Blackjack

It’s 21 or bust with online blackjack games. Blackjack strikes the perfect balance between chance and strategy, making this one of the most popular card games at the casino.  It comes as no surprise considering that those who develop the right skills can win massive amounts of money playing blackjack.

online-casinogames.ca takes a special look at blackjack games available to Canadian players. Gamblers can find plenty of online blackjack Canada games in some of the most popular sites.

First of all, our casino reviews feature reputable casinos offering blackjack games legally in Canada. We also look for places to play free online blackjack games as well as for real money. Then we decide which casinos offer the most variety. Finally, our site reviews places to make easy deposits and withdrawals in CAD so you can start to play online blackjack as quickly as possible.

How to Play Blackjack Online

In a game of blackjack, the dealer and player go head to head to try and reach a hand whose sum equals or reaches closest to 21 but without exceeding 21.

Card Values

In order to calculate the sum of each hand, you must know the value of each card and add them together. Numerical cards 2 through 10 equal the number value so that 10 counts for 10, 9 counts for 9, and so on. All face cards like King, Queen, and Jack equal 10. An Ace can equal either 1 or 11 depending on which gives the player an advantage. The card suits do not affect the game.

Let the Game Begin!

Step 1: Dealing the First Hand

An online blackjack game begins when the dealer (or computer) gives himself and the player two cards each either face up or face down, depending on the version of the game.

Step 2: Adding the Hand Values

Now that you have received your card, you must determine the value of your hand and the dealer’s hand. If your hand equals 21 with an Ace and a 10, then you won blackjack and can collect your winnings! If the dealer has 21, then unfortunately you lose.

Step 3: Deciding Your Next Move

If neither the dealer nor the player has a hand equal to 21, you can choose one of the following:

• Hold/Stand – If you feel confident that your hand will beat the dealer and reach the closest to 21, then you can choose to hold your hand. This makes sense if your hand equals 19 or 20 because the sum is already very close to 21.

• Hit – This means you will receive a third card for another chance to reach 21. You may hit as many times as you wish, but remember that any hand exceeding 21 means a bust, and you automatically lose your bet to the house.

Step 4: Winning the Game

The player wins if their hand reaches the closest to or equals 21 against the dealer without going over. If the hand exceeds 21, this is a bust, and the player loses. If the dealer and the player tie, this means a “push” and no one wins.

Additional Betting Options:

Any basic blackjack game gives players the options to hit or hold. Some versions also include the following choices depending on the version of the game:

• Double Down – Certain versions of blackjack allow players to Double Down. This means you double your bet and only receive one more card. If your hand equals or reaches the closest to 21 against the dealer, you take home twice the original bet!

• Split – In some versions of blackjack, when a player receives two cards of identical value, they have the option to split the hand. This means you create a second hand by separating the two cards of identical value originally dealt. Now you can continue to play the game with two hands.

• Surrender – Some casinos give players the option to surrender if they decide they will lose the bet. Instead of losing the entire bet, the player loses just half of the amount wagered.

• Insurance – When a dealer has an Ace, they may offer insurance to players. A player can purchase insurance for the amount of half of their original bet. Then if the dealer has a blackjack (a hand equaling 21), then you receive the insurance bet with a payout of 2:1. If the dealer doesn’t have insurance, you lose the insurance bet, but still have the chance to win your original bet.

Blackjack Strategy

Know the Odds

Now you may have heard of a little something called card counting. Casinos strictly prohibit this practice at their establishments and have the right to kick out gamblers they suspect of counting cards. That being said, knowing the probability of the cards drawn during a game of online blackjack can greatly improve your chances of winning against the house edge (usually 0.5%).

For example, 10s and face cards both count as 10. Therefore you have a higher likelihood of drawing a 10 value card with the odds at 30.8%. When playing, keep this in mind so you can play smart and avoid a bust.

Practice before You Play

Many gambling sites offer online blackjack free play so you can practice before betting real money. This allows you to get the hang of the game risk-free. This gives you a chance to test out different versions and strategies until you feel comfortable placing real bets. You can find a selection of free online blackjack games at the bottom of this page.

Set Betting Limits

At Online-casinogames.ca, we encourage our players to practice responsible gaming and recommend setting betting limits before you begin to play online blackjack games. Betting limits prevent you from gambling more than you can afford, keeping gambling profitable and entertaining. Many online casinos allow players to set up daily, weekly, or monthly limits on their account preventing players from betting over the limit within the selected period of time.

Versions of Blackjack Online

You can find many different versions of online blackjack games available at Canadian gambling sites such as single-hand, multi-hand, blackjack, pontoon, double exposure, single deck, mobile blackjack online games, and more.

Royal Vegas Casino offers over 25 versions of Microgaming online blackjack games like live multiplayer blackjack, classic single deck blackjack, multi-hand blackjack, European gold blackjack, Spanish 21 blackjack, and super fun 21, to name a few. Casino.com has plenty of ways to play blackjack online with Playtech software including blackjack surrender, 21 duel blackjack, and multiplayer blackjack.

The popular Mr. Green Casino uses multiple software providers including Netent and features online blackjack games like blackjack pro series, live blackjack, and blackjack professional high roller. We especially recommend Mr. Green Casino for Canadian players looking to try free blackjack online for practice play.

Practice Your Skills

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Mobile Blackjack

Those who prefer to play blackjack from their smartphones or tablets can check out mobile games at casinos like Casino.com, JackpotCity, 888 Casino, and Casinoland. Most mobile casinos operate on iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. Many also function on Blackberry or Windows devices as well.

Conclusion

So do you have what it takes to go head to head against the dealer? All you need is a little practice and skill to know whether to hit or hold in an online blackjack game. Remember to learn the odds of the game, always set betting limits, and practice playing blackjack online free games. This will keep you sharp and increase your chances of beating the house.

So whether you prefer going up against a real croupier in live blackjack or keeping it simple with a classic single-deck game, players in Canada have many options when it comes to blackjack games online.

So what are you waiting for? Test out free online blackjack games using the demo versions below or see if you can win big payouts playing for real money at online casinos.