The most classic rendition of the game of 21
In the world of online casinos, few terms are so ill-defined as American Blackjack. It seems most individual games have a different idea of what American Blackjack means – let alone different casinos. Add some decades-old geographical differences forming different varieties of American blackjack, and it’s quite a mess.
The term American Blackjack refers to a very general set of basic rules, usually as a contrast to European Blackjack. Do note that the differences between the two are relatively minor. The basic gameplay of 21 stays the same.
Perhaps the most accurate way to describe the difference between American and European blackjack is to call them “groups” rather than rulesets. For example, there are multiple rulesets that are invariably American in style and history. The main two can be identified as Vegas Strip Blackjack and Atlantic City blackjack.
As you may have guessed, they are named after the largest gambling hubs in the US. However, the division doesn’t even end there. We’ve seen different software developers with different ideas of what constitutes “Vegas Strip Blackjack”, for example. As such, our advice is to focus on the rules on a case-by-case basis. This means that you should check the online blackjack rules in each game separately before you play American blackjack online. All legit casino games online have to state the rules clearly and transparently, so you can usually find them in the info panel.
The rules we’ll describe below are the ones most commonly associated with Vegas Strip Blackjack. However, we’ve seen major discrepancies over the years, which you should always keep in mind.
In terms of how this affects blackjack strategy, the most important parts to consider are the rules about doubling down. The ruleset generally allows players to be much more aggressive when it comes to splitting and doubling.
Moreover, the traditional 4-deck shoe is great news for card counting. Unfortunately, that’s also the part that is most often changed in individual American blackjack games online. If you can find versions with fewer than 6, though, they’re great for practicing your card counting skills.
The other biggest American blackjack variant is called Atlantic City Blackjack. The rules are pretty much the same as with Vegas Strip blackjack, though with some key differences. We’ll focus on the differences.
Overall, this ruleset retains the aggressive nature common to all types of American blackjack. However, it was imagined as an 8-deck variant from the get-go, so not many games use fewer than that. As such, card counting can be exceptionally difficult even for experienced players. This also pushes the overall RTP rate slightly in the house’s favor, increasing the house edge.
Late surrender in Blackjack can be used to concede defeat after the initial 2-card hand has been dealt. If you decide to take this option, half of your stake will be returned to you. This is a useful tool for cutting losses and reducing risks to a degree. However, it’s best used in tandem with card counting. That way, you may be able to guess that the dealer’s hand is probably better than yours based on the initial cards alone.
Players can opt for a late surrender in all variants of Atlantic City Blackjack and most variants of American Blackjack.
Of course you can. American blackjack is one of the most popular types of blackjack online. It comes in all shapes and sizes for all manner of players. You can play American Blackjack live or try out one of the many RNG titles found at various casinos. You can even play American Blackjack free here, though only as a demonstration and not to win money. This will give you the opportunity to polish your skills and get a better pulse of the game before you head out to real money American Blackjack casino sites.
If you’re looking for some quick suggestions for the best online casinos for American Blackjack, here’s a couple:
Featured Casinos
American Blackjack – Rules & Tips
