What Are The Best Blackjack Online Casinos in Canada?
In this article, we’ll provide you with tips and info so you can enjoy a rewarding blackjack online 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 for real money.
CanadaCasino will also give you an overview of how to play blackjack by outlining the rules and explaining the basic blackjack strategy. So let’s get started!
Is Playing Blackjack Online Legal in Canada?
In Canada, each province is responsible for regulating 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.
Are Online Blackjack Games Rigged?
It is very difficult to stumble upon an online casino in Canada 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 that 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.
What Does Online Blackjack Involve?
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.
Watch as the Host of CanadaCasino Youtube’s channel Erik, walks us through how to play Blackjack 21 online in just a few easy steps!
Why Play Blackjack Online in Canada?
Blackjack online 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 online blackjack.
| Blackjack Online | Blackjack in a land-based casino | |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | ✔ | ✔ |
| Play anywhere | ✔ | ✖ |
| Bonus | ✔ | ✖ |
| Promotions | ✔ | ✖ |
| Multiple Seats | ✔ | ✖ |
Play from your home
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 casino games at a mobile casino.
Get bonuses on online blackjack
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! Plus, 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.
Access to live casino promotions
In some instances, you might even come across platforms with a dual welcome bonus. While one bonus can be used on most casino games, the other will be tied specifically with live tables.
If you intend to play live blackjack at one of the tables offered, such a bonus could come in quite handy.
Play on multiple seats at the same time
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.
Play at a Blackjack table within your betting range
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.
Did you know?
Blackjack is considered to have the best odds among all casino games. In a game with a single deck of cards, the house can fall somewhere between 1% and 0.05%.
Live Blackjack: The online experience of a classic game
Playing a live, online version of Blackjack does not alter the game at all. The rules are the same but differently, there is an actual studio set up with a proper table, chips, cards and also an actual human dealer managing the game.
In the next part of this guide, we’ll explore some of the different ways you can play online.
Difference between Live Dealer Blackjack and RNG (Virtual) blackjack
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.
New to the game and not sure where to start? Here are 3 blackjack strategies to get you started!
Virtual Blackjack Online Games
Online 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.
Blackjack online 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:
- Classic Blackjack
- European Blackjack
- Atlantic City Blackjack
- Blackjack Player’s Choice
- American Blackjack
Studio Live Blackjack Games
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 in Canada 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:
- Classic Live Blackjack
- Free Bet Blackjack
- Common Draw Blackjack
- Bet Behind Blackjack
- Blackjack Switch
- Vegas Strip Blackjack
- Progressive Blackjack
How Do You Play Live Blackjack?
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 a card value that doesn’t go over 21, but that is still higher than the dealers. 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.
Live Dealer Blackjack Rules
If the player’s cards do not amount to 21, then he can take one of the following decisions:
Natural Blackjack
If you get an Ace and any other card with a value of 10, it is called a natural Blackjack and you are the undisputed winner of the game. If you get 21, but not with an Ace and a 10 value card, you are the winner only if no one else has a natural Blackjack.
Hit
A decision to take another card from the dealer in the hope that his amount gets closer to 21, but not over. If this results in the amount being over 21, then the player is said to have gone ‘bust’.
Stand
The decision not to take any more cards, also known as “stand pat”, “stick”, or “stay”. This is done in the hope that the amount in hand will still be higher than the dealer’s.
Double down
The player’s initial bet is doubled in exchange for standing after he receives one more card.
Split
When the first two cards of a hand happen to have the same value, the player can decide to split them into two separate hands, by making a second bet equal to the first one outside the betting box.
The dealer then separates the two cards and draws an additional card for each one.
The player will then have two separate hands and these hands are treated as independent new hands, so players can lose or win their wagers separately for each hand.
10 Card Charlie
It is the rarest card hard possible, where a player is dealt only cards with a value of 10 without ever exceeding the value of 21.
Surrender
An action that is taken when it is believed that the dealer has a better hand than you do. This is sometimes the case if the croupier has a card of a value of 10 or an Ace.
This action means you forfeit the game, however, when you surrender you get half of your bet back.
Dealer Rules
When the dealer has dealt out cards to every player, he reveals his face-down card. If the total is 17 or more, he must stand.
If the total is 16 or under, he must take another card until the total is 17 or more, and then he must stand. If the dealer has an ace, and this brings his total to 17 or more, the ace must be counted as 11 and he must stand.
Therefore, the dealer’s decisions are always dictated, whereas only the player will always have the option of taking one or more cards to improve his chances.
All this makes Blackjack a fast-paced game that 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!
Are you aware of this need-to-know blackjack strategy? Our host Erik breaks down the Dealer’s UpCards, below:
Side Bets
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:
- Insurance
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.
- 21+3
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:
- Straight Flush – Same suit of cards in a numeric sequence
- Suited Trips – 3 cards of the same value and suit
- Three of Kind – same value cards but different suit
- Straight – cards from different suit in a numeric sequence
- Flush – cards of the same suit
- Perfect Pairs
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:
- Perfect Pair – Cards of the same suit
- Coloured Pair – Same colour but different suit
- Mixed Pair – different suit but the same value
- Bet Behind
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.
Blackjack Decks and the House Edge
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 that 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% |
What is Online Blackjack Basic Strategy?
Blackjack strategy involves making strategic decisions that 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 of 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 online 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 the blackjack strategy which determine which action to take next, however, we shall focus on these in another article about playing blackjack.
One of the most talked-about blackjack strategies is counting cards; is it even possible? Erik explains exactly how it works and how to use it to your advantage in our short video, below:
When to Surrender
During a game of Blackjack, sometimes, you are offered the option to surrender.
This feature is not always available but you can be sure to find it in versions of the game that includes the word ‘surrender’ in their title.
This option allows you to leave the game early and get part of your bet back.
This is a smart move if the dealer already has a card of 10 and your hand does not offer you a good prospect. This is particularly true if your cards add up to the value of 12 or 17 and you don’t have an ace.
You can still win in such a situation, but chances are you’ll lose.
When to consider pair splitting
The decision to split 2 identical cards doubles up your bet and doubles up your chances of winning.
The general rule is to split 2 aces and form two very strong hands. It is also a smart move to separate a pair of 8s, which is considered the poorest hand in Blackjack.
With other hand combinations, the decision is often based on what cards the dealer has. The only card combinations you should avoid spitting are 4s, 5s and 10s.
When to double down
Doubling down in Blackjack is an aggressive move that creates an atmosphere of suspense.
The action involves doubling your bet in exchange for one more card. This is an action you’ll take only when you’ve got better cards than the dealer and you’re sure you can’t go bust with this new addition.
This strategy makes the most sense when you have hands made up of 9, 10 or 11, or else 16, 17 or 18.
Ideally, the dealer has a hand made up of 2 and 6.
Card Counting in Blackjack Online
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.
Did you know?
The rarest card combination is a 10 Card-Charlie, which occurs only once every 100,000,000 times.
3 Important Tips To Know Before Playing Blackjack Online
If you intend to play blackjack online for real money, it is important to be well prepared and versed in the game’s rules and possible strategies.
Our guide is meant to help you learn the rules and make the most of your experience.
1. Know basic rules, side bets and payouts
The basic rules of Blackjack are quite easy to understand. On the other hand, learning about the side bets and payouts can be a challange.
We suggest using our guide and videos to get ahead of the game.
2. Learn the Blackjack betting strategies
Having the right strategy is essential when playing blackjack online. It can give your winning chances a boost in the right direction.
You can choose to stick to some basic strategy, or else if you feel more confident you can try something a little more complex.
3. Plan your budget and your time
There is one way to guarantee you success: plan and gamble responsibly. It is important to prepare yourself that in Blackjack you can either win or lose.
It is important to set your budget beforehand and plan how long your session will last. In this way, you’ll always know when it is time to quit.
Did you know?
The highest Blackjack RTP belongs to Playtech’s live game Quantum Blackjack, which has an RTP of 99.54%.
Online Blackjack variants
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 beginner alike.
Classic Blackjack
Classic blackjack, or as it is often referred to as 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
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
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 a 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
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
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.
Quantum Blackjack
Quantum Blackjack is a live version of the game by game provider Playtech.
The game deals a single player hand, however, an unlimited number of players can bet on the same hand.
If some of the players don’t take action along with the other players, their own respective hands will be revealed.
The game comes with an additional twist in the shape of a multiplier. This consists of 1 or 3 randomly dealt cards from a separate deck. Each card comes with a multiplier.
If one of the players’ cards matches one of the multiplier cards, he gets the multiplier applied to his wins (if he wins).
Did you know?
Whilst playing Blackjack, you can expect to land a Blackjack, more or less, once every 21 hands. The possibility that both you and the dealer land a Blackjack simultaneously is 0.22%.
How Can You Improve Your Blackjack Online Game?
Blackjack is a game of skill and strategy, however, there are a few things you can do to improve your game and win more. Strategy is important but there are other things you can do.
The casinos you play at and the games you sit at should give you added value. Furthermore, pro players can give you some valuable insider tips and help you become better at the game.
1. Check out our casino and game reviews
There are hundreds of online casinos these days and thus, it is important to choose the right platform to play Blackjack.
Remember, choosing a casino that runs regular promotions on its Blackjack games gives you added value!
Our reviews will give you a good idea of which casinos run Blackjack promotions and the kind of tables you should expect to find.
2. Practice, practice…for free
There’s no better way to learn blackjack rules and some basic blackjack strategy than 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.
3. Watch streamers to take your game to the next level
Watch streamers on Twitch will give you an edge when its your turn. These pros can teach strategy tactics, while you watch them in action.
Some of the most popular online Blackjack streamers are Casino Sheriff, TheMillionDollarMan and Blackjacknjill.
Did you know?
Worldwide, there are over 100 Blackjack variants. The basics of each one are more or less the same, that is to reach 21 without going bust, however, the basic rules of play might vary considerably.
Play Blackjack on Mobile
Live every other casino game, these days you can enjoy blackjack from a smartphone. That is if the casino you join has a mobile-friendly site or casino app.
Playing Blackjack specifically from a mobile app will unlock special features like push notifications and a more intuitive user experience.
There are also the more obvious advantages like playing from wherever you are and at any time without limitations.
We found that the best mobile casino apps for blackjack are:
Popular Live Blackjack Providers
Worldwide, there are still few live casino providers. The market is dominated by a handful of live casino studios.
When it comes to live blackjack tables, no beats Evolution Gaming. They have the largest variety of Blackjack tables to date. Their options include standard 7-seat live Blackjack, a few VIP options, Infinite Blackjack, Power Blackjack, Speed Blackjack, and Free Bet Blackjack.
- Playtech has also made a name for itself. Its fare includes several classic live Blackjack tables, Quantum Blackjack and Ultimate Blackjack.
- Vivo Gaming might not be so well-known but it offers some high-quality tables like Seven Seat Blackjack, and an Infinite Blackjack variant.