Blackjack Casinos

Our team of casino experts at opara.io has been playing blackjack for years at the best online casinos and brick-and-mortar casinos. Based on our combined decades of blackjack experience, we created this comprehensive guide covering everything you need to consider when choosing a blackjack casino site to play at. It also includes the history of blackjack, game variations, rules and strategies.

When reviewing a blackjack operator, we conduct a thorough analysis before recommending it on our site. Our evaluation process is based on several criteria to provide you with an honest and objective verdict. Below are some of the factors that we consider when recommending the best casinos for playing blackjack online.

Blackjack Licensing and Compliance

Playing Blackjack online in a safe and secure environment should be your utmost priority. This is why the casino's license (whether issued by the Malta Gambling Authority, United Kingdom Gambling Commission or any other reputable jurisdiction) is the most crucial criterion reviewed by our experts when assessing a blackjack site.

Blackjack Online Blackjack Game Selection

Some New Zealand online casinos focus on online pokies NZ and offer a limited selection of casino table games. However, other casinos boast a broad library of table games that include many online variants of blackjack. Our casino reviews of online blackjack casinos assess the selection of games, software providers, live dealer blackjack, standard online blackjack, and more important factors.

Playing Blackjack on Mobile

Many online gamblers in New Zealand prefer to use their mobile devices to play blackjack and other casino games online. This is why we test every blackjack casino site on various mobile devices. We check mobile compatibility, usability, design and everything else that allows you to play blackjack on the go.

Payment Methods

Our payment team checks the cashier section of every blackjack site for available payment options for deposits and withdrawals. Our reviews also cover processing speed, transaction fees and deposit and withdrawal limits.

Customer Service

Your online blackjack experience will depend greatly on the support you receive. Therefore, our evaluation of customer service includes the knowledge of customer care representatives, how to get in touch with the customer service team, response time and availability.

Advantages of Online Blackjack

Blackjack is one of those casino games where your skilled choices as a player can affect the game's result. Therefore, some degree of strategic planning and positioning at the blackjack table can affect your chances to win. A skilled blackjack player can certainly turn the odds of the game in their favour. Not only is Blackjack an engaging game, but it is also a flexible and unique table game, making it one of the most popular casino table games globally.

Popularly referred to as 21, blackjack is fairly simple to play. Both players and dealers should adhere to the game's pretty simple rules. The goal in blackjack is for a player to beat the value of the dealer's hand by obtaining a hand that has a value closest to, or precisely at 21, not a higher number. Contrary to the gameplay in poker, blackjack players are not competing against one another, but rather, the goal is to beat the dealer. Although the blackjack game experience and the atmosphere is entirely different at online and land-based casinos, blackjack players tend to use the same techniques and strategies to try and outplay the dealer.

The following are some advantages you will find when playing blackjack online:

Privacy and Anonymity

The anonymity offered by gambling online is second to none. If you are a player who is easily distracted by noise, or a newbie who needs more time to master playing blackjack without distractions, then online blackjack casinos are the way to go. There are several categories of blackjack players online, each with a different budget and appetite for risk. Playing blackjack online will allow you to choose and play at your own pace without being subject to the pressure you might feel when playing at a physical blackjack table with other players.

Bonuses and Promotions

As there are thousands of online casinos a player can choose from, casino operators offer attractive bonuses and exclusive promotions to entice new players and reward existing customers' loyalty. New blackjack players are awarded a welcome bonus and are then offered many more promotions to continue playing. Although many online casino bonuses are awarded as cash, they are still subject to wagering requirements before being eligible for withdrawal. So make sure that you read and agree to the casinos' terms and conditions before deciding to claim a bonus.

Many Types of Blackjack Games Available

Many blackjack variants are available, and while land-based casinos are simply limited in table space, many online casinos offer a wide selection of blackjack variants. So when playing at an online casino you can try live dealer blackjack, multi or single-hand blackjack, Vegas Strip, Atlantic City, and the list goes on and on.

Free Blackjack Practice

New players interested in learning how to play blackjack will find that online blackjack sites offer many games in demo mode. So you can play for free and practice your blackjack strategy and skills. There are also many blackjack resources and videos online that can help you improve your strategy before spending any money.

Play at Any Time, from Anywhere

Playing blackjack online has never been easier, and it keeps getting better and more accessible with the advancement of mobile technology. You can play online blackjack right from the comfort of your home, in the park, on the bus or anywhere you are. With a few taps and swipes, you can access your preferred online blackjack site in seconds. Additionally, playing online saves you the time and money you have to pay to get to a land-based casino.

Online Blackjack Features and Variations

Check which rule variations a blackjack site has on offer before getting into the nitty-gritty of extra functions and the finer points of the game. Each variation has its own unique twists you'll want to know about before beginning to play.

Potoon | Standard blackjack is widely available, but Pontoon is an alternative that brings the five-card trick into play, and allows greater flexibility with doubling (“buying a card” in Pontoon).

Spanish 21 | Spanish 21, sometimes called Australian Pontoon, plays without the 10s, and with additional dealer restrictions that reduce the house edge by 33%.

Multi Hand | As the name implies, this feature allows each player to be dealt multiple hands in a single game, multiplying the fun. Whether you're playing serious odds, testing your powers of concentration or simply looking to heighten the thrill of the game, multi-hand options can be a great boost.

Switch | Some blackjack games, usually branded Blackjack Switch, allow a player to be dealt two hands, with the option to switch the top two cards between hands, giving flexibility to maximise potential wins. The only downside is that blackjacks tend to pay 1/1 rather than the usual 3/2, and a dealer hard 22 pushes all player hands except blackjack.

Surrender | The surrender option allows a player to admit defeat before the game finishes. But rather than losing your entire bet, surrender forfeits just 50% of your stake. Once upon a time, hardcore players viewed this as a “sucker bet”. After all, why would you give up when you could still go on and win the hand? The answer is that it's better to lose half your bet than walk blindly into certain defeat with a bad hand. Using surrender wisely cuts the house edge by 0.1%, which might not sound like much, but it really adds up.

Insurance | The name of this rule makes it sound a bit like surrender – an option to ensure you don't lose out too badly. In fact, it's a side bet on the dealer getting blackjack. The offer of insurance is given when the dealer's upcard is an Ace. If taken, and the dealer has blackjack, it pays out at 2/1. If the dealer doesn't have blackjack, the stake is lost.

Double Attack | This variation combines the best elements of Pontoon and Blackjack. After the dealer's upcard is dealt, players are given the option of doubling their stake – you can still split or double as usual afterwards. The reason this particular game gets an entry of its own is that it also comes with an insurance option too: so if you see Double Attack Blackjack, you'll know you're getting several very useful gaming options.

Vegas Strip Blackjack| Like other variations, this type of blackjack follows the same goal of beating the dealer to 21. It also features unique rules as the dealer stands on soft 17, the dealer peeks for blackjack, players can double down on the initial hand and after splitting, and players can split up to 4 hands. If you are looking for a blend of the traditional blackjack ambience and a Vegas casino, Vegas Strip Blackjack is worth checking out.

Atlantic City Blackjack |In this variation, the dealer must draw on 16 or less and stand on hands totaling between 17 and 21. Although gameplay follows classic blackjack rules, it also features a late surrender rule. Atlantic City Blackjack offers a lower house edge compared to other Blackjack variants.

Blackjack Double Exposure | Here the dealer gets two cards face-up at the beginning of the game. This means that you can view the cards and be more strategic. However, there are variations in the rules that are in favour of the dealer. The house edge for this Blackjack variant is also higher than for classic blackjack.

Progressive Blackjack | Progressive Blackjack is played according to the same rules guiding conventional Blackjack. The major difference here is that the blackjack games are connected to a network, where all the blackjack players contribute the payout. The prize pool continually increases until one lucky player hits the jackpot.

Blackjack Bonus

Online casinos are money-making businesses, so the more players visiting a site, the better. Perhaps The most effective marketing technique a blackjack casino has at its disposal is casino bonuses. All the top casinos we list on this page use welcome promotions to entice new gamblers. Once you are a registered player, more frequent bonuses are available to keep you interested in the casino.

It is worth remembering just about any online blackjack bonus you collect will come with a wagering requirement. It is the number of times you must wager the bonus amount to access the bonus funds. Always read the fine print of casino promotions to understand the wagering requirement and any other limitations.

Whether you are a newcomer at a blackjack casino or an existing player, here are some of the most common blackjack online bonuses:

• Welcome/Signup Bonus: Easily the most common and potentially lucrative casino promotion is the Welcome Bonus. This is a package for new players that is usually a percentage match of your first deposit.
• Deposit Match Bonus: Mostly associated with a Welcome Bonus, this is a promotion where the casino pays a percentage of your deposit. For example, a 100% deposit bonus on a $100 deposit would give you an additional $100 in bonus money to spend at the casino.
• Cashback Bonus: Usually reserved for high-rollers who spend a lot at a blackjack casino, cashback bonuses are the site’s way of rewarding these players. Another cool thing about cashback promotions is they typically come without a wagering requirement.
• Deposit Method Bonus: A promotion where the casino offers bonus funds if you deposit money with a specific payment method.
• Free Spins Bonus: A bonus for online slots fans, who get rewarded with match deposit or no deposit free spins for specific games.
• No Deposit Bonus: One of the most sought after bonuses at blackjack sites is the no deposit bonus. You do not need to deposit to claim this deposit, although the bonus funds are typically low.

Bonuses are a relatively simple way of extending your bankroll at an online blackjack casino. You should check out our list of the top online blackjack sites, which have some of the best bonuses around. Our team of experts at opara.io is always looking for the best casino promos, so head back to this page frequently to see the latest deals.

Check Out: some incredible $1 deposit casino nz sites where players from New Zealand can try them out

Free Blackjack vs Real Money Blackjack

When browsing online casinos, you may have noticed that most sites allow gamblers to play online blackjack and other casino games for free. This may be called “Free Play”, “Demo Mode”, or some variation of the theme. So, does this mean you can play blackjack online for free? Well, the answer lies somewhere in a grey area of online casino regulation.

This practically means that you must first sign up to the blackjack casino and verify your account before playing for free. So, the answer about whether you can play blackjack online for free is you can, but with some obvious caveats. Of course, there are plenty of other things you should consider before choosing to play blackjack for free:

• You cannot play free online blackjack for real money. That means no real bets and no real wins.
• Live dealer blackjack is usually not available in demo mode.
• Free play versions of blackjack are an excellent way to get familiar with a game and its nuances.

Live Dealer Blackjack Casinos

Probably the best way to play the classic game of blackjack online in 2021 is at a live casino. Live dealer blackjack casinos are becoming increasingly popular amongst gamblers because they combine the best of online casinos and land-based casinos. It is a way of playing blackjack where you get the convenience and comfort of online casinos but the drama and authenticity of brick-and-mortar venues.

Live Dealer Blackjack Pros

When our reviewers visit a blackjack casino, they are always looking for top-notch live dealer games. If you are considering playing live blackjack online for the first time, here are some of the main benefits of playing with a real dealer:

• Realism and authenticity: Live dealer casino games get you as close to the real casino experience as possible, and live online blackjack is no different. You play with an actual human dealer, with the game broadcasted to your screen through a live video feed from a studio owned by the online casino or game developer.
• Real interaction: When playing live dealer blackjack, you get interaction with a real dealer. Online casinos encourage players to engage in conversation with dealers and fellow players and even enjoy some fun banter. Top live dealers are trained to be professional and friendly at all times, creating a positive gaming atmosphere.
• Security: You will never find an online casino on this page that is not secure and fair for gamblers. Still, playing live blackjack online gives you some extra peace of mind that games are not rigged. You can see exactly what is happening during the game, including the cards being dealt.

Live Dealer Blackjack Cons

Live dealer blackjack is fantastic, but nothing is created perfect, and there are some drawbacks to live dealer blackjack. Although, we would consider these as minor complaints rather than dealbreakers:

• Slower games: It takes longer to play against a human dealer than it does against a computer. Of course, that is part of the charm of live blackjack casino games, but you should stick to regular online blackjack if you want a quick session.
• More chance of technical mishaps: More technology is involved in live dealer games, including video streaming, audio, and cameras. While technical issues on the casino end are very rare, they can happen. More likely is you may face issues such as a slow internet connection preventing games from streaming.
• Fewer game choices: Online casinos have done a fantastic job building catalogues of live dealer games. Despite this, there are still fewer live games available than regular online casino games.
• Higher betting limits: Because it costs more to host live dealer games, betting limits for games are generally higher. Furthermore, casinos do not typically allow customers to play live games for fun (demo mode).

Blackjack Casino Software

When we choose the best blackjack casino sites to recommend on opara.io, we search for online casinos that can deliver a wide selection of games from the best developers. When a site works with the leading software providers in the iGaming world, we see that as a stamp of quality. There are a lot of blackjack variants and games out there. And we want you to play as many as possible from many developers, including the following:

• Evolution Gaming: Perhaps the biggest name in the business when it comes to live dealer casino games. While other game developers focus on slots, Evolution Gaming is all about casino games (although the company did acquire slot giant NetEnt in 2020). If you like live blackjack online, Evolution Gaming is the leader in live dealer casino games.
• Microgaming: You do not have to look far in the online casino realm to find a Microgaming game. While the longest-standing casino software developer mainly focuses on slot games, it also creates a suite of casino games, including many fantastic variations of online blackjack.
• NetEnt: Net Entertainment (NetEnt) is known for making some of the slickest casino games online. If you like high-quality visuals, games from this Swedish developer should be for you. NetEnt is primarily a slot company but does have a rich catalogue of casino games.
• Playtech: Arguably the most consistent of all online casino developers, Playtech is much respected for consistently delivering good games. You can expect solid performance and gameplay dynamics from any online blackjack game from Playtech.

Blackjack Casino Security

Staying secure at an online casino should be the most crucial factor when choosing a site. You can do several things to ensure you are kept safe, such as manage your bankroll properly and choose reputable casinos. One of the best ways to stay secure and to ensure fair play is to visit casinos from our list of recommended online blackjack sites.

Our team of reviewers includes experts in cybersecurity and online casino safety. We only recommend casino sites that are fully licensed by a body like the UKGC and regulated by independent organizations like eCOGRA.

Blackjack Mobile Casinos

Like many modern gamblers, you probably want to be able to play online blackjack on your smartphone or tablet. Whether you are using a Windows Phone, Android, or iOS mobile device, playing blackjack on a mobile casino has never been easier. As all modern blackjack games are built with HTML technology, they are responsive and optimized for mobile devices. So you can access blackjack sites on mobile browsers or download and install on your device a native casino app.

If you are looking to play blackjack on the go, check our lists of online casinos recommended by our opara.io mobile experts. So you as long as you have a mobile device and internet connection, the best blackjack game in town is at your fingertips.

Blackjack Casino Deposits and Withdrawals

With so many payment methods available these days, every blackjack player has a particular favourite method they like to use for deposits and withdrawals. The best online blackjack casinos that we recommend offer a wide variety of safe and secure banking methods. These include e-wallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller), digital wallets (Apple Pay), banking methods (Debit Card, Pay by Phone, Bank Transfer), hybrid solutions (Paysafecard), and even cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin). Deposits are usually instant, and withdrawals can take between an instant to a few working days, depending on the method you use.

Blackjack House Edge and RTP

Online casinos are designed to entertain players, but they are also supposed to make money for the casino operator. The way casinos make a profit is by giving themselves a slight advantage during casino games. This built-in statistical advantage that every casino game has is called the house edge.

The outcome of every casino game, including blackjack, comprises two components: the house edge and return-to-player (RTP). The RTP is the percentage of total wagers paid back to players in winnings, while the house edge is the portion of wagers that the casino keeps as profit. When looking at blackjack, the RTP and house edge differ depending on the variation you are playing:

• Single Deck Blackjack - 99.75% RTP and 0.25% house edge
• Multi-Hand Blackjack – 99.60 RTP and 0.40% house edge.

These figures vary across different blackjack variations, including live games, and can even differ depending on the software developer. Any reputable blackjack casino should make its house edge available to players, while all online blackjack games should display their RTP.

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