Top Blackjack Sites for UK Players in 2023

Blackjack is one of the most popular online casino games. This card game is a thrilling mix of strategy and luck that offers some of the lowest house edges of all casino games. With plenty of variations on offer, including live dealer tables, there’s plenty of fun to be had.

We’ve picked out the very best online blackjack sites so that you can easily compare your options and pick a favourite.

Want to find out more about this much-loved casino classic? Read on for everything you need to know about playing blackjack online.

How We Review the Best Blackjack Casinos

We won’t just recommend any old casino at Compare.bet — our experts select the top blackjack sites using a rigorous set of criteria. Here’s what we dig into when assessing each blackjack site available in the UK.

UKGC Licence

We only recommend blackjack sites that hold a proper licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This is our first port of call and any unlicensed operators are immediately blacklisted. Why? Because our players have a greater degree of protection at licensed sites as operators risk fines and sanctions if they fail to meet regulatory standards regarding transactions, player protection and game fairness.

Generous, Player-Friendly Bonuses

Offering a welcome package is par for the course, but not every deal will offer good value to the player. We pick through the terms and conditions of every welcome offered by a site to ensure the terms are player-friendly. That means low wagering requirements, longer time limits, and high winnings caps among other things.

Plenty of Promotions

If you’re going to the effort of signing up to a blackjack casino, there have to be enough incentives to make it worth your time. We assess the value of ongoing promotions for existing players, whether it’s cashback, VIP schemes, or reload bonuses, to make sure that you know exactly what you’re signing up for.

Fast Withdrawals

When you withdraw your cash, you don’t want to be left waiting a long time for it to arrive. While support for the fastest withdrawal methods like e-wallets is a prerequisite here, we also look into the casino’s processing times. Even the quickest payment methods can be hampered if the site takes a long time to confirm the withdrawal.

Wide Range of Deposit and Withdrawal Options

As well as fast withdrawals, we also look for how many payment methods are supported at blackjack sites. We expect to see at least one e-wallet option — PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller are popular options — while support for methods like pay by phone bill or prepaid cards is evidence of a site that caters to a wide range of players. Some particularly innovative blackjack sites will even support crypto deposits and withdrawals. The broader the variety, the better.

Free and Real Money Blackjack Games

There’s an element of skill required to play blackjack. That’s why we love sites that let you play for free, allowing you to perfect your strategy or just play for fun. As such, free play blackjack games are great options for both new and experienced players.

Good Live Dealer Collection

Regardless of whether you have played live dealer blackjack before or not, the best casino sites will give you plenty of choice. This means that games from the best live developers, such as Evolution Gaming and Playtech, are all available to players at a range of buy-ins and minimum stakes.

Blackjack Game Variants

The game of blackjack is centuries old, so it’s no surprise there are lots of variants. Again, choice is the name of the game here. We like to see variants such as American and European Blackjack, Perfect Pairs, Vegas Strip, and Blackjack Switch on the menu, ensuring a wide range of player needs are met.

Customer Service

For the best blackjack sites, great customer support is a top priority. This means providing a detailed FAQs page or online help centre, as well as giving customers a range of options for getting in touch with the team. At leading casino sites, the choice will often include around-the-clock live chat, email, and telephone support. You can sometimes get support via social media channels like Facebook and Twitter too. Either way, we want to see sites respond quickly and accurately to players, and our online casino reviews will let you know what to expect.

Site Design

Appearances matter, and this is as true for online blackjack sites as it is for anything else. The best brands put plenty of thought into how their sites look, incorporating unique themes, high-quality graphics, and easy-to-read content into their designs. We love to see sites boast a fresh new look, but find that even white label picks — where design options are limited — can stand out from the crowd with a few well-chosen tweaks. Top brands offer a distinct look across the board, whether you’re playing on desktop or mobile.

User Experience

While the best blackjack online casino sites come dressed to impress, your overall experience will be about far more than just looks alone. To be one of our top picks, a site must also be easy to get around. Players should be able to find and fire up their favourite real money blackjack games quickly and enjoy them without any lagging issues or glitches — especially where live blackjack games are concerned. The best blackjack casinos make the practical stuff, such as making deposits and opting into promos, a piece of cake too. 

How to Play Blackjack

The aim of the game is to beat the dealer by hitting a higher card total than them without exceeding 21. In blackjack, number cards are their face value, face cards are worth 10, while Aces are worth 1 or 11, depending on which suits your hand. The exact rules vary depending on the blackjack variation you’re playing, but most games play out in a similar way. Take a look at our detailed guide on how to play blackjack.

Blackjack House Edge Explained

House edge is the mathematical advantage built into all casino games to ensure that casinos make a profit. This means that in the long run, players will most likely lose money — and how much depends on how big the house edge is.

Compared to games like slots and roulette, blackjack has a pretty low house edge — around 0.5% for a standard game — which differs depending on the blackjack variant you’re playing, your strategy, and any side bets. Of course, you’re never guaranteed a win. At the end of the day, which card is drawn next is still a matter of chance.

Highest Paying Blackjack Games

When you’re gambling, the priority should always be to have fun — you should never view it as a way to make money. That said, you will want to get the most out of your bankroll and give yourself the best chance of a return. One way to do that is finding blackjack games with the lowest house edge, or the highest return to player (RTP) percentage. 

Unlike slots or roulette, which are entirely down to chance, there’s an element of skill involved in blackjack. The first way you can minimise the house edge is by using basic strategy. Another way is by playing a game with preferable rules. For example, single-deck blackjack has a significantly lower house edge than a game using eight decks, so the theoretical RTP will be higher. 

Keep note that in classic blackjack, the payout for blackjack is 3:2, or 1.5 times your bet amount. If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealers or the dealer goes bust, you’ll receive a 1:1 payout. In most variations, if the round ends in a tie and both the player and the dealer’s hands are the same, then your bets for that round are returned to you.

Highest Paying Live Dealer Blackjack Games

In the table below, we’ve rounded up some live dealer blackjack games with the best payouts. These games are run by a professional dealer from a real studio or casino and streamed directly to your device — many of these titles are available at our recommended blackjack sites.

Highest Paying RNG Blackjack Games

RNG games are virtual and players have full control over the pace of the game, so they’re a great way to perfect your strategy. After all, that’s one of the most effective ways to maximise your returns. The RNG blackjack games below have some of the best RTPs on account of their favourable rules — once you’ve got your strategy down, they’re a great place to start.

Different Blackjack Games Available

There are many variants of blackjack — after all, it’s one of the most popular casino games — and some might be more suited to your playing style than others. Here’s a rundown of what you might find at the best online blackjack sites. 

American Blackjack

You can pretty much think of American blackjack as the ‘standard’ version of the game. To begin, the dealer receives two cards — one face up, one face down — and each player is dealt two cards face up. Players can hit or stand, and the rules generally allow for double down, split, and surrender. Some American blackjack titles also include the insurance side bet. 

In this variant, the dealer checks for blackjack if their upcard is an ace, and must hit on soft 17 and stand on hard 17. American blackjack is usually played with 6–8 decks.

European Blackjack

In European blackjack, the dealer only receives one card at first, and waits until the players have played their hands before receiving a second card and playing their own — so they can’t check for blackjack at the start of the round.

Players may only double down on hands with a total value of 9, 10, or 11, and can only split once during a hand. European blackjack players usually don’t have the option to surrender, either. Despite being a slightly more rigid form of blackjack, the European game is played with only two decks of cards, which significantly reduces the house’s edge over players.

Blackjack Switch

Blackjack switch shakes up the traditional blackjack format substantially — players are dealt two hands instead of one and can switch their top two cards, adding another layer of strategy to the game. Another twist? The dealer doesn’t bust if their hand totals 22. Instead, the round ends in a push unless a player has made a blackjack without switching or splitting. 

All other blackjack variables — like splitting or number of decks — depend on the game. For example, Playtech’s Blackjack Switch is played with six decks and allows its players to both split and double down, which explains why it carries a staggering RTP rate of 99.92%.

Vegas Strip Blackjack

Vegas Strip blackjack gets its name from the iconic casino boulevard, and is actually just a slight variation of the American format. The game is played with four decks of cards and the dealer must stand on soft 17. Vegas Strip players are also allowed to insure their hands against a blackjack if the dealer’s first card is an ace, and this insurance side bet pays out at 2/1 if the dealer ends up making blackjack. 

Blackjack Perfect Pairs

Blackjack Perfect Pairs includes a side bet based on the player’s first two cards and whether they make a certain combination:

• Mixed Pair – two cards of the same value, but in a different suit and colour.
• Coloured Pair – same value and colour, but in a different suit.
• Perfect Pair – same value, colour, and suit.

Perfect Pairs can be played with anywhere from two to eight decks of cards. Rules around splitting and doubling down depend on the specific title.

Free Blackjack

The best UK online blackjack sites offer free blackjack titles, allowing you to get acquainted before staking your own cash. These free games are a great opportunity to figure out which variant suits you best and to work on an optimal strategy before trying your luck at the real thing. Alternatively, free blackjack games can be a great way to unwind without worrying about losing any money.

Whatever your motive, free blackjack is available at most blackjack casinos. You only need to sign up to play, with no real-money deposits necessary.  A number of the top UK blackjack sites we recommend – such as HeySpin, Grosvenor Casino and Unibet – offer free blackjack to both new and returning players. 

Unfortunately, you can’t play live dealer blackjack for free, but you can spectate on some live dealer games to get a feel for how it all works before giving it a go yourself.

Blackjack Games at UK Casinos

When it comes to games libraries, not all casinos are created equal. We’ve highlighted some picks below with a decent selection, giving players access to different variants and live dealer games.

Improve Your Game with Blackjack Strategy

Using an optimal blackjack strategy is fundamental to lowering the house edge. Basic strategy guides and tactics illuminate the best moves depending on the player and dealer’s hand strengths. While this cannot guarantee a win, it can significantly lower the house edge. 

A few fundamental rules to consider include: 

• Always hit on a hard 17 
• Always split your 8s and aces 
• Stand if your hand value is 12-16 compared to the dealer’s 2-6 
• Hit if your hand value is 12-16 and the dealer possesses 7-ace 
• Double down on an 11 if the dealer has 2-10 
• Stay away from the insurance bet 
• Consider using the surrender if your hand contains a hard 5-7, hard 12-17, or pairs of 3s, 6s, 7s, or 8s 
• Look up online blackjack strategy charts to know the best moves depending on position 

Try out Different Blackjack Variations

There are a wide range of exciting game variations available at the UK’s best blackjack sites. Let’s take a look at the top titles on offer.

Blackjack surrender – This variation allows you to cut your losses if you don’t fancy your first hand by only losing half your bet. While most games don’t allow you to surrender if the dealer gets a natural, a few variations do – this is known as early surrender.

Blackjack switch – In blackjack switch, you’re dealt two hands instead of one. You can choose to switch the second cards of each hand to create the strongest possible hands.

Double exposure – Here, both the dealers cards are face up. This is an advantage for the player, but casinos make up for this by offering slightly lower payouts. In this variation the dealer also wins on ties unless you land a natural.

Pontoon – This is essentially the opposite to double exposure – both the dealer’s cards are face down. This obviously makes things more difficult for the player, but in exchange there’s an increased payout for natural blackjack of 2:1 rather than 3:2.

Multi-hand blackjack – This variation uses the standard blackjack rules but lets you play multiple hands at once. Some games even allow you to play up to five hands at a time.

Spanish 21 – A unique blackjack variant that sees all the number 10 cards removed from the shoe of six decks in play. Players’ hands are often made up of lots of low cards as a result, which gives a much wider selection of side bets, such as a 7-card hand at 3/1. In Spanish Blackjack, a player’s blackjack or 21 always wins. 

Vegas Strip Blackjack – A slight twist on American blackjack, Vegas Strip is always played with four decks of cards. Players can buy insurance, which pays out at 2/1, and the dealer stands on soft 17. Many players prefer Vegas Strip blackjack over American blackjack as these rules mean the game has a lower house edge.

Progressive Blackjack – Popularised by online slots like Mega Moolah, progressive jackpots are where a portion of each bet goes into the jackpot pool, steadily increasing the amount until it’s won. In the case of progressive jackpot blackjack, players must usually make a specific side bet to be in the running to swipe the jackpot. Usually, the jackpot is triggered when your cards and the dealer’s combine in a specific way — for example, four aces of the same colour. 

Mix Things up with Blackjack Side Bets

Many online blackjack games have optional side bets that you can wager on as well as wagering on your hand. These bets are separate to the main game and are based purely on luck. Side bets are popular because they offer high payouts if you get lucky. The side bets on offer vary depending on the blackjack game you’re playing, but here are the most popular:

Perfect pairs – This is a bet that your first two cards will be a pair. The payout depends on the strength of the pairing – a ‘perfect’ pair of the same rank and suit usually pays out 25:1, while a red and black pair typically pays 6:1.

23+1 – Here you’re betting that your first two cards and the dealer’s hole card will form a flush, straight, three of a king, straight flush or suited three of a kind. Again, the payouts depend on the strength of the hand. For example, in Playtech’s All Bets Blackjack, a flush pays out 5:1 while a suited three of a kind pays out 100:1.

Insurance – If the dealer’s hole card is an Ace, you can insure your bets against the dealer by placing an insurance bet equal to half the amount of your initial wager. If the dealer does have blackjack your insurance bet pays 2:1, meaning you don’t lose your original bet.

Progressive – Some blackjack games offer a progressive jackpot sidebet. In most progressive blackjack variations, this involves betting on Aces. Depending on the variation, you may need to draw four consecutive Aces of the same suit to land the jackpot.

Enjoy an Immersive Live Blackjack Experience

Fancy a more realistic game of blackjack? Live dealer blackjack is as close as it gets to being at an actual land-based casino. The top live games are streamed in HD from purpose built studios, so they look and feel just like the real thing. Games are also run by professionally trained dealers using authentic equipment, making for more immersive blackjack gaming.

The UK’s best online blackjack sites host a wide range of tables to choose from. There are different variations on offer, with different side bets and betting limits, including low stakes games. Live dealer blackjack games are also a great option for high rollers, as the top sites host exclusive VIP tables, some of which allow you to bet as much as £20,000 per hand.

The Best Blackjack Software Developers

A number of the top casino software providers have developed online blackjack games. As casinos often use different software, the blackjack titles on offer vary from site to site, so knowing the differences between providers can help you find the best blackjack site for you. Here are the developers responsible for the top blackjack titles:

NetEnt

NetEnt is one of the biggest casino software providers and has developed a range of both animated and live dealer blackjack games. When it comes to RNG blackjack titles, NetEnt has developed games like Pontoon, Single Deck Blackjack and Double Exposure Blackjack. NetEnt also offers great live dealer blackjack tables, including the industry-first Perfect Blackjack, which deals cards according to perfect blackjack strategy. There’s also Common Draw Blackjack, which caters to an unlimited number of players at each table.

Top NetEnt Online Blackjack Games

Single Deck Blackjack Professional Series
Single-deck blackjack games come with a lower house edge than the usual four or eight-deck games, although this NetEnt title has rather conservative betting limits. A blackjack pays 3:2 and players can buy insurance as well.

What we like: 

• Lower house edge means higher RTP

What we don’t like: 

• Lower betting limits won’t suit all players

Blackjack Classic
NetEnt’s no-frills offering, Blackjack Classic, stays true to the game’s roots. It’s played with four decks, and the dealer draws to 16 and stands on all 17s. Players can double down and also buy insurance.

What we like:

• Solid core gameplay suits beginners and experts

What we don’t like: 

• Lack of side bets may disappoint some

Double Exposure Blackjack
In Double Exposure Blackjack, both dealer cards are dealt face up. Unfortunately, this advantage is mitigated by some restrictive rules, including blackjacks paying even money while the dealer wins all non-blackjack pushes.

What we like:

• Face-up dealer cards gives players an advantage

What we don’t like:

• This advantage is removed by rules that favour the house

Evolution Gaming

Evolution Gaming is the leading provider of live casino software, so naturally its blackjack offering is top-notch. From low stakes Blackjack Party and Infinite Blackjack to VIP Salon Privé tables, there’s something for players of all budgets. Evolution’s live blackjack tables offer the Bet Behind feature which allows you to place bets on players’ hands while you wait for a seat, as well as side bets on perfect pairs and 21+3. These games are also some of the most realistic live blackjack games you can play at online casinos.

Top Evolution Gaming Blackjack Games

First Person Blackjack
Bucking Evolution’s trend of live dealer games, First Person Blackjack is an RNG game set in a realistic 3D environment. As such, it is one of the closest experiences you’ll come to the real thing in a virtual game. Players can also make Perfect Pair and 21+3 side bets.

What we like:

• Players can control the pace of the game
• Includes side bets

What we don’t like:

• RNG rather than live dealer

Lightning Blackjack
Lightning Blackjack throws RNG multipliers into the mix to boost your payouts. Win a round and you’re granted a random multiplier between 2x and 25x for the next hand, giving you the possibility of a larger prize.

What we like:

• Multipliers add an exciting twist and boosted payouts

What we don’t like:

• Additional Lightning Fee required to unlock multipliers

Power Blackjack
Part of Evolution’s Infinite range, Power Blackjack shakes things up considerably by allowing unlimited players at the table. Players can make four side bets — Any Pair, 21+3, Hot 3, and Bust It — as well as double, triple, or quadruple downs on any two initial cards including after a split. The trade-off? It’s played with eight decks with the 9s and 10s removed, so normal blackjack strategy is out the window. 

What we like:

• Unlimited players can join
• Four different side bets

What we don’t like:

• 9s and 10s removed from the deck so normal strategy doesn’t apply

Playtech

Playtech is another developer that boasts a range of both RNG and live blackjack titles. When it comes to the live casino, Ultimate Blackjack enables an endless number of players to join in at the same time. Some of the top animated blackjack games from Playtech include Lucky Lucky Blackjack and Buster Blackjack, which offer some unique side bet opportunities. Other variations include Double Attack Blackjack, Blackjack Peek and Free Chip Blackjack, so it’s safe to say Playtech games are ideal for players who fancy mixing up their gameplay.

Top Playtech Online Blackjack Games

Premium Blackjack
Playtech’s core blackjack offering, Premium Blackjack includes 21+3, Perfect Pair, and Insurance side bets. The maximum bet is quite high at most online casinos.

What we like:

• Includes side bets and insurance
• High maximum bet

What we don’t like:

• Not the most inspiring design

All Bets Blackjack
A live dealer blackjack game, All Bets Blackjack adds extra side bets including Player/Dealer Pair, 21+3, Top 3, Lucky Lucky, and Buster. This game may not be for everyone, however, as the house edge is much higher, ranging from 4–9%.

What we like:

• Loads of extra side bets
• Live dealer game

What we don’t like:

• High house edge of 4–9%

Free Chip Blackjack
Free Chip Blackjack spices things up with certain double-downs and splits free to the player, although certain rules around pushes do mitigate the advantage to the player.

What we like:

• Some double-downs and splits are free

What we don’t like:

• Unfavourable push rules

Microgaming

Microgaming is a software giant has developed some of the best animated blackjack games. There are loads of exciting variations to try out if you’re bored of classic blackjack, including Spanish Blackjack, Super Fun 21, and Single Deck Blackjack. There’s even High Streak Blackjack that offers a side bet that boosts your returns each time you win. Microgaming is a good option for high rollers, with a range of high limit variations. There are also the famous Gold Series blackjack games with enhanced graphics and soundtracks, creating a more immersive gaming experience.

Top Microgaming Blackjack Games

Classic Blackjack MH
This game has everything you’d expect from a classic blackjack game. What’s more, players have the opportunity to bet on more than one position per round as the MH in the title stands for ‘multi hand’. 

What we like:

• Bet on several positions at once

What we don’t like:

• Slightly dated appearance

Vegas Downtown Blackjack Gold
Subtly different to Vegas Strip, Vegas Downtown is played with only two decks, improving the house edge. The dealer stands on hard 17s and hits on soft 17s.

What we like:

• Improved house edge from two decks

What we don’t like:

• Dealer can peek when face-up card is an ace

Atlantic City Blackjack Gold
The main addition to Atlantic City Blackjack Gold is the option for Late Surrender, letting players claim back half their stake after the dealer checks for blackjack. There are no side bets to be seen here, however, which may turn off certain players.

What we like:

• Late surrender available

What we don’t like:

• No side bets available

Yggdrasil

Established in 2013, Yggdrasil is an innovative software developer known for its edgy slots, unique game mechanics, and exciting tournaments, missions, and prize drop promos. In 2018, Yggdrasil turned its attention to table games, using its ground-breaking in-house technology REDUX™ to create an immersive 3D casino world, complete with motion-captured virtual dealers. To date, Yggdrasil has launched a trio of its unique RNG blackjack games: Sonya Blackjack, Lucky Blackjack, and Dr Fortuno Blackjack. 

Top Yggdrasil Online Blackjack Games

Sonya Blackjack
Sonya Blackjack was Yggdrasil’s first 3D blackjack game release. The game is largely based on standard multi-deck Vegas Strip blackjack, coming complete with all the regular blackjack bets.  An updated version featuring the Perfect Pairs and 21+3 side bets landed in 2019.

What we like:

• Unique RNG gaming experience
• Tables seat up to three players, with others able to watch
• Customisable virtual dealer

What we don’t like:

• Not as widely available as some other blackjack games

Lucky Blackjack
Lucky Blackjack was released alongside the upgraded edition of Sonya Blackjack in 2019 and uses the same motion-capture technology. This Irish-themed 3D blackjack game features a charming virtual dealer and the Lucky Lucky and Lucky Ladies blackjack side bets.

What we like:

• Tables accommodate up to three simultaneous players, and an audience too
• Fun Irish theme
• Unique 3D gaming experience

What we don’t like:

• Not available at all online casinos

Play Blackjack on Your Mobile

Mobile blackjack casinos are far more popular than desktop platforms nowadays, offering players a convenient way to stand, hit, double, or surrender from their smartphones. Software developers optimise their titles for iOS and Android devices, enhancing the graphics for smaller screens and making use of landscape/vertical modes. Whether you’re looking for vintage video blackjack or next-gen live dealer variants, everything is easily accessible from your smartphone. 

All the best online blackjack casinos have mobile-optimised websites, but the cream of the crop also offer bespoke mobile casino apps. The next section will illuminate some of the pros and cons of using these.

Play Real Money Blackjack with a Casino Bonus

Loads of the UK’s best online casinos offer bonuses that you can use to play at real money blackjack tables. Fancy bagging one for yourself? Let’s take a look at the top bonuses on offer when you sign up to the best online blackjack sites.

Terms and Conditions at Blackjack Sites

At first glance, a blackjack bonus might seem rather enticing. But to get a clearer picture of its true value, you’ll need to read the terms and conditions — these can quickly diminish the worth of an offer if they’re overly strict. Below are some common terms to watch out for. 

Wagering Requirements

Wagering requirements often have the biggest impact on bonus value, as they prevent you from withdrawing the bonus and resulting winnings until they’re completed. Expressed as a multiple, this is the number of times you need to wager the value of the bonus with your own money before it becomes withdrawable. 

For example, a £10 bonus with wagering requirements of 30x would necessitate betting £300 of your own cash before it can be withdrawn along with any related winnings. 

Game Weighting

A term closely tied to wagering requirements, game weighting is the amount that bets on a certain game contribute towards meeting said requirements. Table games like blackjack and roulette usually come with low weightings of 10% or sometimes nothing at all, meaning you’ll have to bet more or pick a different game entirely if you want to chip away at the required playthrough amount.

Game Restrictions

Unfortunately, it’s rare you’ll get carte blanche to use your bonus on any old game you like. The restrictions depend on the bonus. Matched deposits are typically the most flexible offers, but you could still find categories such as live dealer games aren’t eligible. In the case of blackjack, games with particularly low house edges — single-deck blackjack, for example — may be excluded too.

Payment Exclusions

If your bonus requires a qualifying deposit in order to claim it, be sure to use an eligible payment method. Common exclusions include e-wallets and sometimes prepaid cards, while debit cards are always eligible. 

Winnings Caps

Most bonuses come with a winnings cap, stipulating the maximum amount you can withdraw from an offer. The cap is generally proportional to the size and terms of the bonus — a £20 deposit match may have a winnings cap of around £100, for example, while 20 no deposit free spins could be much lower at just £10. 

Time Limits

All bonuses come with a time limit, which could range from just 24 hours to a full month or more. Be sure to use your bonus within this time, or you’ll forfeit any unused portion. Wagering requirements must also be met within this time limit if you want to withdraw your winnings.

Blackjack Betting Systems

Like all casino and gambling games, blackjack is a game of chance. Guaranteeing success with an optimised strategy is unrealistic, but this doesn’t mean you cannot considerably improve your chances and make your bankroll stretch as far as possible. 

Blackjack enthusiasts have devised several betting systems since the 16th century that can help you reduce the house edge, effectively manage your gambling funds, and make the optimum decisions. 

Check below for a breakdown of the most useful blackjack betting systems to employ: 

Flat Betting

Flat betting is an easy way to manage your gameplay, and it’s a popular blackjack system with many UK players. This method follows the idea of wagering the same amount with every hand, thus lowering any risk of erratic play and maintaining a close watch on your wagering total. Each individual will have a different flat betting amount, based on personal budget, and for how many hands they intend on playing. Let’s say you have a £50 budget and want to play 20 hands, meaning your bet would be £2.50 per hand. 

Positive Progression

The main idea of the positive progression system is to increase your bet with each hand you win. When your winning streak comes to an end, you return to your initial bet and stay here until you win again. Using a positive progression system on blackjack sites ensures players make the most of their wins but minimise big losses by returning to careful bets.

You should be mindful of the bet increase to opt for and recognise when it’s time to stop playing. Budget management is important, as is remembering what limits you set for yourself in terms of spending and time played. 

Negative Progression

Another favoured betting system at the best blackjack sites is negative progression, which is the opposite of positive progression. Riskier in its approach, UK players who choose this strategy increase their bet size following a losing hand. Ideally, this means you’ll immediately win back your losses after the next winning hand. 

This method is best suited to players with large bankrolls, but it can be a dangerous game to play if you are on a lower budget. You may not encounter a winning hand for several rounds, by which point you could be completely out of funds. Keep this in mind and know when to cut your losses if you intend to play with a negative progression system.

Pros and Cons of Playing Online Blackjack

Blackjack is a hugely popular game with many new variations found at the best blackjack sites. Let’s have a look at some of the pros and cons of playing blackjack online.

Responsible Gambling

Whenever you gamble, it’s essential to remain mindful of your habits and behaviours. While gambling is an exciting and enjoyable pastime for many, it has the potential to quickly become addictive. Reading up on the dangers of problem gambling is one of the best places to start when it comes to protecting yourself. Take a look at our responsible gambling guide for more information. 

Get Started at an Online Blackjack Site

We’ve taken you through the ins and outs of playing blackjack online, so you’ve got everything you need to get out there and have a go for yourself.

Use the list of the UK’s top casinos for November, 2023 to compare options and find the best blackjack site for you. If you’re after more detail, simply click ‘Read our review’ to head straight to that blackjack site’s expert and unbiased analysis.

Compare, sign up, and get ready to take on the dealer at a top blackjack site.

References and External Links

Please note that Compare.bet is not responsible for the content of third-party websites.

1. UK Gambling Commission – UKGC
2. Betting and Gaming Council
3. begambleaware.org