice about this particular game is that whereas other Blackjack games have a limited number of seats, Infinite Blackjack has no such limitations and any number of players can sit at the table at once. Furthermore, all players at the table are handed the exact same two cards. It is up to each individual to react and take the next step in their strategy.
Free Bet Blackjack is perhaps one of the most recent versions of Blackjack that you can play. Invented by the same person who gave us Infinite Blackjack for land-based casinos, this one caught on quite well amongst players and thus it was adapted for online casinos. It is so-called free bet because players are required to place their initial bet, however, if they wish to double down or to split, there is no need to place an additional wager.
Spanish 21 or else Spanish Blackjack is as old as the original version of the game. The major difference of this variant is that all 10 value cards are removed from all decks, so instead of playing with a standard 52 card deck, you have decks made up of 48 cards. The rules and the value of the other cards are the same as those of Classic Blackjack. To compensate for the higher house edge in Spanish 21, players will always win if they get a blackjack, and get additional payouts if they get 21 with 5 or more cards.
Blackjack Switch offers a better probability of putting together a good hand. In this Blackjack version, each player is dealt two hands instead of one. After evaluating the cards, each player can swap the 2nd card of both hands if this helps them to form a stronger hand. From then onwards the game follows the normal rules.
In Canada each province is responsible for regulating online gambling, however, the law does not cater for online gambling. Blackjack as a game is legal in a number of land-based casinos in Canada so the game is far from illegal. And since the law does not regulate online casinos, players can join any casino operating offshore and that offers a good choice of online Blackjack.
It is very difficult to stumble upon an online casino that rigs its games these days. Still, we caution our Canadian players to choose a licensed casino that features games by well-known providers. Virtual Blackjack games are hooked to a random number generator computer which produces random results without any human interference.
Although Live Blackjack is not linked to an RNG computer, it is incredibly difficult for the croupier to rig the game. The number of cameras which are scrutinized by both players and the provider’s very own personnel makes it difficult for any cheating to take place.
There’s no better way to learn Blackjack rules and some basic Blackjack strategy then by playing the game for free. Although this is generally not possible at land-based casinos, a lot of Canadian online casinos allow you to play free Blackjack for as long as you like! To enjoy this game for fun, all you need to do is head to the casino website and go to the table games category. You will then see which Blackjack games are available at the casino. You can click on the option to play for fun and play online Blackjack instantly, normally without any download required.
For reasons we have already explained Live Blackjack providers cannot include a free version like in virtual Blackjack. However, we remind our visitors that these days they can find a table that only requires the minimum of bets to be able to play. And let us not forget the casino bonus that are so abundant at the best online casinos.
Before we leave you to enjoy this game at your leisure, we cannot stress enough how important it is to choose a good Canadian online casino if you intend to play it with real money. First of all, it’s worth finding a casino that offers multiple variants of Blackjack online and check out whether it’s offering free Blackjack so can give the games a try for fun first. Secondly, choose a casino that is licensed by reputable authorities, so you can rest assured that the casino will pay out any winnings due to you without delay.
And last but not least, check out what kind of promotions a casino is running as well as whether you can use its bonuses to play free Blackjack and win real money - the best Blackjack casino Canada will keep things exciting with multiple Blackjack offers and the prospect of winning great prizes!
Canada Casino aims to help you find the best Canadian casinos where you can play Blackjack online with complete peace of mind. Check out our home page and casino bonus page to find out more, before you take a seat at an online Blackjack table.
Blackjack is a simple enough game to learn. The principles of the game focus on the player reaching a total of 21 from the cards dealt to him before the dealer. The rules are pretty basic and also apply to online Blackjack. It is always a good idea to practice by playing the free demo version of online Blackjack games.
If you want to win at Blackjack, then you should follow basic Blackjack strategy. A useful tool that has helped many players is the use of a Blackjack Chart which shows you which action to take based on your hand and the dealer's up card.
Most online casinos offer a choice of virtual and Live Blackjack. It is up to each player to choose the casinos that suit them best. A look at our list of recommended casinos will soon give you plenty of opportunities to play Blackjack online.
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