Blackjack has been a staple of the brick-and-mortar casino experience for over 100 years. With the aim of the game being to beat the dealer and achieve a hand value as close to 21 as possible, Blackjack is a game which players can enjoy.
Naturally, with the rise of the internet, Blackjack has made a transition to an online form, and more recently, as live game variants. But what are the rules of online Blackjack? Do they differ from traditional Blackjack gameplay, and how can you get started? All these questions and more will be answered in today’s article; so keep on reading.
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What is Online Blackjack?
You may think that online Blackjack is literally just Blackjack that is played online, and while technically true, it is a little more complicated than that; and is a common error made by both new and seasoned players alike.
Many players will use the terms ‘online blackjack’ and ‘live blackjack’ interchangeably, when in fact these are two highly different subtypes of Blackjack gameplay. While live blackjack is played in real-time with a live dealer and real cards and tables all streamed to your device, online blackjack (the focus of this article), refers to blackjack gamers which players can access 24/7 and play immediately. This is because in online blackjack it’s you vs the dealer, who is an RNG computer software. Typically, you’ll be presented with a digital rendition of a blackjack table, and, as you’re in control of gameplay; can take as long as you like to make decisions, and can dictate the overall pace of play.
Both online blackjack and live blackjack can be played with a variety of variant-specific rules, but the aim of the game remains the same; to have a higher value hand than the dealer, and closest to 21, without going bust (scoring 22 or higher).
How to Play Online Blackjack
As we mentioned, the beauty of blackjack is its simple gameplay which all players can quickly understand and enjoy; and thanks to online blackjack gameplay, playing blackjack games online is easier than ever before. To get started, follow our lucky 7 steps:
- Sign up and register your Lord Ping account and browse our extensive selection of online blackjack games from your chosen device (smartphones included).
- Pick the game that speaks to you, and be sure to check the gamepage information for useful details such as betting limits, as well as any specific rules to be aware of. Then load the game and set your first wager.
- In traditional online blackjack gameplay, there will be two cards dealt to each player, both face up. The dealer also receives two cards in most versions, one face up and the other face down (the hole card).
- Blackjack, (also known as a ‘natural’), is when you are dealt an ace and a ten or a picture card (J, Q, K). You will immediately win the hand. The dealer may only check for blackjack depending on the variation if their face-up card is an ace, 10, or face card. Your wager is refunded if the dealer also has blackjack. We call this a push.
- If you don’t have a ‘natural’ you can now choose whether to split, double down, draw another card, or hold onto what you already have based on your hand; known as ‘standing’. Your available options will depend on the rules of the chosen variant, as well as any actions already taken). It is important to note that in Blackjack the Ace is both high and low.
- Once you’ve gone bust (over 21) or have chosen to stand, the dealer will reveal their face-down card and will take their turn. In most online blackjack games the dealer will usually have rules they must follow such as standing on 17 or higher and hitting on 16 or lower.
- You win if the dealer goes bust or if your final hand is closer to 21 than theirs. If the dealer beats your hand, then you lose. Once the outcomes have been revealed and payouts are made, you can play a new hand.
Online Blackjack Rules in the UK
Blackjack is played in many different varieties around the world, but the UK version is similar to other versions in many ways, especially when it comes to betting and hand strategy. Minor differences in the rules may exist across versions, though; which is why it is important to always read the game information before playing. Some of the most common and/or core rules of online blackjack are listed below.
- Regular wins pay 1:1, while a blackjack (natural) pays 3:2.
- A total of over 21 is known as going ‘bust’ and means you automatically lose the round.
- All Royal ‘face’ cards (J, Q, K). Are worth 10.
- Aces are worth 10 unless they would make your total over 21, in which case they are worth 1.
- A hard hand is a blackjack hand either without an ace, or where the ace is serving as a 1. A soft hand is a hand with an ace valued at 10 (which can later turn to a 1 should it need to prevent you from going bust.
- Unless specified, the dealer will always hit on a 16 or lower, or stand on a 17 or higher.
- If a dealer has an ace showing players are typically offered the insurance side bet at 2:1.
- If the player and the dealer both score 21, then a push occurs. Your initial wager is refunded, but if you made an Insurance wager this will be paid.
Blackjack Hands In-Game
We mentioned earlier that players can make various choices depending on their hand such as standing, hitting, doubling down, and so on. To clarify these options, we’ve provided brief explanations below:
Hit: When a player hits, they are asking to be dealt another card in hopes of improving the value of their hand.
Stand: When a player stands, they opt to receive no more cards and end their turn.
Double Down: A player can typically only double down after being dealt their initial two cards. Doubling Down involves doubling the value of your wager in exchange for one more card, after which you must stand. Due to the increased cost, players should only use this option sparingly.
Split: If you are initially dealt two matching cards, you have the option to split. As a result, the pair is split into two new hands with the same stake amount, and each of these hands receives one additional card.
Doubling Down After Splitting: Not all online blackjack games will offer this option, but in some variants it is possible to choose to double down on your split hands.
Play Blackjack Games on Lord Ping
As you can see, Blackjack is a beautifully simple yet engaging game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages (18+) and skill levels. At Lord Ping you can play a selection of the best online blackjack games, as well as live blackjack games, and a selection of live casino games which have used blackjack as their inspiration. Sign up and play today to discover more.
