The UK’s best blackjack sites ♠️

Types of online blackjack

There are many variations of blackjack, and at specialist online blackjack casinos, you can play all of them. Let’s look in detail at the most popular: 

♠️ Classic blackjack  

In classic blackjack, the aim is to beat the dealer by having a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. You can play against real human dealers, or against a computer. There are usually six to eight decks of cards used at once and it is also called standard or American blackjack. 

📹 Live blackjack  

Live blackjack has the same objectives and gameplay as classic blackjack, but you play against a live dealer via a video stream. Like classic blackjack, you can double down on your initial bet after you’ve been dealt your first two cards. Some tables will also let you surrender your hand and get half your bet back if you feel you’re in a weak position

💶 European blackjack 

Played with just two decks, European blackjack offers a better chance of winning in theory. This advantage is offset by the dealer only receiving one card face-up at the start of the game. The second is only drawn after all the players have completed their hands. There are also limitations on doubling down and there is usually no option to surrender. 

💵 Atlantic City blackjack  

Named after the New Jersey gambling hub, Atlantic City blackjack is usually played with eight decks and has unique rules and features that give more choice to players. These include late surrender, dealers standing on a soft 17, and doubling down after splits.  

🔄 Blackjack switch  

Blackjack switch is a modern variation of the classic game where each player is dealt two hands and can exchange the top two cards between hands. Blackjacks (an ace and a 10-value card) are paid out at 1/1 rather than the traditional 3/2, and if the dealer draws 22, it results in a tie (or push) rather than a win for the player. 

🃏Other blackjack variations

There are several other versions of blackjack that are available at different online casinos including Pontoon, double exposure blackjack, perfect pairs blackjack, blackjack surrender, Vegas strip blackjack, multi-hand blackjack, Zappit blackjack, and free bet blackjack.

Discover why we rated these the best online blackjack casinos

Our team is constantly on the look out for the best new UK casinos to bring to you. We review both new and established sites every month to assess the quality of their games, bonuses and overall experience. Find out why these casinos made our top three for August here:

1. Jackpot City Casino — Go-to for online blackjack since 1998

Pros 

✅ Lots of daily promotions for existing players

✅ One of the UK’s longest-running online casinos

Cons 

❌ Bonus can’t be used on blackjack

Read our Jackpot City Casino review.

Jackpot City Casino doesn’t have the most blackjack games available in the market, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. You can play all common variants of blackjack from top providers like Evolution Gaming and Playtech, so you are guaranteed a world-class experience.

Our review team also loves the daily promotions at Jackpot City including daily tournaments where you can win up to £5000 and random cash drops.

👨‍💻 User review: “For all Jackpot hunters, this is a nice one. Withdrawals take no more than a week, not too bad. Got plenty of games if you get bored on some. I'm enjoying it.” 4/5 ⭐

Corey - Trustpilot review

💡 Editor’s insight: "f you’re just looking to play classic, live blackjack, Jackpot City is a great option. They also have some of the best promotions for existing players in the UK. For example, you can get 10 free spins a day on the Mega Money Wheel.” 

Casino.org rating: 4.8/5 ⭐ 

2. Magic Red — 60+ live blackjack tables

Pros 

✅ 75 blackjack games including 60+ live tables 

✅ Bonus spins have no wagering requirements 

Cons 

❌ No dedicated mobile app 

Check out our full Magic Red casino review. 

Magic Red is one of the leading UK casinos for blackjack, especially for live tables with over 60 available from from top software providers like Evolution Gaming, and Pragmatic Play. They also offer amazing no wagering free spins, so anything you win can contribute to your blackjack bankroll straight away. 

👨‍💻 User review: “The site is well put together, easy enough to use and most importantly feels safe and secure.” 4/5⭐ 

Chris Lowe - Trustpilot review 

Casino.org rating: 4.8/5 ⭐ 

3. Betway — The best mobile blackjack site

Pros   

✅ Play 20+ blackjack variations including Atlantic City Blackjack  

✅ App rated 4.4/5 from 10k reviews 

Cons  

❌ Welcome offer can’t be used on blackjack 

Read our Betway casino review. 

If you’re looking for blackjack variations and a great mobile experience, it’s hard to look past Betway. There are over 20 variations available including European and Atlantic City Blackjack, and the Betway app is one of the highest-rated casino apps in the UK. 

🧑‍💻 User review: “You have an excellent website easy to navigate very favourable odds and you have processed bets promptly and sent funds back quickly.” 4/5⭐ 

Mr Weizmann - Trustpilot review 

💡 Editor’s insight: "Betway is my go-to when I’m looking for something a bit unique. They have a Vinnie Jones themed blackjack variation so there’s always something to keep things fresh.” 

Casino.org rating: 4.5/5 ⭐ 

Blackjack rules UK players must know 

The aim of classic blackjack is simple – beat the dealer. You do this by having a hand value closer to 21 without going over. If your hand is 22 or more, you go “bust” and lose your bet.

The best hand in the game is a ‘blackjack’ – when you are dealt an ace paired with any 10-value card, for example Ace of diamonds and King of clubs.  

Blackjack card values 

Only the card values (numbers) matter in blackjack. Neither the suit nor colour of the card matter. Nearly all cards are worth their face value, with one (very important) exception.  

• Aces: 1 or 11, depending on which value is better for the hand
• Face/picture cards (Jack, Queen, King): 10
• 2–10: Face value 

Gameplay 

The game starts with each player being dealt two cards face-up. When all the players have their cards, the dealer also gets two cards, one face-up (upcard), and one face-down (hole card). 

Players then have the following options: 

• Hit: Ask for another card to try and improve their hand value. 
• Stand: Keep the cards they have and end their turn. 
• Double down: Double the initial bet, get one more card, and then stand. 
• Split: If the first two cards are of equal value, the player can split them into two separate hands with separate bets. 

When all players have completed their turns, the dealer takes theirs. They follow strict rules on whether to hit or stand: 

• They must hit until their hand has a value of at least 17. 
• They must stand on a hand value of 17 or higher. 

Example: Two players have hands of 18 and 20, and it’s the dealer’s turn. The dealer’s upcard is four of clubs, their hold card is three of diamonds. They are obliged to hit because their hand value is seven.

The next card they receive is a Jack of clubs. This takes their hand value to 17 and ends their turn as they must stand on a value of 17 or higher, regardless of the player's hand values. They can’t hit again and try to land a number that would beat the players, so their turn ends and the two players win. 

What happens if you have the same hand value as the dealer? 

If a player and dealer have equal hand values at the end of their turn, it results in a “push” (tie), and the player’s bet is returned to them. They neither win nor lose. 

If you are dealt a blackjack, you win unless the dealer also has one. After you receive your cards, if the dealer’s upcard is an ace or 10-value card, they will check their hole card to see if they also have a blackjack. If they do, it’s a push and your bet is returned.  

Any other players on the table that don’t have a blackjack immediately lose, and their turn is over because the dealer’s blackjack can’t be beaten. 

Know the rules for your table

Blackjack has many variations, and even games with the same name might have different rules or payouts from one online blackjack casino to the next. Before you start any blackjack session, understand the exact rules of the table you’re playing at. If they aren’t what you expect, leave, and play somewhere else. 

Use blackjack strategy

Unlike many casino games, blackjack isn’t just down to luck. You have choices every hand, so learning and implementing basic blackjack strategy will help you maximise your opportunities.

Ideally you want to know what the best move is statistically for every possible hand, so you can make the right call. Strategy cards can help – they tell you whether to hit, stand, double down or split based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard. 

Manage your bankroll properly 

A bankroll is your budget when you’re playing blackjack. It applies to both a single session or extended period, and helps you stick to a strategy, and stop you getting drawn into chasing losses or making emotional bets.

All experienced blackjack players use a bankroll, as it helps you keep control and have an enjoyable experience at the tables. 

Learn about advanced strategies

If you’re an experienced blackjack player and have a full grasp of basic strategy, rules, and bankroll management, it could be time to try some more advanced strategies. Firstly, card counting is one of the most famous, a difficult-to-master strategies but it can give you an edge on the casino.  

Looking for dealer tells may also be worthwhile. This is when you look for a reaction in the dealer’s facial expressions or body language after they have looked at their hole card. You’re trying to read their reaction and get an indication on what card they have.  

This technique is risky because experienced dealers should do a good job in hiding tells, and you don’t want to be chasing a red herring. Both should be done with caution, but done correctly, these advanced techniques could increase your chances of winning. 

Alternative casino games

Sources

• Statista – Blackjack statistics in the UK
• Techopedia – Blackjack odds and probability
• Trustpilot – Pub Casino UK user review
• eCOGRA – Casino game testing and certification