Online Blackjack

Playing Blackjack on Betway

Hit or stand? 21 or bust? Blackjack is one of the most iconic casino games there is, and when you play blackjack online at Betway we give you the real casino experience.

Feel the rush as the cards hit the green table, and the thrill of watching what the next card will be. When you’ve got chips on the table, the possibilities are endless.

Blackjack is undoubtably one of the world’s most popular casino card games as well as being one of the simplest.

As little as two cards could be all you need and then – Blackjack 21. And, get Blackjack 21 on our Live Blackjack and we’ll pay you 3 to 2.

Betway offers a range of online blackjack card games for you to choose from, including the chance to play against real dealers in real time at our Live Blackjack tables. Give it a try and you’ll see that playing online blackjack is as thrilling as playing in-person.

So come along and try our online blackjack, take on the dealer, and put the chips on the table.

At the end of the day, it really comes down to one question: hit or stand?

Blackjack games

There are a range of variations from Classic Blackjack, European Blackjack, Atlantic City Blackjack, Spanish Blackjack and even Super Fun 21. So, whatever your style, you can find the online blackjack game that suits you.

While all the basic rules of blackjack remain the same (get higher than the dealer, get 21, don’t go bust) there are a couple of differences across all the blackjack card games.

They vary on areas such as the number of decks used, when you’re allowed to split cards, if you can surrender your cards, and if the dealer peeks to see if they have a blackjack 21.

Here’s some of the differences of how to play blackjack variations:

Classic Blackjack

One of the most common versions of online blackjack.
Uses 8 decks.
Dealers must hit if they have 16 or less, or on a soft 17.
Blackjack is paid at odds of 3:2.
You cannot ‘surrender’ cards at Classic Blackjack tables. But you can buy ‘insurance’ if you think the dealer is going to hit Blackjack.

European Blackjack

Uses two decks.
You can only double down on hands with a value of 9, 10 or 11.
You can only split a hand once.
You can only split like-valued 10 cards.

Atlantic City Blackjack

Very similar to classic blackjack.
Uses 8 decks.
You can split cards up to three times.
The dealer must stand on both hard and soft 17.
You can double down after splitting cards.
If the dealer’s face up card is an ace or a card worth 10, they peek at their face down card to see if they have a blackjack 21.
You have the option to surrender your hand.

Spanish Blackjack aka Spanish 21

Uses six to eight decks with the number 10 cards removed.
The dealer peeks, like in Atlantic City Blackjack.
You have the option to surrender your hand
A player’s 21 always beats a dealer’s 21.
The dealer hits on a soft 17.
You can double down more than once.

Live Blackjack

As, we mentioned before, there’s also our Live Blackjack, where you can play against real dealers, and watch them deal right in front of you.
You’ll be playing the Classic Blackjack variation.
Wager as high or low as you want, we’ve got online blackjack tables that range from 50p up to £10,000.
Speak to our dealers via the Live Chat.

You’ll be able to find all these options in the blackjack tab of the Betway Casino, and Live Casino sites. There you’ll see the huge variety of online blackjack games.

Betway also offers a user-friendly gaming experience across all platforms; desktop, tablet and mobile. So, you can play wherever and whenever you want.

How to play blackjack

The rules of blackjack are straightforward; you’re dealt two cards to begin, while the dealer has one card face up. You can choose to hit or stand, and will win if you have a higher combination than the dealer, or if the dealer goes bust. The dealer is obliged to hit if they reach a total of 16, but they won’t hit if they reach a hard 17.

Here are a few key blackjack card game terms to know:

Hard or Soft
Aces can equal 1 or 11, meaning your blackjack hand can be hard or soft. A soft hand is when your ace can go either way (Ace and a 9 could be worth 10, or 20). A hard hand when the value of the ace is just 1, because as a 11 it would put your total over 21.

Push
If you and the dealer end up on the same number, you get your bet back.

Hit or Stand
One of the most iconic phrases in a casino – hit to ask for another card, stand to stay with what you have.

Double Down
You can only double down on your first two cards. You can double your initial bet, but can only draw one more card and then stand.

Blackjack 21
When you get an ace and a card valued at 10. You’ll get an extra payout here at 3:2 depending on the type of blackjack you’re playing

Insurance
When the dealer has an ace face-up, you have the option to place a sidebet on the chance that the dealer has blackjack. It pays 2:1 so if you lose your main bet, you’ll still break even.

Split
When you are dealt two of the same card you can double your bet to split them into two hands.

Surrender
Similar to insurance in that it offers you a chance to partially save your hand in case the dealer has a better-looking hand. You surrender your hand and half your bet.

Side games

In addition to your main bet, there’s available side games, such as Perfect Pairs and 21+3.

Perfect Pairs
This is where you bet on whether your first two cards will match in any way, i.e. same number, same suit.

Payouts:

Mixed Pair (e.g.: 2 of hearts and 2 of spades): A mixed pair is a pair made up of two different colours (red/black). This pays 6:1.
Colour Pair (e.g.: 3 of hearts and 3 of diamonds): This is a pair of the same colour but different suits. This pays 12:1.
Perfect Pair (e.g.: Jack of hearts and Jack of hearts): This is a pair of cards of the same rank AND suit. It pays 25:1.

21+3

Another bet based on the first cards shown in the game. Similar to three card poker, you’ll win based on your first two cards and the dealers first face up card.

You can win with a:

Flush - three cards of the same suit.
Straight - three cards in a numerical row.
Three of a kind - three cards of the same number/rank.
Straight flush - three cards in a numerical row, and of the same suit.
Suited three of a kind - three cards of the same number/rank, and of the same suit.

The payouts range from 5:1 for a flush up to a 100:1 for a suited three of a kind.

Blackjack Strategy

Despite its simplicity, Blackjack is a game with some special nuances.

Do you buy insurance? Do you split your cards? Do you hit on 16?

Ask any player how to play blackjack and they could all give you their own unique blackjack strategy.

While everyone has their personal preference, there are some key blackjack strategy tips to keep in mind.

Blackjack Strategy Tips:

Hit on a hard 11 or less.
Stand on hard 12 if the dealer has 4-6, otherwise hit.
Stand on hard 13-16 if the dealer has 2-6, otherwise hit.
Stand on a hard 17 or higher.
Hit on a soft 17 or lower.
Stand on soft 18 unless a dealer has 9, 10, or Ace.
Stand on soft 19 or higher.

Buy insurance?

This one can be divisive. Some blackjack players swear by never taking insurance. The best it’ll give you is a breakeven if the dealer has blackjack. Typical blackjack strategy is to avoid it, though it may be worth considering if no other 10s or aces have been dealt.

Split your cards?

An opportunity to wager more and double your bet, but most blackjack strategy would often advise to stay with what you’ve got.

Aces and 8s is the standard rule, as two 8s only give you 16 (not always a strong hand) and two aces give you a better shot at 21, when split.

If dealt a pair of 10s, be sure to stand as you’re not likely to improve on your hand. If dealt a pair of nines, the best strategy is to split if the dealer has 2-9. However, if the dealer has a seven, 10 or ace it makes more sense to stand.

Double down

Because you only get one more card on a double down, it’s important to know when to play it.

Also, similar to splitting, you have the chance to win more, but will have to stake more.

The best blackjack strategy for the double down is only to do it when your hand value is equal to 10 or 11.

An important note

Remember these are only tips, and there’s no guarantee you’ll win purely by following this. But knowing when it’s time to take the next card, and when it’s time to stay with what you’ve got is a massive advantage on your way to winning online blackjack.

And of course, please remember when you’re playing online blackjack with Betway, that you play responsibly.

For more tips on how to play blackjack, check out our Betway Insider blog.