Online Blackjack Canada Guide

The History of Blackjack

Blackjack in its current state is a combination of different card games played by the Romans, Chinese, and ancient Egyptians. The game derives from the French casino game “Vingt-et-Un,” meaning twenty-one, and was brought by European settlers to the New World of North America in the 18th century.

The game back then was a bit different than how it is played today. American casinos in the 19th century would pay out a bonus of ten to one if the player managed to hit a Blackjack with an ace of spades and a black jack. This bonus payout was later removed, but the name of the game remained the same ever since.

Playing the game became increasingly popular during the Great Depression in the 1930s, after the state of Nevada legalized gambling to accumulate tax revenue. The game was an incredible hit and took the United States by storm.

Although Blackjack was mainly an American casino hit, the game quickly crossed borders and became popular with Canadian and other players across the globe. The rules of the game haven’t changed in all these years, but due to the release of online Blackjack, many new game variants have been released.

Blackjack Rules

Blackjack is a game where the player is up against the dealer and where the goal is to get a hand value as close to 21 as possible, without going over it.

Aces have a value of 1 or 11. Kings, queens, jacks, and tens have a value of 10. All other cards have their initial value (i.e., a 2 is worth 2, a 6 is worth 6, a 4 is worth 4, etc.).

The game starts as soon as the cards are dealt. Every player receives two cards face up. The dealer then deals two cards to him or herself, of which the first one is dealt face up and the second one is dealt face down (the hole card).

After all cards have been dealt, the players can decide whether they want more cards (hit) or no more cards (stay). Additionally, they have the option to double their bet (double) or split their cards into two separate hands (split), which is only possible when they have two identical cards (i.e., two queens, two sevens, two eights, etc.).

After all players have decided on their moves, it's the dealer’s turn. The dealer always has to hit until he or she has a hand value of at least 17 or higher. This means that in most Blackjack variants, the dealer has to take another card at 16, even if this has a high chance of “busting” the dealer.

There are three outcomes during the game: either the player wins, the dealer wins, or it's a tie, also called a “Push.” In the last case, the player’s bet is returned. The best scenario for the player is to win with a blackjack by receiving an ace and a card with a value of 10. In this case, we speak of a “Blackjack,” and the player is paid out in a 3:2 ratio.

Blackjack Strategies

Blackjack is a very straightforward card game. The only thing you have to do as a player is to focus on beating the dealer. This means you don’t have to worry about the hand values of other players, as they all try to do the same. Unlike poker, which has thousands of different strategies, Blackjack only has a handful.

If you are new to the game, we recommend mastering the basic strategy first. The most important part is knowing when to hit, split, stay, and double.

The basic strategy is applied by players across the globe and is based on probability calculation. If you receive any hand with a value between 5 and 15, you hit. If you receive a hand with a value between 17 and 21, you stay.

Now, this is fairly simple, but it gets more complex with splits and doubles. Splitting your cards is often the best choice whenever you receive two cards with the same value. However, you should always take note of the dealer's face-up card, as it's important to know what the dealer might have.

• Always check out the payout ratios an online or brick-and-mortar casino offers: Overall, the rules are the same, but some casinos have altered the payout ratios in favor of the house. For instance, most casinos pay out 3:2 on Blackjacks, but others may only pay out 6:5.
• You can always play online Blackjack for free in demo mode: This allows you to familiarize yourself with the game and get the hang of it.
• Stay calm and focused: This actually counts for all casino games, but obviously, you shouldn’t play when tired, stressed, or intoxicated.
• Take the time to read up on various Blackjack strategies: It may be a good thing to learn about the different variants as well, so that you always know all the rules of the game you’re playing.
• Players can actually win over the long run by playing Blackjack: However, it is important to know the house edge of different variants and in different scenarios.

How to Play Online Blackjack

To play online Blackjack, you will have to follow the simple steps outlined below.

Find a Reputable Online Casino

Whenever you want to play, you’d have to find a reliable online casino first. A reliable online casino is licensed and regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission Ontario (AGCO). It is allowed to market its game offerings to Canadian players. All casino sites mentioned on our site are licensed and regulated.

Learn the Game Rules

Before you sit down at the Blackjack table and let the dealer deal cards to you, it is wise to familiarize yourself with the rules. Note that there are many different variants, so be sure to know the rules of the exact Blackjack game you’re playing.

Join a Blackjack Game

Once you’ve got the hang of the rules and found an online casino to play at, it is time to take a seat at the tables.

Place a Bet

Before you’re dealt your cards, you have to place a bet. Your bet should adhere to the table limits and should be in line with your bankroll or playing budget.

Know the Odds

The odds and payouts are fairly straightforward. Hitting 21 will give you Blackjack. The highest “normal” hand value is 20, which you can reach with two face cards, two tens, or a face card and a ten. Most Blackjack games have a Return to Player ratio (RTP) of around 99%.

Online Blackjack Variants

There are loads of online Blackjack variants, such as Pontoon, Spanish 21, Switch, and Perfect Pairs Blackjack. Below, we will highlight some of the most played games.

Classic Blackjack

Classic Blackjack is the most basic form of the game. The goal is to reach a hand value as close to 21 as possible. The dealer has to stand on 17 and hit at 16.

Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is played with 48 cards instead of 52. Additionally, the player wins automatically when he or she is dealt a Blackjack. There are no pushes in this version of the game.

Live Blackjack

In Live Blackjack, the game is presented by a real human dealer and streamed from a professional casino studio. The player can follow all the action with his or her own eyes as the cards are being dealt in real-time. Popular live games include Pragmatic Play Live’s ONE and Evolution Gaming’s Lightning Blackjack.

Pontoon

Pontoon is officially a British version of Blackjack. The standard rules apply, but the terminology is a bit different. In Pontoon, one of the players is assigned as the “Banker,” who basically takes over the role of the dealer. Whenever the banker hits 21, he or she calls a Pontoon and collects double the amount every player has wagered.

American Blackjack

American Blackjack is the same as the regular one, with the only important main rule that the dealer receives two cards, one of which is dealt face down (hole card).

Super Fun 21

Super Fun 21 has a few additional game rules, such as the fact that aces can be split or doubled down upon. Players can surrender after a failed double and are allowed to split pairs up to four times. Super Fun 21 also utilizes the Six-card Charlie rule, where players automatically win if they have a hand of 6 cards with a score of 21 or lower.

Blackjack Switch

In Blackjack Switch, players receive two hands, so four cards in total. They are allowed to switch the second card of each hand to increase their chances of winning. This variant requires the player to place two identical bets per game round.

Zappit Blackjack

In Zappit Blackjack, players can “zap” any of the two cards they get dealt and replace them with new ones. The downside of Zappit is that the player won’t receive a 3:2 payout whenever a Blackjack is hit.

Perfect Pairs Blackjack

Perfect Pairs Blackjack is the same as the original game, but with an additional twist. The player can place a so-called side bet separately from the main bet. The player bets whether the dealer or the player will receive a “pair” of the same two cards. These can be two cards of the same color or suit.

Atlantic City Blackjack

This Blackjack game derives from the way it is played in Atlantic City. In Atlantic City, the dealer can check whether he or she has a Blackjack and has the option to stay at 17. Players are allowed to split their hand up to 3 times.

European Blackjack

European Blackjack follows the same rules as the original game, but the dealer deals his or her cards face up. However, the second card of the dealer is only dealt when all players are done making their decisions. Additionally, players can only double down when they have a hand value of 9, 10, or 11.

Infinite Blackjack

Infinite Blackjack is a game with 4 side bets: Any Pairs, Hot 3, 21+3, and Bust It. The game is played with the Six-card Charlie rule, meaning if a player reaches a hand of 6 cards without going over 21, he or she instantly wins.

Double Attack Blackjack

This Blackjack game looks a lot like Spanish 21. However, in this variant, the player can place his or her first bet after having seen the dealer’s upcard.

Progressive Blackjack

In this Blackjack game, a progressive jackpot is added that can pay out life-changing amounts of money. However, players are required to place a special Ante bet to stand a chance of winning this jackpot.

Lucky Blackjack

This is a bit of a weird version of Blackjack, where the player doesn’t get any cards at all. Instead, you have to bet on how close the dealer will come to 21. With a correct bet, you can win up to 19 times your current bet per hand.

Double Exposure Blackjack

In Double Exposure Blackjack, the dealer receives two face-up cards. This provides the player with a significant edge. However, a natural Blackjack pays out even money instead of the usual 3:2.

21 Duel

This game basically combines Blackjack with Texas Hold’em Poker. The goal is still to reach a hand score as close to 21 as possible, but both the dealer and player can use two community cards to increase their hand values.

Triple 7s Blackjack

Triple 7s Blackjack is another progressive jackpot game. The goal is again to reach a hand value as close to 21 as possible, but whenever the dealer or player reaches a Blackjack with 3 sevens, the player receives a significant payout. In most cases, players are required to place an Ante bet to be able to win the jackpot.

Vegas Strip Blackjack

This game follows the traditional Blackjack rules. It is played with 4 decks of cards that are shuffled after every game round. The big difference is that if the dealer is dealt an ace or ten, he or she may “peek” for a Blackjack. If the dealer has one, the player instantly loses and the next game round starts.

Big Five Blackjack

Big Five Blackjack is played with 5 decks. The dealer has the option to surrender on a soft 17. All other regular game rules apply.

Vegas Downtown Blackjack

Vegas Downtown Blackjack is played with two decks that are shuffled after every game round. Players can play up to five hands simultaneously, of which every hand plays separately against the dealer. The dealer receives two cards, one of which is dealt face down. If the visible card of the dealer is an ace, the player has the option to take out Blackjack.

Chinese Blackjack

Chinese Blackjack is known by many names, such as 21 Point, Ban Nag, and Ban Luck. These games look a lot like the traditional game. However, the best hand contains two aces (Ban-Ban), which beats all other combinations. The second-best hand is a hand consisting of an ace and a card with a value of ten, called Ban-Nang.

Blackjack Surrender

This online blackjack game is played in the same way as the original game. However, players have the option to surrender after the first two cards have been dealt. By doing this, the player receives half of his or her initial bet back.

Blackjack Lingo - The Meaning of Blackjack Terminology

Blackjack originally started as a French game of chance. However, nowadays we mostly use American English terms. Below, we will explain the meaning of several words that you may encounter when playing online Blackjack.

• Blackjack: The literal meaning of a hand consisting of an ace with another card with a value of 10 (king, queen, jack, or ten).
• Bust: Hand of a value higher than 21. A bust automatically results in a loss.
• Double Down: Doubling your initial bet and receiving only 1 extra card.
• Hit: The player’s request to receive another card.
• Hole Card: The second card dealt to the dealer that is not visible to the player(s).
• Insurance: Whenever the dealer receives an ace, the player can “take out insurance,” before the dealer reveals his or her second card (hole card). The insurance pays out 2:1 in the case the dealer has a Blackjack.
• Push: A tie between the dealer and player.
• Soft: A hand with an ace that receives the value of 11 instead of 1.
• Split: Whenever a player receives two cards of the same value, these can be split into two separate hands. These hands are played simultaneously for the rest of the game round.
• Stand: When the player doesn’t want to be dealt any more cards.
• Surrender: Some online casinos allow the player to surrender with a certain hand score. The player then receives his or her initial bet back.
• Up Card: The visible card of the dealer.

Online Blackjack Canada Guide FAQ