Blackjack is a game that has been around for many centuries, and it has gone on to become one of the most popular online casino games. Due to its popularity, there are many variants that exist, and the best online casinos will offer a wide variety of them. At Irish online casino, you can play a variety of free blackjack games. Whether you want to play online blackjack for fun or test out a new strategy, we have got your back. So, read out free blackjack guide to find out all you need to know.
Although this guide is all about free blackjack online, it is always a good idea to know about the best online casinos where you can play blackjack for real money. Blackjack is a table game that you can find at any self-respecting online casino, so it can be hard to find the best operator. The five casinos that you can find in the table below are five of the best - click on the logo, and you will be taken to our in-depth review of that online casino.
Casino | Blackjack Variants | Play |
---|---|---|
888 Casino | American Blackjack, Multihand Blackjack, Quantum Blackjack Plus, Blazing 7s Blackjack, and Zappit Blackjack | Play |
Ice Casino | Single Deck Blackjack, Lightning Blackjack, ONE Blackjack, Power Blackjack, and VIP Blackjack | Play |
Casino Friday | Back Blackjack, Blackjack Gold, Infinite Blackjack, Unlimited Blackjack, Atlantic City Blackjack, and Classic Blackjack | Play |
Playzee Casino | Blackjack Neo, Power Blackjack, High Streak Blackjack, Premier Blackjack, and Buster Blackjack | Play |
Mr. Play Casino | European Blackjack, Vegas Strip Blackjack, Platinum VIP Blackjack, and Atlantic City Blackjack | Play |
How do you go ahead and play the free blackjack casino games that we have available here on our site? Well, it is an easy process that we are going to explain below, but first, you might be wondering why you should play ours and not someone else's. One of the main reasons is that we have a lot more variation than other sites, so entertainment is not in short supply. Also, we use the latest HTML5 technology, meaning that you can play our free blackjack online games on your mobile device wherever you are.
Now that we have gotten the why out of the way, let us now take a look at the how.
When you load up our site, in the menu at the top of the page you will find the "Play Free Games" section. Hover over it, and a drop-down menu will appear with a variety of sub-categories to choose from. In this case, you should click on "Free Blackjack", and you will see all the different options that we have available.
So, once you have loaded the Free Blackjack page from the dropdown menu, all you have to do is browse the available free blackjack games and choose the type that appeals to you the most. If you are not familiar with the different variations, in the next section, you can familiarise yourself with the rules of the most popular ones.
Since we have mentioned several times that blackjack has different varieties, it is good to know that each of them has different rules. In general, the basic rules are the same or slightly different, but some species have additional moves that are not possible in other versions. In a standard blackjack game, both you and the dealer will be dealt two cards each.
The goal is to beat the dealer by collecting a good hand from his, but its value must not exceed 21. To achieve this, there are two main functions - hit or stand. If you choose the first one, it means that you want to get another card. If you choose the second, it means that you will play with the hand that you were originally dealt.
Free blackjack practice is a great way to both have fun without making a deposit and risking your money, as well as having fun. At Irish Online Casino you can try a variety of options and practice playing each one. Some of the free blackjack games you can practice on our site are Vegas Single Deck Blackjack, Vegas Downtown Blackjack, Blackjack Multi-Hand, Lucky Blackjack, etc.
Above we said that in this section you can familiarise yourself with the general rules of this entertaining card game, and we are not ones to go back on our word. So, let's dive straight in:
Blackjack's popularity lies in the fact that it is a simple game to learn how to play and comes with one of the lowest house edges. However, you can increase your chances of winning by using a range of different blackjack strategies. Thus, in this section, we are going to look at some free blackjack basic strategy that you should keep in mind when playing this fun card game. However, it must be stressed that no strategy can guarantee a win when you are playing with real money.
As the name of the game indicates, the best hand in this card came is blackjack, which is when your first two cards that you get dealt are an Ace and a Ten, Jack, Queen, or King. If you start off with blackjack, you cannot lose - if the dealer has a blackjack as well, it will be a tie.
The next best hand that you can land is a hard 20, which is a hand of two tens. Some novice punters might think about splitting this hand and having two separate hands at double the wager. However, this is not worth it because you already had an 80% shot of winning. You will only lose if the dealer manages to land a blackjack.
Other top hands in blackjack are cards that make a total of 10 or 11 since you have the option of doubling down. You will then have a good chance of your third card taking the value of your hand to 20 or 21. You should think twice about the Double Down option if the dealer has a 10 as they have a good chance of landing a value of 20.
The worst hand that you can have is a 16 when the dealer's face-up card is a 10. The dealer's 10 gives them a shot of landing a 20 or just lower. Thus, if you have a 16, it is wise to take a hit and hope that Lady Luck is with you. Two other poor starting hands are a 16 against the dealer's Ace and a 16 against the dealer's 9. In these situations, you have to factor in the value of your hand against the possibility of the dealer landing a 9 or Ace.
A 13 or 14 is a really poor starting hand since you might not want to stand, but there is a big risk that you will go bust if you take a hit. However, if the dealer has a 4, 5, or 6, you should consider taking a stand as there is a good chance that the dealer's second card will be a high run, meaning that he must draw a third and risk going bust.
You should always split a pair of eights or aces no matter what the dealer's face-up card happens to be. Many novice blackjack players will opt against splitting a pair of 8s when the dealer has a 9, 10, or A. This is because they do not see the point of risking their cash in a situation where they are the underdogs. However, you can shorten the underdog odds by playing two hands.
If you have a pair of Aces, then you can choose between a soft total of 2 or 12. These are not strong hands, so a good strategy here would be to split as this allows you to start the round with two hands that have a starting value of 11 instead of a soft 2 or 12.
Inexperienced blackjack players believe that a hand with a value of 18 is a really good one, which is why they decide to stand if they have a soft 18. This is especially so if the dealer has a 9, 10, or A. However, in such a situation, you are the underdog, no matter whether you take a stand or hit. If you hit, you will increase your odds of winning since a small value card such as A, 2, or 3 will give you a strong hand. Also, if you draw a card with a value of 10, your chances will not be harmed.
To understand the game of blackjack properly, you need to know all of the most important terms. Thus, in this section of our guide, we shall be taking you through all of the common terms. If you play any casino game without knowing the ins and outs, then you run the risk of making a mistake that will cost you money, so pay attention.
🟢 21 - In blackjack, your main aim is to get your hand as close to 21 as you can.
🟢 Bust - If you go beyond the value of 21, then you will go "Bust" and be eliminated from the round.
🟢 Natural Blackjack - This is the best hand, and it is made up of an Ace and a card with a value of ten.
🟢 Hit - You will receive an extra card - be careful as there is a chance that you will go bust.
🟢 Stand - You will not receive an extra card and your current cards will be compared to the dealer's.
🟢 Surrender - The option of throwing your cards away after you have received your two cards and see the dealer's face-up card. Half of your stake will be lost, while the other can be used in the next round.
🟢 Split - If your first two cards are the same value, you can split them into two different hands. You will have to pay double your stake.
🟢 Double - After you have received two cards if you think that you have a strong hand, then you double your wager. You can only double down in certain variants.
🟢 Soft Hand - A hand where you cannot go bust by taking a hit as you have the chance to change the value of the Ace to suit your hand.
🟢 Hard Hand - A hand that does not have an ace or an ace that has to be counted as one to avoid going bust.
Now that you know all about the most important blackjack terms, it is time to have a look at some other blackjack strategies that are worth learning about when you are playing blackjack for real money.
This strategy tells you the best way to play the hand that has been dealt to you. Below are some examples of what you should do with particular hard and soft hands.
Soft Hands | ||
---|---|---|
Player | Dealer (7-A) | Dealer (2-6) |
19-21 | Stand | Stand |
16-18 | Hit | Double |
13/15 | Hit | Hit |
Hard Hands | ||
---|---|---|
Player | Dealer (7-A) | Dealer (2-6) |
17-21 | Stand | Stand |
12-16 | Hit | Stand |
10/11 | Double | Double |
9 | Hit | Double |
4-8 | Hit | Hit |
Many online charts can tell you the best moves to make according to the hand that you have been dealt, and many players make regular use of these charts. Since such charts summarise all the different possible scenarios, there is plenty of information to get your head around. Some good advice is to make use of free casino blackjack online as the more you play the more you will learn the moves that you should make according to your hand.
This strategy, when compared to the above basic blackjack strategy, is much more complex. The former differs from the latter because it considers all of the cards that are on the table and not only the value of the cards in your hand. For example, the composition strategy for a 7-6 hand will be different from the one for a 10-3 hand. Both hands have a total value of 13 points, but your final decision per hand would vary.
This strategy is usually applied for the hand that has a hard 12 value. Many players will stand with a 12 if the dealer has a 4, 5, or 6 as their face-up card. This is because a 10 would make the hand go bust, so the risk is not worth it. With the composition strategy, you have to consider the cards that make up your 12 before acting.
This is because the 10 in your hand indicates that there is one fewer in the deck, which means there is a higher chance of drawing something lower - obviously, it will not always work in your favour.
To count cards, you have to give value to each card as follows:
When the cards are being dealt, you should add 1, minus 1, or do nothing depending on which cards are drawn. If the total is a positive one at the end of the round, then it tells you that the cards left in the deck are of a higher value, and you should increase your stake. If the total at the end of the round is a negative number, then it indicates that the cards left in the deck are of a lower value, and you should lower your stake.
Card counting is not illegal, but casinos hate it because it decreases the house edge to 0.5%, if done correctly. Therefore, the more decks will be used, and they will be shuffled regularly to make card counting almost impossible.
Due to the popularity of blackjack, there are now plenty of different variants out there that you can play, and we are now going to look at some of the top free blackjack casino variants.
Classic Blackjack, also called American Blackjack, uses eight 52-card decks that are shuffled at the start of each round. The dealer does not get a hole card, and he must take a hit if his hand has a value of 16 or under or he has a soft 17.
There is no surrendering option in this variant, but if you think that the dealer might have blackjack, then you can buy insurance. If you land a pair, then there is the option to split, but you will have to double your wager.
Most of the rules in European Blackjack are the same as those found in Classic Blackjack, but below is a list of the major differences:
Do you get fed up trying to predict the dealer's full hand? If so, then Double Exposure Blackjack Multi-Hand is a variant that will intrigue you.
As can be seen from the name, with this blackjack variant, both of the dealer's cards will be placed face-up. The dealer has to stand on 17, while a tie is considered to be a loss when playing this variant. You have the Double Down option, but only if you possess a hard hand that has a value of 9, 10, or 11. You cannot re-split and double down on split hands, and you will only get one card for split aces. The volatility can be increased, when you can play a total of three hands.
Multi-Hand Atlantic City Blackjack was created by Microgaming and uses eight decks of 52 cards that get re-shuffled at the start of each round. A unique feature of this game is the Late Surrender option.
When the cards have been dealt out, the dealer will check to see if he has blackjack. If he indicates that he does, then you can surrender half of your wager and discard your hand. This allows you to keep some of your stake. Some other important rules can be found below:
At the start of this guide, you were provided with a table that highlighted some of the best online blackjack casinos that Irish punters can sign up with to play blackjack online for real money. We shall now take a look at the main criteria that we pay close attention to when we are deciding whether a site is good enough to be recommended to our readers.
If none of the above-mentioned casinos appealed to you, then keep the below features in mind when it comes to carrying out your own search:
The license issued by an official body such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission is the most important criterion for casinos. The absence of one is not a good sign. The license is a guarantee that the casino is regulated and is subject to certain rules.
The selection of free blackjack games is essential and is the issue that excites the players the most. The greater the variety of different types, the better as you will have the chance to try many more titles provided by the best software developers.
As they say, what is an online casino without live dealer options? Many players prefer the convenience that a live casino offers them as they do not have to go to a land-based operator to play with a real dealer and players. That's why it's important to have a variety of live dealer blackjack tables.
Bonuses and promotions are given to players upon the meeting of certain conditions. But how many and what they are, as well as whether they are reasonable, are very important questions. Also, in most cases, table games either have no contribution to the wagering requirements or if they do, it is very small. Therefore, it is important to be clear whether the promotion is valid for blackjack.
From time to time, problems arise that cannot be found in the FAQ section and require the intervention of a third party. This is where the customer support team comes to the rescue, helping to resolve any problems. So, it is good to be available 24/7 and can be contacted in several ways.
The mobile optimization of the casino site is a mandatory condition for it to be accessible both through desktop devices and through mobile ones. Some operators even go the extra step by developing downloadable mobile apps. Their presence is a good sign, as the casino indicates that it cares about the comfort of the players.
There are plenty of quality online casinos that Irish casino players can register with, but they are great for different reasons. In the table below, you can find five quality blackjack casinos according to five factors that players consider to be the most important.
Category | Casino |
---|---|
🔝 Best Blackjack Games Selection: | 888 Casino |
💯Best Welcome Package: | Legend Play |
⭐️ Best Loyalty Program: | MrPlay Casino |
🏆Best Tournaments: | Arlekin |
🥇 Best Weekly Promotions: | Playzee |
From all of the casinos that we have mentioned in this guide, what is the top free blackjack casino? Well, it has got to be 888 Casino. This brand is more known for having a quality sports betting platform, but they will definitely not disappoint you with their online casino.
They have over 500 games available to those who opt to sign up with them, with some of the best blackjack options being Multi-Hand Blackjack, American Blackjack, Quantum Blackjack, Blazing 7s Blackjack, and Zappit Blackjack. If you like to play live casino games, then 888 Casino offers one of the best live casino platforms in the industry.
Free blackjack games are great for those who want to find out more about a blackjack variant, enjoy a bit of free entertainment, or learn a new blackjack betting strategy, but they do come with their limitations as well. In this section of our guide, we have provided you with a table that compares free blackjack with real money blackjack.
Free Blackjack | Real Money Blackjack |
---|---|
✅ You do not need to sign up at a casino, make a deposit, or download an application. | ✅ There is a chance to win some real money. |
✅ There are a huge variety of free blackjack games. | ✅ You can access live dealer blackjack tables. |
✅ There is no risk of losing money as you play with a virtual credited amount. | ✅ You can opt to claim casino bonuses. |
✅ There are official demo games provided by licensed developers. | ✅ You can join blackjack tables with many players. |
❌ There are no free live dealer tables. | ✅ You can join more than one blackjack casino. |
❌ Not all blackjack versions are free. | ❌ You risk your hard-earned money. |
Earlier this guide spoke about the importance of an online casino making sure that they offer a top mobile gaming platform so that their players can enjoy their favourite games wherever they happen to be. Many sites nowadays have mobile possibilities, but they have not all been created equally. Below you can find five online casinos that are known for having the best mobile casino platforms:
Some online casinos will even go as far as developing a mobile app, so what site has the best mobile app for free blackjack? Well, we have not been able to find any faults with the Arkelin Casino app. It can be downloaded to both Android and iOS devices, and it is very easy to navigate around and very pleasing to the eye. You should have no issues loading up their free blackjack games on their app.
If your mobile device is pretty full, then do not worry because they have used the latest HTML5 technology to ensure that their desktop site works flawlessly on a range of mobile devices. So, no matter where you are, you will have the option of being able to play your favourite free blackjack games.
When it comes to our free casino games, you will find more options than only blackjack. We are well aware that not everyone is a huge blackjack fan, so we also offer a variety of everyone is a fan of blackjack, so we offer our readers a variety of free roulette and free slots. We want to make sure that there is something for everyone on this site.
Playing free blackjack is a simple process that has been outlined below:
Nowadays, most online casinos will offer demos for the games that they have on offer in their library, but they have not been created in an equal manner. Some of the top online casinos for free blackjack include Ice Casino, 888 Casino, Casino Friday, Playzee Casino, and Mr. Play Casino.
Is playing free blackjack online worth it? Yes, it is since not only does it allow you to learn the ins and outs of a new variant, but it also gives you the chance to test out some new strategies. Also, it can be fun to play free blackjack, which makes it a top option for those who are searching for some entertainment but do not want to spend any money.
This is a very subjective question since the top blackjack variants for one player might not be the top option for another. However, in my opinion, some of the best variants include European blackjack, Classic Blackjack, Multi-Hand Blackjack, and Multi-Hand Atlantic City Blackjack.
Olivia Belanger
Hailing from Ireland, Olivia Belanger has established herself as a prominent iGaming writer. Her passion lies in assessing and reviewing online casinos, while her dedication extends to curating comprehensive lists of the finest options for Irish players. With a finger on the pulse of the industry, she also brings the latest news from the world of iGaming, showcasing her commitment to keeping enthusiasts well-informed.