Blackjack is the second most popular table game in the UK, behind roulette. As you would expect, online blackjack is the second most popular game with UK online casinos. These days, mobile blackjack represents 50% of the Internet blackjack industry, as UK players increasingly prefer to play blackjack on their Android smartphone or iPhone.
UK online blackjack is played with 4-6 decks. The dealer stands on soft 17 and does not stand on soft 17. Surrender isn’t allowed, but infinite re-splitting is allowed, as is doubling after a split. Most casinos allow 75% penetration of the deck before a re-shuffle, though some casinos use a continuous shuffler. Besides English Blackjack, UK players enjoy Pontoon. Perfect Pairs is a popular side bet in UK land-based casinos.
Playing Online Blackjack in the UK
This article outlines how to find the best online blackjack games for UK players. First of all, below is a brief outline of the recent legal changes, and what these mean to players. After that, you will find some examples of UK casinos which are licensed and use software from the best suppliers. Finally, a guide to the payment methods for UK casino fans, and which ones are the safest to use.
Recent Legal Changes in the UK Casinos
Until the Fall of 2014, any casino licensed in a European jurisdiction was free to accept players from the UK and to advertise in the mainstream media. This law was very relaxed, and there were no restrictions for UK players for sites that were licensed internationally – for example in the Caribbean or in Central America. Basically, players and operators were largely left to their own devices.
Tax on Profits
In 2014, a new law which licenses and regulates gambling site operators in the UK has been put into place. There is a charge and a tax on profits of 15%, which has caused some operators to leave the UK.
More than 100, including all of the major international brands, have applied for the first round of licenses and will continue to offer their games to UK players. In some cases, players have been moved over to new UK-specific software. Other casinos have not implemented this.
Does it affect your chances of winning?
The new tax does not affect your chances of winning, it is taken from the profit of the casinos and the probability/math of the blackjack games will remain exactly the same.
It is usual that companies pass on the costs of extra taxation to players by some means – for example, reduced benefits or fewer special promotions. Since the casino industry in the UK is very competitive, I do not expect this situation to be too marked.
Top Online Blackjack Casinos in the UK
With a choice of the biggest and best software providers from around the world and big brand casinos with deep pockets for promotions – UK players really have a great choice when it comes to Blackjack games.
Betway Casino
Betway Casino offers 26 variants of blackjack, including European, Pontoon, Perfect Pairs, and Classic Blackjack. Betway Casino streams live blackjack from the Hippodrome Casino in London, England. Betway’s live dealers are British residents, so they are fluent in English and familiar with England’s culture and etiquette. Betway is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority, a former British colony and Commonwealth Realm which remains a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and the European Union.
Betway Casino offers a £1,000 match bonus in 3 stages, along with minimum and maximum bet limits that appeal to low-stakes players and high rollers alike. Casino software is powered by NetEnt and Microgaming, while live dealer software is provided by Evolution Gaming. Those who prefer to play Android blackjack or iPhone blackjack should visit Betway’s mobile blackjack page.
Betway UK Casino – Blackjack Information
- Number of Games: 26
- Betting Limits: £1,000 a hand in single-hand blackjack, £5,000 a hand in multi-hand blackjack.
- Bonus: £1000 on first 3 deposits. 1st Deposit: £250 max, 100%. 2nd Deposit: £250 max, 25%. 1st Deposit: £500 max, 50%. 50x Playthrough.
Mr. Green
Mr. Green is an award-winning casino is a great example of the next generation of online casinos. They combine the software of several different providers in an innovative in-browser platform. Primarily powered by NetEnt, you’ll find several different blackjack titles available.
Players at this casino can rate the games so that you’ll be able to instantly see which are the most popular titles. Mr. Green has a unique way of handling bonuses too, with weekly mailed offers tailored to your game preferences and stake levels. For more see www.mrgreen.com
Mr. Green Casino – Blackjack Information
- Number of Games: 15
- Betting Limits: £1,000 a hand in classic blackjack, £5,000 at VIP blackjack
- Bonus: No available bonuses for blackjack
How to Choose a UK Online Casino
Playing online blackjack in a UK casino is not much different than it would be in other jurisdictions, though games are safer and payments are faster. The UK gaming market has a developed, stable regulatory framework, which is better for players and operators alike. UK online blackjack casinos have smaller (but fairer) welcome deposit bonuses than US online casinos. This happens because so many great online casinos operate in the United Kingdom. Many of those sites are listed on the London Stock Exchange, so you are dealing with more traditional business operations than elsewhere in the world.
When playing UK online blackjack for real money, players have their choice of a huge range of games, betting limits, and software providers.
Online Blackjack in the UK
Online blackjack simulates live blackjack, though you bet chips using the computer interface. With a few moves of the mouse and clicks on your keyboard, you can play a hand of blackjack. Results are determined by a random number generator.
Mobile blackjack is played in much the same way, though betting, hitting, standing, splitting, and doubling down requires the simpler controls of the smartphone. In either case, you’ll need to choose an Internet blackjack casino with world-class software support.
Online Blackjack vs. Brick-and-Mortar in the UK
The advantage of playing in a brick-and-mortar UK casino is the social aspect and camaraderie. Blackjack players can talk with 6 other players at the table and the dealer while they bet. Land-based casinos are exciting, with amenities and forms of entertainment a person might not have near their home. Also, brick-and-mortar blackjack allows a skilled card counter to gain an advantage over the casino (if they can keep a card count without appearing to count cards).
The advantage of UK online blackjack is the convenience, comfort, and privacy. If you don’t have a lot of leisure time, you can click a desktop icon and start playing real money UK blackjack in instants. You can play in the warmth of your own home, away from the hustle and bustle. You can snack on your own food, watch your favorite TV show between hands, or have a phone conversation while you play. All the while, you’re playing blackjack with stakes as high and results as real as any game in a brick-and-mortar casino.
Live Dealer Blackjack vs. Online Blackjack
Live dealer blackjack combines the advantage of online blackjack with brick-and-mortar blackjack. Not only do you play in a safe and comfortable environment, but when you play live dealer blackjack, it restores the game to the way it’s been played in brick-and-mortar casinos for generations.
Real life dealers flip real playing cards, which are scanned as the dealer removes them from the shoe. The results immediately appear on your device’s screen, while the video is live-streamed to your screen at the same time. Because the dealer uses a shoe and 6 or more decks of cards, card counting is possible for skilled counters. Most live blackjack studios use 75% penetration of the shoe before a reshuffle happens, much like a land-based casino would.
Payment Methods for UK Online Blackjack Casino Players
Not only will you have the widest choice of games and casinos from the UK. You’ll find all of the international payment methods are available. Credit and Debit cards are still the most popular (and most convenient), though if you play at more than one casino these might not be the best.
eWallets, including PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller offer virtual accounts which can be used as a secure buffer between your bank and the casinos – or online merchants in general. This means you will not have to give your card information every time you deposit at a new casino.
Keeping a separate bankroll in an eWallet service also means that you’ll be in a great position to take advantage of special offers and short-term bonuses.