Top US Blackjack Casino Sites

Blackjack is one of the most popular online casino games, and it’s easy to see why. This card game is a thrilling mix of strategy and luck and 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. This is why we’ve picked out the very best online blackjack sites, so that you can easily compare and pick out your favorite. Want to find out more about this much-loved casino classic? Read on for everything you need to know about playing blackjack online.

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. Before we take a look at how a game of blackjack plays out, let’s take a look at the moves available to players:

Hit – You’re dealt another card to add to your hand.

Stand – You keep your hand as it is and don’t receive any more cards.

Split – If your first two cards are the same value, you can choose to split them into two separate hands. You’ll need to add a second bet equal to the first if you split.

Double down – You double your initial bet and receive one more card before standing. In some variations, you can’t double down after splitting.

Surrender – This move is only available in certain games and allows you to surrender the round and only lose half your bet.

Now we’ve got to grips with the blackjack moves, let’s take a step-by-step look at how to play blackjack:

Blackjack House Edge Explained

One of the biggest draws of blackjack is that it offers some of the lowest house edges of all casino games. As blackjack is partly skill-based, the house edge is affected by your strategy. This means that, unlike in other games like slots and roulette, making the right moves can give you a better chance of winning. The house edge for a standard blackjack game when playing with basic strategy is around 0.42%. The house edge differs depending on the blackjack variation you’re playing and whether you’re wagering on side bets.

Improve Your Game with Blackjack Strategy

If you want the most favorable house edge, you’ll need to use the optimal blackjack strategy, known as basic strategy. This involves knowing what move to make depending on the strength of your hand. While blackjack strategy can’t guarantee you a win, seeing as you have no control over what cards are drawn, it can lower the house edge.

Some basic blackjack strategy tips are well known and easy to remember, such as always hit on a hard 11 or always stand on a hard 17. It’s not easy to learn the right move for every scenario by heart, but there are many blackjack strategy charts available online which tell you the best move to make. Luckily, you can play online blackjack while having your strategy chart at hand until you get the hang of things.

It’s important to remember that even if you master blackjack and learn how to implement basic strategy, the house will still have an edge and win in the long run.

Get Clued in on Blackjack Payouts

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.

Lots of blackjack variations offer different payout rates. For example, many variations that have additional rules that benefit the player, like seeing both the dealer’s first cards, make up for this advantage by offering lower payout rates. Similarly, some games have rules that make it harder for the player but make up for this with increased payouts.

Try out Different Blackjack Variations

There are a wide range of exciting game variations available at the best US 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 dealer’s 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.

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

In the mood for 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.

Depending on your state, you may be able to access online blackjack sites with 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.

Evolution Gaming

This developer is the leading provider of live casino software, so it’s blackjack offering is naturally 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 feature Bet Behind, which allows you to place bets on players’ hands while you wait for a seat, as well as side bets such as perfect pairs and 21+3. These games are also some of the most realistic live blackjack games you can play at online casinos.

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 the fun 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.

Microgaming

This 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’s also the famous Gold Series blackjack games with enhanced graphics and soundtracks, creating a more immersive gaming experience.

Pragmatic Play

Founded in 2015, Pragmatic Play has made huge strides as a developer in the online gambling world. It creates all manner of casino games: slots, table classics, bingo, scratch cards, and is now challenging the live dealer elites too. You’ll find many live blackjack games within its portfolio — our favorite has to be ONE Blackjack, where 2,000x multipliers are up for grabs through one particular side bet. Other side bets include Crazy 7, bust bonus, 21+3, and perfect pairs. 

Play Blackjack on Your Mobile

You don’t need to be sat on your desktop to play online blackjack. These days, the top software providers develop their blackjack games specifically with mobile players in mind, meaning they’re perfectly optimized to the smaller touch screens of iPhones and Androids. The best developers have also adapted many of their older titles for mobile player, meaning you have plenty of mobile blackjack games to choose from, including live blackjack games.

All the top online casinos we recommend have mobile-friendly websites, so you can play mobile blackjack through your smartphone web browser. Some of the best blackjack sites have also developed native mobile apps, which make for an even better mobile gaming experience. This is because mobile casino apps make it quicker and easier to navigate from your home screen to your favorite titles They also come with push notifications, which means you’ll be alerted to all the latest blackjack bonuses and the hottest new games.

Play Real Money Blackjack with a Casino Bonus

Loads of the best US 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.

Fast Payouts at Blackjack Sites

One of the key considerations for our readers is how quickly they’ll be able to cash out from a blackjack site. By our judgment, a fast payout gambling site is one where requested funds are back in the player’s desired account within 48 hours of the request. This allows for 24 hours for the casino to process the request, then a further 24 hours for the funds to clear. 

If this doesn’t sound particularly fast to you, bear in mind that 48 hours is the slowest fast withdrawal possible. Fast payout casinos will often return funds within an hour of the request, and even instantly in many cases. There are a few ways in which you can help facilitate speed during the withdrawal process — we’ve explained these below. 

Choice of Payment Method

Not every payment method at a US blackjack site has been built with fast payouts in mind. Older banking technologies such as debit and credit cards are inherently slow, with banking processing checks eating up much of this time. Other payment options, such as e-wallets, are much faster — you’ll usually receive your withdrawal within an hour when using methods such as PayPal, ecoPayz and MuchBetter. If you’re keen to make fast withdrawals, you’ll need to select the right payment method.

Know Your Customer (KYC)

If you’re making your first withdrawal at a blackjack site, you’ll be required to complete KYC checks before the transaction can be authorized. This is a standard licensing requirement for online casinos — before they can process a new payment, they need to ensure that it’s going to the right place. KYC checks involve submitting identification documents, such as a passport and recent proof of address. It’s a simple process, but it can take up to 48 hours to complete. Once it’s done though, you won’t have to worry about it again, so only your first deposit and withdrawal will be hindered by these checks. 

Closed Loop Systems

The most effective way blackjack players can speed up withdrawal times is by using the same payment method for both the deposit and withdrawal. You may find that the casino actually requires this of you, which is known as a closed loop system. In any case, if you’re looking for a fast payout, we recommend using the same payment method on both ends of the transaction.

Play Free Online Blackjack Games

The best blackjack casino sites offer free demo games that you can play without having to deposit. These games are perfect if you just want to play blackjack online for fun. They’re also ideal for new players, as they allow you to get to grips with things and work on your strategy without wagering real money. We’d recommend beginners try free blackjack games before jumping in and putting your own cash on the line.

Other Games at the Best Online Blackjack Sites

These days, there’s no such thing as a one-dimensional online casino. While our recommendations for the best blackjack sites will include casinos that excel in that particular area, you can rest assured that you’ll find hundreds, often thousands, of other casino games for you to enjoy at one site. Here are the most popular categories of online casino games beyond this all-time classic. 

Online Slots

The majority of any casino’s games library tends to be taken up by online slots. These games have evolved from mechanical machines of the past to include ingenious gaming engines, enticing bonus opportunities, and much variety in terms of jackpots, RTP percentages, and volatility. 

As the online gambling world’s most popular genre of game, there are also many different formats upon which slot developers create their titles. For example, classic slots are those that hark back to the single-reel slots of old, with simple designs, minimal bonus features, and just the one payline. 

If you value modernity over nostalgia, you may prefer a more elaborate video slot, replete with bonus opportunities and additional reels and paylines. Taking this preference further will bring you into the world of Megaways slots, where games are imbued with hundreds of thousands of paths to payouts. And finally, if you’re on the hunt for a big win, the jackpots in progressive slots grow as wagers are placed on them, often accruing into the millions. 

Roulette

In roulette, players place bets on where the ball will land in a spinning wheel. This wheel has 37 or 38 pockets depending on the roulette variant being played, and each pocket is assigned a color and a number. 

Conservative roulette players will stick to what are known as outside bets — bets that have an even money chance of coming off, such as red/black or odd/even. Those on bigger bankrolls might be more inclined to shoot for inside bets, where odds are longer but payouts larger. One example would be bets on single numbers which generate the best odds, usually paying out at 35:1. 

Craps

Craps is a table game played with dice, in which players make predictions on the outcomes of their rolls. Since craps is a game that requires little equipment and can be played in the street, its history is somewhat murky and unknown. What we do know is that craps was introduced to the US some time at the start of the 20th century, where variations on the western European game of hazard started to emerge in New Orleans. 

Sic Bo

Literally translating as “precious dice”, sic bo is a similar game to craps, of Chinese origin. The main difference between the two is that sic bo involves three dice as opposed to two, which opens up a much bigger tableau of available betting calls. It’s thought to have been introduced to the US by Chinese immigrants, again in the early parts of the 20th century. 

Poker

Poker sits in its own class of casino game. By definition, table games pit players against the house; but in poker, you’re up against the other players at the table.

Poker is easily the most widely played card game today, and will be well-served at the best online blackjack sites. There are many different poker variants, but Texas Hold’em is the most popular. In this game, players form their hands through a combination of their own hole cards and the five community cards shared by all. Other popular variants include Stud, Omaha, and Pai Gow, but the list goes on. 

As you browse through our picks of the top US casinos, you’ll also come across video poker — an RNG game based on five-card draw poker. It’s a similar experience to playing a slot machine, but with pay tables corresponding to poker hand values.

Responsible Gambling

As an adjunct to the gambling industry, part of our responsibility at Compare.bet is to ensure our readers are aware of gambling’s potential harms. At its best, gambling is a valued pastime enjoyed by many; at its worst, it’s an incredibly addictive activity. With this in mind, here are some tips to follow to help you gamble responsibly:

• Only bet what you can afford – there are never any guarantees you’ll win money, so make sure you’re comfortable losing the bets you place
• Never chase losses – casinos are businesses designed to win in the long-run, so you should never think that your luck is about to turn
• Only bet when of sound mind – drugs and alcohol severely impact our ability to make sound judgments, so you should only bet when sober. This rule also extends to general moods of unhappiness, meaning you should avoid betting when angry, upset, or depressed
• Use licensed casinos – we’ll only ever recommend licensed sites, and you should never place a bet at an unlicensed one
• Make use of on-site limiters – there are mechanisms in place at US casinos that lock players out of their accounts once they’ve bet a certain amount, or hit a specified time limit

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Gambling addictions can develop very quickly. It’s essential that you stay alert to any potential warning signs that may indicate there’s a problem beginning to materialize. These signs include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

• An increased preoccupation with gambling
• Neglecting professional, social, or familial duties 
• Lying about gambling habits
• Using gambling as a means to make money
• Borrowing or even stealing money to gamble

Problem Gambling Organizations

If you’re concerned that your gambling is becoming an issue, there are organizations that offer professional, confidential, and friendly support. No matter your condition, it’s never too late to share your issues and seek help:

• National Problem Gambling Helpline – a free service available in all 50 states 24 hours a day. There’s also a live chat feature on-site
• National Council on Problem Gambling – the NCPG has an abundance of helpful resources on its site and aims to raise awareness and develop safeguarding policies for the industry. The site also breaks down treatment availability in each state
• The Recovery Village – a resource of gambling addiction hotlines and state-specific help

Play Online Blackjack

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 our list of the top US casinos to find the best blackjack site for you. Simply compare, sign up and starting playing blackjack!