How to Find Top Online Blackjack Casinos
Finding the best online blackjack casino sites can be tricky if you don’t know what to look for. After all, hundreds of thousands of online casinos offer blackjack games, and it may not be easy to check one after another. You can read online blackjack casino reviews to find the best casinos that feature the game. Nonetheless, we will discuss some important factors to consider when looking for top online blackjack casinos.
Licences & Regulations
This should be at the top of the list of factors to check when looking for the best online casinos that offer blackjack games. In Canada, online gambling, including blackjack, is legal. However, you must play at an online casino that is not within the country’s walls and is licensed by a reputable regulatory body.
Players in Ontario, Canada, must play blackjack at an online casino with a license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
To check if an online casino is licensed, look at the licensing information on its site footer and verify the license number with the issuing regulatory body. In cases where you cannot find the licensing information on the site’s footer, check the About Us page or ask customer support.
Payment Methods
The payment methods you can use to deposit and withdraw winnings are another important factor in choosing a top online blackjack casino in Canada. Remember that transactions with online casinos are performed online, so you want access to a wide range of easy-to-use options. The best blackjack casino sites accept banking options like credit/debit cards, prepaid cards, online bank transfers, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies.
Consider the speed of deposit and withdrawal processing when checking the available payment methods at a blackjack casino. Likewise, pay attention to the minimum and maximum transaction limits and applicable fees.
Customer Service
The overall customer service of a blackjack casino is another vital factor you should consider when choosing the best ones. Make sure the casino you choose offers quality customer support through multiple options like live chat, email, and telephone. When checking the customer service options, also consider the response time and how helpful the support agents are.
The truth is that at some point, you may need a casino’s support, whether on games, bonuses, or payments. So it is best to go for Canadian casinos with the best support service.
Safety & Reliability
With the continuous increase in cyber threats worldwide, safety and reliability should be among the key factors in choosing the best online blackjack casino Canada. Go for online casinos with an SSL-secured platform to protect players’ sensitive details from falling into the wrong hands.
You can tell to an extent if a blackjack casino is secure by checking the prefix of its URL in your address bar. If the prefix is HTTPS, the connection to the casino is secure, and any information shared on the site is safe. However, if the prefix is HTTP, the connection is insecure, and you should avoid entering personal details on such a casino site.
Game Variations
While it may not seem like much, you should check the blackjack variations available at any online blackjack casino you want to choose. It’s always a good idea to have a variety of games available so you can find ones that suit your tastes. The best blackjack casinos offer tens, if not hundreds, of different blackjack games with flexible betting limits to accommodate players of all skill levels.
Bonuses
Bonuses can help make gambling more fun as they help boost your bankroll so you can enjoy more playing time and stand a chance of winning. Always check the bonuses offered by the operator as part of the criteria for selecting the best blackjack casinos. Go for casinos with good bonuses that have reasonable terms and conditions and low ranges from 96% to 99.9%.
You should be aware that some rules can affect an online blackjack’s RTP and house edge. These are:
- 3 to 2 natural blackjack payout tends to lower the game’s house edge by 1.39% compared to the 6 to 5 blackjack payout.
- The house edge of an online casino blackjack reduces by 0.25% on a double down of any two cards.
- Re-splitting aces reduces the game’s house edge by 0.08%.
- Single-deck blackjack lowers the house edge by 0.47%.
- Late surrender in blackjack increases the RTP by 0.07%.
Best Online Blackjack Bonus
The best online blackjack casino sites in Canada offer numerous fantastic bonuses that can help boost players’ bankrolls, allowing them to enjoy more playing time. These bonuses come in different shapes and sizes, and we will discuss a few of them below:
- Welcome Bonus: This bonus is exclusive to newly registered players and is usually offered as a percentage of the first few deposits made. The goal is to help players get familiar with an online casino they joined and kick-start their gambling adventures.
- Match Bonus: For this blackjack bonus, an online casino matches the amount a player deposits by a certain percentage and offers it as a bonus. However, be aware that there is a limit to the bonus amount, which is usually specified as part of the blackjack promotion.
- Cashback Bonus: Some top online casinos that feature blackjack games also offer cashback bonuses. The casinos will offer a percentage of the amount lost within a specific period as a bonus. The goal is to help players recoup their losses and get back on winning ways.
- Free chips: This is another incredible blackjack bonus offered by some of the best casino sites. It is offered outright as free betting chips and may or may not require a deposit to claim it.
- No deposit bonus: A no deposit bonus refers to a blackjack casino bonus you can claim without making any real deposit. It is considered one of the best casino bonuses but is not as common as deposit bonuses.
Playing Real Money Blackjack vs Free Games
Blackjack is fun to play, but two options are available to anyone considering playing the game online. You can either play real money blackjack or free blackjack, depending on what you want. Real money blackjack involves staking real money on the game; as a result, you stand a chance to win real money in return. However, if the game does not go your way, there is also the risk of losing your money.
On the other hand, free blackjack games are not played with real money. They are available to play for free without any monetary commitment, but you won’t be able to win anything in return. The idea behind free blackjack games is to help you have some fun, understand how the game works, and become familiar with its features.
To play real money blackjack games, you must create an account with a blackjack online casino and fund it. This means you are also open to the opportunity to claim casino bonuses, which can be instrumental in helping you enjoy a great gambling experience. However, with free blackjack games, you don’t need to set up an account or deposit any money. All you need to do is choose the free blackjack game of your preference and start playing.
Pros and Cons of Playing Blackjack in Online Casinos
If you are considering playing blackjack online, you should know that the game has pros and cons. Understanding these advantages and disadvantages can help prepare your mind on what to expect in the games and how best to play them.
Pros
- You won’t be limited to a handful of blackjack games
- You can play at any time and on the go
- Table rules are relatively flexible
- You can play for free
- Online blackjack casinos offer bonuses
Cons
- The atmosphere found in land-based blackjack is not present
- Card counting is almost impossible online
- You need to create an account with an online casino
- You can be exposed to cyber threats if you choose a bad blackjack casino
How to Play Blackjack
While blackjack is not explicitly a luck-based game, the gameplay is pretty simple. With basic skills, you can learn how to play the game within a few minutes. As mentioned before, the goal of every blackjack game is to have the highest hand closest to 21 to win. Blackjack is played with a standard 52-card deck, but some variations may use multiple decks.
Order of Play in Blackjack
At the beginning of a blackjack game, you place your bets according to the table limits. Once all bets are placed and the game round begins, the dealer will deal two cards from the deck face up to you and any other player at the table. The dealer will also take two cards from the deck, one facing up and the other facing down.
Depending on the variation, if the face-up card is an Ace or a face card, the dealer might check the face-down card to see if a blackjack (a natural total of 21) is formed. If it is, the game ends instantly, with the dealer winning. However, in normal play, once cards have been dealt to the players and the dealer, each player at the table will be presented with options for continuing play—hit, stand, split, or double down.
- Hit: Used for requesting an additional card in a bid to get your hand closer to 21
- Stand: Used to hold your card total and end your turn in the game
- Split: Available only when you have a pair as the two initial cards dealt. In that case, the hand will be split to form two hands, and your bet will increase by 1x.
- Double Down: Used during the game to double your initial bet when you believe you have a better hand. Some blackjack variations may have rules for using the double-down action.
How to Count Cards in Blackjack
Cards in blackjack are counted in a simple way. Face cards, such as Jack, Queen, and King, are counted as 10, while Aces count as either 1 or 11. Other cards apart from these are counted according to their face value, that is, card six is worth 6, card seven is worth 7, and so on.
If you get an Ace, but your current total hand value is 11 or more, the Ace will count as 1. However, if your hand is less than 11 and you have an Ace, it will be counted as 11. The idea is that the Ace helps you get closer to 21 while preventing a burst.
Blackjack Values
In a blackjack game, a player is said to have a blackjack if his total hand value is 21. However, there are two types of blackjack values: non-natural blackjack and natural blackjack. Non-natural blackjack occurs when the hand is formed by more than two cards, for example, 7, 9, and 5. On the other hand, natural blackjack is formed by only two cards, an Ace and a face card. In most variations, a natural blackjack always wins a non-natural blackjack.
Blackjack Strategies
One of the good things about blackjack is that you can use strategies to up your game and boost your chances of winning. However, be aware that no blackjack strategy guarantees 100% winning, so only play with what you can afford to lose. Start with having a good budget for staking in the game and split your bankroll into smaller chunks to allow for more bets. Refrain from betting all your bankroll in one swoop, as this may result in losing everything. With the basics out of the way, here are some of the best blackjack strategies you can use.
- Always split a pair of Aces and 8s
- Double down on a hard 11
- Never make the insurance bet
- Always stand with a pair of 9s when the dealer’s face-up card is a 7
- Hit on Soft 18 (Ace and a 7) when the dealer’s face-up cards are 9 to Ace
- Never split a pair of tens or 5s
Types of Online Blackjack Games
You will see different blackjack games when you check the lobby of the best Canadian online casinos. While the game’s goal remains the same across all blackjack types, some variations may have additional rules on the player or dealer’s actions. Let’s take a quick look at some of the popular types of blackjack casino online games you can play at top casino sites in Canada.
Double Exposure Blackjack
In this blackjack variation, the dealer receives his initial two cards face up, and the game’s payout is 3 to 2. Besides, insurance and surrender are not available in this variation.
Blackjack Surrender
This variation features the surrender rule, which allows players to fold when the dealer has a chance of having a blackjack. When you surrender, you get half your wager back.
Blackjack Switch
In this variation, each player’s position is dealt two hands instead of one, and players can switch the top two cards between each hand. As a result of this rule, a natural blackjack in this variation pays 1 to 1.
Live Blackjack
This is the live dealer variation of blackjack, anchored by a human. Live blackjack online casino is a physical game made available to play online with the help of sophisticated technologies like Optical Character Readers (OCRs).
Atlantic Blackjack
Similar to traditional blackjack, the Atlantic Blackjack variation comes with an additional rule that forces the dealer to stand on a soft 17 and peek for blackjack if his up card is an Ace or a face card. If both the player and dealer have natural blackjack as the initial cards, the game goes to a push.
European Blackjack
This variation uses 2 to 8 decks of cards without the joker. Besides, it only allows players to double down on hands with a value of 9, 10, or 11. Dealers must also stand on a soft 17 in this variation.
Perfect Blackjack
In this variation, players can bet that the first two cards they receive will be a pair. As for the remainder of the game, it follows the standard blackjack rules.
Live Dealer Blackjack vs AI-Based Blackjack
When it comes to online blackjack, it falls into two major categories—live dealer blackjack and AI-based blackjack. But what are the differences between the two? AI-based online blackjack uses the Random Number Generator (RNG) to determine the game’s outcome. This is a computer algorithm based on mathematical computations, and it helps ensure that every player stands an equal chance of getting the same cards. As a result, the game’s outcome is fair, and there is less human interaction. The computer deals with the cards and performs other actions.
On the other hand, live blackjack online casino games are actual blackjack games hosted in a land-based casino or developer’s studios. These games are anchored by human dealers that you can interact with through live chat, and they offer an experience similar to that of land-based casinos. You will see the actual cards as they are dealt on the table, with multiple camera angles to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the actions. Live dealer blackjacks are made possible with the help of sophisticated technologies that let you stream the games in real time on your device and perform actions as if you were at the table. You can find the best online casino for live blackjack on this page.
Popular Software Providers to Look Out For
Many casino software developers provide exciting blackjack games, which can be found at the best Canadian online casinos. However, some developers are more popular and better than others with their blackjack titles. Examples are Lightning Blackjack from Evolution Gaming, Multihand Blackjack from BGaming, and Classic Blackjack from NetEnt. So how can you find the best blackjack software providers? Well, you need to consider some important factors.
Start by checking the design of the blackjack games of different providers and paying attention to those that offer a good user experience. You may also want to check whether the games are available in-browser or if you need to download an external app. The best blackjack games are playable without giving players any fuss, and most do not need additional apps like Flash Player. It is also a smart idea to check if the blackjack software provider or online casino has bonus programs that can help improve your experience.
Conclusion
We’ve discussed everything you need to know about the best blackjack casinos in Canada.
Blackjack is undoubtedly an exciting table game capable of paying out decent amounts. The game is easy to play, and the goal is to have the highest hand closest to 21 to win. Remember that when playing the online version of the game, you must choose a top blackjack online casino, create an account, and deposit money. You can choose from our list of the best casino sites in Canada that feature blackjack games and offer incredible bonuses.
Also, don’t forget that you can use different strategies to improve your chances of winning at blackjack. And if you are entirely new to the game, you may want to consider playing the free version to understand and practice the gameplay before wagering real money.
