Popularity of Online Blackjack in 2021
Online casino searches soared to an all-time high in 2020, according to a report by the BBC. Last year’s unprecedented growth can be linked to lockdown mandates and the closure of land-based casinos.
However, online casinos have been spreading globally in the last two decades. It was an industry on the rise even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Some gambling products, more so, slots, blackjack and roulette have become incredibly popular with players.
Here, we’ll talk about the growth of blackjack over time and why’ it’s a great game to play in 2021.
Increased Legalization
Fifteen years ago, the UK, Malta, and Curacao were the three most popular jurisdictions with legal online gambling. Not anymore—dozens of countries around the world now allow you to play blackjack, poker and slots online safely.
The US, which was against online gambling for a long time, embraced the industry in 2011. That’s when the Department of Justice gave states the go-ahead to legalize online casinos. Legal sports betting came in 2018, thanks to a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court.
Around the world, countries are legalizing online blackjack left, right and center. Where the game is not yet legal, people have the freedom to gamble at offshore casinos safely. Here’s why—many countries have grey online gambling laws.
They might not license blackjack sites. But they have no laws that prohibit online gambling. Canada is a great example. And as a result, many Canadians can play at casino sites based in the UK, Malta or Curacao.
Simple to Play
Put simply, blackjack is a card game between a gambler and the casino. Online, you can play blackjack against computer software. Or you can sign up for the more luxurious, more interactive live blackjack to play against a human dealer through video.
That said, wining at online blackjack real money USA is all about beating the dealer in producing a hand of 21. It’s easier said than done but it’s doable. At the start of a game, you receive two cards. The dealer receives two cards and you can see one of their cards.
Each card counts 1-10 points. Ace cards count 1 or 11. Face cards like kings and queens count 10. The remaining cards hold the value printed on them. If you receive an ace card plus a face card—that’s a hand of 21, an automatic win.
You lose if the dealer has a better hand or if you produce a hand totaling more than 21. If you tie the dealer at 21, this is treated as a draw.
Blackjack is a Game of Strategy
Many casino players love games that give them a fair chance to win. Slots can make you rich instantly. But they’re based on pure luck, meaning the chances of winning are low. Poker is great—you can use skill to beat your opponents.
Unfortunately, you need to find opponents with lower skills than you do. Otherwise, you can lose consistently at the game. Enter blackjack—it combines luck with strategy. Luck helps you get high-value cards. Strategy helps you win consistently.
The beauty of blackjack strategies is that some of them are legal. Basic blackjack, for example, helps you make moves that increase your chances of winning. Many experts advocate for it and almost no casino bans it.
In case you’re wondering, card counting is also legal. It’s just not effective at online casinos. On the Internet, software shuffles cards, which makes it impossible to count them. Other strategies like Martingale and reverse Martingale are legal but not efficient.
Blackjack Bonuses
This might come as a surprise to you but some people play casino games mainly because of bonuses. For the uninitiated, bonuses are betting credits to play blackjack, slots or roulette free of charge.
The best part: you can use a bonus to win real money. So, why would a casino give out bonuses? They’re excellent marketing tools. Blackjack fans love bonuses, no matter the amount.
Additionally, casinos don’t give out bonuses free of conditions. They have a fine print for every promotion, whether it’s a welcome bonus or a VIP cashback program. These fine prints can be deal breakers, which is why some people are against bonuses.
With that in mind, bonuses are not to be feared. Instead, exercise due diligence before you claim them. Read the terms and conditions. Can you withdraw bonus winning? What must you do? What the validity period of a bonus?
Mobile Blackjack
Another reason blackjack’s fame keeps soaring is mobile devices. When blackjack was introduced online, you needed a powerful desktop machine to play the game. What’s more, you needed Adobe Flash.
In this age of pocket phones, neither adobe flash nor a gaming machine is necessary to play blackjack. You need a decent smartphone that can run mobile games without crashing. You need reliable Internet to play live blackjack and a trustworthy casino.
You can install a casino app or play blackjack through web apps. It’s up to you. Most people prefer mobile blackjack sites nowadays. But there’s nothing wrong with playing the game through a native app.
Blackjack Variants
Blackjack comes in all forms and shapes. And that’s a big reason for its success in 2021. The original version of the game is called classic blackjack. It’s the most played game online. However, these versions are pretty popular too:
- Vegas Strip Blackjack
- Atlantic City Blackjack
- Blackjack Switch
- Spanish 21
- Progressive Blackjack
- European Blackjack
Every variation of blackjack has something unique to offer. In many cases, there’s also a compromise. With blackjack switch, the x-factor is that you receive four cards at the start of a game. And you can switch them around to form one strong hand.
The compromise: A dealer’s 22 isn’t a bust (loss). It’s a push (draw). The only exception is if you have a natural hand of 21. To be clear, this only counts if you didn’t switch or split cards. With that in mind, most blackjack variants follow the standard rules of classic blackjack. Only a few rules are changed.
Photo by Esteban Lopez on Unsplash