The Best Blackjack Sites for Real Money in the UK

In American blackjack, player and dealer are dealt two cards each. Both of the player’s cards are dealt face up (upcards), while the dealer is dealt one upcard and one card face down (downcard), which is known as the hole card. If the dealer’s upcard is an ace, and the possibility of hitting a blackjack is open, the dealer is permitted to peek at the hole card.

If the dealer does indeed have a blackjack, the hand is over and the dealer collects all the bets on the table.

What is vital is that players are aware how many decks are in play in their chosen variant. In American blackjack, casinos may choose between six and eight decks, so make sure you know how many are in circulation. The number of decks in blackjack influences the casino’s house edge; the more there are, the greater the casino’s advantage.

American blackjack players are allowed to double down on any hand, and are also allowed to double down following a split. Players are able to split their hands three times for a total of four hands – aces can only be split once, but any ten-value card can be split.

American blackjack allows the surrender betting option, where players are able to forfeit their hand after their first two cards are dealt in exchange for 50% of their original stake.

• 6-8 decks in play;
• Dealer receives a hole card;
• Double down on any hand;
• Hands can be split three times;
• Players are able to surrender.

Vegas Strip blackjack is a modification of the American variant made specifically for the casinos of Sin City. There are four decks in play here, which slightly decreases the house edge from American games.

The American and European variants both ignore hard and soft 17s, but these are in play in Vegas Strip blackjack. Aces can be worth both one and 11 depending on the hand, and a soft 17 is a hand that includes an ace as an 11. A hard 17, by contrast, is a hand containing a one-valued ace. In Vegas Strip blackjack, the dealer is always required to stand on a soft 17.

One of the reasons why Vegas Strip is a popular option is because of the entertaining rule around insuring hands. If the dealer’s upcard is an ace, players are able to insure their hand against a blackjack being turned over on the dealer’s downcard – a successful insurance call will pay out at a rate of two to one.

Pairs can be split a maximum of three times and players are able to split unmatched ten-value cards. Players are also able to split aces, but achieving 21 from two cards on a split ace does not count as a blackjack. Unlike in the American variant, players aren’t permitted to surrender.

• Four decks in play;
• Dealer stands on soft 17;
• Players can insure their bets in response to the dealer’s upcard ace;
• Players can split three times;
• Players cannot surrender.

Blackjack Switch was invented by card counter Geoff Hall in 2000. Hall had been left particularly frustrated during one stint at the table when, for the second hand in a row, he noticed that his split hands would’ve been significantly improved if he were able to switch the two top cards of both hands.

Here’s how it works: the starting position is essentially the same as a split hand in other variants, with two hands dealt instead of one. Wagers on both hands must be identical at the start of the betting, but these hands then play out independently. The first betting call is to decide whether you want to switch the top two cards – this option will only be offered once.

To mitigate against the adverse effect of receiving identical cards eligible for the switch, Blackjack Switch contains a unique side bet known as the super match. This side bet rewards pairs at a payout of one to one, three of a kind at five to one, two pairs at eight to one, and four of a kind at 40 to one.

There’s one more crucial rule to be aware of in Blackjack Switch. In 2003, Hall introduced a push on 22 rule. If the dealer’s hand amounts to 22, they are not bust, but instead tie their hand with any remaining players, excluding those who’ve produced a natural blackjack.

The particulars over how many decks are in play, soft and hard 17s, and split, double down and surrender betting options are down to the casino itself to resolve, so make sure you pay attention to these stipulations. Online Blackjack Switch games are developed solely by Playtech, so only the very best blackjack casino sites will offer this version of the game.

• Games are played with four, six or eight decks;
• Players are dealt two hands as opposed to one;
• They are able to exchange their top two cards;
• Dealer is not bust on 22 thanks to the push rule;
• Players can take part in a cross-hand side bet called the super match.

The concept of Blackjack Perfect Pairs started as a side bet rule in other blackjack games, but its popularity made it a variant in its own right. All of the specifics on rules will vary across operators and their games, including the number of decks in circulation.

The side bet that gives the game its name involves speculating on whether a player’s initial hand will contain one of three pairs:

• A mixed pair, where the cards have the same value, but are different in suit and colour;
• A coloured pair, where the cards have the same value and colour, but a different suit;
• A perfect pair, where all elements are identical.

Players wanting to participate in the side bet must do so before their cards have been dealt. The side bet is then settled before the main game, with most games offering payouts on perfect pairs at 30 to one.

After all the side bets have been settled, the game resumes according to whichever standard variant it follows. Before taking part in Perfect Pairs at a blackjack UK casino, make sure you’re aware of all the rules it adheres to.

• Two, four, six or eight decks in play – the more there are, the harder it is to hit a pair;
• Players take part in a side bet wagering on pairs;
• All side bets must be made before the hand is dealt;
• Players involved in the side bet are looking for one of three pairs;
• Following the side bet, the game resumes according to its variant’s rules.

Fancy a game of blackjack with the dealer’s hand revealed from the get-go? Double Exposure Blackjack, as the name suggests, sees the dealer receive two face-up cards as part of the initial deal. This puts players in a great position to make better betting decisions at the online blackjack table.

The exposed cards are the most important change to the game in this variant, but there are other rule changes to consider before heading to the Double Exposure Blackjack table. As you might imagine, some of these changes come at the expense of the player, to offset the advantage of the exposed dealer cards.

The most notable rules are as follows:

Multi-hand is exactly what the name implies, a game in which you can play multiple hands simultaneously. Most multi-hand blackjack games allow you to play up to five separate hands per round.

Having the ability to play up to five hands in a single round certainly gives multi-hand blackjack a more intense feel — that’s up to five chances to land blackjack in just one round! Plus, with separate bets on each hand, you have the chance to make more profit in a shorter space of time, in comparison to a traditional game of online blackjack. This is likely the main draw for most players. Some players, however, love the game for its ability to reduce the impact of losses. Let’s say you lose one hand, for example. In a traditional game, the dealer wins that round. In multi-hand blackjack, you have up to four more hands to make up for any losses.

However, whilst these factors are perfect for when you hit a hot streak, you must consider the other side of the coin. It’s entirely possible that you could experience an unlucky run. With multiple hands in play, you could also lose a large amount of your bankroll just as quickly. To give yourself the best chance of beating the house, it’s vital to play using blackjack strategy that corresponds to the number of hands you’re playing with, while also seeking out titles with the best return to player (RTP) percentage.

Fans of live dealer blackjack can’t go wrong with Evolution Gaming.  High rollers can take their pick from a wide range of VIP tables, including live dealer Salon Privé blackjack, which offers some of the highest bet limits of all online blackjack games.

Casual players can enjoy low limit Infinite Blackjack, which caters to an unlimited number of players, as well as the low stakes Blackjack Party, a party-themed variation that livens things up a bit.

The Bet Behind feature allows you to wager on other players’ hands while you wait for a seat at the table, while Pre-Decision means you can make your moves right at the start of each round, making for speedier gameplay.

Playtech has produced some of the most unique RNG blackjack games on the market. One popular variation is Buster Blackjack, where you can win from a side bet if the dealer goes bust.

There’s also Lucky Lucky Blackjack, where you can place a side bet that wins on a variety of scenarios, such as the first three cards being sevens or totalling 21.

Perfect for those looking to up the ante. Playtech also has options for live dealer fans, with five blackjack tables to choose from, all of which are streamed from the developer’s state-of-the-art live casino in Latvia.

This software giant has developed one of the widest ranges of RNG blackjack variations. Titles include Atlantic City Blackjack, which has an average house edge of just 0.35%, as well as Vegas Strip Blackjack, where you can place an insurance bet if the dealer’s first card is an ace.

With variations to suit a range of different budgets, including multi-hand and live dealer blackjack games, Microgaming casino software is sure to please blackjack fans.

Known for its massively popular Rich Wilde slots series — with Book of Dead regularly serving as the featured game in free spins bonuses — Play’n GO has also produced a smattering of RNG blackjack titles in its time. Those on the hunt for the highest RTP might want to give Single-Deck BlackJack a try, while Double Exposure BlackJack offers an exciting variation where both of the dealer cards are dealt face up. There’s also European BlackJack, and players looking to up the ante can try out a multi-hand variant as well.

Although Play’n GO hasn’t released that many blackjack titles in comparison to other developers, it’s certainly one of the bigger names in the casino software business, which means two things: firstly, it has a long and proven track record of top-shelf quality with every release; and secondly, you’re bound to find its games at the best blackjack sites.

IGT is one of the oldest names in the business. The company’s background lies in physical gaming machines, supplying virtual table games and video slots to brick-and-mortar casinos around the world. With such a history, you might expect a lot of depth to IGT’s blackjack catalogue. Rather, there’s just one title available to play — Player’s Suite Blackjack. 

We’re big fans of this real money blackjack game, namely because it does everything you’d want it to do. IGT delivers a clean and simple experience without any unnecessary frills sometimes found in other developers’ games. Player’s Suite Blackjack is played with six decks, and the dealer stands on all 17s. You can split and re-split, double down, and buy insurance. The RTP sits at 99.6%, which is pretty competitive, and you can play multiple hands at once too. While there are no side bets, many players avoid these anyway due to the higher house edge. On the whole, if you’re looking for a core blackjack game from a trusted name, IGT is a great choice.

Novomatic is an Austrian iGaming developer also known for its Admiral slot cabinets. The company has been in the business for over four decades, and this expertise certainly shines through in its titles. Novomatic also owns Greentube, another established name when it comes to slots and table games at online blackjack sites.

Variety is the name of the game with this developer — you’ll find many of its games at the best blackjack sites, with titles including:

• American Blackjack – Novomatic’s flagship game where the dealer receives both cards at once;
• Blackjack Switch – An exciting variant where you’re dealt two hands that you can switch cards between;
• Exposure Blackjack – Both the dealer cards are dealt face up;
• Caribbean Blackjack – A variant including a side bet based on poker hand rankings;
• Spanish Blackjack – A version of the game played with 48-card Spanish decks.

Whichever variant you choose, all of Novomatic’s blackjack games offer the consistent quality we’ve come to know from this developer. The graphics are crisp on any size of display, and the controls are laid out well — especially on mobile.

Although you obviously can’t use free spins to play blackjack, they do often come as part of welcome bonuses or reload offers at blackjack sites. With free spins, you’ll get to play the casino’s slots at no cost but with a chance to win some real money. An example offer you might see at a blackjack site could be a 100% match up to £100 plus 50 free spins.

As with any casino bonus, wagering requirements will likely apply. These are calculated a little differently to cash bonuses — the threshold is usually based on how much you win. Say you win £10 using free spins with wagering requirements of 20x; you’ll need to wager £200 (20 x £10) of your own money before you can withdraw the £10 winnings.

Though rare, no wagering bonuses are ones to watch out for when it comes to online blackjack bonuses. As you might expect, these are bonuses that don’t come with any wagering requirements, meaning any winnings you make from them are yours to keep. Typically, you’ll only come across no wagering bonuses in the form of free spins – so they may not be much help to you at the blackjack table and are usually extremely modest – but any no wagering bonus is a major plus. 

If you were looking for a no wagering bonus that can be used on blackjack, keep an eye out for cashback bonuses. These will return a portion of your losses – normally 10% – back to you, without asking you to fulfil any extra wagering requirements.

As the name suggests, a no deposit bonus gives you a freebie simply for signing up. No deposit cash bonuses are smaller than matched deposits— usually a free £5 or £10 no deposit— but who can complain about free casino credit?

They might not be the most common of offers, but claiming a blackjack no deposit bonus gives you the chance to enjoy real money online blackjack without dipping into your own pocket.

Another term to watch out for is winning caps, which stipulate the maximum amount you can withdraw from the offer. For example, you could receive bonus credit with a win cap of £100, meaning anything over this amount is forfeited — an unwelcome surprise if you weren’t expecting it! 

While a winning cap might seem frustrating, it’s better to take the view that if you manage to hit it, your session has been a success. Besides, high wagering requirements can often make larger sums impossible to withdraw for the average player anyway.

You won’t have forever to use your bonus. Different time limits are common depending on the type of bonus: free spins may be valid for as little as 24 hours, while you could get up to a month to use a matched deposit. Don’t forget you’ll need to hit the wagering requirements within this window as well. If the timer runs out, any unused bonus and related winnings will be forfeited.

Before making your qualifying deposit, it’s essential to check for excluded payment methods within the T&Cs. Make your deposit with one of these methods and you won’t be eligible to receive the bonus. 

Debit cards are the safest bet as they’re always accepted, but if you’re planning to use an e-wallet like PayPal or Skrill, it’s worth a second look to double check if it’s permitted. These services are commonly excluded due to fees levied on the casino operators and a higher risk of bonus abuse. Paysafecard may also be excluded at times.

Sadly, it’s unlikely you’ll have free rein to use your bonus on absolutely everything the casino has to offer. The limitations depend on the site and the bonus: matched deposits are generally pretty flexible and allow free play on table games and slots alike; live dealer games are the most frequently excluded here, so be sure to seek out a specific live casino offer if that’s what you want to play. As for free spins, these are usually limited to one or two specific slots or a particular developer’s catalogue.