Online blackjack is a popular casino game that effectively blends skill, strategy, and random outcomes. It traces its roots to the French casinos around the 1700s, where the cards are called 'Vingt-et-Un', or roughly means 'Twenty-one'. Your aim in blackjack online is to beat the dealer’s hand and not the other players.

Today, it's a standard offering in most casinos and top online casinos, including LeoVegas New Zealand and playable in different variants. For example, you can play its RNG version (free blackjack games are also available) or participate in live blackjack games where you enjoy it against a human dealer in real-time.

While the game's objectives and rules remain the same, there are a few variations in rules and bets applied in modern online blackjack games.

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Blackjack remains one of the most popular live casino games in history. There are many theories as to why it’s so well-liked by millions of people around the world, but some suggest the genius lies in simplicity.

The basics of blackjack are simple - players are dealt two cards and attempt to beat the dealer's hand by getting as close to 21 points as possible without going over. The player can hit, meaning take additional cards, or stand and keep their current total.

Aces count as 11 or 1 point, face cards (King, Queen and Jack) are 10 points and all other numbered cards are worth their face value. If a player's total goes over 21, they bust and the dealer wins. The player also has the option to double down, meaning they double their bet and take one more card. If the player gets Blackjack (21 points with two cards) it pays out 3:2 or 1.5 times the bet placed.

The dealer must hit until he reaches 17 or more points and then must stand. If the dealer busts, all players still in the game win their bets. After all players are done, if the player has a higher total than the dealer without going over 21, they win their bet. If both totals are equal, it is considered a draw (push) and no one wins.

The answer to this question depends on the type of blackjack game being played. Generally speaking, most blackjack games are played with between one and eight decks of cards.

However, there are some variations that use more than eight decks or fewer than one deck. For example, in some versions of blackjack, two decks are used for each hand dealt out by the dealer.

Additionally, there may be certain variations that use only one deck for the entire game. Ultimately, the number of decks used is determined by the specific rules of the game being played.

How about the dealing procedures?

In a typical game of blackjack, the dealer will start by dealing two cards to each player and one face-up to themselves. After all players have their two cards, the dealer will ask each player in turn if they would like to hit (take another card) or stand (stay with what is already dealt).

What’s the table layout and etiquette of a blackjack table?

The table layout in a blackjack game typically includes seven spots for players, plus the dealer’s spot. Each spot is marked with a circle or other designated area on which to place wagers. In addition, there may be an area set aside for side bets.

There are some important blackjack rules to understand when it comes to different stages of blackjack gameplay.

Initial deal and player options

The initial blackjack deal is typically two cards for the player and one for the dealer. The player then has a few options, depending on the value of their hand. If the player's two cards total 21 points, they have what is known as a blackjack and are immediately declared winner (unless the dealer also has blackjack).

If their hand does not total 21, the player can choose to "hit" and take another card from the dealer. This can be done multiple times until they are satisfied with their hand value or bust (hand value exceeds 21). Alternatively, the player may "stand" and stick with their current hand.

Doubling down and splitting pairs

Doubling down in blackjack is when a player doubles their initial bet after their two original cards. This is done before the player takes any additional cards and requires the player to place an equal amount of chips beside their original wager.

It is generally used when the player’s two cards represent a strong holding against a dealer’s weak hand - for example, a 10-11 or 9-10 against the dealer’s 6 or below.

When doubling down, the player receives one additional card and no more after that. Depending on the casino's house rules, players may be allowed to double down on any hand they choose.

Splitting is a similar principle, but is only available to the player when a pair is dealt. For example, if a player receives two 10s as a starting hand, they can double their stake and split the cards to create two new hands in the hope of landing another 10 or blackjack.

Insurance and surrender options

In blackjack, insurance and surrender options are two optional rules. Insurance is an option available to the player when the dealer’s up card is an ace. If the player chooses to take insurance, they must place half of their original bet on the table to receive “insurance” against the dealer potentially having a natural blackjack. If the dealer does indeed have a natural blackjack, the player will receive twice their insurance bet back while still losing their original bet.

Surrender is an option available to the player at any point in the game. When surrendering, the player forfeits half of their original bet and chooses to end play on that hand. This option is helpful in cases where the player has a hand that is not likely to win, such as 16 against a dealer’s 10. Surrendering is usually only allowed when the dealer does not have a natural blackjack.

In each round, the player starts with two cards face up and will decide on his next move from four possible actions.

1. Hit. To hit means that the player collects another card to increase the hand's value.

2. Stand. The player is satisfied with the hand’s value and will no longer get another card.

3. Surrender. The player can fold a hand before drawing another card in a blackjack variant with a 'surrender' option. Half of your bet is returned to the stack if you choose to surrender. The other is forfeited in favour of the house.

4. Split. To split in blackjack is to make two separate hands from two cards of the same value, like 8-8.

5. Double Down. It’s an option to double your wager in exchange for another card.

6. Insurance. It's a popular side bet in blackjack online that's offered if the dealer's upcard is Ace.

As the objective of blackjack is to beat the dealer and achieve a hand worth 21, the main betting option is whether you can achieve this in your upcoming round. If successful, winning a game of blackjack will payout at 1:1. However, the odds are not certain and they can change from game to game.

You can also come across a range of side bets in online blackjack, allowing you to bet money on the likelihood of receiving a specific hand. This can include; 21+3, Three of a Kind, Flush, Straight Flush and many more. The odds for each vary as the likelihood of landing some hands is much smaller than others. A Suited Three of a Kind sits at the top of this list, with odds of 100/1.

How important is the house edge and payout percentages when it comes to blackjack and why is it crucial to comprehend them?

The house edge in blackjack is the statistical advantage that the casino has over players. The house edge will depend on a variety of factors, such as the rules of the game, how many decks are used, and even where you’re playing. On average, most online casinos have a house edge between 0.5% and 1%, which is among the most generous for live casino players.

As a popular casino game, online blackjack is available in different variants, each with slightly different betting rules. So before you play blackjack online, check out the other blackjack variants, their rules, and bets to play.

European Blackjack

European Blackjack is the most widely used variant in most online casinos, including LeoVegas. Here, the dealer uses two decks of playing cards, thus offering a lower house edge than American Blackjack. In addition, there's no hole card, and the dealer is dealt one card face up and only receives the second after the player gets all cards.

American Blackjack

The American Blackjack uses six to eight decks of cards and offers more flexible and user-friendly rules than its European counterpart. The dealer collects two cards on each round, with one card face-down, which we call the 'hole card'(the face down card). If the face-up card is an Ace, the dealer can check the hole card for a possible blackjack.

Live Blackjack

At LeoVegas NZ, you can find live blackjack games from some top providers, including Evolution. Here, you can play the traditional game of blackjack online, with the functionality to interact with other players and the live dealer via the online chat.Live blackjack games can also come in variations, with some games offering bonus modifiers and different side bets.

Speed Blackjack

Evolution's fastest blackjack game yet, where the player makes his decision when ready, and whoever is the fastest collects the next hit card.

Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is a relatively new variant of the game that combines the rules of classic blackjack and the excitement of online slots. This blackjack variant uses a ‘Spanish deck’ with only 48 cards and doesn’t feature 10-value cards.

Atlantic City Blackjack

In Atlantic City, you can divide your hand up to three times, for example. If you keep catching cards of identical value three times, you may end up playing four-handed. The Ace is the only exception; it can only be split once and is then a one-hit wonder. Any hand, including splits, can be doubled down on.

When playing with a live dealer online, online gamblers are tapping into a more realistic experience as opposed to computerised versions.

The advantages of playing with a live dealer is that you get to experience the game in an interactive, social setting while interacting with other players at the table and the dealer, making it more enjoyable for some players.

A live dealer also adds a sense of trust as they are able to physically deal out cards instead of relying on a random number generator.

With it being one of the world’s most renowned live casino games, it’s no surprise to see that several online casino companies battle for space in the market.

Here is an example of blackjack game providers and their most famous games.

• Evolution: Lightning Blackjack, Speed Blackjack, Infinite Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack

• Pragmatic Play: One Blackjack.

• On-Air: Eclipse Blackjack

• Playtech: Mega Fire Blaze Blackjack

• Real Dealer: Vinnie Jones Blackjack

For the best blackjack gambling experience, check out these best online blackjack games at LeoVegas New Zealand:

Exclusive Infinite Blackjack

Exclusive Infinite Blackjack is a recently released live Blackjack table by Evo & has become a crowd favourite. The game presents an infinite amount of exciting features & possibilities! This table is largely accessible with a low entry bet limit. What's more, Exclusive Infinite Blackjack is brought to you LIVE from our LeoVegas Exclusive Lounge and showcases our luxurious branded interior and professional in-house game presenters.

LeoVegas Speed Blackjack

Another exclusive LeoVegas and Evolution collaboration, LeoVegas Speed Blackjack is a fast-paced blackjack game that is sure to get your heart pumping! This table has all the features of the classic game with an added speedy twist. Players race against the clock and each other to make the quickest choice to either Hit, Double, or Split cards. This will result in having their next hand dealt first, giving the player an extra edge.

ONE Blackjack Live

Pull up a seat of this iconic table game with a twist! Enjoy all the thrills of the classic BUT with huge winning potential of up to 2,000x your bet! Take full advantage of the game changing side bets offered on ONE Blackjack Live and chase your wins!

One of the benefits of playing mobile blackjack is that you can play anywhere at any time. Whether you’re on the go or just want to get a quick game in before bed, mobile blackjack makes it easy to enjoy this classic card game anytime and anywhere.

Another great benefit of playing mobile blackjack is that it allows you to sharpen your skills and learn the game as you go. Because there are no opponents or dealers involved, you’ll have plenty of time to practice different strategies until you feel confident enough to start playing for real money.

There is no perfect strategy for blackjack - the house always wins, remember! However, there are some guides that can help.

Check out some examples below:

Basic Blackjack Strategy

Basic blackjack strategy is a set of rules that tells players when to hit, stand, split, or double down in order to maximize their chances of winning the game. By following basic strategy correctly, players can reduce the house edge to almost nothing. Playing free blackjack games is a great way to practice basic strategy.

Card Counting in Blackjack

Card counting is a strategy used in blackjack to gain an edge over the casino – it is only available as an option in land-based casinos, and it is a practice some establishments have outlawed.

It involves keeping track of cards that have been played so far, and assigning them values. This allows players to make informed decisions regarding their chances of winning with certain hands or strategies.

For example, if many low value cards (2-6) have already been played, then the player knows that there is a greater chance of being dealt higher value cards (10s, Aces). This knowledge can then be used to adjust the size of bets or choose different strategies.

Money Management in Blackjack

A good bankroll management principle for playing blackjack is to never wager more than 10% of your total bankroll on any single bet.

Keeping the wagering in check will help protect you against going broke should you experience a long series of losses. Additionally, it's important to set a win limit where you walk away even if you're winning and have exceeded the 10% threshold to ensure you don't end up with all of your bankroll at the table.

Finally, if you find yourself consistently losing when playing blackjack, take a break and reassess your strategy to avoid further losses. Playing blackjack should be a fun and enjoyable experience, and following these bankroll management principles can help ensure it stays that way.

Blackjack etiquette should always be observed when playing the game at the table.

Players should remain quiet and respectful to other players and the dealer, not offer advice or comment on other players' hands, keep their cards visible and above the table at all times, avoid touching other people's chips or cards, wait their turn to act after they have been dealt a hand, and not cash out or leave the table in the middle of a hand.

The more you observe basic politeness at the table, the better time you are likely to have as part of a well-rounded live casino experience.

Blackjack FAQ

The objective of blackjack is to get a higher score than the dealer without going over 21.

The origin of blackjack is not entirely clear, but it is believed that the game originated in France sometime in the 1700s. It was first known as "vingt-et-un" (French for twenty-one).

The answer is yes, but it does require a significant amount of skill and concentration.

Basic strategy is a set of guidelines that tell you the optimal way to play any given hand in blackjack. By following this correct basic strategy, you will reduce the house edge significantly.

Despite having one of the lowest house edges in a live casino, mathematics would stipulate it is impossible to beat the house in the long run.

Respect the dealer and other players at the table.

LeoVegas Casino is the ‘King of Mobile Gambling,' which shows in the quality of its dedicated app and wide range of mobile-ready casino games. You can directly access the website from the browser of your mobile device or install its native app for Android and iOS devices. Playing online blackjack on mobile is so easy!

With your mobile app, you can easily play your favourite blackjack game, top up your account with just a few clicks and get notifications and advertising alerts in real-time!

LeoVegas New Zealand is home to a growing portfolio of top blackjack games from leading suppliers like Playtech and Evolution Gaming. You can play free blackjack games using a free demo (RNG-based), but you'll need to register first and log in to your account to play the real money blackjack games in a live casino.

The basic blackjack strategy is the most optimal for playing blackjack online.

In blackjack, there are two types of hands: soft and hard.

An Ace is included in a soft hand since it counts as 1 or 11 in your score.

A hard hand is exactly what it says on the tin; it's lacking Aces, and the values are fixed.

When playing blackjack, the aim is to achieve a higher total than the dealer's cards, without exceeding 21, which would lead to the player going "bust". In the initial round, the dealer will provide players with two cards to give them their first hand. If players wish to increase the value of their hand, they can choose to "hit". This will cause the dealer to hand out another card from the deck. In the scenario where a player is happy with their hand, they can choose to "stand", meaning the player does not wish to receive any more cards.Once all players have selected to stand, the dealer will reveal their hidden cards to show the total value of their hand.

The standard payout odds that players can expect to find in blackjack games is 3/2, which is the best odds, paying out at 1.5x the bet.

Although there is no specific answer when it comes to blackjack tips, a basic blackjack strategy might advise players to hit when holding a hand of 10 or 12-16.

A hand consisting of anything over 17 and blackjack players are recommended to stand as they would risk going bust.

Many online blackjack games provide players with a range of betting options, including various blackjack side bets, such as :

21+3 - Place a bet on whether the dealer's upward card and your first two cards add up to complete a certain value.

Perfect Pair - Bet on your first two cards matching the following pairs; Colour Pair, Mixed Pair and Perfect Pair (Both cards being identical).

Insurance bet - This is a bet to protect your bankroll in the scenario that the dealer is able to complete a blackjack.

A ten value card and ace are the best possible hands since they give players an instant blackjack. Two ten-value cards is also a good starting hand since the dealer needs to have a blackjack in order to win.