Finding the best blackjack sites in the UK can be challenging, with hundreds of casinos licensed by gambling regulators in and outside of the UK to choose from. We’ll guide you through discovering the best UK blackjack sites, bonuses, and games.
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What to Look Out for When Choosing a UK Online Blackjack Site
What makes a great online blackjack casino? There are several factors you might want to take into account when you are trying to seek out the best online blackjack UK destination.
Ultimately, your choice from all the UK blackjack sites available will be personal, but the following might help your search.
UK Blackjack Games and Variants
When you visit any casino, blackjack will be one of the most popular table games available. It’s a simple card game; you simply want to get closer to 21 than the dealer without busting.
However, there are so many variations on that straightforward theme. The best blackjack sites will offer a sumptuous selection of game types so that you can choose your favourites.
Bonuses and Promotions for Online Blackjack in UK
When you are playing online blackjack for real money, it helps to get the occasional bonus to boost your account balance or game play.
Check out the latest promos available to see if any of them relate to table games such as blackjack. And always research the wagering requirements for a welcome bonus to ensure you can play blackjack in the UK to qualify.
UK Blackjack Odds and Payouts
One of the reasons online blackjack in the UK is so popular is that it carries a return to player (RTP) of more than 98% – higher than slots or other table games. That means the house edge is usually about 2%.
It’s always worth checking the latest RTP at your chosen UK blackjack casino to see how close it comes to these averages. While you’re at it, find out if there are maximum payout limits – particularly if you are a high roller.
Mobile Blackjack UK
You may want to visit your favourite UK blackjack sites while you are away from home, or on the move. So look to see if the casino in question has a dedicated mobile app, or a website that is optimised for mobile use.
The best UK blackjack sites should make playing games on your device a smooth and engaging experience, with all the same game options and bonuses as on your desktop.
Secure and Fast UK Blackjack Payouts
There should be several banking methods available at the best online blackjack UK sites. These include traditional options such as debit and credit cards, and advanced digital systems including eWallets and cryptocurrencies.
The speed of your payout will depend on the method you use, and the UK blackjack online casino in question.
Security and Licences
We recommend using blackjack sites that are licensed by a reputable authority. There are dozens of online casino operators that hold a UK Gambling Commission licence, and a range of other companies that are registered with respected and established overseas licensing organisations.
These licensed offshore blackjack sites are not only safe but they also offer even more anonymity for you as a player.
Bonuses at UK Blackjack Sites
You will find promotional offers are widely available at the best online blackjack sites in the UK. That means you should expect a welcome bonus when you sign up as a customer.
There should also be plenty of ongoing promotions to add extra value to your blackjack online casino gambling.
However, it is always wise to check the wagering requirements to see that your blackjack play will activate the full bonus.
Welcome Bonuses
Competition for custom between UK blackjack sites is intense, and one of the principal weapons in the battle for market share is promotions. You should expect a generous bonus in return for signing up – but always check the wagering requirements carefully.
Blackjack and table games may not be included in some types of bonus, while at other destinations your blackjack play may count for significantly less than slot games when you are looking to reach the staking level required to activate a bonus.
Deposit Match Bonuses
One of the most common types of welcome bonus is the deposit match. However much you deposit, the online casino will match, effectively doubling your bankroll. This is more attractive to UK blackjack players than a free-spin offer.
But make sure you check the wagering requirements. Your stake on blackjack may count for less than the same amount on slots, while some deposit bonus funds may not be used on table games at all.
No-Deposit Bonuses
Some blackjack sites offer to put some money into your account even before you make your first deposit. That means you can start playing online blackjack in the UK without investing a penny of your own.
No-deposit bonuses tend to be relatively small, but they give you the chance to get to know your new casino site before you begin to get serious. Check first that you will be able to use your no-deposit bonus on blackjack games.
Ongoing Promotions
It’s worth checking the Promotions tab at your UK blackjack casino regularly to see what offers are available to existing customers. These might include reload bonuses that give a boost to your bankroll.
If you enjoy playing other types of casino games, offers like free spins on online slots, or the chance to enter regular tournaments, might be tempting for you too.
UK Blackjack Cashback
This is an offer that takes the edge off a losing run for regular customers. A small percentage of your net losses over a particular period is returned to you. Some of the best online blackjack sites in the UK will give you a cashback bonus.
Loyalty Programme Bonuses
One of the most attractive types of promotional offer is the chance to join a loyalty scheme, or even a VIP programme, at your blackjack casino.
Many operators sign you up automatically for loyalty schemes, and you earn points or credits whenever you play. The more points you collect, the higher you rise through the tiers of the scheme – and the more generous the benefits on offer become.
Popular Game Variants at the Best Online Blackjack UK Casinos
On the face of it, blackjack is a simple game. But at the best online blackjack casinos in the UK, you’ll find a host of subtle variations that give you different ways of playing.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular variations on the theme of online casino blackjack.
Multihand Blackjack – Play Several Hands at Once
Instead of being dealt a single pair of cards, in a multi hand game you can play three, five or more hands at the same time.
On the face of it, this gives you more chance of winning on each deal; but don’t forget you’ll lose your stake on any unsuccessful hands.
The house edge depends on your blackjack casino, but it can be as low as 0.15%.
Blackjack Switch – Chance to Swap Cards
The twist when it comes to Blackjack Switch is that you play with two hands – and you can switch the second cards dealt to you. Several UK blackjack sites offer you the chance to play this variant, which adds an extra level of strategy for more experienced players.
You may also get a slightly increased chance of winning, with the house edge being as low as 0.58%.
Blackjack Surrender – Make an Early Escape
If you play Blackjack Surrender, you can throw in your hand before the dealing is complete, at the cost of half your bet. So if your cards total an unpromising 12, 13 or 14 and the dealer’s first card is an ace, or worth 10, you can give up your hand and retain half your bet.
It’s estimated that this can reduce the house edge by 0.08% for experienced players.
American Blackjack – Both Cards Face Up
The main difference between American Blackjack and the European variety of the game is that both of the dealer’s cards are dealt face up. That tilts the edge slightly in favour of the players, because in classic versions of the game the dealer’s second card is turned over only after bets have been placed.
The house edge can be 0.05% lower in American Blackjack.
21+3 Blackjack – A Taste of Poker
Some games at blackjack sites in the UK will allow you make a side-bet you can play alongside your main hand. The aim is still to get as close to 21 as possible, but when playing online blackjack at UK casinos you may be able to click on the box to play 21+3. You are looking to create a three-card poker hand from your two cards and the dealer’s face-up card.
This can earn you an extra win, but the house edge tends to be about 3.25%.
Interested in playing real poker? Check out the best poker apps.
Perfect Pairs – Extra Way to Win
Your favourite blackjack casino may give you the option to play Perfect Pairs. This is a side-bet like 21+3, in that it’s an add-on to the main business of playing your hand. Place a stake on your two cards being a pair and if they are, you’ll receive a payout. That payout depends on the pair, and on the UK blackjack casino – so check out the odds before you play.
Overall, however, the house edge on Perfect Pairs has been calculated at more than 10%.
Best UK Online Blackjack Software Providers
When it comes to giving you the chance to play online blackjack, UK casinos source games from some of the best providers around. The better the game developer, the more enjoyable your experience will be, so look out for titles from the following:
NetEnt: Swedish operation that delivers superlative user experience on a wide range of video blackjack titles to complement its extensive library of online slot options.
Evolution Gaming: Widely seen as the world’s leading provider of live dealer games. However you most like to play blackjack, sites that use Evolution titles should come with a great experience built in.
Playtech: A company that has put a quarter of a century of online gaming technology to great use. Expect to find an outstanding range of video blackjack titles, and some top quality live dealer options too.
Microgaming: Arguably the biggest name in casino software, Microgaming now delivers more than 40 online titles to UK blackjack sites. They include jackpot blackjack, where the payouts grow – much like progressive slots – to deliver really chunky wins.
How to Sign Up at One of the Best UK Blackjack Sites
The process of registering as a customer at one of the leading UK blackjack sites has been designed to be as welcoming and hassle-free as possible. You should expect to have to follow these steps:
- Go to the homepage of the UK blackjack casino in question and hit the Join Now or Sign Up button.
- Fill in the form that pops up. You’ll need to provide details including your full name and address and contact details.
- Make sure you take the actions necessary to trigger your welcome bonus. This may include entering a promo code during registration.
- You may have to provide some form of ID to prove your identity and age.
- Once your account has been verified, make your first deposit into your new blackjack online casino account.
- You are ready to find the best online blackjack games for you – and start playing.
Live Blackjack UK Sites
Many visitors to blackjack sites enjoy getting a taste of being at a casino in person by playing live dealer games.
These options give you the best of both worlds; you have the convenience of a blackjack online casino, which you can play anywhere, while having a flavour of what it’s like to sit at an actual table with a dealer and other players in attendance.
There’s also the reassurance you get from seeing actual cards dealt in case you are less trusting of casino games that are driven by a Random Number Generator (RNG). If you are concerned about the fairness of the games you are playing, do some research into the latest RTP on RNG titles at the casino in question.
Providers tend to screen dealers in studios, rather than casinos, but there’s no denying that it’s a different experience from playing an RNG blackjack title.
Pros and Cons of UK Blackjack Live Casinos
Pros
- They bring a sense of what it’s like to play at a land-based casino to your digital platform
- The dealer is in control of the game, rather than a faceless machine
- You can be more sure of the fairness of the game if actual cards are being dealt
Cons
- You have less time to make decisions than when playing an RNG blackjack title
- There may be a smaller range of betting limits than across the RNG-driven game library
- There is more potential to be distracted while you are following a strategy
VR in Blackjack Live Dealer Casinos in the UK
Providers of blackjack online casino games are constantly seeking to innovate, to capture the latest digital trends in an effort to bring ever more enjoyable and immersive experiences to gambling platforms.
The next trend, which is making inroads into the online gambling industry already, is the use of virtual reality. We can look forward to a new generation of live dealer games that can be enjoyed with VR.
Instead of playing through a flat screen, you’ll be able to look around you while playing your hand; it will be, more than ever, just like being in an actual casino.
Playing at UK Blackjack Sites vs Land-Based Casinos
Before the digital age, the only way to play casino blackjack was to visit a brick-and-mortar establishment. Plenty of people still enjoy that – but huge numbers now love to visit blackjack sites to play their favourite game.
There are several reasons why online blackjack in the UK has the edge over visiting a land-based casino.
Mobile Blackjack Sites in the UK
Huge numbers of modern players prefer to access casino blackjack games on mobile devices. There are two main ways in which this can be achieved:
Mobile Apps
Many of the operators behind top blackjack sites in the UK have created dedicated mobile apps, available from the major app stores, that deliver their blackjack games.
Downloading these apps to your mobile device or tablet is quick and easy, and the games are designed to be enjoyed wherever you are.
Web Browsers
Even if the blackjack online casino you want to visit does not have a dedicated app, you should still be able to enjoy your favourite blackjack games while you are at home, at work or on the move.
Most leading blackjack sites are now designed to be compatible with mobile use, so opening a web browser on your device and accessing the site in question should still deliver a top-notch user experience.
Real Money Blackjack UK Sites vs Free Blackjack
So far, we’ve looked purely at blackjack sites where you can play online blackjack with real money at stake. However, there are plenty of websites offering the opportunity to play blackjack for free.
You don’t have to sign up for an account, share personal details to verify your account, or make a deposit – but you can enjoy a game of blackjack when you visit.
Some of the advantages of the two different types of online blackjack in the UK are:
Real Money Blackjack
- You can win real money if you play well enough and the cards fall your way
- The quality of game play tends to be much higher at online blackjack real money casinos
- There are numerous game variants at the best blackjack sites in the UK
Free Blackjack
- You don’t risk losing any money when you play for free
- You can use the free blackjack sites to practice your strategy and improve your play
- You can play blackjack games without having to sign up and verify an account
Tips for How to Play Blackjack in the UK
You should not visit even the best online blackjack sites with any expectation of making a profit. The house edge, however small, ensures that over time the operator is likely to win.
However, there are certain strategies you can follow that will maximise your chances of either making your bankroll last as long as possible, or maybe making a little money.
- Stick With The Game You Know
As we have seen, there are numerous variants of blackjack, each with their own nuances and strategies. By consistently playing the same version of the game, you will become more adept at knowing how to make more good decisions.
- Practice
There is no substitute for time spent at a table, either on a video screen or with a live dealer, to become used to the ebbs and flows of blackjack. This is where visiting a free blackjack site may be useful before you play online blackjack for real money.
- Be Patient
Blackjack is not a game in which you can suddenly scoop a huge jackpot. It’s a game of small, subtle ebbs and flows. Learn to enjoy them, and don’t get impatient and abandon your strategy. Settle in for the long haul.
- Know When to Hit or Stand
If your cards total 12-16 and the dealer’s exposed card is between two and six, stand. The dealer is likely to have to hit if their next card is worth 10, increasing the chances that they will bust. But if the dealer has between a seven and an ace, you should hit in an effort to bolster your hand.
- Know When to Split
Always split a pair of aces into two separate hands; it doubles your chance of landing a blackjack – exactly 21. The only other pair you should split is eights. A total of 16 is potentially weak, while you may be able to build a stronger hand with one of your cards.
The Best Online Blackjack Sites in the UK – Our Verdict
If you enjoy playing one of the world’s favourite card-based casino games, there are numerous blackjack sites available to UK visitors.
Finding the best online blackjack destination for you will always be a matter of personal choice, but there are several factors to look out for when you are trying to narrow down your selection, such as a good choice of games, quality of the software, licences and various payment options and of course available bonuses.
To help you make better choices we are constantly reviewing casinos to find the best ones for you.
FAQs
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