Online blackjack: our picks for some of the best for real money (December 2025)

Our picks for the best online blackjack are available at legal and regulated online casinos, offering players a variety of ways to enjoy what many consider the staple of table games. Learn the basics of how to play blackjack online – including common terms and phrases – while also discovering which casino apps offer some of the more popular traditional and variant forms of online blackjack for real money.

Considered the staple of any land-based and online casino apps, blackjack pits players against the dealer in one of the most straightforward games around.

It all comes down to the number 21, trying to get as close to that total without going over. After placing initial bets, each player and the dealer receive two cards. A blackjack or "natural" – an Ace combined with a face card or 10 – is considered an automatic victory for a player and dealer.

Getting started with online blackjack for real money is a simple process.

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As noted, to win playing online blackjack, players must hold a hand that totals closer to 21 than the dealer without going over.

Card values, of course, vary. Cards 2 through 10 hold point values equal to their number with face cards – Jack, Queen and King – each counting as 10. Aces, meanwhile, are either 1 or 11 depending on which number helps the hand most.

As for the gameplay itself, blackjack online typically looks like this.

Before the cards are dealt, players will place an initial bet. Each game will have preset minimum and maximum wagers that users can make. With Caesars Blackjack at Caesars Palace Online Casino, for example, players can make a minimum bet of $0.10 and a max wager of $2,000.

Once the initial round of betting is done, players can click the deal button to receive their first two cards. While they will see their two cards, only the up card will show for the dealer's hand.

Once the cards are dealt, players will face their first decisions based on the initial total. The most common choices are to hit (receive another card) or stand (players are satisfied with their total and do not want any more cards).

Players can also choose to double down, which involves doubling the initial bet and receiving just one more card. They can also choose to split if they are dealt cards with matching values.. For instance, users who receive two 10s can split them into two separate hands, which also means making a second bet equal to the initial wager.

In some variations, like in DraftKings Blackjack, players can split several times throughout the hand. In other games, such as Blackjack Surrender at FanDuel Casino, users can "surrender" their hands, meaning they can receive half their original bet back if they choose to give up their hand before the game ends if the dealer does not have a natural blackjack. Some variants allow for surrender only after players see their first two cards, while other games offer "late surrender," which means any time before the round comes to a close.

If, after the initial deal, the dealer's up card is an Ace, players can choose to place a side bet, equal to half the first bet, for "insurance." In this case, if the dealer hits a natural blackjack, the game pays out 2-to-1 to the player. Sign up for Caesars here:

With online blackjack, there are more than just the straightforward games available on casino apps. Among others, here are some of the top variations for playing blackjack online.

Cards are dealt in five positions, and players choose which of the five cards they want, up to two picks. Players can decide whether to keep or discard the chosen cards and then pick the dealer's cards before the standard game of gameplay begins.

This game features a few unique side bet options during gameplay. The Perfect Pairs side bet pays out when the player's initial two cards form a pair, either suited (two cards of the same value and suit, 25-to-1), colored (same color but different suits, 12-to-1) or mixed (different colors and suits, 6-to-1). In addition, there's a 21+3 side bet option, which involves combining players' first two cards with the dealer's face-up card to form a three-card poker hand. Suited three of a kind pays 100-to-1, straight flush pays 40-to-1, three of a kind pays 10-to-1, straight has a 10-to-1 payout, and a flush pays out 5-to-1.

This variation, as the name indicates, allows users to play multiple hands at once.

Whether it's standard surrender (before taking any more cards) or late surrender (before the hand ends), this variation offers players an opportunity to get half their initial bet back if they believe their hand will not beat the dealer.

There is one unique facet of this game, which involves a side bet that pays out if a player's first two cards add up to 16.

In Blackjack Xchange, there's an added element of buying and selling cards. Players can buy cards to improve their hands or sell cards to pocket a profit if the dealt cards were not ideal. Once a transaction is made, the traditional game of blackjack continues.

There are several elements to this style of game, which, as you can imagine, revolves around the number 7. Players who get three suited 7s earn 100% their initial stake bet, while same color 7s provide an additional 10% of the wager. Three different colored 7s usually pay 200-to-1. Meanwhile, if players receive two 7s in the first two cards, the payout sits at 25-to-1. Get started at DraftKings Casino here:

There are many ways to go about playing blackjack online, especially considering the wide variety of situations players may find themselves in based on their hands.

At the most foundational level, however, there are a few basic tips that players – especially beginners – can follow in hopes of putting together a winning streak.

When players do not bust, the dealer is required to hit on anything less than 17 and stand once the total reaches that total. If a player's hand is a hard 17 (no Ace) or above, it's often wise to stand on that total. That decision could change based on the dealer's up card, like if a user held an 18 and saw a 9 in front of the dealer. Similarly, with a 16 or less, taking another card is a good choice to get above that 17 barrier.

If a player is dealt a pair of 8s, it makes sense to split them into two separate hands. After all, a hard 16 in a single hand is not an enviable position to be in, whereas player odds improve by splitting the 8s and potentially receiving a 9, 10, face card or Ace.

Along the same lines, splitting Aces is about as close to a go-to decision as there is in online blackjack. Potential naturals await, after all.

With a hand totaling 10 or a hard 11 (a combo of 2-9, 3-8, 4-7 or 5-6), players are guaranteed to receive another card to get closer to – or even hit – 21 without busting. By doubling down, which doubles the initial bet, users receive one more card to do just that. Take note, though, that the decision to double down in these scenarios may change if the dealer is showing an Ace or a card with a value of 10. 

If blackjack strategy is not of interest, those looking for chance-based betting often transition to online roulette for real money for a simpler experience.

Return-to-player (RTP) rates for online blackjack games typically range between 98% and 99.6%, depending on the casino app and state with legal online casinos. But because of the wide array of blackjack online variations, those odds can shift a tad.

The basic rule of thumb is the fewer the decks and the more player-friendly the rules, the better the odds for winning. Single-deck blackjack, for example, can carry an RTP of well over 99%, just above some blackjack surrender games. The games with more side bets – like perfect pairs or 21+3 – make the RTP drop to around 95%.

In addition, taking insurance side bets in any online blackjack game increases the house edge, thereby lowering the odds for players to win.

For those who like games with low house edges, baccarat online real money casino games may also be of interest.

While there are plenty of digital online blackjack games, legal casino apps also offer live dealer blackjack online that combines the table game with the atmosphere of in-person gambling.

Streaming from dedicated studios, real-person dealers interact with players, who themselves can talk to each other in live chats.

To enjoy the best possible experience with live dealer online blackjack games and avoid game interruptions, players should ensure they are using their favorite casino apps on WiFi. On top of that, users can optimize bandwidth by disconnecting other devices that might be on the same network.

If an interruption does occur during gameplay, typically speaking, online casinos void live bets and refund them to players' accounts. As with any issues that occur, customers are encouraged to contact customer support for their casino apps.

In many cases, players want to play a free version – a demo version – of the online casino game of their choice. Of course, there are upsides to this approach, while the flip side of playing online casino games for real money has its own benefits.

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When playing blackjack online with casino apps, there are a few common terms that players should become familiar with in order to fully understand the game. Verify these meanings for any casino that was not reviewed in this guide.

Above all else, it's important for players to go into blackjack online games with a keen understanding of the rules. So be sure to read those over in case there are some unique rules to a specific game. That being said, there are a few tips that could help online blackjack players.

One of the most key and often overlooked aspects of blackjack is understanding when to stand. In most online blackjack games, dealers must hit if their hand sits at 16 or lower (and players don't bust) and must stand if it's 17 or more. 

If your hand has a total between 12 and 16, and the dealer's up-card is a 2 through 6, standing is typically a good choice. With weaker up-cards like those, the dealer is more prone to bust as they are more likely to need to draw two additional cards.

By contrast, if players' hands are between 12 and 16 and the dealer's up-card has a value between 7 and 10, it's probably better for the player to hit. Yes, it's a bit of a risk, but it's relatively likely the dealer will have at least a 17.

The insurance side bet typically becomes available if the dealer's up card is an ace and allows players to potentially earn a 2-1 payout if the dealer ends up with a natural blackjack. But if the dealer does not, there is no payout. The problem, though, is that the insurance bet increases the house edge in online blackjack. As a general rule, then, it's smarter to avoid taking insurance.

As with every online casino game, the No. 1 rule is to play responsibly and stay within your limits. Along those lines, when playing blackjack online, players should set a budget and stick to it – not only in terms of how much money they're willing to play with but also how much time they spend playing.

Similarly, players should remain level-headed and keep emotions away from decision-making. Many individuals get wrapped up in bad beats or "almost-wins" and attempt to recoup those losses – otherwise known as "chasing losses" – yet end up worse off than before. Staying disciplined and focused on that budget and each individual hand can help keep online blackjack entertaining.

My recommendations and analysis of online casinos comes on the heels of hours of research, experience and knowledge of operators in the US. We only review legal and regulated online casino apps, including all brands mentioned on this page, as they undergo strict testing and investigation by state regulators to obtain licenses. 

I look not only for my picks for the best games and banking methods but also for responsible gaming tools and security measures to ensure all user information is protected, also a facet that is tested and reviewed by state regulators. Any online casino mentioned here are trustworthy, reliable and responsibly run.

When users play blackjack online – or any game, for that matter – it's important to practice responsible gambling and stay within your limits. Each licensed online casino offers a number of tools to help players do just that, features that can be found within the responsible gaming section of their online casino accounts.

In addition, if you or someone you know might be showing signs of problem gambling, there are a number of national and state-specific organizations that are at the ready to provide assistance. That includes:

The goal of blackjack is to build a hand that adds up to as close to 21 as possible without going over against the dealer. An Ace and a value-10 card (10 or face card) create a blackjack and automatic win. Hit when you want another card, or stand when you think the hand is the best possible.

Blackjack is dealt two cards at a time: One face down and then one face up. Anytime a player wants another card, they will ask for a "hit," which is followed by one card at a time.

Natural 21, known better as a "blackjack," automatically wins and contains an Ace and a value-10 card such as 10, Jack, Queen or King. Whatever hand is closest to 21 without going over is the winner. Unless players "bust" – or exceed 21 – the dealer must hit until they reach 17 and cannot take another card once they get to that total.

Insurance is a side bet players can take if the dealer is showing an Ace on their face-up card. Players can bet insurance in case the dealer has a blackjack. If so, the insurance pays out 2-1 to the player, but there is no payout if the dealer does not have a natural 21. Insurance typically increases the house edge, so a good rule of thumb is to not take this side bet.

The two best scenarios to split, or create two separate hands, is if players are dealt a pair of 8s or a pair of Aces, creating better odds for the players to build better hands than the dealer.

Double down means to double the initial bet if the player things one more card will give them a better hand than the dealer.

The total can vary, but typically it's most common for blackjack tables to use six or eight decks.

Generally, players should hit when they have a hand that has a total of 11 or less.

Some games allow for a "surrender," which involves players giving up their hand before the round ends and receiving half their original bet back.

Every licensed and legal online casino will feature the logo of the regulatory body that oversees the industry. So, in Michigan, for example, each licensed casino will have the Michigan Gaming Control Board logo on the page as well as a statement that resembles the likes of "authorized by the Michigan Gaming Control Board for use by registered users physically present in Michigan." These features indicate that those online casinos underwent and passed rigorous testing and inspection by state regulators that ensure the protection of users' personal and banking information, among other things.

Live dealer online blackjack features a real dealer, streaming from a dedicated studio, overseeing live gameplay. RNG blackjack online involves software that generates instant results to keep the pace of play moving.

With every online blackjack game, it's important to review the rules that can be found after opening the game users want to play. Some special rules may involve a "late surrender," for example, or unique side bets.

Minimum and maximum bets can vary by specific online blackjack games and casino apps. Some games can have minimum bets of $0.10 and other titles may accept max bets up to $10,000.

Sometimes online casinos will offer promotions surrounding online blackjack, whether it be leaderboards, tournaments or reward credits. The only effect they may have on gameplay is minimum bets required to participate.

There is some skill in the sense of recognizing and understanding the possible outcomes when seeing the face-up card on the dealer's hand versus players' totals.

Yes. In fact, historians believe blackjack was originally called "vingt-un," which is French for "21." As the story goes, the game adopted the blackjack name during World War I to reflect a popular bonus payout some parlors offered, which was won when a player held the Ace of spades and a black jack.

There are only 48 cards in a deck for Spanish 21, compared to 52 with traditional blackjack, with all number-10 cards removed. If a player and the dealer both get a blackjack on the same hand, the player takes the win, whereas that would result in a push (no winner) in traditional blackjack. Spanish 21 also features a late surrender, which allows players to give up half their bet before any more cards are drawn. Essentially, that means a player can "save" half their bet if they believe there is no chance of winning at all. Finally, Spanish 21 often allows for players to double down up to three times in any one hand.

In European blackjack, the dealer receives only one card until all players finish making their plays. Then the dealer receives the next card. In American blackjack, a natural 21 (a card with a value of 10 and an Ace) would immediately end the turn unless a player had a natural 21 of their own. With European blackjack, players continue to play out their hands with the chance of still losing to a natural 21 after additional bets were made – like splitting or doubling down.

Grant Lucas