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Best Blackjack In California

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  1. Best Blackjack In California Real Estate
  2. Can You Play Online Blackjack In California
  3. Best Poker In California

The easiest game to play with the best chance to beat the house, blackjack is the most popular table game in just about every casino. From online casinos in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan, to landmark land-based casinos in Las Vegas, regional brick-and-mortar casinos all over the US, and Sweepstakes casinos you can play online all across the country, blackjack is king.

Those searching for an in-depth look at online blackjack across the US have come to the right place.

The following is a comprehensive real money blackjack guide, including everything you need to know about online blackjack and live dealer online blackjack. From where you can legally play to which online casinos offer the best blackjack games and the reasons why online blackjack is superior to the live version of the game, you'll find it all right here.

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Play online blackjack for real money at the best US casinos

Playing real money blackjack online

There are three real and truly identifiable advantages to playing blackjack online rather than your local casino.

The obvious first one is convenience. You can play blackjack online from your living room sofa. There's no need to travel anywhere. Even if there were a casino across the street from your home, playing online blackjack at home would be the more convenient option.

Next is the cost.

By taking advantage of the bonuses available at online casinos or the offers from Sweepstakes casinos you can actually play blackjack for free and possibly build a bankroll out of thin air that allows you to continue playing. Plus, you can't win every time you play. So, you're going to want to limit your losses when things don't work out as planned. Online blackjack games have much lower limits allowing you to do just that.

Finally, there's the experience. While you can have new experience playing the electronic online version of blackjack, you can also have the same blackjack experience you find in a casino playing from wherever you are with access to the internet.

That's because live dealer online blackjack delivers that experience to you, combining the best aspects of live casino blackjack and online blackjack together.

In fact, it may even be a better version of the live game, since the online betting interface employed by live dealer online blackjack promises quicker and more accurate payouts in what is essentially the same game.

Free blackjack vs real money blackjack

There are all kinds of free-to-play blackjack casino apps and games available on the internet and through various social media outlets. Plus, you can play demo versions of the online blackjack games at most online casinos across the US.

Free online blackjack can be a great learning tool, allowing you to test out different betting patterns and blackjack strategies until you find the ones that work.

The truth is there's a correct decision to be made in every blackjack situation that leads to maximum profitability and free-to-play-blackjack can help you perfect this optimal playing style without risking any of your own money.

Unfortunately, with no risk comes no reward. In other words, play-money is the only kind of money you'll ever win with play-money blackjack.

Fortunately, there is one way to win real money playing online blackjack for free. That's taking advantage of the free bonus money online casinos give you just for signing up or making a deposit. Or, taking advantage of the free virtual currency offers from Sweepstakes casinos.

As we said above, there will be some wagering requirements attached to the online casino bonuses. Clearing these playing blackjack can be tough, but it will most definitely allow you to play blackjack for free and could help you turn nothing into something substantial.

Blackjack casino apps

US online casinos all have mobile casino apps that'll practically turn your mobile phone or tablet into a mobile casino.

Download and install these apps to any iOS or Android device and you'll be able to play blackjack online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, wherever you are with access to the internet inside a state where online casinos are legal.

Some Sweepstakes casinos have mobile apps as well, or at the very least, you can play the games they offer through your device's mobile browser anywhere you are in the US.

To limit size, mobile casino apps generally offer fewer games, but you can rest assured you'll find blackjack on every single one. Even if it's just one simple version of the game optimized for mobile devices.

Online casino bonuses and blackjack

Whether it's free bonus money online casinos give you just for signing up, or a percentage match of your first deposit, most the bonus money you can get from online casinos across the US comes with some kind of wagering requirement attached.

That means you can't just take the money and run. You have to stick around and gamble with it. In fact, most wagering requirements force you to gamble with the bonus funds multiple times. Of course, once you meet the wagering requirements, anything you win or have left over is yours to keep.

The easiest way to clear these wagering requirements is almost always slots. In fact, most of the time, blackjack or other table games play counts somewhere between 10% and 25% towards clearing the wagering requirements attached.

That means that while it's not impossible to clear a typical wagering requirement playing blackjack, it's almost always a lot harder to do than it would be playing slots. Possibly up to ten times as hard.

The low house-edge nature of blackjack is the obvious reason why.

How do you combat this? The first thing to do is look for bonuses with low wagering requirements. Then, try to find bonuses where blackjack counts 25% or more towards meeting the wagering requirements.

Find either and you should obviously pounce on it, but at the same time, don't be afraid to try to clear any bonus playing blackjack.

The low house-edge nature of the game also makes it entirely possibly to clear even the toughest of wagering requirements.

Legal blackjack casinos

In most of these jurisdictions, established online casino brands have partnered with the brick and mortar casinos. They have a mix of websites and apps, allowing you to enjoy blackjack, slots and many other table games. You'll be able to gamble legally within state lines.

While regulation of online casinos is spreading, many states have opted for online sportsbooks only. If you are in a state without regulated casinos, you can enjoy blackjack at Sweepstakes Casinos.

NJ blackjack sites

New Jersey's top online casinos are havens for blackjack players. Here's a look at some of the blackjack variants they offer:

Golden Nugget

  • IGT Blackjack: 0.40% House Edge, $1 minimum bet
  • Blackjack Pro: 0.41% House Edge, $1 minimum bet
  • Vegas Blackjack: 0.40% House Edge, $1 minimum bet
  • Side Bet Blackjack: 0.46% House Edge, $1 minimum bet
  • European Blackjack: 0.59% House Edge, $1 minimum bet
  • Blackjack Micro Limit: 0.70% House Edge, $0.10 minimum bet
  • Blackjack Micro Limit: 0.70% House Edge, $0.50 minimum bet
  • Live Dealer Blackjack: 0.66% House Edge, $5 minimum bet

Tropicana Casino

  • Atlantic City Blackjack: 0.36% House Edge, $1 minimum
  • Single Deck Blackjack: 0.26% House Edge, $1 minimum bet
  • Multihand Blackjack: 0.72% House Edge, $1 minimum bet
  • Vegas Downtown Blackjack: 0.39% House Edge, $1 minimum bet
  • Vegas Strip Blackjack: 0.36% House Edge, $1 minimum bet

Virgin Casino

  • Atlantic City Blackjack: 0.36% House Edge, $1 minimum
  • Single Deck Blackjack: 0.26% House Edge, $1 minimum bet
  • Multihand Blackjack: 0.72% House Edge, $1 minimum bet
  • Vegas Downtown Blackjack: 0.39% House Edge, $1 minimum bet
  • Vegas Strip Blackjack: 0.36% House Edge, $1 minimum bet

Caesars Casino

  • Blackjack Micro Limit: 0.70% House Edge, $0.10 minimum bet
  • Blackjack Micro Limit: 0.70% House Edge, $0.50 minimum bet
  • European Blackjack: 0.59% House Edge, $1 minimum bet
  • Vegas Blackjack: 0.40% House Edge, $1 minimum bet
  • Blackjack Pro: 0.41% House Edge, $1 minimum bet
  • Blackjack Pro Micro Limit: 0.41% House Edge, $0.25 minimum bet

Unibet Casino

  • Classic 6-Deck Blackjack: 0.46% House Edge
  • NextGen Multihand Blackjack: 0.72% House Edge
  • Atlantic City Multi-hand BlackjackPro: 0.36% House Edge
  • Atlantic City Single-hand BlackjackPro: 0.36% House Edge
  • Blazing 7s Blackjack: 0.67% House Edge
  • Multihand Blackjack: 0.72% House Edge
  • Super Fun 21 Extreme: 1.4% House Edge
  • Zappit Blackjack: 1.15% House Edge

PA blackjack sites

Pennsylvania casinos can only run blackjack games under a set of rules specified by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). That means blackjack pays 3:2, the dealer stands on soft 17, players can double down on any two cards, split up to three hands and double down after splits. Plus, late surrender is allowed. All this lowers the house edge to 0.40%.

The top three PA online casinos have the following blackjack games running with PGCB rules:

BetMGM

  • Standard Blackjack

DraftKings Casino

  • DraftKings Blackjack
  • DraftKings Classic Blackjack
  • DraftKings Pride Blackjack
  • DraftKings Multihand Blackjack
  • DraftKings Christmas Blackjack
  • Live Dealer Blackjack
  • Live Dealer Infinite Blackjack

Caesars Casino

  • Live Dealer Blackjack
  • Live Dealer Infinite Blackjack
  • Classic Blackjack

WV blackjack sites

West Virginia casinos run blackjack games under standard rules which include blackjack paying 3:2, dealers standing on soft 17, and players having the ability to split doubles.

The top two online casinos in the state, BETMGM and DraftKings Casino, run a variety of blackjack games under these rules. In fact, DraftKings may offer several different blackjack titles in WV, but most are just classic versions of the game with different graphics and themes.

Sweepstakes casino blackjack

Two of the most popular Sweepstakes Casinos available to players all across the US offer blackjack: Chumba Casino and FunzPoints.

Sweepstakes Casinos like this let you play online blackjack even in states that have yet to legalize online casinos. They do this by operating under federal sweepstakes laws. It works because they only let you play with two different virtual currencies, not cash. One currency has no cash value, and while the other does, you can't buy it.

In fact, there are only three ways you can get it: Contact the Sweepstakes Casinos to get it for free. Win it in a free contest though the Sweepstakes Casino's social media account. Or, get it free when you buy some of the other virtual currency that can't be traded in for cash.

Once you have some these Sweeps Coins or FunzPoints you can use them to play blackjack online at Chumba Casino and FunzPoints and redeem any you win or have left over for cash. Chumba and Funzpoints feature classic versions of online blackjack with graphics, animations and sounds that enhance the player experience.

Most games start with minimums as low as one Sweeps Coin or a single Funzpoint.

The different variations include:

  • Progressive Blackjack featuring a progressive side bet jackpot.
  • Blackjack Surrender offering the option to surrender and paying out all seven card hands.
  • Spanish 21 with 6-8 decks, no tens, the surrender rule, and player 21 wins.
  • Pontoon with Spanish 21 rules and a minimum hand of 15.
  • Blackjack Switch played with two hands, card switching and dealer bust on 23.

Online blackjack variations

Different blackjack games have different rules and many of these rules have a major impact on the house edge.

Things like the number of decks in the shoe, what blackjack pays, and the dealer rule for hitting or standing on soft 17 all have an impact on how player-friendly a particular blackjack game is. As do the rules for doubling down, splitting, and surrender.

Each can push the house edge up or down up to 1.4%.

What that means is you should steer clear of blackjack games with house-friendly rules like:

  • Blackjack paying 6:5
  • Dealer hitting on soft 17
  • No doubling after splitting
  • Doubling down on certain hands only
  • No surrender
  • No re-splitting aces

Here's a look at some of the rules for a group of the most popular online blackjack variations you'll find at online casinos across the US:

Single-Deck Blackjack

  • House Edge: 0.26%
  • Impactful Rules: One-deck shoe, Dealer stands on soft 17

Atlantic City Blackjack

  • House Edge: 0.36%.
  • Impactful Rules: Dealer stands on soft 17, Double down on any two cards, Split 10,J,Q, or K up to three times, Late surrender

Vegas Strip Blackjack

  • House Edge: 0.36%.
  • Impactful Rules: Four-deck shoe, Dealer stands on soft 17, Double down on any two cards, Split 10,J,Q, or K up to three times

Vegas Downtown Blackjack

  • House Edge: 0.39%.
  • Impactful Rules: Two-deck shoe, Dealer hits on soft 17, Double down on any two cards, Split pairs

Vegas Blackjack

  • House Edge: 0.40%.
  • Impactful Rules: Dealer stands on soft 17, Double down on any two cards, Split 10,J,Q, or K only once

PGCB Blackjack

  • House Edge: 0.40%.
  • Impactful Rules: Dealer stands on soft 17, Blackjack pays 3:2, Double down on any two cards, Surrender

What should I look for in an online blackjack casino?

Not all the online casinos that offer blackjack are built the same. If blackjack is your game and the primary reason you're looking to sign up for an account with an online casino is so you can play blackjack, you should look for an online casino that truly caters to your wants and needs.

Try using the following criteria and asking some of the following questions to help you choose:

  • Blackjack variations: The more the merrier and the lower the house edge the better.
  • Bonuses and promotions: Every online casino has bonuses, but how low are the wagering requirements attached and does blackjack count 25% or more towards meeting them?
  • Mobile games / apps: Every online casino has a mobile app, but how many mobile blackjack variations do the apps have?
  • Live dealer games: Are there live dealer blackjack games so I can enjoy the live blackjack experience online?
  • Legal and regulated: Is this online casino in a state where online casinos are legal and I can turn to state regulators for help if something goes wrong? Is my money safe, or could this illegal offshore operation fold up overnight locking up my cash?
  • Customer support: Does this online casino have 24-hour phone or online support or will I have to deal with a bunch of unanswered emails if I have a problem?

Live dealer online blackjack casinos

The online casinos in Michigan, NJ and PA have brought together the best of both the live casino and online casino blackjack worlds for live dealer online blackjack games. Live dealer online blackjack games are also headed to Michigan in 2021.

It's real dealers using real cards on real tables in front of cameras inside a real-life casino studio. Then, the online casinos broadcast the games live and you can bet online using a graphic interface.

It really is a live and online blackjack hybrid that involves the best aspects of both games: The speed and accuracy of online wagering and the trustworthiness and transparency of real people using real casino equipment in a live casino.

Live dealer blackjack games are a little more social as well, allowing you to chat in real time with the dealer and other players. The popularity of live dealer online blackjack games is growing every day alongside the list of online casinos offering the games.

Should you count cards?

You may already be aware that while counting cards isn't against the law, live casinos seriously frown upon the activity and reserve the right to ban players caught doing it.

However, online casinos really don't mind if you try. That's because most online blackjack games employ a continuous shuffle process that renders the count worthless. Plus, even those that don't are really only using half of the cards in a shoe, making it very difficult to keep count or take advantage in any way.

Card counting works on the idea that playing with a shoe holding a higher percentage of high cards gives you an edge. You keep track of the number of high cards left in the shoe and increase your bet when it's high enough to give you that edge.

Card counters worried that increasing the bet might top off dealers and pit bosses signal in team members to take advantage of a favorable count instead.

While you don't really have to worry about that online, there's enough other things in the way to make card counting difficult to impossible.

Single Deck Blackjack games might be the best to count, but by the time the count is in your favor, it's almost always time to shuffle up again and too late to take full advantage.

Blackjack Strategy Basics: How a Typical Hand is Played Out

Blackjack tables have spaces for up to 7 players. Your objective is to beat the dealer, there are three ways to do this:

  • Have a total closer to 21 than the dealer does when the hand is competed
  • Get dealt a ‘blackjack' (picture card or 10 with an ace) when the dealer does not have one
  • Have a live hand when the dealer busts by hitting 22 or more.

Here is how a hand works in the most common (US) blackjack variation.

  • Each player must place a bet before they are dealt into a hand.
  • The dealer deals two cards to each player face up
  • The dealer deals herself one card face up and one face down
  • If the dealers ‘hole card' is an ace, they will offer insurance to the players against a dealer blackjack (see below for more on this bet).
  • The dealer will now ‘peek' at the hidden card when a 2-card blackjack is possible, if they hit this then the hand ends. All players not getting a blackjack (which is a push) will lose their bet.
  • Each player now chooses whether to stand on their current total, hit, double down (add an additional bet) or split their cards. In some games a surrender option, returning half of the bet, is also offered.
  • If any player goes over 21, their hand is dead – and their bet is lost.
  • Play continues until all players have either busted or stood on their current total.
  • The dealer then turns over her hidden card. She will hit or stand depending on the specific rules of the game. For example, standing on a hard 17 or over and hitting on soft 17 or under.
  • If the dealer does not bust, then her score is compared to those of each player to determine who wins, loses and where there is a push.

In blackjack, aces can count as either 1 or 11. You will hear ‘Soft 17' (for example) when the dealer has an ace a 6. If the next card is a 4, you can revert to counting the ace as 11 – making your total a 21. If you get a 10-value card, then your hand becomes a ‘Hard 17'

Your Decisions Explained: Stand, Hit, Double or Split

Casino

There is an optimal blackjack strategy for each combination of your cards' total and the dealer's up-card. While there are small differences depending on the number of decks in use and the specific rules on splitting and doubling down – understanding ‘basic strategy' will keep the casino house edge very low.

A strategy card will show you the exact strategy for each combination. Below are the basics to keep in mind.

When to Hit: You'll be hitting most of the time when dealer has a high probability of making a total between 17 and 21 and you have 16 or under. When the dealer shows a picture card, ace or two, you will almost always hit. If the dealer has a 3, 4, 5 or 6 showing, they have a higher probability of busting. This means you won't hit as often when you have a chance to bust yourself.

When to Stand: Any time you have a hard 17 or better, your best strategy is to stand. If the dealer shows a middle card (especially a 5 or 6), there are many spots where you will stand with a hand between 12 and 16. In most games, the best strategy with a soft 17 is to hit.

When to Double: Doubling, or Doubling Down, involves placing an extra bet equal to your initial wager on a hand. You are then dealt one more card. Rules vary on when you are allowed to do this. The ideal situation is when you have 9, 10 or 11 in your total, and the dealer shows a middle card.

When to Split: When your cards are identical (for example a pair or 10's), your choice is between standing and splitting. If you split, you need to place an extra wager – effectively playing 2 hands. You now play these hands individually, hitting, standing, splitting or doubling down. The ideal time to split is with 2 high cards against a dealer middle card. You'll usually stand with 20 if the dealer shows a picture card.

When to Surrender: Some games have an optional surrender. This allows you to ditch a terrible hand (for example 16) against a dealer picture card. You'll pay half of your initial bet to surrender.

Types of Blackjack Game and Blackjack Variations

There are two main ‘core' blackjack games, 100's of variations which include side-bets and novelty games based on the original concept.

Here are the two main variations:

  • US Blackjack: This was described in the typical hand above. The dealer takes two cards at the start of the hand and will ‘peek' at the hidden card when a blackjack is possible.
  • European Blackjack: The dealer only gets one card at the start of the hand. After all the players have completed their actions, the dealer takes another card. This means you won't know whether the dealer has a blackjack until the end of the hand, which does affect your strategy.

Here are some of the other common real money blackjack variations you'll find on casino floors and in online casinos:

  • Double Deck / Single Deck: Usually reserved for the high rollers, these games use just 1 or 2 decks instead of the usual 6 to 8.
  • Spanish 21: This variation removes the 10's (though not the picture cards) from the deck, leaving 48 cards in each deck.
  • Free Bet Blackjack: You can get a free bet token to double or split in this game. To balance, if the dealer hits 22, winning player hands are considered a push.
  • Blackjack Switch: Here you get dealt 2 hands and can swap the cards between them to hit the best possible score.
  • Pontoon: This game originated in the UK. It has similar rules, though uses different terms including ‘Stick' and ‘Twist'.

Online Blackjack Side Bets

Best Blackjack In California Real Estate

Blackjack does not have the possibilities of huge wins compared to casino poker games like Let It Ride and Ultimate Texas Hold'em. To balance this, many casinos offer side bets. These are optional bets, and the stakes don't need to match the main bet in many circumstances. For example, you can bet $25 per hand in the main game, with an optional $5 side bet.

Popular options are ‘Perfect Pairs', where you can win based on hitting a pair as your hole cards, with bigger payments for suited aces – or ‘Blazing 777's' which pays big prizes with 3 7's as your first 3 cards.

Keep in mind that side bets have a higher house edge than the main game. Some live casino side bets have progressive jackpots.

What is the house edge on blackjack?

The best blackjack games have a tiny house edge. This can be under 1% with the right mix of rules. Ideal games have as few decks as possible – the dealer should hit on soft 17, liberal rules including the ability to split and resplit, and to double down after splitting – a surrender option.

Most regular blackjack games have a house edge of around 2% to 3%. This assumes you are making ‘perfect' decisions in line with the strategy card of the game you are playing.

A common change in live casinos is to pay 6:5 instead of 3:2 on a player blackjack. This increases their long-term house edge by almost 2%. The smallest stakes games rarely have the ideal rules these days, though if you are playing $50+ per hand (live) then you'll be able to find games with a lower house edge.

Blackjack Card Counting and Advantage Play

While card counting is not against the law, casinos will quickly ban players caught doing this.

The concept is simple, that a deck with more high cards as a proportion of the total is more favorable for the player. With enough high cards, the house edge can become positive for the players. Card counters employ different methods of keeping track of the cards dealt. When the count becomes positive, they increase their bet size significantly – taking advantage of the house edge.

The problem with this strategy is that going from $5 to $500 bets is very obvious to the dealers and pit bosses. While the MIT blackjack team had a signaling method in the famous movie, casinos are aware of this too – making counting very difficult.

There is nothing to stop you increasing your bet size online. To counter card counting, the games only use half of the cards in an 8-deck shoe. This makes getting a ‘true count' very difficult. The count (whether you count high or low cards) is always divided by the number of remaining decks to account for variance in the spread of the high / low cards. Single or Double Deck games are ideal for counting – though in live casinos these games will be the most closely watched.

Casino revenue

Data from the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), confirms blackjack is a popular and profitable table game in Nevada casinos.

Though other table games have emerged in the 21st century, the blackjack win amount recorded by Nevada casinos has been around $1.1 billion annually. External factors, such as novelty table games and general economics, certainly impact blackjack revenue. Even still, data since 2000 shows blackjack has been a consistent profit source.

A sharp increase in revenue from baccarat, a table game popular among super-high rollers, has put blackjack in the No. 2 spot in the annual revenue category since 2009. This was a distinct and defining year for Las Vegas gaming revenue. It marked a national recession and the long-awaited opening of City Center. This new venue included two major casinos, Aria and Cosmopolitan.

Even though Nevada baccarat revenue surpassed blackjack revenue by more than $100 million in 2015, the annual win amount from craps was just a fraction of blackjack's. Nevada casinos earned about $383 million from craps in 2015 compared to $1.09 billion from blackjack.

Blackjack across the US

Nearly every casino in the United States that offers table games offers blackjack.

Since this statement does not hold true for craps or roulette, it's a testament to the game's popularity and understanding among players and regulators alike.

Florida

Florida, for example, is an emerging gaming destination and jurisdiction. For the time being, a compact between Florida's Native American tribes and the state government limits the presence of non-poker table games to tribal casinos. That exclusivity makes casino-resort properties like the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood one of the most lucrative in North America. The South Florida casino is home to over 100 table games and dozens of active blackjack tables at peak hours.

California

On the other coast, California has its take on the game of 21. In the 1980s, to get legislators and regulators to agree on the expansion of table games (mainly poker), card rooms began offering the game but only if non-licensees banked them. The California system stems from the acceptance of parimutuel wagering. (California is home to dozens of racetracks like the famous Santa Anita, which opened in 1934.)

California's regulatory limitations require all wagering competitions to be parimutuel forces players to wager against each other. They do not wager directly against the house. State-sponsored card rooms and racetracks make money by taking a structured percentage out of the prize pool. The take is based on the total amount wagered.

To allow blackjack in a parimutuel-only gaming environment, the game in California is 'banked' by other players. It can also be banked by a 'corporation' that provides the service to the casino full time — a fee collected from each player before every hand goes directly to the casino. It is separate from the wagers (and subsequent wins and losses) on the table. It's effectively an ante required to be dealt into a round of blackjack.

Oklahoma

Charging a fee to play a hand of blackjack is not unique to California. In Oklahoma, tribal casinos collect what is commonly referred to as an 'ante' (as opposed to 'commission'). This equates to 50 cents from each player before every hand. At Winstar World Resort in Thackerville, just across the Texas-Oklahoma border, dealers collect blackjack antes 24/7 on one of the biggest casino floors in the country.

Other venues

Though gaming laws vary from state to state, one is never too far away from a live blackjack table. Outside of Nevada and Atlantic City, blackjack players can find favorable gaming conditions in the Midwest and Gulf Coast. Riverboat and tribal casinos in Missouri, Mississippi and Louisiana have been hotspots for decades.

Not all blackjack is created equal

To many players, blackjack is still blackjack no matter the rules or how it is dealt. Unfortunately, this perception is untrue.

Blackjack is a game where the host determines the conditions. Minor variants are common between casinos and even within the same casino. For players, it's imperative to identify how the specific rules and/or paying a commission affect the overall game.

Some conditions are the result of legal regulation. Others are simply a mechanism to adjust the house advantage and, therefore, hold and win percentages.

Blackjack, the event of getting dealt a two-card 21 pays 3:2 or 1.5-to-1 on a wager. Sadly for players, 6:5 or 1.2-to-1 blackjack is a rapidly increasing occurrence.

One might wrongly assume 6:5 payouts exist only to offer single-deck games. Unfortunately, there are properties in Downtown Las Vegas that offer 6:5 shoe games — and eight-deck shoe games to boot. Avoid these games.

For the time being, plenty of authentic 3:2 games can be found within a short walk of a blasphemous 6:5 shoe game. On a positive note, the 6:5 trend seems to be concentrated in certain markets, like Las Vegas. Thankfully, it's not a sweeping trend across the world.

FAQ

Which online casino has the best blackjack games?

With almost two dozen blackjack games available, BetMGM in New Jersey really is the best online blackjack casino in the US.

The blackjack titles list includes:

  • Multi Hand Blackjack
  • BetMGM blackjack pro
  • BetMGM Blackjack Pro sp
  • Blackjack fortune spinner pro
  • bj fortune spinner mobile
  • Blackjack
  • Blackjack Fortune Spinner
  • BLACKJACK PRO
  • BLACKJACK PRO MOBILE
  • borgata blackjack pro
  • borgata blackjack pro mobile
  • Perfect Blackjack Pro
  • Premium Blackjack Pro
  • Premium Blackjack Pro
  • Mini Blackjack Poker
  • Blackjack Mini
  • PARTYCASINO BLACKJACK PRO
  • PARTYCASINO BLACKJACK PRO
  • First Person Blackjack
  • Blackjack
  • Blackjack Xchange
  • Multi-hand blackjack; and
  • Multi-hand Blackjack Pro

For those not in New Jersey, Chumba Casino represents a pretty good alternative. It's available all over the country and boasts the following list of blackjack titles:

  • Progressive Blackjack
  • Blackjack Surrender
  • Spanish 21
  • Pontoon
  • Blackjack Switch

Which blackjack game offers the lowest house edge?

Single-Deck Blackjack has the best odds of any casino game in the country, not just blackjack, but all casino games. The house edge is a paltry 0.26%. The fact just one deck is used instead of six or eight is the difference maker, but the dealer standing on soft 17 helps too.

Is three card poker better than blackjack?

Three Card Poker is a bit of a blackjack alternative. It's you against the dealer in an effort to try to make the better three-card poker hand. Unfortunately, the 3.07% house edge makes it a pretty poor alternative to the many blackjack variants that boast less than a 1% house edge.

Three Card Poker can be fun, but you've got a better chance of winning playing blackjack.

Is online blackjack rigged?

No, online blackjack isn't rigged. The game appears at state licensed online casinos who rigorously test every game for fairness. Online blackjack uses a computerized random number generator to determine the outcome of each hand and state regulators test these too.

The truth is that online blackjack games have a house edge, which means online casinos are going to make money off you playing over the long haul. Since you're basically giving them your money by playing they have no reason to try to steal it.

Can blackjack be beaten?

Theoretically no. However, the low house edge means you're going to lose less playing blackjack over the long haul than most other casinos games.

Of course, you can get lucky in the short term and beat the game. Or, you can play perfectly and take advantage of various bonuses, promotions, and even dealer mistakes to beat the game.

California houses some of the biggest and best casinos in the country. However, in 2019, it's challenging to find the same exciting California blackjack games online that you know and love from your local brick-and-mortar casino.

If you have played blackjack in a California casino, you have probably played a 'player-banked' version of the game. Online casinos keep things more traditional. Vegas-style blackjack is available at all quality online gambling sites.

California is catching up with newly regulated states like NewJersey and Delaware. In 2019, there aren't any legalized online casinos in California. However, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some 21 in the comfort of your home.

Let's take a closer look at how you can play America's favorite table game online.

+ Bonus 2 Sweeps Coins Free On Signup
Daily FREE Sweeps Coins Just For Logging In

Online casino laws in California

Californians have a long love affair with card games and blackjack, but CA lawmakers have been slow to bring their online gaming legislation into the 21st century. Players in California are still waiting for the state to regulate and legalize online casinos.

However, social casinos are legal in the Golden State and allow you to enjoy risk-free blackjack on your PC or tablet.

You can also winrealcash by playing at new blackjack sweepstakes sites, which are entirely legal if you live in California.

Land-based blackjack laws are slightly different in the Golden State.

Californian gaming law allows some forms of blackjack at commercial brick-and-mortar casinos. Player-banked games, like California blackjack, come with special rules where players take turns being the 'house.'

Tribalcasinos, however, enjoy more freedom in offering traditional, Vegas-style blackjack games.

How to play blackjack online

You can play blackjack for free at all social casinos.

Additionally, new sweepstakes sites give you the chance to win real money on every game. Let's take a look at a classic blackjack variant to show you how to play.

Placing bets: Download the blackjack casino client or load up a game in your browser window. You are in charge of the action, and the game begins when you are ready.

First, you select your stakes. The minimum and maximum stake are displayed on the table. Drag and drop chips onto the betting area on the screen. Once you are ready to go, click the 'Deal' button.

Best Blackjack In California

Payouts: You get paid 1:1, even money, for beating the dealer. You win 3:2 on your stake if you get dealt a natural blackjack at the start of a hand (an ace and a 10-value card).

Push: The hand is tied if your total matches the dealer's – the hand is a 'push,' and your stake is returned.

Insurance: Insurance is a safety net against the dealer scoring a blackjack. You have the option to place an insurance bet on the designated betting area on the table if the dealer shows an ace. You win 2:1 for the insurance if the dealer reveals a blackjack.

Playing your hand

At the start of the game, the dealer gives you two cards face-up. The dealer receives one card face-down and one face-up. You now have several options depending on the strength of the cards.

The idea is to accumulate cards that total 21 or as close to it as possible. If you go over 21, you are bust and lose. Picture cards are worth 10, and aces are worth one or 11.

Once you have finished playing your hand, it is the dealer's turn. The dealer draws cards until they hit 17 or above. If they go bust, you win.

  • Hit: Receive more cards. You can choose to hit as many times as you like.
  • Stand: Receive no more cards. Play moves to the dealer.
  • Split: You have the option to separate a pair and play two unique hands. After splitting a pair, you place a second bet on the new hand and continue to hit or stand.
  • Resplit: Some blackjack variants let you resplit new split hands. You need to place a bet on any new hands you make and continue to hit and stand.
  • Double down: A double down is an extra bet allowed on totals of nine, ten, or 11. You can only double down on nine, 10 or 11 in some online blackjack variants. With a double down, you place an extra bet equal to your original one. You then receive one more card to your hand. After that, your turn is over.

Top blackjack variants online

Classic blackjack is widely available at online, free-to-play casinos in California. You won't discover any California Blackjack variants at online casinos, however.

Legalized internet casinos in New Jersey and Delaware currently offer a wide array of blackjack games. What can Californians expect to find online if the state ever passes online casino legislation?

Classic blackjack: Classic blackjack, or European blackjack, is available everywhere. A winning hand pays 1:1, and a blackjack pays 3:2.

Live dealer blackjack: In live dealer blackjack, you get to play against a human croupier via a live web stream. You place bets in the usual way, but the dealer uses real cards that are scanned and displayed on your screen. You can even chat with the dealer and ask questions.

Play african diamond slot online free. Live dealer blackjack in some CA brick-and-mortar casinos is also available. You place bets via an electronic terminal, but a human croupier handles the action using real cards.

21+3 blackjack: The game 21+3 blackjack involves a side bet based on your two up-cards and the dealer's up-card. The strength of the three cards will determine your payout. You will receive a payout if the three cards form a straight (e.g., 7-8-9), a flush (e.g., 2-5-9 of hearts), or three-of-a-kind.

Free bet blackjack: In free bet blackjack, you can double down and split without paying for an extra wager.

Spanish 21 blackjack: Spanish 21 blackjack is like classic blackjack with a few added twists. You can double down on any totals; not just your first two. And you can re-double down on doubled hands.

Spanish 21 also includes some exciting bonus payouts. You receive a 2:1 payout if you receive a six-card 21 and a 3:1 payout if you hit seven or more cards in your hand.

Blackjack surrender: You can 'surrender' your hand in some versions of blackjack online. You can surrender half your stake if the dealer is showing a potential blackjack. Surrender is a good move if you have a high chance of losing and want to cut your losses.

Best Blackjack In California

There is an optimal blackjack strategy for each combination of your cards' total and the dealer's up-card. While there are small differences depending on the number of decks in use and the specific rules on splitting and doubling down – understanding ‘basic strategy' will keep the casino house edge very low.

A strategy card will show you the exact strategy for each combination. Below are the basics to keep in mind.

When to Hit: You'll be hitting most of the time when dealer has a high probability of making a total between 17 and 21 and you have 16 or under. When the dealer shows a picture card, ace or two, you will almost always hit. If the dealer has a 3, 4, 5 or 6 showing, they have a higher probability of busting. This means you won't hit as often when you have a chance to bust yourself.

When to Stand: Any time you have a hard 17 or better, your best strategy is to stand. If the dealer shows a middle card (especially a 5 or 6), there are many spots where you will stand with a hand between 12 and 16. In most games, the best strategy with a soft 17 is to hit.

When to Double: Doubling, or Doubling Down, involves placing an extra bet equal to your initial wager on a hand. You are then dealt one more card. Rules vary on when you are allowed to do this. The ideal situation is when you have 9, 10 or 11 in your total, and the dealer shows a middle card.

When to Split: When your cards are identical (for example a pair or 10's), your choice is between standing and splitting. If you split, you need to place an extra wager – effectively playing 2 hands. You now play these hands individually, hitting, standing, splitting or doubling down. The ideal time to split is with 2 high cards against a dealer middle card. You'll usually stand with 20 if the dealer shows a picture card.

When to Surrender: Some games have an optional surrender. This allows you to ditch a terrible hand (for example 16) against a dealer picture card. You'll pay half of your initial bet to surrender.

Types of Blackjack Game and Blackjack Variations

There are two main ‘core' blackjack games, 100's of variations which include side-bets and novelty games based on the original concept.

Here are the two main variations:

  • US Blackjack: This was described in the typical hand above. The dealer takes two cards at the start of the hand and will ‘peek' at the hidden card when a blackjack is possible.
  • European Blackjack: The dealer only gets one card at the start of the hand. After all the players have completed their actions, the dealer takes another card. This means you won't know whether the dealer has a blackjack until the end of the hand, which does affect your strategy.

Here are some of the other common real money blackjack variations you'll find on casino floors and in online casinos:

  • Double Deck / Single Deck: Usually reserved for the high rollers, these games use just 1 or 2 decks instead of the usual 6 to 8.
  • Spanish 21: This variation removes the 10's (though not the picture cards) from the deck, leaving 48 cards in each deck.
  • Free Bet Blackjack: You can get a free bet token to double or split in this game. To balance, if the dealer hits 22, winning player hands are considered a push.
  • Blackjack Switch: Here you get dealt 2 hands and can swap the cards between them to hit the best possible score.
  • Pontoon: This game originated in the UK. It has similar rules, though uses different terms including ‘Stick' and ‘Twist'.

Online Blackjack Side Bets

Best Blackjack In California Real Estate

Blackjack does not have the possibilities of huge wins compared to casino poker games like Let It Ride and Ultimate Texas Hold'em. To balance this, many casinos offer side bets. These are optional bets, and the stakes don't need to match the main bet in many circumstances. For example, you can bet $25 per hand in the main game, with an optional $5 side bet.

Popular options are ‘Perfect Pairs', where you can win based on hitting a pair as your hole cards, with bigger payments for suited aces – or ‘Blazing 777's' which pays big prizes with 3 7's as your first 3 cards.

Keep in mind that side bets have a higher house edge than the main game. Some live casino side bets have progressive jackpots.

What is the house edge on blackjack?

The best blackjack games have a tiny house edge. This can be under 1% with the right mix of rules. Ideal games have as few decks as possible – the dealer should hit on soft 17, liberal rules including the ability to split and resplit, and to double down after splitting – a surrender option.

Most regular blackjack games have a house edge of around 2% to 3%. This assumes you are making ‘perfect' decisions in line with the strategy card of the game you are playing.

A common change in live casinos is to pay 6:5 instead of 3:2 on a player blackjack. This increases their long-term house edge by almost 2%. The smallest stakes games rarely have the ideal rules these days, though if you are playing $50+ per hand (live) then you'll be able to find games with a lower house edge.

Blackjack Card Counting and Advantage Play

While card counting is not against the law, casinos will quickly ban players caught doing this.

The concept is simple, that a deck with more high cards as a proportion of the total is more favorable for the player. With enough high cards, the house edge can become positive for the players. Card counters employ different methods of keeping track of the cards dealt. When the count becomes positive, they increase their bet size significantly – taking advantage of the house edge.

The problem with this strategy is that going from $5 to $500 bets is very obvious to the dealers and pit bosses. While the MIT blackjack team had a signaling method in the famous movie, casinos are aware of this too – making counting very difficult.

There is nothing to stop you increasing your bet size online. To counter card counting, the games only use half of the cards in an 8-deck shoe. This makes getting a ‘true count' very difficult. The count (whether you count high or low cards) is always divided by the number of remaining decks to account for variance in the spread of the high / low cards. Single or Double Deck games are ideal for counting – though in live casinos these games will be the most closely watched.

Casino revenue

Data from the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), confirms blackjack is a popular and profitable table game in Nevada casinos.

Though other table games have emerged in the 21st century, the blackjack win amount recorded by Nevada casinos has been around $1.1 billion annually. External factors, such as novelty table games and general economics, certainly impact blackjack revenue. Even still, data since 2000 shows blackjack has been a consistent profit source.

A sharp increase in revenue from baccarat, a table game popular among super-high rollers, has put blackjack in the No. 2 spot in the annual revenue category since 2009. This was a distinct and defining year for Las Vegas gaming revenue. It marked a national recession and the long-awaited opening of City Center. This new venue included two major casinos, Aria and Cosmopolitan.

Even though Nevada baccarat revenue surpassed blackjack revenue by more than $100 million in 2015, the annual win amount from craps was just a fraction of blackjack's. Nevada casinos earned about $383 million from craps in 2015 compared to $1.09 billion from blackjack.

Blackjack across the US

Nearly every casino in the United States that offers table games offers blackjack.

Since this statement does not hold true for craps or roulette, it's a testament to the game's popularity and understanding among players and regulators alike.

Florida

Florida, for example, is an emerging gaming destination and jurisdiction. For the time being, a compact between Florida's Native American tribes and the state government limits the presence of non-poker table games to tribal casinos. That exclusivity makes casino-resort properties like the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood one of the most lucrative in North America. The South Florida casino is home to over 100 table games and dozens of active blackjack tables at peak hours.

California

On the other coast, California has its take on the game of 21. In the 1980s, to get legislators and regulators to agree on the expansion of table games (mainly poker), card rooms began offering the game but only if non-licensees banked them. The California system stems from the acceptance of parimutuel wagering. (California is home to dozens of racetracks like the famous Santa Anita, which opened in 1934.)

California's regulatory limitations require all wagering competitions to be parimutuel forces players to wager against each other. They do not wager directly against the house. State-sponsored card rooms and racetracks make money by taking a structured percentage out of the prize pool. The take is based on the total amount wagered.

To allow blackjack in a parimutuel-only gaming environment, the game in California is 'banked' by other players. It can also be banked by a 'corporation' that provides the service to the casino full time — a fee collected from each player before every hand goes directly to the casino. It is separate from the wagers (and subsequent wins and losses) on the table. It's effectively an ante required to be dealt into a round of blackjack.

Oklahoma

Charging a fee to play a hand of blackjack is not unique to California. In Oklahoma, tribal casinos collect what is commonly referred to as an 'ante' (as opposed to 'commission'). This equates to 50 cents from each player before every hand. At Winstar World Resort in Thackerville, just across the Texas-Oklahoma border, dealers collect blackjack antes 24/7 on one of the biggest casino floors in the country.

Other venues

Though gaming laws vary from state to state, one is never too far away from a live blackjack table. Outside of Nevada and Atlantic City, blackjack players can find favorable gaming conditions in the Midwest and Gulf Coast. Riverboat and tribal casinos in Missouri, Mississippi and Louisiana have been hotspots for decades.

Not all blackjack is created equal

To many players, blackjack is still blackjack no matter the rules or how it is dealt. Unfortunately, this perception is untrue.

Blackjack is a game where the host determines the conditions. Minor variants are common between casinos and even within the same casino. For players, it's imperative to identify how the specific rules and/or paying a commission affect the overall game.

Some conditions are the result of legal regulation. Others are simply a mechanism to adjust the house advantage and, therefore, hold and win percentages.

Blackjack, the event of getting dealt a two-card 21 pays 3:2 or 1.5-to-1 on a wager. Sadly for players, 6:5 or 1.2-to-1 blackjack is a rapidly increasing occurrence.

One might wrongly assume 6:5 payouts exist only to offer single-deck games. Unfortunately, there are properties in Downtown Las Vegas that offer 6:5 shoe games — and eight-deck shoe games to boot. Avoid these games.

For the time being, plenty of authentic 3:2 games can be found within a short walk of a blasphemous 6:5 shoe game. On a positive note, the 6:5 trend seems to be concentrated in certain markets, like Las Vegas. Thankfully, it's not a sweeping trend across the world.

FAQ

Which online casino has the best blackjack games?

With almost two dozen blackjack games available, BetMGM in New Jersey really is the best online blackjack casino in the US.

The blackjack titles list includes:

  • Multi Hand Blackjack
  • BetMGM blackjack pro
  • BetMGM Blackjack Pro sp
  • Blackjack fortune spinner pro
  • bj fortune spinner mobile
  • Blackjack
  • Blackjack Fortune Spinner
  • BLACKJACK PRO
  • BLACKJACK PRO MOBILE
  • borgata blackjack pro
  • borgata blackjack pro mobile
  • Perfect Blackjack Pro
  • Premium Blackjack Pro
  • Premium Blackjack Pro
  • Mini Blackjack Poker
  • Blackjack Mini
  • PARTYCASINO BLACKJACK PRO
  • PARTYCASINO BLACKJACK PRO
  • First Person Blackjack
  • Blackjack
  • Blackjack Xchange
  • Multi-hand blackjack; and
  • Multi-hand Blackjack Pro

For those not in New Jersey, Chumba Casino represents a pretty good alternative. It's available all over the country and boasts the following list of blackjack titles:

  • Progressive Blackjack
  • Blackjack Surrender
  • Spanish 21
  • Pontoon
  • Blackjack Switch

Which blackjack game offers the lowest house edge?

Single-Deck Blackjack has the best odds of any casino game in the country, not just blackjack, but all casino games. The house edge is a paltry 0.26%. The fact just one deck is used instead of six or eight is the difference maker, but the dealer standing on soft 17 helps too.

Is three card poker better than blackjack?

Three Card Poker is a bit of a blackjack alternative. It's you against the dealer in an effort to try to make the better three-card poker hand. Unfortunately, the 3.07% house edge makes it a pretty poor alternative to the many blackjack variants that boast less than a 1% house edge.

Three Card Poker can be fun, but you've got a better chance of winning playing blackjack.

Is online blackjack rigged?

No, online blackjack isn't rigged. The game appears at state licensed online casinos who rigorously test every game for fairness. Online blackjack uses a computerized random number generator to determine the outcome of each hand and state regulators test these too.

The truth is that online blackjack games have a house edge, which means online casinos are going to make money off you playing over the long haul. Since you're basically giving them your money by playing they have no reason to try to steal it.

Can blackjack be beaten?

Theoretically no. However, the low house edge means you're going to lose less playing blackjack over the long haul than most other casinos games.

Of course, you can get lucky in the short term and beat the game. Or, you can play perfectly and take advantage of various bonuses, promotions, and even dealer mistakes to beat the game.

California houses some of the biggest and best casinos in the country. However, in 2019, it's challenging to find the same exciting California blackjack games online that you know and love from your local brick-and-mortar casino.

If you have played blackjack in a California casino, you have probably played a 'player-banked' version of the game. Online casinos keep things more traditional. Vegas-style blackjack is available at all quality online gambling sites.

California is catching up with newly regulated states like NewJersey and Delaware. In 2019, there aren't any legalized online casinos in California. However, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some 21 in the comfort of your home.

Let's take a closer look at how you can play America's favorite table game online.

+ Bonus 2 Sweeps Coins Free On Signup
Daily FREE Sweeps Coins Just For Logging In

Online casino laws in California

Californians have a long love affair with card games and blackjack, but CA lawmakers have been slow to bring their online gaming legislation into the 21st century. Players in California are still waiting for the state to regulate and legalize online casinos.

However, social casinos are legal in the Golden State and allow you to enjoy risk-free blackjack on your PC or tablet.

You can also winrealcash by playing at new blackjack sweepstakes sites, which are entirely legal if you live in California.

Land-based blackjack laws are slightly different in the Golden State.

Californian gaming law allows some forms of blackjack at commercial brick-and-mortar casinos. Player-banked games, like California blackjack, come with special rules where players take turns being the 'house.'

Tribalcasinos, however, enjoy more freedom in offering traditional, Vegas-style blackjack games.

How to play blackjack online

You can play blackjack for free at all social casinos.

Additionally, new sweepstakes sites give you the chance to win real money on every game. Let's take a look at a classic blackjack variant to show you how to play.

Placing bets: Download the blackjack casino client or load up a game in your browser window. You are in charge of the action, and the game begins when you are ready.

First, you select your stakes. The minimum and maximum stake are displayed on the table. Drag and drop chips onto the betting area on the screen. Once you are ready to go, click the 'Deal' button.

Payouts: You get paid 1:1, even money, for beating the dealer. You win 3:2 on your stake if you get dealt a natural blackjack at the start of a hand (an ace and a 10-value card).

Push: The hand is tied if your total matches the dealer's – the hand is a 'push,' and your stake is returned.

Insurance: Insurance is a safety net against the dealer scoring a blackjack. You have the option to place an insurance bet on the designated betting area on the table if the dealer shows an ace. You win 2:1 for the insurance if the dealer reveals a blackjack.

Playing your hand

At the start of the game, the dealer gives you two cards face-up. The dealer receives one card face-down and one face-up. You now have several options depending on the strength of the cards.

The idea is to accumulate cards that total 21 or as close to it as possible. If you go over 21, you are bust and lose. Picture cards are worth 10, and aces are worth one or 11.

Once you have finished playing your hand, it is the dealer's turn. The dealer draws cards until they hit 17 or above. If they go bust, you win.

  • Hit: Receive more cards. You can choose to hit as many times as you like.
  • Stand: Receive no more cards. Play moves to the dealer.
  • Split: You have the option to separate a pair and play two unique hands. After splitting a pair, you place a second bet on the new hand and continue to hit or stand.
  • Resplit: Some blackjack variants let you resplit new split hands. You need to place a bet on any new hands you make and continue to hit and stand.
  • Double down: A double down is an extra bet allowed on totals of nine, ten, or 11. You can only double down on nine, 10 or 11 in some online blackjack variants. With a double down, you place an extra bet equal to your original one. You then receive one more card to your hand. After that, your turn is over.

Top blackjack variants online

Classic blackjack is widely available at online, free-to-play casinos in California. You won't discover any California Blackjack variants at online casinos, however.

Legalized internet casinos in New Jersey and Delaware currently offer a wide array of blackjack games. What can Californians expect to find online if the state ever passes online casino legislation?

Classic blackjack: Classic blackjack, or European blackjack, is available everywhere. A winning hand pays 1:1, and a blackjack pays 3:2.

Live dealer blackjack: In live dealer blackjack, you get to play against a human croupier via a live web stream. You place bets in the usual way, but the dealer uses real cards that are scanned and displayed on your screen. You can even chat with the dealer and ask questions.

Play african diamond slot online free. Live dealer blackjack in some CA brick-and-mortar casinos is also available. You place bets via an electronic terminal, but a human croupier handles the action using real cards.

21+3 blackjack: The game 21+3 blackjack involves a side bet based on your two up-cards and the dealer's up-card. The strength of the three cards will determine your payout. You will receive a payout if the three cards form a straight (e.g., 7-8-9), a flush (e.g., 2-5-9 of hearts), or three-of-a-kind.

Free bet blackjack: In free bet blackjack, you can double down and split without paying for an extra wager.

Spanish 21 blackjack: Spanish 21 blackjack is like classic blackjack with a few added twists. You can double down on any totals; not just your first two. And you can re-double down on doubled hands.

Spanish 21 also includes some exciting bonus payouts. You receive a 2:1 payout if you receive a six-card 21 and a 3:1 payout if you hit seven or more cards in your hand.

Blackjack surrender: You can 'surrender' your hand in some versions of blackjack online. You can surrender half your stake if the dealer is showing a potential blackjack. Surrender is a good move if you have a high chance of losing and want to cut your losses.

Blackjack X-Change: Blackjack X-Change is a fun online variant you can play on desktop or tablet. In the game, you can purchase or sell cards to better your hand or lock in a win. That means you can win cash even if you don't beat the dealer's hand.

Offline blackjack laws in California

In California, games of chance, including roulette and craps, are primarily banned, but casinos have found clever ways of getting around legislation.

Can You Play Online Blackjack In California

Similarly, traditional blackjack is banned outside tribal casinos. Under current CA gaming law, commercial casinos cannot 'bank' blackjack games. The casino's money can not match bets.

As a result, 'player-banked' games have emerged. California blackjack is widely available at nontribal casinos in the Golden State.

Rules differ slightly from one casino to another, but the idea is the same: instead of a dealer, each player takes turns being the 'banker.' The banker pays a flat fee on all hands, and all players pay a rake to play the game.

Best Poker In California

In California blackjack, instead of making a high total of 21, you must try to make 22. The decks use jokers as well. Jokers count as two or 12.

Pure 21.5 blackjack is probably the closest game to regular blackjack that you will find in California. You must get as close to 21 as possible without going bust.

It offers 'red flex bet,' a fun side bet. If the dealer's first two cards are either diamonds or hearts, you receive a payout. You continue to receive further payouts for consecutive red cards. For example, two consecutive red cards earn you 1:1, three consecutive red cards pay 5:1, and four consecutive red cards pay 10:1.

Benefits of playing blackjack online

  • Play anywhere, anytime: You can play social casino blackjack games anytime, anywhere. Why wait for your local CA casino to open when you can play online?
  • Never wait for a seat: There's nothing more frustrating than a full blackjack table at a brick-and-mortar casino. Why bet behind on a stranger's hand when you can sit at an online game without waiting?
  • Try new games for free: You can try many exciting blackjack variants online in 2019. With free-to-play games, you can test out a new variation and learn the rules without risking a dime.
  • Play on mobile or tablet: It's possible to play most blackjack games online through your smartphone or tablet. Games will adapt to fit your smaller touchscreen, but the odds and payouts are the same.

Free blackjack and sweepstakes online

California prohibits real-money online casinos; however, you can try free blackjack online at social casinos. This type of online gambling is legal in California in 2019.

You can enjoy the same blackjack rules in free games as in real-cash variants. With new sweepstakes games, you can even win real money.

Sweepstakes casinos, including Chumba Casino, are growing in popularity.

You purchase 'goldcoins' to play blackjack and receive an equivalent amount in 'sweepscash.' If you win with sweeps cash, you can convert the currency into real money and transfer it to your checking account.

At Chumba Casino and its partners, you can also earn sweeps cash by sharing information on social media platforms like Facebook.

Finding a great blackjack casino online

Land-based blackjack and its variants are popular at CA casinos.

It's also possible to play blackjack online in California, although you won't find any real-money sites that are licensed in the state. With some homework, you can enjoy free-to-play games at any time.

At social casinos, you can play for fun and share your wins on social media. Meanwhile, sweepstakes sites offer a limited range of blackjack games and allow you to redeem special sweeps cash for real money.

Beat the dealer and take a shot.





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