This guide is for you if you’re looking for the best casinos in Canada that offer online blackjack. Here, we recommend the best online casino sites, explain blackjack rules, and discuss how you can play this popular card game online.
This article contains everything you need to know about blackjack online, so check out every section to ensure that you find the best casino in Canada to play blackjack at.
Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games of all time, and you can play it at most Canadian online gambling sites. A popular choice with high rollers, winning at blackjack requires a lot of skill and strategic moves.
There is still an ongoing debate about where blackjack originated, but many believe it started in French casinos in the 1700s. During this period, blackjack was called” Vingt-et-un’ which means 21 in French. Around the same time, blackjack appeared in Spain and is even mentioned in Don Quixote, a novel written by Cervantes in the late 16th century.
Many other people believe that the Romans started blackjack as they played a game using wooden blocks. Regardless of blackjack’s origins, the game has retained its popularity and is now available at online casinos.
There are many rules in blackjack, and it is vital to know them so you can try and win. The main objective of blackjack is to have the hand value that is closest to 21. You can also win at blackjack by getting a higher hand than the dealer (albeit one lower than 21) or getting the dealer’s hand to go above 21, making him “go bust.”
When a blackjack round begins, the player will receive two cards. The player then can choose from one of the following actions, which we’ve briefly explained below:
Any player who defeats the dealer wins two times worth his original bet. If the player hits blackjack, which is an ace and Jack, Queen, or King, the player wins a payout worth 3:2.
There are many rule variations in blackjack, and it is crucial to understand each one. What may seem like a slight change in the game rules can result in a significant difference in the payout percentage. Below are the most important rule variations to take note of.
Here, the croupier draws cards till he gets to 17 or more. This poses an advantage to the player because the dealer has more possibility of going bust.
Here, the dealer stands on 17. However, the dealer still wins if the player’s hand goes over 21.
Some tables let players surrender before the dealer checks for blackjack. It is not common, but it benefits the player if they have a weak hand. What is more common is late surrender, which is after the dealer has checked for blackjack.
This gives players the chance to split an already split hand. Numerous blackjack tables provide this option, but not all of them do.
There are blackjack variants that allow players to double after a split. This option offers an advantage to the player. However, the house edge goes up by 0.15% in games where players can’t double after splitting.
This blackjack variant changes the payout from the typical 3:2 to 6:5. The 6:5 blackjack is not favourable for players as it increases the house edge to 1.59% while reducing the natural payout to 6:5.
The single-deck card blackjack game comes with a 6:5 payout in casinos, while the multi-deck blackjack games offer a 3:2 payout. This increase in the house edge makes the multi-deck blackjack a better option for players.
The value of cards in blackjack doesn’t change regardless of the game variation you are playing.
Blackjack is the best casino game if you want the greatest chances of winning big. However, it would be best if you used the right strategy to win at blackjack. There are many things you can do, and we have compiled a few of these below:
Blackjack is not an easy game to win, and it takes a lot of practice to perfect your strategy. By reading up on the strategies below, you can enter a blackjack game armed with some good tips and tricks to help you beat the dealer. However, no blackjack strategy works 100% of the time, and it is up to you to decide what to do during each blackjack hand.
Blackjack consists of many terms you need to understand to know what is going on during a game. Below are a few standard blackjack terms you should familiarize yourself with.
You do this when you want the dealer to draw another card for you. Players can continue to hit till they go bust.
If you are satisfied with your first two cards and have hit for another, you can decide to stand, which implies you won't collect another.
If your starting hand looks promising and the dealer's doesn't look so great, you can double down and double your stake. If your hand remains good, you can win double what you would have.
If you get 2 cards with the same value, you have the choice of splitting to match your initial stake. Then you will be able to play two different hands.
There are blackjack variants that let you surrender without making any more decisions. Half of your stake is returned when you do this, but if your hand flops, you save some cash.
This is a bet that is only available when the dealer gets an ace. If the dealer gets Blackjack, it pays at a 2-1 odd.
This is when the cards available on a hand go over 21. Both players and dealers can go bust.
This is used to indicate a tie, which is when the dealer and player have a hand with the same value. In this case, the player gets back his stake.
Due to the popularity of blackjack, many variants have cropped up over the years. These games each have slightly different rules, even though the fundamental goal of beating the dealer’s hand and aiming for 21 stays the same. Nonetheless, knowing the different blackjack types allows you to try your hand at more versions and potentially open yourself up to more winnings.
This blackjack game features the surrender option (not all blackjack games permit it). Here, players can fold a hand before they draw new cards. When they do this, they get back half their bet and forfeit the rest to the dealer.
This blackjack variant lets players switch cards between two hands. The player needs to make two equal bets and can switch the second card the dealer deals to each hand.
This blackjack game takes place on a typical blackjack table and is streamed live to players. In live blackjack, a deck with 52 cards is used, and players who accumulate more points than the live dealer win.
This blackjack variant has a low house edge, which is why it is so popular today. You mainly play this game in casinos; however, you can also enjoy it at online casinos.
This is a variant of blackjack that uses 4, 6, or 8 decks of cards. In European blackjack, the basic rule is still the same, with the goal being to beat the dealer’s hand.
This mobile blackjack variation lets players place as many as five side bets and blackjack bets. It also has perfect pairs of side bets placed before the croupier deals cards to players.
Decreasing and increasing the house edge is crucial to ensure you can beat the dealer. A low house edge favours the player, so you must know how to decrease the house edge to benefit yourself. So how do you go about lowering the house edge? Here are a few tips below:
Now that you’ve learnt the basics about blackjack, you can find a great online casino in Canada and start playing this fantastic game! Browse the lists of the best blackjack casinos on CasinoGrizzly, and sign up for an account to start playing blackjack today. Remember to set betting limits, play responsibly, and most importantly, have fun!
I'm a Canadian casino expert who writes about online casino reviews, slots games, bonuses and much more. I've been in the industry for over 10 years and knows everything there is to know about casinos. I'm a big fan of online s... Read more about the author