Blackjack Online

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games played worldwide, both in a casino or online. There are a lot of reasons that make this game a go-to for many gamblers. It is fast-paced, easy to learn, and exciting to play. It can also offer a high probability of winning. Playing blackjack online at King Billy, one of the most awarded casinos, gives players the ability to choose from hundreds of titles with high odds of winning real money.

You don’t have to head to the nearest brick-and-mortar casino, sometimes miles away. You can play anytime and anywhere: in the comfort of your home or on the go. Whether you are new to the game or a seasoned player, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about blackjack to give you the best chances of winning real money at King Billy.

The Brief History of Online Blackjack

Blackjack online is one of the most widely played card games around the world. Its exact history and origins are still unknown to this day. Some historians and researchers believe the game originated in French casinos from a similar game called “Vingt-et-Un,” which stands for “Twenty-One”. Others claim that it originated from the Romans through a game where wooden blocks denote the numbers involved.

The earliest known reference to Twenty-One was in the Spanish short story Rinconete y Cortadillo by Miguel de Cervantes, famed author of Don Quixote. Within the story, the game is mentioned to have a goal to reach 21 points without going over and indicated Ace cards are valued at either 1 or 11. This reference shows that the game was played in the Castille region as early as the 17th century.

At the beginning of the 18th century, Twenty-One was growing in popularity in French casinos, which is why many believe blackjack originated in France. As the game grew in popularity, it reached North America courtesy of the French colonists. It quickly spread among gambling halls and casinos across the continent.

It is not known exactly when the “blackjack” name took over “twenty-one”. But it is believed to have emerged around World War I as players in casinos were offered bonus payouts for winning with a hand with the Ace of spades and a jack of clubs or spades (a blackjack).

The Advantages of Playing Blackjack Online in Ontario

The blackjack game has evolved thanks to the advancement of technology and the development of smartphones and tablets. Punters have the opportunity to play blackjack online wherever they are. Playing blackjack online in Ontario, Canada, has many benefits when you sign up to play at King Billy, a reliable and trusted online casino. Here are some reasons why it is great to play blackjack online:

• It is convenient. Playing blackjack online is a convenient option because it is possible anywhere and anytime. It’s more convenient than getting ready and driving to a nearby brick-and-mortar casino with the possibility of having to wait your turn to play. You can play during your break or lunch, while you are waiting for an appointment, or if you have some downtime at home.
• You can play more rounds. When you play at a physical casino, you have to rely on variables that can change the game’s speed, such as more players, dealer speed, and more. With blackjack online, there is little to no downtime, meaning you can play more rounds, increasing your odds of winning.
• You can improve your blackjack skills. If you are a beginner, playing blackjack online is a low-stakes way to improve your skills. King Billy offers blackjack online games for free for you to brush up on your skills before you move on to the games where you can play for real money.

How to Play the Game of Blackjack Online: a Step-by-Step Guide

Blackjack online is a simple game for Canadian players. Blackjack Ontario game rules are straightforward. The objective is to get as close to 21 without going over and achieve a higher hand than the dealer. If you or the dealer goes over 21, it’s considered a bust and a loss. Here’s what a typical game looks like when you play blackjack online.

King Billy has many options to fit your preferences. Choose your table and get ready to play. Once all punters have joined, the round begins, and the dealer, whether live or AI, deals each player two cards face-up. The dealer is dealt with one card face down and one card face-up.

When it’s your turn to play, you have to look at your cards and determine if you think your hand is higher than the dealer’s one based on the single card face-up. This is where a good blackjack strategy will come in, and you can either choose to hit or stay.

To hit means to ask the dealer for another card. You need to hit when you believe the value of your cards is lower than the dealer’s one. The next card can either deal you a better chance of winning or cause you to bust because of going over 21. To stand is to keep your hand as is, and the dealer moves on to the next player. You should do this when your card value is already high (for example, over 17), and there is a risk of going over 21. After all players have had a turn, the dealer reveals their cards. If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s one, then you win. If the dealer is closer to 21, then they win.

Why Is It Important to Choose Your Blackjack Strategy

Winning or losing at blackjack relies on mathematical probability. Choosing your blackjack strategy requires you to understand the game’s rules. You can get lucky, but you throw real money away if you don’t know how to play correctly.

With the right blackjack strategy, you learn when the best time to hit or stand is, and how and when to double down, split pairs, or surrender. Everyone has their unique strategy, but here are some universal tips to follow: if your hand is lower than 8, it is better to hit. If you exceed 17, it is better to stand. If you have 11, it is a good idea to try to double down. If you have a pair of 4, 5, or 10, it is not the best idea to split.

Is It Possible and Is Is Allowed to Count Cards in Blackjack Online

Counting cards is considered an effective strategy to increase the odds of winning at brick-and-mortar casinos. But with the rise of blackjack online, is it possible to count cards at an online casino? You can, but many games have an algorithm that shuffles the cards with every new hand, making it a challenge. If you play with a live dealer in the land of King Billy, you might be able to make it work as if you were at a physical casino.

Counting cards can provide advantages, even through online play. It can help players to become more alert, aware, and able to make better, more strategic plays to increase their odds of winning. Card counting is memorizing and keeping a running tally of cards in play against already revealed cards.

You can learn to count cards with four simple steps: assign cards a +1 (cards 2-6), 0 (cards 7-9), or -1 (cards 10-Ace). Every time the dealer pulls a card from the deck, keep a running count using the above values. If you can keep a running count, you can deduce the value of the cards remaining in the deck. After each round, if your count is negative, more low-value cards will likely remain in the deck. If your count is positive, there are more high-value cards. Lower or raise your bet based on the value you end up with after all cards are dealt. Raise if negative and lower your bet if positive.

But counting cards influences the fairness of the game. Therefore, a legal online casino has a lot of strategies to stop card counters in blackjack online and make the game fairer for every player, for example, using multiple decks and continuous shuffling.

The Most Common Types of Online Blackjack Games in Ontario

While the classic version of the game is the most popular, you can choose from several other variations at King Billy.

Classic Blackjack

The classic version of the game includes:

• Using 2-4 decks of cards.
• The dealer always hits a soft 17.
• Doubling and Splitting are allowed.
• Up to 2 resplits are allowed, and doubling is allowed following a split.
• Dealer checks for blackjack.

European Blackjack

European variation is played with two decks with a few slight variances.

• Players can double down with only a total of 9, 10, or 11.
• The dealer doesn’t check for blackjack.
• Players can double after splitting, but no additional splitting is permitted.
• Dealer stands on soft 17.

Multi-Hand Blackjack

Multi-hand blackjack allows you to play more than one hand at a time. The rules of this variation include:

• Only one split is allowed.
• Dealer stands on soft 17.
• The dealer does not check for blackjack.
• Players are only allowed to double on totals of 9,10, or 11.

The Introduction to Blackjack Side Bets and Payouts

Blackjack online side bets add more excitement and more chances to win the game. The following options are available.

Insurance

This is a risky side bet. It is available if the dealer has an Ace as their face-up card. It’s a bet on the possibility that the dealer’s hand is a blackjack. The maximum bet is half of the player’s main bet. And the payout is 2:1.

Perfect Pairs

This is a side bet that the player has some combinations of cards:

• Mixed Pair. Two cards of the same value but different suit and color. The payout is 5:1
• Colored Pair. Two cards of the same value and color. The payout is 12:1
• Perfect Pair. Two of the same suit, value, and color. The payout is 30:1.

21+3

This is a bet placed when the player believes their two original cards combined with the dealer’s up card will make a winning poker hand:

• Flush. All cards are suited. The payout is 5:1.
• Straight. Three cards of consecutive values. The payout is 10:1.
• Three of a kind. Three cards of the same denominations. The payout is 30:1.
• Straight flush. Cards of the same suit with consecutive values. The payout is 40:1.
• Suited triple. All three cards are the same number and the same suit. The payout is the highest: 100:1

Legal Requirements to Play Blackjack Online in Ontario

Gambling online has only recently been approved to operate in Ontario, Canada. The new regulations have opened the doors for King Billy to cater to players who want to enjoy gambling. If you want to play blackjack online in Ontario and win real money, you must be at least 19 years or older to create a player account at King Billy. When you are getting registered, you may need to provide the document that proves your legal gambling age.

The Main Things Consider When Choosing a Blackjack Casino Site in Ontario

If you want to get started with blackjack online, you need to choose a high-quality legal casino that offers the best playing experience. King Billy is the best place to play blackjack in Ontario.

On this site, you can choose from a wide selection of blackjack titles. You can sign on for extraordinary bonus offers and other great rewards.

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