Online Blackjack at Refuel Casino
Join centuries of tradition when you play online blackjack at Refuel Casino. This casino classic remains arguably the most popular casino game, and you can play for free or real money at Refuel.
Whether you choose online blackjack or live blackjack, you're sure to find a table you love. Then put your blackjack strategies to use and become a winner!
Learn blackjack rules here, and then refuel your excitement at Refuel Casino!
What is online blackjack?
Online blackjack uses the same rules as blackjack you play at land-based casinos or that many people have played with friends and family.
Using standard playing cards, the aim of the game is to beat the dealer by getting a hand closest to the magic score of 21. Anything over, and you are bust and lose.
Playing online blackjack brings the magic online, with superior computer software with fantastic animations, sounds, and gameplay, creating a realistic playing experience.
Live blackjack takes the player experience one step further, with customers streaming live action from a real casino or special studio.
Blackjack rules are pretty simple. You place a bet and are dealt two cards, while the dealer is dealt one card face up. The aim is to beat the dealer and get as close to 21 as possible. Face cards are worth 10, and aces are 1 or 11 (depending on what suits the player best). All other cards are their face value.
If you receive an ace and card worth 10, that's a 'natural' or blackjack, and you win. Blackjack is paid at odds of 3/2.
If the player doesn't have a natural, they have the chance to 'hit' – take another card – or 'stand' – stay on their total.
The player can keep taking more cards if they wish. But if their total goes over 21, they are bust and lose. The dealer wins in that case without having to reveal another card. If you stick on a total of 18, for example, the dealer then gives themselves a second card.
The dealer cannot just choose to do whatever they want after they have been dealt two cards. Typically, the dealer must stand on any total over 17 and hit on any number 16 or under.
If the player wins the hand, they are paid at 1/1 (except blackjack). If the dealer wins, then the player loses their stake. Ties result in a push (stakes returned).
How to win online blackjack
Good blackjack players using an optimal strategy can push the house edge right down to around 0.5%, giving themselves a great chance of winning.
Before we look at strategy, some things to consider. Make sure you understand all the rules. We have discussed the basic rules, but splitting pairs and doubling down are other facets of the game you should learn.
Splitting pairs is when you are dealt two cards of the same value, and you choose to split them into two new hands. Doubling down is an option when your first two cards dealt are worth 9,10, or 11. You can double your stake in exchange for one more card (in the hope it's a high-value card).
Finally, there is insurance to consider. If the dealer's upcard is an ace, players may wish to buy insurance against the dealer making blackjack. They make an additional bet which pays 2/1 should the dealer indeed get blackjack.
Understanding all the rules is vital when you play any casino game, so read up and make sure you are confident before you play.
Single deck blackjack is a firm favourite of blackjack fans as it's easier to keep track of what cards are left in the deck, giving the player an edge. Most blackjack games use between six and eight decks of cards.
Read every hand independently. Just because you have won six hands in a row, for example, doesn't mean you are due a loss or after six losses, you believe you are due a win. Each hand is random, and good or bad runs shouldn't lead you to play around with your staking plan.
Best strategies for online blackjack
The fundamental strategy for blackjack is to consider what the dealer's upcard is and use that information in an optimal way. If the dealer has a 'good' card – a 7,8,9,10, or 11 – you should aim to keep drawing until you hit at least 17.
If the dealer has a 'poor' card – a 4,5 or 6 – then standing on as low as 12 is the right move. Never take a card in this scenario if there is a chance of going bust. Here you hope the dealer goes bust.
Finally, if the dealer has an 'average' card – a 2 or a 3 – you should aim to stand on 13 or higher.
What to do if you are dealt an ace often catches out new players. The best strategy is to aim for at least a total of 18. An ace and a six, for example, is a fair hand at 17, but you should hit again.
More complicated strategy looks at when to double down. When you have a total of 11, always double down.
Double down with a total of 10 unless the dealer also has a 10-card or ace. Only double down on a total of 9 if the dealer's card is a 2-6.
Live Blackjack games at Refuel Casino
Refuel Casino has dozens of live blackjack tables, many exciting side bets like Perfect Pairs and Lucky 7s.
The live blackjack tables come from various high-class operators, are available in different languages, and across a wide range of themes, styles, and variants like VIP Blackjack and Speed Blackjack.
Can I win real money when playing online blackjack?
Yes, play real money blackjack, and any winnings are paid in cash. A €10 winning bet at the blackjack table would return €20 – your €10 stake and €10 winnings. Blackjack is paid at 3/2, meaning a €10 bet would return €25.
Always remember to play with stakes you can afford and never chase losses. Playing responsibly is the best way to have fun!