Real Money Blackjack – Important Details for Playing Online

If you want to play blackjack for real money, then you should look for an online casino that provides a good game selection, with advantageous bonus conditions for the game. Yet there are other details to take into consideration other than simply where you should play. In this article, you will find the most important information you need to know regarding playing online blackjack for real money.

The Microgaming Casinos 32Red and Ladbrokes have the largest game selection. The Playtech casinos Betfair, William Hill and Ladbrokes may have a smaller overall game selection, yet they do offer many interesting game variants and a top selection of live games. Plus, Betfair provides extremely low table limits, with bets from just 10p possible, perfect for those who want to play with the lowest stakes.

Understanding Table Limits for Ante and Side Bets

When it comes to table limits, there are no complicated rules to get your head around. However, there are certain details that some players could be unsure about. Of course, it is clear that any bets must be within the table limits, but how does the situation look regarding ante or side bets?

There are very few blackjack games with ante. But since this bet is usually half of the regular bet, does this mean that it can be half of the minimum table limit? The answer is no. In this situation, the ante would need to be the same as the minimum table limit. As for the upper table limit, this also applies to the ante. Therefore, if you continue to play, then your total bet will be double the table limit.

If you have the option to place a side bet, there are generally two different scenarios that can come into play. The simplest of the two is that the bet must exactly match the original stake. The other scenario allows the side bet to differ from the initial bet. However, in this case, the side bet cannot exceed the amount of the main bet, and it must remain within the table limits.

If you want to play a blackjack variant with ante or side bets, then it is important to understand the rules regarding the bet size and table limits, before you start to play. In order to do this, you can read the rules of the game, which will include all relevant details. You could also try the game out for free in play money mode, before parting with any real money.

How to Make Bets and Receive Winnings

Placing bets in blackjack games could not be easier. You simply click on the chips to select the value and then click on the box on the table to place your bet. You can change the value of the chip as you increase your bet. Provided you bet within the table limits, and that you have sufficient money in your casino account, you can bet any amount you please.

The casino software ensures that any bets you place are within the table limits. If you accidentally exceed the maximum bet amount, then a message will be displayed alerting you to the fact. If you wish to remove any chips that you have placed on the table, this can be done by right clicking on the chip, or you can opt to cancel the entire bet by clicking the corresponding button. Once you click “deal”, the bet amount is removed from your player account and the game begins. Any winnings are paid automatically once the game is finished, and the game results are displayed on the screen. Any winnings are instantly available to use on further bets.

How Connection Losses are Handled

If the software crashes, or your internet connection drops, then what happens to any real money bets you have placed? Well it’s important to know that your money not simply lost. Yet there are several different ways in which the situation may be handled. Let’s take a closer look at these.

Online Blackjack Simply Continues After Reconnection

With online blackjack, (excluding live games) it is quite straightforward. Any action you have taken prior to the disconnection is stored on the casino server, as are any game decisions as determined by the random number generator. The log file is the only reference as to which game decisions have been made. If you made a decision regarding the game in the casino software, but the internet connection had already been lost, then there would be no record of this move on the log file. In such a case, when you return to the game, it would pick up from the last recorded move, so you would need to make your chosen move again. You usually have around 30 – 60 days in which you can continue an interrupted game. It is good to know that the outcome of the game will not be affected if you are disconnected then return to it later, as no further cards will have been drawn after you made your first move in the game.

Live Blackjack is not so Straightforward

When it comes to live blackjack, which can be played with real money only, the situation is a little more complex. After all, if you lose your connection, the dealer cannot simply sit and wait for you to return to the game. This is quite different to live roulette, where a lost connection is very simple to deal with. In such as case, once you have placed your bet, and it has been logged on the server, you are not required to make any further decisions. The game plays, the winning number is determined, and if you win, the payout will be automatically credited to your player account. However, when it comes to blackjack, you need to make further decisions after your bet has been accepted. So what happens here? Well it depends on the live game provider, with each taking a different approach. You will find the various possible courses of action here.

Option 1: Automatic Stand (e.g. Evolution Gaming, Microgaming)

One way to deal with a disconnection from the game is for your move to automatically be taken as a stand. The dealer will then continue to draw their cards, then compare their hand against yours. As usual, if the dealer busts, then you win, and your winnings will be automatically credited to your account. Yet if the dealer does not bust, then it is highly likely that you will lose the game, unless you had a strong hand to begin with. It could be argued that this approach is disadvantageous for the player. Yet this is only true in cases where you should stand after your first 2 cards have been dealt, rather than drawing another card.

Option 2: Continue with RNG Version (e.g. Playtech)

A different approach is taken by Playtech. When a live blackjack game is interrupted, the casino server saves the game at the exact point where the connection was lost. Then, when you return to the casino, you pick up where you left off in a RNG version of the game, with the same cards that were in play when your connection was lost. Once you have completed the saved game, you can return to the live casino and continue to play blackjack in real time against a real dealer. This solution is probably the fairest, as it allows the player to make their own decisions. You will find this option at Ladbrokes Live Casino.

Option 3: Game Continues Using Optimal Strategy (e.g. VueTec)

One further variation on how to deal with lost connections can be found in live games from VueTec. When your connection is interrupted here, the game will continue, with your hand being played according to basic blackjack strategy. This is a favourable approach for the player, given that you should generally play using basic strategy in order to optimise your chances of winning. Of course, there is always the possibility here that you will bust by drawing further cards. Yet overall, this is a fair approach to dealing with lost connections.

Overall, regardless of the approach taken by the different live game providers, it is reassuring to know that in the case of disconnection or software crash, your real money bets are not simply lost. When you reconnect to the casino, you can review what happened to the game, plus find out whether you won in the game log.

How are Accounts and Games in Different Currencies Handled?

Generally speaking, blackjack games at an online casino will be in the same currency as your casino account. It is rarely the case that you will find a game is played in a different currency to your account. However, should this ever occur, for any reason, you should be aware that any bets you place will be converted using the current exchange rate. The same is true of any winnings that are paid back to you. You should avoid using a different currency for your casino account other than pounds, as any deposits and withdrawals you make will usually incur fees. All licenced UK online casinos offer all games in pounds. Therefore, there is no reason for you to use another currency.