Online Blackjack

Anyone with a love of online blackjack will find plenty of reasons to keep heading back to the Betfair Casino. We offer several versions of this classic card game, ensuring that even veteran gamers should be able to find a new and unique twist.

Blackjack is believed to be the world's most widely played casino game, thanks in no small part to the simplicity of its rules and the scope for tactical play. As blackjack pits you against the house (in the form of the dealer), there's a real sense of satisfaction to be gained by winning that you won't necessarily get on a slot machine or some other online casino games.

Fancy trying some of the variants of online blackjack to be found at the Betfair Casino? Read on to find out a little more...

Blackjack: a history lesson

First, a little about the history of this world-famous card game. The roots of blackjack can be traced back to the game twenty-one, which is referred to as 'ventiuna' in the book Rinconete y Cortadillo, by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes - the creator of Don Quixote. It was written between 1601 and 1602, indicating that ventiuna was being played in Castilla from the beginning of the 17th century or even earlier.

It's generally accepted that blackjack as we'd recognise it today - although with slightly different rules - originated in French casinos around 1700, although at the time it was known as vingt-et-un.

French colonists took the game with them to the US and it was soon played across the continent. Blackjack was still called twenty-one when it rose to popularity in Nevada in 1931, with some gaming halls attempting to attract players with a special bet - hands featuring either of the black jacks along with the ace of spades would pay out at odds of ten to one.

How to play blackjack

The rules of blackjack have changed little down the years, which is perhaps one of the biggest reasons for its enduring popularity.

To win, you must amass a hand of cards with a value of 21, or get closer to that target than the dealer. All cards are worth the number printed on them, with just a couple of exceptions - face cards (jack, queen and king) score ten, while the value of an ace can be either one or 11.

After being dealt a hand of two cards, you will be asked to 'stand' (stay with the cards you've got) or 'hit' (draw another one). If the value of your hand exceeds 21, it is declared 'bust' and all bets placed on it are immediately forfeited.

On your turn, you can also choose to 'double' (multiply the wager by two, take a single card and finish), 'split' (separate two cards of the same value into two hands) or 'surrender' (concede the game and give up half of the bet).

Now all that remains is to check out the numerous versions of online blackjack at the Betfair Casino. From Blackjack Switch to Half Double Blackjack, you're sure to find one that appeals to you.