Legal Online Blackjack USA: Where to Play For Real Money

Legal online blackjack is available in seven states. In states with licensed casino apps, players 21 and above can play real money online blackjack safely and legally.

In addition, players in 46 states can use sweepstakes casino sites to play blackjack online for real money prizes.

Read on for more information about where online blackjack is legal, which gambling sites offer player-friendly variants, and recommendations for live dealer blackjack casinos. This page also recommends individual blackjack games and provides strategy advice for the most common variations.

Online Blackjack Sites

21+ to Play, T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Which States Have Legal Online Blackjack?

Seven states have legal online gambling, and six offer blackjack online for real money.

• New Jersey Online Blackjack
• Pennsylvania Online Blackjack
• Michigan Online Blackjack
• West Virginia Online Blackjack
• Connecticut Online Blackjack
• Delaware Online Blackjack
• Rhode Island Online Blackjack

Among these states, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan have the most developed online blackjack scenes.

West Virginia trails closely behind, with slightly fewer online casinos to choose from.

Connecticut is home to two online casinos, but they are major brands known for their exceptional blackjack selections.

Delaware and Rhode Island bring up the rear, with just one licensed gambling site in each state where gamblers can play online blackjack for money legally.

Live dealer blackjack is available in Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.

How to Play Blackjack for Money in Other States

Players in states without legal online gambling also have options, courtesy of sweepstakes casino sites. For example, Pulsz Casino offers blackjack online in 46 states:

Sweepstakes gambling sites offer casino-style games like online blackjack for real money prizes in most US states. They function under US sweepstakes laws that allow them to offer remarkably similar experiences to full-fledged casino sites, except they’re legal in all but a few states.

However, most sweepstakes casino sites only offer slot-style games. The most notable exception is Pulsz Casino, which players can read more about below:

• Pulsz Casino Review

Best Real-Money Online Blackjack Casinos

All US online casinos offer blackjack in at least some capacity, so finding a game is a breeze. However, some casinos offer a far more appealing blackjack selection than others.

With so many options at hand, players should only play blackjack for real money at casino sites that excel in the following key areas. The best online blackjack casinos offer:

• A wide variety of blackjack games developed by reputable tech providers
• Games with high-quality graphics that accurately simulate the feel of real casino blackjack
• Player-friendly rules and fast payouts
• Reliable and lag-free mobile blackjack apps
• Safe, fair blackjack games vetted by state gambling regulators

Online casinos should also cater to players with more nuanced tastes, like those drawn to live blackjack, unique blackjack variations, or games with many side bets.

It’s also important that gambling sites reward blackjack players with online casino bonuses, recurrent promotions, and loyalty programs.

^{* RTP = Return-to-player percent, the expected return per dollar wagered if played with optimal strategy. For example, a 99% RTP means players can expect to lose $0.01 for every $1.00 wagered over the long run.}

Continue for BettingUSA’s detailed assessment of the best casinos to play real-money online blackjack.

BetMGM Casino Blackjack

BetMGM Casino is available in four states (NJ, PA, MI and WV) and supports well over a dozen online blackjack games from multiple providers.

Its standout game is Blackjack Xchange, which returns 99.68% for players who never exchange their cards or make basic strategy errors.

BetMGM is also one of the only online casinos with blackjack games from Win Studios. These games offer solid returns hovering around 99.50% and offer tons of side bet action. For instance, Blackjack Millionaire Pro features a side bet that awards up to 200,000x to players who hit consecutive blackjacks.

Additionally, BetMGM supports live blackjack games from two providers, Ezugi (NJ only) and Evolution (NJ, PA, and MI), for enhanced variety.

All BetMGM online blackjack players earn Tier Credits, which apply toward their MGM Rewards status, and BetMGM Rewards Points, which customers can redeem for bonuses and MGM Rewards Points.

FanDuel Casino Blackjack

FanDuel Online Casino scores points for its stellar online blackjack selection in Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The app’s online blackjack lobby features multiple games that return over 99.6%, including FanDuel Blackjack Xchange (99.68%) and Multihand Blackjack Surrender (99.67%).

Side bet enthusiasts won’t find a ton of options.

However, FanDuel does offer 777 Blazing Blackjack, which features the popular retail casino side bet Blazing 7s. It pays players 5-for-1 if they’re dealt at least one 7 and up to 777-for-1 if their first two upcards and the house upcard are all 7s of the same suit. The side bet returns 95.90%, which isn’t terrible as far as side action goes.

FanDuel also offers live dealer blackjack games from Evolution and welcomes new casino players with a blackjack-friendly bonus.

The lack of a dedicated loyalty program and the fact that FanDuel has yet to port some of its online blackjack games to mobile weighs its ranking down, but it’s still one of the industry’s safest and most well-rounded online blackjack sites.

Caesars Palace Online Casino Blackjack

Caesars Palace Online Casino has aggressively expanded its blackjack library since launching. The casino doesn’t offer any exclusives, but it does support some of the best blackjack games from IGT, NetEnt, SG Digital, and Evolution.

Players can expect at least 10 unique blackjack variations, depending on their state. On top of that, Caesars Palace Online Casino offers live dealer and first person blackjack games by Evolution.

Caesars Palace Online Casino players automatically join Caesars Rewards upon registration and earn 1 Tier Credit and 1 Online Rewards Credit for every $25 they wager on real-money online blackjack.

BetRivers Casino Blackjack

BetRivers Casino doesn’t support the biggest online blackjack library, but it does have something that most other online casino lack: excellent exclusive blackjack games.

In addition to sporting three self-branded live blackjack tables, BetRivers offers the exclusive Multi-Bet Blackjack Optional Sidebets game, which has just about everything one could hope for, including a stellar interface, excellent rules (99.64% RTP), and a slew of optional side bets.

Combine the above with a multi-faceted rewards program, frequent promotions, and 1x rollover requirements on all bonuses, and BetRivers all but overcomes its limited online blackjack game selection.

Note: BetRivers also offers another exclusive title called Single Hand Blackjack, but naturals only pay 6:5, increasing the house edge to 1.26%.

DraftKings Casino Blackjack

DraftKings Casino is available in Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia and has dedicated an unprecedented amount of effort to its blackjack lobby. It features over two dozen games, about half of which are DraftKings exclusives.

In fairness, the differences between most DraftKings blackjack exclusives are primarily aesthetic. For example, DraftKings Basketball Blackjack is the same exact game as DraftKings Football Blackjack but with a different skin.

Regardless, the games look modern, run smoothly, and offer players an excellent 99.61% return.

The one wildcard is Four 20s Blackjack. In this game, players play four simultaneous hands of blackjack along with one side bet, and the side bet pays out if they’re dealt one or more 20s, up to 420x their initial wager.

For a side bet game, the RTP is incredible, topping out at 99.58%. Most blackjack games with side bets offer significantly lower-than-average RTPs. Four 20s Blackjack is a rare exception in that regard.

DraftKings also features quality blackjack games from top providers such as IGT and SG Digital.

The best of the lot is Multihand Blackjack Surrender by IGT, which returns 99.67% with optimal strategy. DK also supports several popular blackjack variants, such as Zappit Blackjack and Blackjack Xchange.

Rounding things out is DraftKings’ extensive live dealer blackjack selection, powered by Evolution.

DraftKings supports upwards of 20 live blackjack tables spanning a wide variety of stakes. The catalog also boasts exclusive DraftKings-branded live dealer tables. The only drawback is that the minimum stakes on DraftKings exclusives tend toward the higher side.

In addition to its excellent game selection, DraftKings Casino rewards online blackjack players through its lucrative Dynasty Rewards program. Blackjack players can also win random jackpots of up to $5,000 and are frequently the targets of generous promotions.

DraftKings’ blackjack-friendly attitude extends to its welcome bonuses as well, which are compatible and easy-to-clear with blackjack.

Golden Nugget Casino Blackjack

Golden Nugget Casino used to be the undisputed champion of online casino gaming, but others have begun to catch up.

However, the Golden Nugget online blackjack selection is still impressive, featuring over a dozen unique games, including live blackjack games from Ezugi in New Jersey and Evolution in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The best games in Golden Nugget’s blackjack arsenal are Blackjack by IGT which returns a generous 99.60%, and Bet the Set 21 (99.58%).

Bet the Set earns its name from its side bet, which pays when players are dealt a pair or suited pair on their initial two cards. Players should only take this side wager occasionally, if at all, because it returns a dismal 84.6%.

However, the base game is solid, featuring 3:2 payouts on blackjack, double after split, surrender, and dealer stands on soft 17.

Golden Nugget features two exclusive blackjack games, but they’re really only reskins of SG Digital’s Blackjack product. Both exclusives return a respectable 99.42%.

Online blackjack players can earn additional rewards through Golden Nugget’s frequent six-figure leaderboard promotions and its Dynasty Rewards program, which offers a multitude of benefits for players.

Betway Casino Blackjack

Online blackjack players should at least keep an eye on Betway Casino. The app currently offers 10 blackjack games, including Multihand Blackjack Surrender (99.67%) and Blackjack by NetEnt (99.59%).

In addition, Betway is super friendly to low rollers. Its Diamond Series Micro Stakes Blackjack game may only return 99.39% with optimal play, but the minimum wager amount is only $0.50.

Betway loses points for its infrequent promotions, lack of a loyalty program, and the obscene wagering requirements on its new player casino bonus. It also lacks live blackjack tables.

However, should Betway amend these flaws, it will rank among the best blackjack sites.

Honorable Mentions: Tropicana Casino and PokerStars Casino

Tropicana Casino is worth mentioning because it offers one of the best online blackjack games to be found anywhere.

The game in question is Single Deck Blackjack. As the name implies, the game is dealt from a single deck, which is a huge advantage for the player. In addition, naturals pay 3:2 and the dealer must stand on all 17s. This brings the RTP up to an incredible 99.74%. There’s hardly a blackjack game on the planet, live or online, with odds this good.

Well, there is one. PokerStars may be better known as an online poker operator, but its Double Deck Blackjack game is hands down the best online blackjack offered by any legal U.S. online casino. The RTP is 99.76%, which means players who wager $100 can expect to lose just 24 cents per hand on average.

The reason why Tropicana didn’t make the cut is because it’s only available in the New Jersey market. As for PokerStars, its loyalty program has been greatly diminished, and it doesn’t offer the best new player bonus or recurrent promotions. Also, its online blackjack selection is quite limited, although it did recently add live dealer games.

Online Blackjack vs. Casino Blackjack

The appeal of online blackjack stems from its lightning-fast pace, simplicity, and low house edge. Blackjack is also one of the few games where the player is an active participant. Players may not completely control their fate, but they have a large hand in it.

The main difference between online blackjack and retail casino blackjack is apparent: One takes place in a live casino setting, and the other is conducted from the convenience of a device.

Whereas land-based blackjack outcomes are determined by physical cards dealt by hand or from a shoe, online blackjack games use sophisticated random number generators (RNGs) to provide unique outcomes.

In addition, gambling sites usually shuffle online blackjack decks after every hand as a way to deter card counters.

Some players are skeptical of real money online blackjack games, concluding that they’re too easy to rig. That’s an understandable sentiment, but players should take some comfort knowing that state gaming commissions thoroughly vet all licensed online casinos for fairness and information security.

For example, New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement has a Technical Services Bureau that rigorously tests all new online blackjack games. The Technical Services Bureau consists of an Engineering Unit, Cyber Security and Analytics Unit, Information Technology Investigation Unit, and a Quality Assurance Unit.

Licensed online casinos cannot launch new games until each unit investigates them and the Bureau reaches a consensus agreement to issue its approval. Similar protocols exist in other legal US online casino markets.

Another difference is that online blackjack games tend to offer better payout odds than their land-based counterparts. The exception is Pennsylvania, where casinos are forced to offer surrender and other player-friendly rules. However, even in Pennsylvania, the quality of online and land-based games are roughly equivalent.

Players can usually play blackjack online for real money at much lower stakes than they can in person at the casino. On a bustling weekend, live blackjack table minimums might be as high as $25. Online, they range from $0.50 – $5 regardless of the date or time except at select tables.

Finally, online blackjack players receive much better kickbacks. A lot of this has to do with the fact that gambling sites can perfectly track all online blackjack wagers, whereas land-based casinos can only estimate live wagering activity. Additionally, online casinos offer lucrative signup bonuses that retail casinos simply can’t match.

What Is Live Dealer Blackjack?

Live dealer blackjack is a fusion of online and real-life blackjack.

Operators broadcast the games from live studios, and real dealers pitch physical cards from shoes just like they would in a retail setting. Players bet with virtual chips, which are subtracted from their online balances, and the computer handles all payout calculations.

Live blackjack appeals to players who enjoy the social aspects of blackjack but relish the freedom of playing from wherever they want. Another live blackjack advantage is that there are inexpensive ways to get in on the action.

For instance, the Bet Behind feature allows one player to wager on another player’s hand. The minimum bet amount is only $1.

However, landing a seat at a main table can be pricey, especially on weekends, when table minimum start in the $15 – $25 range.

Playing live dealer blackjack is undoubtedly a more exciting experience than going at it alone, but that experience comes with a cost. The game rules are mediocre, with returns averaging 99.3%.

• More reading: Best Legal US Live Dealer Casinos

How To Play Blackjack Online

Blackjack is a classic case of a game that’s easy to learn and (somewhat) difficult to master. However, online blackjack simplifies the learning process by offering free-play tables, low minimum wagers, and no pressure from other players.

Online blackjack typically deals cards from a continuous shuffler as opposed to a shoe, but the objective remains the same: Get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over or hope the dealer busts (exceeds 21).

Players can begin a round of online blackjack for real money by using the bet selector to place a wager. Next, players hit the “deal” button to receive one face-up card. The dealer will also receive a down card.

Next, the dealer receives a second card, and the dealer receives an upcard. This is where the action begins.

Player choices at this point include:

• Hit: The player takes another card. If the player goes over 21, the dealer automatically wins. Players can hit multiple times.
• Stand: The players stands pat, and the dealer takes cards until they have a total of at least 17 or bust. A bust in blackjack is any total over 21.
• Double Down: Players have the option to double their wager in exchange for exactly one more card. This action is typically taken when the dealer is showing a weak upcard or players have favorable odds to make a strong hand on their next card. For instance, a dealer 6 against a player 11 is an excellent double down opportunity.
• Split: Splitting is only an option when the player is dealt two cards of the same value. Splitting divides the player’s hand into two new hands, and the player receives one card on each. From there, each hand is treated individually, with players having many of the same options (Hit, Stand, Double Down) that they had on their first two cards. Some blackjack variants even allow players to split their hands again. However, split hands cannot make blackjacks, and the surrender option is not available.
• Surrender: Surrender isn’t always available, but when it is, it allows players to forfeit the hand and receive half their money back. This action is usually advisable when the player has a very weak holding, such as 15 and 16, and the dealer has a strong upcard, like a Ten or Ace.
• Insurance: If the dealer is showing an Ace, players have the option to take insurance, which pays 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack. Insurance costs half the initial wager. Insurance bets have a high house edge and are not optimal under normal playing conditions.

If players receive an Ace and a face card, they have a blackjack, or “natural,” and the action usually stops there. The exception is when the dealer is showing an Ace, in which case the players can take even money (never a good idea) or ride it out. If the dealer also has blackjack, the hand pushes (ties). If the dealer doesn’t have blackjack, the player is paid in accordance with the blackjack payout, which is almost always 3:2 online.

Tip: Never play at a blackjack table, online or otherwise, where blackjack pays 6:5 instead of 3:2. The reduced payout significantly increases the house advantage.

Breaking Down The House Edge On Online Blackjack

An online blackjack game is only as good as its rule set, and knowing how different rules impact the house edge is a critical component of success.

Blackjack isn’t like roulette, where there are at most 2-3 different rulesets. In blackjack, there are nearly countless rule combinations. The worst blackjack games have a house edge of 3-4%, sometimes more, whereas the house edge on the very best blackjack games is next to nothing.

Here’s a look at some of the rules of blackjack. Get familiar with them to know what to look for when seeking low-house advantage blackjack online:

• Blackjack payout: If blackjack pays 6:5, the house edge is approximately 1.4% higher than if it’s 3:2. 6:5 payouts on blackjacks are the most damaging rule a casino can implement.
• Number of decks: The number of decks used has the second-most significant impact on the house edge. The difference in house edge between a single deck game and an 8-deck game is roughly 0.6%.
• Stand/Hit on Soft 17: It may not seem like a big deal if the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, but if the dealer hits, it adds approximately 0.21% to the house edge.
• Double Down: Players should seek out games where they can double down on any first two cards. If they can only double down on 9-11, the house edge increases by about 0.11%.
• Resplits allowed: The more times a player can split, the better. The house decreases by about 0.05% if the player is allowed to split up to four hands as opposed to two.
• Double after split: This is a hugely impactful rule. If players can double down after splitting, the house edge drops by about 0.14%.
• Resplit Aces: Most online casinos don’t allow players to resplit Aces. In the rare instance that it is allowed, the house edge decreases by about 0.07%. If the player is allowed to hit split Aces (this is exceptionally rare), the edge is reduced by more than 0.15%.
• Surrender: Adding surrender to the rule set shrinks the house edge by approximately 0.06%.

Many of these may not seem like big numbers, but considering that the average blackjack game has a house edge of 0.5%, every little bit matters.

For example, a 6-deck game where the dealer stands on all 17s, allows splits up to four hands, doubles after splits, and surrender has a house edge of about 0.33%.

If it were instead an 8-deck game where the dealer hits soft 17, only allows one split per hand and no surrender, the edge shoots up to 0.66%. With just a few simple rule changes, players will lose their money twice as fast on average.

Blackjack Basic Betting Strategy

The return-to-player percentages listed by online blackjack suppliers are only theoretical numbers based on millions of hands, and more importantly, perfect play.

In blackjack, there is only one correct way to play each hand. There is no room for debate. Basic strategy is the result of hard mathematical computations, and those computations inform players how to optimally deal with every single playing situation.

The large majority of basic strategy is intuitive. For instance, most players know not to hit a hard 18 no matter what or to always double down on an 11 against a 5. However, there are a fair share of more marginal, tougher decisions in blackjack, and knowing the right answer will save players countless dollars over the long run. That’s why it’s so important to memorize basic strategy, or to least keep a basic strategy card handy while playing.

Basic Blackjack strategy rules change slightly based on the game’s ruleset. Fortunately, legal US online casinos use fairly consistent rules across most of their blackjack games:

• 6-8 decks
• Blackjack pays 3:2
• Double any two first cards
• Double after split
• Split Aces are dealt one card
• Cannot re-split Aces
• Dealer peeks for blackjack prior to player decisions

A few single-deck and double-deck variations aside, the two wildcards are whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, and if surrender is offered.

These two basic Blackjack strategy cards account for those differences:

Note: “Hard totals” are hands that do not contain an Ace or where the Ace can only count as one without busting. For example, a hand containing a 9 and a 10 is a “hard 19.” A soft total is a hand that contains an Ace that can count as one or eleven. For example, a hand containing an Ace and a 9 is a “hard 20.”

One of the reasons the house edge on blackjack is so low is that the casino expects players to make frequent errors. By minimizing or eliminating mistakes, players can realize their full equity and take advantage of the casino’s leniency.

Expert Tip: Always play blackjack with bet amounts you can stomach losing. Even when players know optimal blackjack strategy, they can be tempted to make un-optimal decisions out of fear or greed. For example, a player who has wagered an uncomfortably large amount may be tempted to not double down even when they know doubling is the mathematically correct play.

Online Blackjack Side Bets

Online blackjack is not exactly the most volatile game. By far the most common outcomes are that the player either loses their wager or doubles their money. Pushes are also fairly common.

In order to spice things up, online casinos have added a variety of side bets to their real money blackjack games. Side bets are enticing because they have the potential to pay out massive multiples of players’ wagers. Side bets are also tempting because they’re relatively cheap bets, with minimums starting around $1.

However, big payouts are extremely rare occurrences, and the house edge on side bets is almost always significantly higher than the main game.

For these reasons, it’s difficult to recommend blackjack side bets. Yet, for players who insist on dropping money on them, it’s important to know the house edge and rules behind some of the most popular side action wagers:

Blackjack Any Pair Bet

Players can find this simple side wager at Evolution’s live blackjack tables and elsewhere. Players win 8:1 if their first two cards are paired and 25:1 if they’re a suited pair.

The house edge on Any Pair is rather low as far as side bets go at just 4.1%.

21+3 Side Bet

21+3 is another common side bet at live dealer blackjack tables. This side bet closely resembles the most popular Three Card Poker side wager. Players wager on whether their first two cards plus the dealer’s upward will make strong poker hands. A flush or better pays.

The paytable is as follows:

• Flush: 5:1
• Straight: 10:1
• Trips: 30:1
• Straight Flush: 40:1
• Suited Trips: 100:1

Oddly, there’s no specific payout for a mini-royal, which would be a hand like AKQ of spades. The theoretical payout percentage on 21+3 is 96.30%. If players insist of placing side bets, this isn’t a bad option.

Four 20s Blackjack

Four 20s Blackjack isn’t so much a side bet as it is a blackjack variant.

The game is exclusive to DraftKings. In this variant, players must place five wagers of equal size each round. Four wagers are on standard blackjack hands and the last is on the 20s side bet. The side bet wins if players are dealt at least one 20 on their initial hand:

• One 20: Spin the wheel. Payouts range from a push to 3x
• Two 20s: 4:1
• Three 20s: 20:1
• Four 20s: 420:1

The theoretical payback on Four 20s Blackjack is a staggering 99.58%. Players who crave action should definitely make this their first stop, as it’s pretty much the only side bet that pays as well as a traditional blackjack game.

Poker And Pairs Blackjack

Select IGT blackjack games offer this pair of side bets. The Poker side bet is similar to 21+3, except the payouts are slightly different. Trips pay 33:1 instead of 30:1, and Straight Flushes pay 35:1 as opposed to 40:1. The impact is that the house edge decreases to just 3.2%.

The Pairs bet pays 5:1 when the player’s first two cards are a mixed pair, 10:1 if the pair is the same color, and 30:1 if they’re the same suit. The house hold is 3.4%.

Super Fun Extreme: Diamond Bonus

For players seeking the absolute worst side bet, look no further. Diamond Bonus can only be found on SG Digital’s Super Fun Extreme blackjack game.

The main game is a real money blackjack variant where players receive augmented payouts on blackjacks, 5- and 6-card 21s, and by not busting after six cards. The catch is that if the dealer busts on 22, all bets push. It returns 99.12%, which isn’t great for a blackjack game, but it’s not horrible either.

On the other hand, Diamond Bonus is so bad that it’s hard to believe regulators approved it. The side bet only pays when players hit a blackjack in diamonds. For instance, the Ace and Jack of diamonds would result in a 250:1 win.

However, the odds of a diamond blackjack are much longer than 250:1, resulting in a house edge of 25.5%. There’s nothing more to say than don’t waste money on this wager.

Blackjack Fortune Spinner

This side bet is exclusive to Win Studios, and players can find it on BetMGM Casino and its sister sites. When either the player or dealer hits a blackjack, a wheel activates and spins, with multipliers ranging from 5-1000x the amount staked.

At 5.86%, the hold on this side bet is hefty, but at least it softens the blow of the dealer having blackjack.

Ironically, the base game returns 99.61%, which ranks among the best blackjack RTPs among Win Studio games.

Can Online Blackjack Be Beaten?

The short answer is no, but it’s not quite that simple.

In the absence of bonuses or promotions, fully-digital blackjack games are unbeatable. That doesn’t mean players won’t have winning sessions. In fact, real money blackjack gives players a better chance to score a win than any other casino game.

However, the sad reality is that over time, the house is guaranteed to win a small percentage of every player’s handle. Even if the player memorizes perfect basic strategy, they won’t be able to overcome the house edge.

When it comes to online blackjack, real money gambling sites will always have the advantage over the long term.

Card counting is not an option online because the casino shuffles the shoe every hand, or at the very least, after dealing just 20% of the shoe.

The exception is live dealer blackjack, which technically players can count. However, the deck penetration is just 50%. For those who don’t know, deck penetration refers to where the cut card is placed at the beginning of a shoe. If the deck penetration is 50%, it means only half the shoe is played before a dealer shuffle.

Good deck penetration is the most important ingredient of making money counting cards. That’s because the most favorable counts tend to occur at the end of a shoe.

In addition, live blackjack rules aren’t great. The house edge is roughly 0.7%, which players could easily overcome if the deck penetration was perhaps 75% or higher, but not 50%. It’s almost like online casinos purposely install safeguards against card counters. Go figure.

In short, card counters may be able to reduce or even offset the house edge playing live dealer blackjack games, but they’ll rarely gain enough of an advantage to make it worth it.

The only true way to overcome the house edge is to frequently claim bonuses and promotional offers. For instance, if a new player receives a 100% match up to $1,000 on their first deposit, and the wagering requirement on blackjack is 20x, they’ll be playing with a roughly 4.5% edge until their bonus unlocks. Even if the wagering requirement is a hefty 100x, players will still have a temporary edge over the house. At 200x and with smart game selection, they’ll still be playing a slightly better than break-even game.

Taking advantage of other promos like leaderboards, reload matches, and loss-back offers will also minimize the house edge or even flip it in the player’s favor. Loyalty programs also trim the casino’s advantage, with the best programs kicking back roughly 30% of players’ expected loss.

Real-Money Online Blackjack FAQ