Play Online Blackjack at 666 Casino
With the rise of online casinos, many fans of casino blackjack – or 21 – are trying their hand at online blackjack.
If you’re looking to play online blackjack games for real money, look no further than 666 Casino.
We’re an online casino that is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and offer players a wide variety of online casino games.
Our collection includes live online blackjack with real dealers, as well as classic online blackjack against a computer using a Random Number Generator (RNG).
How To Play Blackjack Online
Before diving straight into a game, it might be best to go over some basic blackjack rules. Beginners may find this particularly helpful.
In blackjack, you are playing against the dealer rather than other players, and the aim is to get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. Going past 21 results in a loss and is known as going “bust”.
The dealer shuffles the deck, and the player places their bet plus any side bets. The dealer then deals the cards. You receive two face-up cards, and the dealer receives two cards: one face-up (the up card) and the other face-down (the hole card).
All cards are worth their face value, the exceptions being the royals, which are worth 10, and Aces, which can be worth 1 or 11.
After adding the values of your cards, you have two options: hit or stand. Hitting means the dealer draws you another card, and its value is added to your hand’s total. Standing means keeping your hand as it is without receiving any more cards.
After all of the players have played their hands, the dealer reveals their hole card. If you haven’t gone bust and have a lower hand than the dealer, you lose. If you have a higher hand, then the dealer has to draw cards until they have a higher hand or go bust.
However, it’s important to note that depending on the version of blackjack, these may change.
Blackjack Card Values & Payouts
In blackjack, the cards are worth the value displayed on them. The only exceptions are the royal face cards, which all have a value of 10, and Aces, which can count as 1 or 11.
Wins in blackjack pay out at even money (1:1). However, a win with a natural blackjack (hand of 21 with just 2 cards) pays out at 3:2 odds.
But did you know there are side bets that you can place that offer potentially greater payouts?
Perfect Pair
This is a side bet that pays out at 30:1 odds. You bet on whether the hand you receive will be 2 cards of the same value and suit, for example, a hand where both cards are the seven of hearts.
Coloured Pair
You bet on if the hand you receive is two cards of the same value and same colour but different suits. An example of such a hand would be the 3 of diamonds and the 3 of hearts.
This side bet pays out at 10:1 odds.
Mixed Pair
This side bet is on if you think your hand will consist of cards of the same value, but they can be different colours and suits. For example, a hand made up of the 9 of spades and the 9 of diamonds.
This side bet pays out at 5:1 odds.
Flush
This bet is based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard forming a poker hand. In this case, a Flush.
A Flush is where the cards are of the same suit, but the values are not consecutive, such as the 5, 8 and Queen of spades.
Winning this side bet awards a 5:1 payout.
Straight
If you make this bet and your hand and the dealer’s up card make up a Straight, which is three cards of consecutive values regardless of suit or colour, you could receive a payout at 10:1 odds.
Three of a Kind
You can bet on whether your hand and the dealer’s up card are all of the same value, no matter the colour or suit, such as three Jacks.
This side bet pays out at 30:1 odds.
Straight Flush
This side bet wins if your hand and the dealer’s up card are three sequential cards of the same suit, such as the 4, 5 and 6 of clubs.
Winning this side bet results in a payout of 40:1 odds.
Suited Three of a Kind
The suited three-of-a-kind bet offers the highest payout of all the poker-hand side bets. If you place this bet and win, you can receive a payout at 100:1 odds.
A suited three-of-a-kind hand is where the cards are all the same value and suit, such as three Queen of diamonds.
Blackjack Bet Types
With your hand, you have the option to “hit” or “stand”. The former is where you receive an additional card, and the latter is where you keep your hand as it is and end your turn.
However, did you know there are other options? Depending on your hand and the table’s rules, there are other ways to play your hand or other actions to take prior to playing your hand.
Double Down
After being dealt your hand, you can double your bet, and the dealer gives you another card. However, you only receive one additional card, and then your turn is over.
Generally, you can’t double down after hitting, so it can only be done on your first two cards. You can also double down on your hand(s) after splitting, but this may not be available in every blackjack game.
Splitting Cards
Splitting cards, or splitting pairs, is an option to split your hand into 2 hands if you are dealt a hand of identical value cards (e.g. two sevens or two fours).
In this instance, you make it clear to the dealer that you wish to split your hand, you then match your original wager on the new hand (so both are the same), and the dealer draws 2 more cards – one for each hand.
You play these hands separately as if two different players at the table. The result of one has no bearing on the other, so if one hand loses, the other still has a chance to win.
Insurance
The insurance side bet can pay out at 2:1 odds. It is a side bet where you can stake half of your original bet amount against the dealer hitting a natural blackjack (2-card blackjack).
The option is only available if the dealer’s up card is an Ace. As such, it’s the only bet that can be placed after the cards have been dealt.
If you place the bet and the dealer has a natural blackjack, you receive a payout. However, if the dealer doesn’t, you lose the side bet.
Surrender
Some tables allow you to surrender, and some don’t. Always check if the table offers this option, or any others, before playing if you prefer playing with this rule.
Surrendering is where you can forfeit your hand for only half of the wager if you think the dealer has a strong hand and yours isn’t ideal. It’s a way to potentially mitigate your losses on a hand you’re not confident in.
Blackjack Side Bets & Payouts
In addition to betting on your hand beating the dealer’s hand (the regular bet), there are additional bets you can place within blackjack.
These side bets can range from being based on the specific cards you think you will receive to the cards you think the dealer has, and even a combination!
However, depending on the version you are playing, they might not be available. Be sure to check both the casino and game rules.
Royal Match
You can bet if you think your hand will be a royal match, which is a hand consisting of a King and a Queen of the same suit. For example, the King and Queen of hearts.
The payout in multi-deck blackjack is 25:1, while in the single-deck variation, it’s 10:1.
Over/Under 13
You can place a bet if you think the sum of your initial two cards will be either over or under 13. This side bet pays out even money – 1:1 odds.
Generally, you lose the bet if the total is exactly 13, and for this bet, Aces count as 1.
Super Sevens
This is a side bet on the number of 7s in your hand. If your first card is a 7, you receive a payout of 3:1. Then, if your second card is also a 7, you can receive a higher payout. A payout of 50:1 is awarded if the 7s are of different suits, but if they are the same suit, then the bet pays out at 100:1 odds.
However, it doesn’t end there! If you hit and receive a third 7, then you win a payout of 500:1, but if all three are the same suit, you receive a 5,000:1 payout!
Lucky Ladies
You can bet if you think the total of your hand will equal 20. There are different ways to win this bet, each offering different potential payouts.
If you simply have a hand totalling 20 and the cards don’t match in value or suit, then you win a payout of 4:1.
If your cards are of the same suit but not matching value, then you win a payout of 10:1.
If your cards are the same rank and suit, such as two 10 of clubs, the payout is 25:1.
Finally, if your hand is a pair of ‘Lucky Ladies’ (i.e. two Queen of hearts), then the payout is 200:1. However, there is a bonus payout of 1,000:1 if the dealer has a blackjack in this round.
Play Online Casino Blackjack For Real Money
Here at 666 Casino, we have a great selection of online blackjack games. So, whether you’re after classic single-deck, multi-deck, power blackjack or live dealer blackjack, we’ve got it covered.
All of our blackjack games are real money blackjack games. The UKGC prohibits any form of demo mode or free play of online casino games. As such, all of our games are played with and for real money!
So, if you’re a fan of classic casino blackjack, 666 Casino is the way to go if you’re looking to play blackjack for real money online.
Online Blackjack FAQs
In case there’s anything you’re still unsure about prior to playing blackjack online at 666 Casino, you can find answers to commonly asked blackjack questions below:
How many decks does online blackjack use?
The number of decks in online blackjack can vary, so whatever your preference is, there are options available. There are classic single-deck variations available, and there are multi-deck options as well.
Most online blackjack games typically use between 6 and 8 decks.
What’s the house edge in online blackjack?
The house edge in blackjack usually sits around 2-4% over inexperienced players. However, this can drop to as low as around 0.5% when implementing basic blackjack strategy.
Some rules can also affect the house edge, such as whether you can double down after a split or whether the dealer has to hit or stand on a soft 17. These rules can vary in availability, so always check the rules of the online blackjack game before playing.
Can you play multiple hands in blackjack?
Yes, if you split pairs, then you play with two separate hands.
In addition, there are some multi-hand blackjack games available to play online, some of which can allow up to 4 hands per player. If you’re unsure, you can check the casino and game rules.
Does online blackjack shuffle after every hand?
Online blackjack is played against a computer, which generally shuffles after every hand. While this is quite time-consuming to do in person, the computer can do it instantaneously. Since there is no physical shuffling, nearly no time is lost.
In live online blackjack with a real dealer, there will not be a shuffle after every hand. Instead, they typically use a multi-deck shoe, and a shuffling machine is operating in the background to fill a separate shoe. Generally, the shoes are swapped once between 40-60% of the first shoe has been dealt.
Is online blackjack rigged?
No, online casinos in the UK are licensed and regulated by the UKGC to ensure they provide casino games that are fair. Online casinos can lose their licence if they are found to be rigging casino games.
So you can play online blackjack at 666 Casino safe in the knowledge that it isn’t rigged.
What does hard or soft mean in blackjack?
A soft hand contains an Ace and refers to the value of the hand when counting the Ace as an 11. For example, if you had an Ace and a 5, your hand is a soft 16.
A hard hand is one that doesn’t contain an Ace, and so its value is fixed. For example, a hand of a 10 and a 6 would be a hard 16.
What is insurance in blackjack?
Insurance is a side bet that can be offered in some versions of blackjack. You can place a bet of up to half your original bet in value on the dealer having a natural (2-card blackjack).
The insurance bet pays out at 2:1 odds. This side bet is only an option if the dealer’s upcard is an Ace.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time.