Blackjack is one of the oldest yet best-loved casino games. First played some time around 1700, thanks to its mention in the novel Don Quixote, this legendary card game invites you to take on the dealer to create a hand equal to or as close to 21 as possible.
JeffBet offers dozens of variants of UK online blackjack, including random number generator (RNG) games you can play at your own pace and live dealer versions, which mimic the experience of playing blackjack in a land-based casino.
Explore the best blackjack online games at JeffBet and find out how to play this card game for real-money payouts.
Introducing Blackjack: Objective & Rules
Blackjack is a straightforward card game. The objective is to beat the dealer with a hand equal to or as close to 21 as possible. You and the dealer receive two cards to start the game.
Your total hand is the combined value of both cards. So, if you receive 10 + 5, your hand will be worth 15. You can decide to stand with the hand you have or hit to receive an additional card.
You may hit as many times as you like, provided the total of your cards doesn’t exceed 21. When you stand, the dealer will reveal their second card and play until a conclusion.
The winner will have the highest hand of 21 or under. If you both have the same score, it will result in a push bet, and your stake is returned.
Blackjack Online Card Values, Actions & Payouts
In blackjack online, the numbered cards retain their face value, while picture cards are worth 10. Ace can be worth 1 or 11, depending on how you use it. The table below indicates the card values:
| Cards | Blackjack Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 or 11 |
| 2-10 | Face value |
| Picture cards (J, Q, K) | 10 |
The best possible blackjack hand is an ace plus a 10 or a picture card, totalling 21. This hand is known as blackjack, and if you receive it from the start, you cannot lose.
If your initial hand results in a total lower than 21, you can take the following actions:
- Stand: You can stand on any total under 21. This means you’re happy with your hand and don’t want to receive more cards.
- Hit: If your hand is under 21, you can hit as many times as you like. However, if you hit and your hand totals over 21, you go bust and immediately lose the game.
- Double down: You may also double your bet in exchange for just one more card. If you win the hand, you will receive double the payout.
- Split: If you receive a pair, you can split the hand in two. It costs double your initial wager to split your hand.
- Insurance: You can place an insurance bet if the dealer’s upcard is an ace. Then, if the dealer wins with blackjack, you receive a payout of 2:1.
Though the payout in some blackjack online variants differs, the paytable below indicates the standard you can expect if you defeat the dealer:
| Hand | Standard Payout |
|---|---|
| Standard win (any hand other than blackjack) | 1:1 |
| Blackjack (10/picture card + ace) | 3:2 |
| Insurance (optional side bet) | 2:1 |
Blackjack Side Bets Explained
Alongside the optional insurance bet if the dealer shows an upcard ace, many UK online blackjack games let you place side bets to increase your potential payouts. Here’s an overview of the blackjack side bets you might encounter while playing this game:
- Perfect pairs: This is a side bet on your first two cards being a pair. You can bet on a perfect pair (same rank & suit), a coloured pair (same rank, same colour, but different suit), or a mixed pair (same rank, different colours). This side bet offers the following payouts:
- Perfect pair = 25:1
- Coloured pair = 12:1
- Mixed pair = 6:1
- 21+3: This side bet combines your first two cards with the dealer’s upcard to produce a three-card poker hand with the following payouts:
- Suited trips = 100:1
- Straight flush = 40:1
- Three of a kind (different suit) = 30:1
- Straight = 10:1
- Flush = 5:1
- Other side bets: Though less common, you might encounter Surrender, Hot 3, Pair Square, Lucky Lucky, Super Sevens, and Royal Match in some blackjack variants. Always read the game’s rules for details of how the side bets work and how much they payout.
When to Hit & Stand: Blackjack Online Cheat Sheet
Knowing when to hit, stand, double down, and split should be the basis for any successful blackjack online strategy. With that in mind, use our cheat sheet table to guide you:
| Action | Soft totals (ace is 11) | Hard totals |
|---|---|---|
| When to hit | Hit on A2-A6 | Hit if you have 8 or less, or hit on 12-16 when the dealer shows 7-Ace |
| When to stand | Stand on A7 if the dealer shows 2, 7, or 8, and stand on A8 or A9 regardless of dealer’s upcard | Always stand on 17+ and stand on 13-16 when the dealer shows 2-6 |
| When to double down | A2-A3 v dealer 5-6 A4-A5 v dealer 4-6 A6 v dealer 3-6 A7 v dealer 3-6 |
9 v dealer 3-6 10 v dealer 2-9 11 v dealer 2-10 |
| When to split | Always split Aces and 8s Never split 5s and 10s Split 2s, 3s, and 7s if dealer shows 2-7 |
|
Blackjack Tips & Betting Advice
While playing blackjack online, it helps to have a simple strategy to guide your wagers and actions. While each player approaches blackjack differently, the following tips & advice will help you as you’re getting started with UK online blackjack at JeffBet:
- Decide on your minimum unit: Begin by calculating the minimum unit you’re happy to bet. We recommend between 1% and 3% of your total bankroll. So, if you have £100 in your JeffBet account for blackjack online, don’t bet more than £1 to £3 per game.
- Place side bets sparingly: Though they offer higher payouts, blackjack side bets eat into your bankroll much more quickly than standard bets, and should only be placed sparingly.
- Consider table minimums: Every blackjack online game has its respective limits. We encourage you to find a table with limits to reflect your minimum unit, be it £0.10 or £1.00, for example.
Advanced Blackjack Online Strategies to Manage Your Bankroll
Blackjack is a game of chance, and you can do nothing to influence the cards you’re dealt. However, you can employ advanced blackjack strategies to manage your bankroll and formalise your approach at the virtual table. Here’s an overview of the strategy that might work in your favour:
Martingale System
In the Martingale System, you must double your bet after every loss until you win. Then, you reset to the initial wager. The premise is that one win covers the previous losses, but it can get expensive quickly and is best suited to high rollers.
Paroli System (Reverse Martingale)
The Paroli is the Martingale System in reverse. So, each time you win, you must double your bet until you lose. Most followers of the Paroli system keep the sequence going for at least three successive wins before resetting. This system is suited to risk-averse players keen to limit losses.
Fibonacci Sequence
This progressive system follows the Fibonnaci sequence of numbers (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc.). After each loss, you move one place up the sequence, while a loss sets you back two places. It’s less risky than the Martingale but still requires a healthy bankroll.
Step by Step: How to Play UK Online Blackjack
Now that we’ve covered the basics and your blackjack online betting and strategy options, follow these steps to play real-money blackjack online at JeffBet:
- Click JOIN NOW to create your account.
- Complete the registration form and verify your contact information.
- Check the boxes to confirm you’re 18+ and agree to our privacy policy, terms, and conditions.
- Choose a payment method and make a deposit to fund your blackjack gameplay. You may also be eligible for a JeffBet bonus. Terms and conditions apply.
- Browse our selection of blackjack games and decide which to play. Click the game tile, read the rules, and check the table limits.
- Place the virtual chip in the space provided, and when you’re happy with your bet, click PLAY.
- If you beat the dealer, cash out your winnings or leave the cash in your JeffBet account to fund future gameplay.
Online Blackjack Games at JeffBet
JeffBet is home to dozens of brilliant RNG and live blackjack games from studios like Gamevy, Playtech, and Evolution Gaming.
RNG Blackjack
You can play RNG blackjack games entirely at your own pace. In these games, you take on a computerised dealer and every outcome is determined by the RNG software within the game, much like in a slot game. We offer many RNG blackjack variants with exciting side bets, giving you the chance to land higher payouts than the 3:2 standard.
Here are the RNG blackjack games we recommend if you’re just getting started at JeffBet:
- Premier Blackjack with Side Bets
- Atlantic City Blackjack.
- Classic Blackjack with Perfect 11
- 3D Blackjack
- European Blackjack
- Vegas Strip Blackjack
- Premier Blackjack with Lucky Lucky
- High Streak Blackjack
Live Blackjack
Live blackjack invites you to play this fun card game in the company of a real-life dealer. Rather than taking on a computerised dealer with RNG outcomes, the game is live-streamed from a purpose-built studio, and the result is determined by the cards dealt.
Live online blackjack is as close to playing this card game at a land-based casino in Las Vegas or Atlantic City as you will get, without leaving home. At JeffBet, we’ve partnered with industry leaders Playtech and Evolution Gaming to bring you the best live blackjack games on the market, including:
- AllBets Blackjack Live
- Mega Fire Blaze Blackjack Live
- Quantum Blackjack Plus
- Grand Blackjack
- Majority Rules Speed Blackjack
- Unlimited Blackjack
- Royale Blackjack
- Infinite Bet Stacker Blackjack
- Speed Blackjack
Why Play Blackjack at JeffBet?
So, why should you play UK blackjack at JeffBet? We’re a regulated and reputable online casino, licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC license #39335).
We offer a suite of responsible gambling tools via our Bet Smart Hub, making it easy to set deposit and loss limits and control the amount of time you spend gambling online.
We’re also proud to offer dedicated 24/7 customer support via live chat and further assistance via email to all JeffBet customers. You might also find answers to your questions published via our help centre.
Also, when you play online casino games at JeffBet, you’re eligible for a range of promotions, including free bets, free spins on slots, and bonus cash. Discover our latest promotions to boost your bankroll today.