Online Blackjack for Free and Real Money in Ireland (2024)
Welcome to our guide to online blackjack for real money in Ireland! Our experts put together everything about playing blackjack online, including tips and the best places to play. You can also test the luxurious Bombay Blackjack game by OneTouch below:
Bombay Blackjack Game Facts:
| Game Type | Table Games |
|---|---|
| RTP | 99.13% |
| Game Provider | OneTouch |
| Minimum Bet | €0.50 |
| Maximum Bet | €5,000 |
| Volatility | Low |
| Release Date | April 6th, 2023 |
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The minimum and maximum bet amounts may differ depending on online casinos.
Online Casino Sites for Blackjack in Ireland (November, 2024)
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What is Online Blackjack?
Online Blackjack is one of the top-rated online casino games. It is also known as Pontoon or 21. This game pits you against the dealer in a thrilling race to reach 21 with the cards you’re dealt.
How Does It Work?
The game begins with both you and the dealer receiving two cards. With the ace card’s value being either 1 or 11, you could hit a blackjack - a winning hand of 21 - right from the start! The face cards - king, queen, and jack - are all valued at 10 in blackjack.
The game continues until either you or the dealer hits 21. You can ‘stick’ with your cards or ‘twist’ and risk another card. Usually, players ‘stick’ at 16 or 17, but if you’re feeling adventurous, ‘twisting’ might be your best bet!
Can I Play Blackjack Online for Real Money?
Yes, you can play blackjack online for real money at online casinos in Ireland. To play online blackjack with real money, you would need an account at an online casino of your choice and deposit via a payment method the casino offers to Irish players.
Where Can I Play Blackjack Online in Ireland?
Below, we picked a couple of the best online casinos to play blackjack for real money. They're all reputable brands and selected based on our highly relevant factors. In other words, they provide users from Ireland with a safe and quality gaming platform for online blackjack:
LeoVegas - Online Casino with 70+ Online Blackjack Games
LeoVegas is one of the best online blackjack casinos in Ireland. Its diverse collection of 70+ games includes variations of online blackjack, including first-person and live blackjack titles. Demo games are also available, so you can try blackjack games without having to deposit first.
Having reviewed LeoVegas, we can confidently say it is a legitimate platform for Irish users to play blackjack for real money. It has received several industrial awards and operates under the strict regulations of MGA, ticking all the boxes to be considered safe✅
Pros
- 1400+ Casino Games
- High Jackpots
- Mobile Friendly Apps
Get up to €1000 + 200 Cash Free Spins
| Min. Deposit | €10 |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | €1000 |
| Turnover | 25x |
| Expiration | 60 Days |
22bet - Blackjack Casino with 200+ Live Blackjack Games
22bet is another excellent option for playing blackjack online from Ireland. In addition to various regular blackjack, 22bet offers 200+ live blackjack games. First-person blackjack games come with free play, so you can try the blackjack game of choice for free until you feel ready to play for real money!
We reviewed 22bet and figured it operates under the Curacao and Kahnawake licences. Although these licences are relatively lenient in some aspects compared to stringent ones such as MGA and UKGC, having more than one licence implies that the operating company has sufficient funds to maintain its business. It has been operating for years since 2017, so some players like to use the platform✅
Pros
- €1 Minimum Deposit
- Excellent mobile app
- Reputable Game Providers
100% Bonus up to €1500
| Min. Deposit | €1 |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | €1500 |
| Turnover | 50x |
| Expiration | 7 days |
A Complete Guide to Online Blackjack for Real Money in Ireland
Blackjack has long been one of the best casino games. But now, with the advent of online casinos in Ireland, blackjack fans have an easier way to play their favourite game.
However, anyone new to playing blackjack online might be unsure of how to get started.
This is where we come in, with this ultimate guide to playing online blackjack in Ireland. From tips for beginners to advanced blackjack strategies, we will cover it right here, so read on.
How to Play Online Blackjack - Beginners' Guide
In blackjack, you're dealt two cards. Your goal is to exceed the dealer's total without the dealer's 21. You're not competing against your players but against the dealer. If your hand exceeds 21, it's a bust, and the dealer wins. But if the dealer busts, you win, regardless of your cards.
Even a good hand of 20 can lose, and a poor hand can win if the dealer busts. If both you and the dealer get 21, it's a push, and your shit's returned. The odds for a blackjack depend on the game type and the online casino.
Card Values:
Traditional blackjack is played with one or more decks of 52 cards with the card values shown below.
| Jack, Queen, King | Count as 10 |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 or 10 |
| 2 - 10 cards | Face value |
Typically, players are each dealt two cards, face up or down. The dealer also receives two cards, usually one up and one down, or only one card face up. The value of a hand is the sum of the card values.
Players can draw additional cards to improve their hands. Once all players have finished their hands, it’s the dealer’s turn.
However, the dealer's hand won't be completed if all players have blackjacks (21 with an Ace and a ten-value card) or have busted (exceeded 21). The dealer then reveals their hidden card and must hit it until their card totals 17 points. At 17 points or higher, the dealer must stay.
Outcomes:
- If a player is dealt an Ace and a ten-value card (blackjack), and the dealer does not, the player wins and sometimes wins a blackjack bonus.
- If the player's sum exceeds 21, the player loses, even if the dealer also exceeds 21
- If the dealer exceeds 21, the player wins (if they have not already busted)
- The player wins if the player has a higher final sum than the dealer and does not bust.
- If the dealer and the player receive a blackjack or other hands with the exact total, it is called a "push", and no one wins.
Generally speaking, blackjack pays three to two, but it can also spend six to five. So, what are some of the best types of blackjack games to watch out for at casinos?
Options in Online Blackjack
Online blackjack also offers exciting bets like insurance when the dealer starts with an ace. If you’re dealt a pair, like two 10s, you can choose to ‘split’, forming a new hand and doubling your initial stake.
- Split: When you initially receive two cards of equal value, you can split them. This means you make another bet and play each card independently, asking for more cards or standing in two simultaneous games.
- Double: Many online blackjack games allow you to double your bet after seeing the first two cards, provided you ask for one more card and only one.
- Surrender: The blackjack surrender option allows you to withdraw from a bet, recovering 50% of what you wagered. It’s useful when you foresee that you will lose the bet.
- Insurance: When the dealer’s first card is an Ace, some game versions allow you to take out insurance so that you don't lose anything if the bank gets blackjack. In insurance, you will have to bet half of your initial bet.
Types of Online Blackjack Games
Most of the online casinos have a lot of different blackjack games to try out. These are some of the best blackjack games to look out for at your chosen online casino:
- Blackjack Double Attack
- Progressive Blackjack
- Live Blackjack
- Multi-Hand Blackjack
- European Blackjack
Blackjack Double Attack
Blackjack Double Attack pays just even money for blackjack, but players can maximise profits by taking the chance to double their initial wager after seeing the dealer's upcard.
Progressive Blackjack
Players who want big wins could choose Progressive Blackjack, where optional side bets are added to a collective pot that can deliver significant profits.
Live Blackjack
Live casino games, including baccarat, blackjack and roulette, are gaining popularity in Ireland. Live Blackjack offers a real-time gaming experience with a live stream and a human dealer, aiming for a more realistic and authentic feel.
These games typically use human dealers and physical tables from a studio, complete with HD streams and chat functions. However, live blackjack often requires playing at the table’s pace and may have higher wager limits.
The interactive nature of live blackjack games provides a more social experience. Players can chat with the dealer and other players at the virtual table. The live blackjack rules are the same as other game versions on the site.
Multi-Hand Blackjack
Not for beginners, Multi-Hand Blackjack allows players to play more than one hand at once. Naturally, this raises the stakes, but it offers more chances to win.
European Blackjack
Players who opt for European Blackjack at their favourite online casino can only double down on hands with a value of 9, 10, or 11. However, they can double down on split cards here.
House Edge in Online Blackjack Games
Online casinos maintain a house edge on their games to protect their profits. Blackjack is known for having a lower house edge compared to other casino games like online casino slots with real money. However, the house edge can vary significantly among different types of blackjack games.
Typically, the house edge in blackjack is less than one per cent. Factors influencing the house edge include the number of cards used in the game, with fewer decks resulting in a lower house edge. The dealer's dealer, such as whether or not they hit on a soft 17, also affects the house edge.
The payout ratios in blackjack games also impact the house edge. While a 3:2 payout is standard for a blackjack, some games offer 5:6 or even 1:1 payouts, which increase the house edge. Therefore, to achieve the lowest house edge in online blackjack, it's advised to choose games that offer a 3:2 payout and use fewer decks of cards.
Calculating the overall house edge for online blackjack games is easy. You just need to deduct the Return To Player (RTP), the payout percentage, from 100.
For example, Bombay Blackjack's RTP is 99.13%, so the house edge is 0.87% (100 - 99.13).
Essential Blackjack Tips and Strategy for Beginners
Understanding essential blackjack tips and strategies is crucial for beginners. Key concepts include:
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Hard and Soft Hands: A hand can be “hard” or “soft” if it includes an ace, which can be worth 1 or 11. For example, an ace and an 8 make a soft 19, a firm hand. An ace and a 4 make a soft 15, which can turn into a hard 15 if a face card worth ten is hit.
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Dealer’s Face Card: The dealer’s face card influences whether players should hit. If a player starts with 12, hitting is usually the best strategy unless the dealer’s face card is a 4, 5, or 6.
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Deciding to Stick or Twist: If a player’s hand is worth less than 10, taking another card is advisable. If the hand is worth 20, players would rarely opt to take another card.
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Doubling and Splitting: Doubling is recommended if players have 10 or 11 from their first two cards. Splitting a pair of aces is also a good strategy due to the high chance of hitting a blackjack.
Advanced Blackjack Tips and Strategy for Experienced Players
Advanced tips and strategies are essential for those serious about online blackjack in Ireland. The dealer’s face card significantly influences whether players should hit or not. If a player starts with 12, hitting is usually the best strategy unless the dealer’s face card is a 4, 5, or 6.
Some players also find blackjack betting systems effective. The Martingale betting system is one such strategy, where players double their stake after each loss. However, this system can lead to escalating stakes during a losing streak.
The Martingale system operates on the principle that a player will eventually win a hand, offsetting previous losses. However, many online casino experts believe this system is better suited for roulette.
An alternative is Oscar’s Grind, a progressive betting system. Players start with the minimum stake and maintain the same stake after the first hand, regardless of the outcome. After the second hand, players double their stake if they win and keep it the same if they lose. This pattern continues until players make a profit equal to their initial stake, at which point the system restarts.
Opinions vary on the profitability of systems like Oscar’s Grind and Martingale for online casino games like blackjack. Testing these systems at small stakes can help determine their effectiveness.
A blackjack strategy chart can also guide players on when to stick, twist, double, or split. These charts are freely available online and can be a valuable resource for online blackjack players.
Counting Cards in Blackjack
The most commonly used method to count cards in blackjack is to assign the following values to the cards:
- Ten and Ace: -1
- 7, 8, and 9: 0
- From 2 to 6: +1
The idea is that if the number given by the count is very low or negative, many face cards are yet to come out. So, it’s best to stand and let the dealer bust.
Can I count cards in online blackjack?
No, you cannot. The difference between a physical casino and an online one is that the same deck is used in the physical casino, so the cards are discounted. However, a complete deck is used for each new hand in online blackjack.
Side Bets in Online Blackjack
A side bet is an extra bet made before the start of an online blackjack hand. For example, you can bet ₹100 on your blackjack hand and ₹50 on the side bet, or vice versa, or the same on both.
When do I win the side bet?
It depends on the online blackjack game. Usually, side bets depend on the first two cards the player receives and the first or first two cards the dealer gets. For example, in Lucky Lucky Blackjack, if your first two cards and the dealer’s first card are three sevens of the same suit, they will pay the side bet at a rate of 200 to 1.
What is the 21+3 bet in blackjack?
The 21+3 bet is a side bet that can be played in some online blackjack games. It is won when your two cards and the dealer’s face-up card make a three-card poker hand; that is, all have the same value.
This bet pays if any of the following combinations appear:
- Flush: 5/1
- Straight: 10/1
- Three of a kind: 30/1
- Straight flush: 40/1
- Suited three of a kind: 100/1
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online blackjack legal in Ireland?
Are online blackjack games rigged?
What is card counting in blackjack?
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Conor worked at numerous online casinos & betting sites in Europe before joining BettingGuide. His in-depth industry knowledge combined with a degree in journalism makes his content unique and easy to consume.
