The Ultimate Online Blackjack Guide in 2025

Blackjack is the go-to game for many casino players. It offers a seriously low house edge (as low as 0.5%) and the more you know, the better you play. The blend of strategy and luck makes this game the perfect choice if you pride yourself on being a skillful player – not just a lucky one!

This guide should be your one stop shop for quite literally everything you want to know about blackjack. From the very basics like how to play, to different variants, blackjack bonuses, odds and payouts, and plenty of strategy – you’ll find it all here.

Tip: The only thing you won’t find is where to play! If you’re looking for our recommendations on the best blackjack sites, then this guide is where you need to go.

The Basics – How to Play Blackjack

The aim of blackjack is to get a hand that beats the dealer’s. To do this, you’ll want as high a hand as possible – without going over 21. There’s no competition with other players, it’s just you against the dealer.

Card Values in Blackjack

In blackjack, all of the number cards have the face value that’s printed on them. It’s the other cards that you’ll need to remember!

Picture Cards: These cards are all worth 10 (Jacks, Queens, Kings)
Aces: These can be worth 1 or 11 depending on what benefits your hand the most. If you have an Ace in your hand it’s what’s known as a soft hand.

Hard vs Soft Hands

A soft hand? When you’re dealt an Ace your hand can become known as a soft hand. Let’s imagine you’re dealt an Ace and a 7. Your hand could be worth 18 (11 + 7) or it could be worth 8 (1 + 7). In this instance your hand would be known as a soft 18, because you could choose to draw another card, making the value of the Ace 1 instead.

Hard hands are any hands that don’t contain an Ace or a hand that contains an Ace that can’t be worth 11 because it would cause you to bust.

How to Play Blackjack Step by Step

Now that you know about the rules of blackjack and a bit about how it works, it’s time to see how it plays out step-by-step.

1. Placing Your Bet – You’ll need to place your bets before the cards are dealt. You either place your chips in the betting circle if you’re playing in person, or use digital chips in online blackjack. If you’re playing blackjack with side bets then you can make some of these now too – but we’ll come onto those in more detail in the next section.
2. Dealing the Cards – Once all bets are placed, the dealer begins the round by dealing cards. You will receive two face up cards. The dealer receives one face up (the upcard) and one face down (the hole card).
   Tip: Use the dealer’s upcard to give you a clue about the strength of their hand.
3. The Player’s Turn – After all cards are dealt, it’s your turn to decide how to play! You can either:
   • Hit: Receive another card until you are satisfied with your total – or bust.
   • Stand: Keep your hand exactly as it is.
   • Double Down: Double your initial bet and receive another card. This is usually done when you’re confident with your hand’s potential (like when your total is 10 or 11).
   • Split: If your first two cards are of the same rank (e.g. two 7’s) then you’re allow to split them into two separate hands. You need to pay an additional wager equal to your original bet to do this – and then you can play both hands separately.
     Stand: Keep your hand exactly as it is.
4. The Dealer’s Turn – After you’ve played your hand however you choose, it’s the dealer’s turn. The good news for you is the dealer has to follow a stricter set of rules.
   – They must hit if their hand total is 16 or less.
   – They must stand if their total is 17 or higher.
   – If the dealer busts, all remaining player hands automatically win.
5. The Payout – Immediately after the result of the dealer’s hand any winning bets are paid out. Below we’ll look at how much your bet could pay out.

Now that you know how to play blackjack, you’re probably wondering what you get for winning! There are slight variations between casinos and blackjack variants, but on the whole this is what you can expect:

Blackjack: If you have an Ace and a 10-value card, that’s a blackjack. At most casinos this pays 3:2 so a £15 win for a £10 bet (plus your stake).

Tip: At some casinos you’ll find this pays 6:5, so a £12 win for your £10 stake. If you spot a casino offering 6:5, walk away! This lowers the house edge a bunch.

Regular Win: A regular win is any hand except a blackjack where your hand beats the dealer. This pays 1:1, so your £10 stake wins you £10.

Push: This is a hand that ties with the dealer. You get your stake returned with no winnings.

Insurance Bet: If the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, you can sometimes make an insurance bet. If the dealer’s hand turns out to be blackjack, regardless of your own hand, you’re paid out 2:1 so you get £20 back for your £10 bet.

Tip: While this may sound like a great return, it’s statistically super unlikely to pay out. Taking insurance is generally considered not a good move as it has a large negative effect on the house edge.

Understanding Blackjack Side Bets

Blackjack side bets are bets that go over and above the usual bet on your own hand. They let you bet on specific outcomes for a hand.

Different Types of Blackjack Side Bets

Below are some of the different side bets you can make in blackjack. There are a lot, so don’t be overwhelmed! However, it’s good to keep in mind that all side bets bring the house edge down. If you’re more concerned with massive payouts than bankroll longevity, they can still be fun.

21 + 3

21 +3 is perhaps the most popular blackjack side bet. This side bet is based on your first two cards and the dealer’s upcard. To win, you need those three cards to make a poker-style hand, with typical payouts as follows:

• Flush : 5:1
• Straight: 10:1
• Three of a Kind: 30:1
• Straight Flush: 40:1
• Suited Trips: 100:1

Perfect Pairs

Perfect Pairs is a popular blackjack side bet focusing on the first two cards dealt to the player. The aim is to land a pair, with payouts depending on the type of pair you receive:

• Mixed Pair (different suits/colours): 5:1
• Coloured Pair (same colour, different suits): 10:1
• Perfect Pair (identical cards in suit and value): 30:1

Super Sevens

Super Sevens is all about 7s in your hand. The more you’re dealt, the bigger the payout:

• One 7: 3:1
• Two 7s (unsuited): 50:1
• Two 7s (suited): 100:1
• Three 7s (unsuited): 500:1
• Three 7s (suited): 5,000:1

Split Aces

The Split Aces side bet is based on being dealt an Ace as your first card, with the biggest payout reserved for a pair of Aces:

• One Ace: 5:1
• Two Aces (unsuited): 50:1
• Two Aces (suited): 100:1

Lucky Lucky

Lucky Lucky is based on your first two cards and the dealer’s upcard. If the total equals 19, 20, or 21, you win. Payouts depend on the exact combination:

• 19: 2:1
• 20: 3:1
• 21 (mixed): 10:1
• 21 (suited): 15:1
• 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 (mixed): 25:1
• 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 (suited): 100:1

Royal Match

Royal Match is based on your first two cards. If they’re suited, you win – with the highest payout for the royal King + Queen combination:

• Suited Pair: 5:1
• Suited King + Queen: 25:1

Suit ’Em Up

Suit ’Em Up pays if your first two cards are suited. Payouts increase if those suited cards also make blackjack or are both Aces:

• Any Suited Cards: 2:1
• Suited Blackjack: 10:1
• Suited Aces: 60:1

5-Card Charlie

5-Card Charlie isn’t always a side bet – sometimes it’s a rule variation. The payout comes if you draw five cards without going bust. In games where it’s a side bet, odds often sit around 2:1. A 5-Card Charlie can even beat the dealer’s 21 (unless the dealer has blackjack).

Bet Behind

Bet Behind allows you to wager on another player’s hand instead of making your own decisions. You’re essentially riding along with whatever choices they make, which can be great if you trust their skill (or frustrating if you don’t). Payouts are the same as the main game since you’re sharing their result.

How Side Bets Affect House Edge

Side bets are fun, particularly if you like the excitement of a bigger payout. But, they wreak havoc with the house edge! Below is a chart to show the usual effect that side bets have on the house edge. Keep it in mind if you’re tempted by a risky bet.

Which Blackjack Variants Offer Side Bets?

While side bets don’t do anything positive for the house edge – they can be fun! Below is a table showing the most common online blackjack variants and whether they offer side bets.

Online Blackjack Variants

One of the most exciting things about blackjack is just how many different variants there are to try. Below is a whistlestop guide to how the variants differ from one another. The first section covers more traditional variants that you might find in a land-based casino, the next is reserved for the variants you’ll only find online.

Classic Blackjack Variants

Vegas Strip Blackjack: This is played with four decks where the dealer must stand on soft 17. You are allowed to double after you split.

Atlantic City Blackjack: This is played with eight decks where the dealer checks for blackjack with an Ace or 10. This variant makes late surrender available.

European Blackjack: Played with just two decks (good for counting). The dealer doesn’t take a hole card until after the players act.

Single-Deck Blackjack: The ultimate variant for card counting, this is played with just one deck. It has better odds but tends to be harder to find online due to that card-counting potential.

Online Only Blackjack Variants

Blackjack Switch: Here, you play two hands and can swap your second cards between them.

Perfect Pairs & 21+3: You’ll often find side bet options as part of the name of the game. This one offers poker-style payouts on pairs and three-card combinations.

Infinite Blackjack (Evolution): Evolution built this one, where one hand is dealt to unlimited players. You can place side bets in this one too.

Speed Blackjack: This is a faster paced version of the classic, nothing else changes!

Lightning Blackjack: This variant adds multipliers that can boost your winnings enormously.

What Rules Change Between Blackjack Variants?

You might have noticed that we mentioned some changes between the variants above. The core aim of blackjack stays the same between all variants – beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding 21. But a lot of other things change. Below are some of the rules that change the most often.

Dealer hitting on soft 17: If the dealer must hit a soft 17 (Ace + 6), the house edge rises by around 0.2%. Tables where the dealer stands on all 17s are a better choice.

Number of decks in play: Fewer decks mean better odds. A single-deck game can reduce the house edge by 0.5% or more compared to an eight-deck game.

Double after split rules: Being able to double after splitting pairs cuts the house edge by about 0.15%. If it’s not allowed, your flexibility is reduced.

Surrender availability: Late surrender (folding after the dealer checks for blackjack) lowers the house edge by about 0.07%. It’s especially useful if you have a weak hand like a 16 vs a dealer 10.

Live Dealer vs RNG Blackjack

Online blackjack comes in two main varieties: RNG (which stands for random number generator) games and live dealer tables. The rules are the same, but you get a different experience. There are players who love both, and plenty of players that love one and hate the other! Let’s find out which category you fit into.

RNG Blackjack

RNG blackjack is fast-paced. The game is powered by software, so the rounds move quickly. There’s no waiting for other players, as it’s working on your screen only.

RNG blackjack also tends to have lower minimum bets. This is great for learning, and brilliant for bankroll-friendly play. You’ll often find RNG blackjack games starting at a few pence per hand.

This low minimum, low stress, play at whatever speed you like, style of play is super practice-friendly. Plus, this is the easiest kind of blackjack to find demo play for too.

Live Dealer Blackjack

Live dealer casino games have soared in popularity, in no small part down to the real dealers and real cards aspect. These games are streamed from actual casino studios, so you see the dealer shuffle, deal, and interact. It feels more real and closer to the true casino experience.

As part of the ‘real’ experience, there’s a stronger social atmosphere. You can chat with the dealer, or sometimes other players, through a chatbox. It’s not the same as a casino, but it’s a whole lot closer. for a more authentic casino feel.

Understanding Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack isn’t just a guessing game, in fact, it’s one of the few casino games where the right decisions can shave the house edge down to around 0.5%. That’s why strategy matters!

We’re going to start off with the basics, so if you’re already a bit of a pro, skip to the next bit. If you’re a beginner, or want a refresher, stick around.

The Basic Blackjack Strategy Chart

Before we get stuck in, there’s a cheat sheet for blackjack that you should know about. It tells you exactly what to do in every possible situation. Better still, you can download our one to use as your guide.

The reason this works is because blackjack is entirely mathematical. It might look overwhelming at first, but one of the greatest things about playing online is that you can refer to the cheat sheet for every hand.

If you’re struggling to remember it then start by playing in demo mode, before long, it’ll become second nature. Otherwise, we’ve put the whole thing in text form below!

Basic Strategy Text Guide

More of a written learner than a visual learner? We’ve written out the above diagram as text.

When to Surrender

Surrender 16 against a dealer 9, 10, or Ace; otherwise, follow the hard total strategy.
Surrender 15 against a dealer 10; otherwise, follow the hard total strategy.

When to Split Pairs

Always split Aces to maximize your chances of making 21.
Never split 10s, as a total of 20 is a strong hand.
Split 9s against a dealer 2 through 6 and 8-9, but stand against 7, 10, or Ace.
Always split 8s to avoid starting with a weak 16.
Split 7s against a dealer 2 through 7; otherwise, hit.
Split 6s against a dealer 2 through 6; otherwise, hit.
Never split 5s – instead, double down against 2 through 9; otherwise, hit.
Split 4s only if the dealer shows 5 or 6; otherwise, hit.
Split 3s and 2s against a dealer 2 through 7; otherwise, hit.

Soft Hand Strategy (Hands Containing an Ace Treated as 11)

Soft 20 (A,9) – Always stand.
Soft 19 (A,8) – Double down against a dealer 6, otherwise stand.
Soft 18 (A,7) – Double down against a dealer 2 through 6, hit against 9, 10, or Ace, otherwise stand.
Soft 17 (A,6) – Double down against a dealer 3 through 6, otherwise hit.
Soft 16 (A,5) and Soft 15 (A,4) – Double down against a dealer 4 through 6, otherwise hit.
Soft 14 (A,3) and Soft 13 (A,2) – Double down against a dealer 5 or 6, otherwise hit.

Hard Hand Strategy (Hands Without an Ace or When an Ace Counts as 1)

Hard 17 and above – Always stand.
Hard 16, 15, 14, and 13 – Stand against a dealer 2 through 6, otherwise hit.
Hard 12 – Stand against a dealer 4 through 6, otherwise hit.
Hard 11 – Always double down.
Hard 10 – Double down against a dealer 2 through 9, otherwise hit.
Hard 9 – Double down against a dealer 3 through 6, otherwise hit.
Hard 8 – Always hit.

A Quick Guide: Hit, Stand, Double or Split?

If you’re not about memorising things line by line then that’s fine, you can still dramatically improve your odds of winning at blackjack by keeping just a few rules in mind. After all, you only have a handful of options!

When to Hit

• Hands of 8 or less: You literally can’t bust, so hitting is always correct. If you’ve got a hand of 9-11 then you’ll sometimes want to double down instead, depending on the dealer’s upcard.
• Totals of 12–16 vs dealer 7+: The dealer is likely to make a strong hand, so you need to improve yours.
• Soft hands (Ace counted as 11): Safer to hit since the Ace can drop to 1. Exception: always stand on soft 20, usually stand on soft 19.

When to Stand

• Hard 17 or more: Here, it’s too risky to take another card.
• 12–16 vs dealer 2–6: The dealer is in a weak spot here and more likely to bust. Let them play it out.
• Soft 19 or 20: These are already strong enough, there’s no point getting greedy.

When to Double Down

Doubling down lets you double your bet for just one more card. It’s high risk, high reward, so use it wisely.

• 10 or 11 vs dealer 2–9: You’ve got the best chance of landing a 20 or 21, so this is the perfect time to double down.
• 9 vs dealer 3–6: You still have strong odds of hitting a winning total here.
• Soft 16–18 vs dealer 4–6: There’s no risk of busting and a single card can give your hands the boost it needs.

When to Split

Splitting gives you a second chance when your opening hand is a pair, but only in the right moments.

• Always split Aces: Each Ace has the potential to become 21 with a 10.
• Always split 8s: 16 is a terrible total so it’s better to start fresh with two ‘new’ hands.
• Never split 10s: 20 is already near-perfect, there’s no point in ruining it.
• Never split 4s: You’re better off playing 8 as a single hand.

Common Mistakes to Avoid for Better Blackjack Strategy

Even if you keep all of the strategy above in mind, there are still a few ways you can scupper your chances! Keep these pitfalls in mind to take care of your bankroll.

• Taking insurance: It looks safe, it’s literally called insurance, but long-term it’s a losing bet.
• Chasing losses: It can be tempting to play just one more round to see if you can win your money back, but setting a limit and sticking to it is essential. If you know you’ll be tempted, set up a deposit limit with your chosen casino.
• Ignoring the dealer’s upcard: Strategy is always about your total versus theirs, not just your hand in isolation.

Blackjack Demo Play or Playing Blackjack for Free

Along with basic or advanced strategy, there’s one tip that we don’t think you should be without. If you’re serious about improving at blackjack, then practicing without the added pressure of a bet is a brilliant strategy. Better still, almost every online casino offers a demo mode where you can play blackjack for free.

RNG blackjack is the kind you’ll be able to find a demo mode for. This gives you full, free access to the game, but you will not be able to win real money. For live casino blackjack, you won’t be able to play in demo mode.

Why Demo Play Helps You Get Results

Below is a quick guide to why playing in demo mode could help your blackjack strategy.

• Risk-free learning: You can practise strategy without touching your bankroll. This takes off the pressure and lets you focus on the important stuff.
• Memorisation aid: You can keep a cheat sheet handy and follow it with every hand, or hide it under the table and peek if you need to. Eventually, the decisions become second nature.
• Test out new variants: Some games (like Infinite Blackjack or Lightning Blackjack) have quirks. You might think they’re fun, you might think they’re just annoying, but demo mode lets you learn about them without pressure.

Blackjack Bonuses

If you’re a fan of slots as well as blackjack, then you’ll not be a stranger to a variety of casino bonuses. But, bonus offers tend not to be quite so plentiful or generous for blackjack players. Why? Well, blackjack tends to contribute less towards wagering requirements than slots. That means if there’s a hefty wagering requirement it can get a whole lot bigger if you only want to play blackjack.

Below we’ll cover the different kinds of blackjack bonus you can claim and with each, tell you all about the terms it’s important to look out for.

Different Types of Bonus You Can Use to Play Blackjack

Below are different types of bonus that you can claim to play blackjack. We’ve included any important terms that can affect how much fun it really is to try and withdraw your bonus winnings!

Welcome bonuses

Most online casinos offer a matched deposit bonus (e.g. 100% up to £100). Free spins are usually for slot players, but deposit match funds can sometimes be used on blackjack.

With those funds, it’s really important to check game exclusions and contributions. If blackjack is allowed, it often only counts 10% to wagering. This effectively multiplies your wagering requirement by 10, which might make the bonus not worth claiming.

Reload bonuses

You’ll often find that the best online casinos make their reload bonuses available for slots players and table game players too. In particular, look out for ‘live casino reload’ or ‘table game reload’ bonuses. Live casino reloads are more common and let you claim a deposit match to use on live casino games.

These tend to let blackjack count 100% towards wagering, making these well worth claiming.

Cashback

Cashback is a brilliant bonus if you can find it. While you don’t get that same exciting initial boost as with a deposit match bonus, you do get a steady trickle back to your bankroll. What’s more, cashback is usually applicable to all losses. That means you get a small percentage (typically 5-20% back) regardless of the game you play.

Oh, and another thing? It’s often a wager-free bonus offer.

Tournaments

There’s hot competition around blackjack tournaments, but there are often seriously impressive prizes too. These usually see you compete for points while playing specific tables. Wins are generally for most wagered, most won, or biggest individual win, with prizes for top performers.

Hot Tables and Boosted Payouts

Some casinos have specific filters or categories where you’ll find ‘hot’ tables – those paying out a lot, or boosted payouts. This can feel like a proper bonus, but comes without the restrictive terms.

Responsible Play & Bankroll Management

Blackjack is a good choice if you’re looking for a casino game with a low house edge and lots of variants to try. But, this low house edge and strategy element can lead to overconfidence. To avoid betting more than you can afford, or developing an unhealthy relationship with gambling, keep the following points in mind.

• Set betting limits: Either set your own mental limit on how much to bet, or set one up with the casino. This prevents you from overspending.
• Understand your percentages: Setting a percentage of your bankroll that you’re comfortable betting is the best way to avoid chasing losses. 1-2% is generally considered a good starting point.
• Stick to flat betting vs progressive systems: While the Martingale and Paroli systems might be easy to follow, they can encourage you to bet more than you can afford. Treat each hand as its own game – because it is.
• Use responsible gambling tools: Tools are there to help you gamble responsibly – and they work! Setting time or deposit limits is a great way to ensure gambling on blackjack remains fun, as it should be.