Play Blackjack Online for Free 2024

US Bets

30 January 2024

There is absolutely no need to risk your hard-earned money playing blackjack online. There are dozens of casino sites and hundreds of blackjack games that you can play for free. If you are starting out, there is no better way to learn to play blackjack. But even if you’ve played thousands of hours and are trying to learn some new black variant or work out some new side bet, it just makes sense to practice playing it online for free first.

Whether you’re just learning this classic casino card game or have been card counting for years, we will walk you through all the great free blackjack games, the top blackjack variants and their free versions, and the casino sites where you can find them. We’ll also cover some basic blackjack strategy, learn blackjack rules, and even some basic blackjack terminology.

Where Can I Play Free Online Blackjack?

A social casino is a casino site that looks very much like the best online casinos for actual dollars. They will offer many slot games, casino games, and sometimes even online poker. But the games will be free to play. Some of the biggest names in land-based and online casinos offer many of the best social casino sites. For them, it’s about getting their brand out there and building up their marketing list by engaging people who like to gamble.

Other social casino sites are structured more like a Facebook app in that they will often offer you the ability to purchase more free coins or other offers as a way to get you to invest actual cash to pay for the experience. But generally, they will ensure you get some free coins every day to entice you to keep playing.

Since no actual money is being wagered, these so-called social casinos are legal in most states. You can play free online blackjack games legally in all but Hawaii and Utah. In every other state, playing free blackjack games is perfectly legal. And what’s more, you can still earn prizes, casino comps, free play, and even cash out actual money.

These free online blackjack games may have dozens of different offerings. Perhaps you want to play Blackjack Switch or Atlantic City Blackjack. Maybe you want to see how easy it is to count cards on a single-deck classic game. Perhaps you want to try your hand at the Blackjack Perfect Pairs side bet? You can try all these things for free at a social casino.

How Do You Play Blackjack?

Blackjack is the most widely played casino table game on the globe. That’s because whether you are playing late at night on the Vegas Strip or on a casino app on the subway, it’s going to provide the excitement and wild ride that people have come to identify with the best casino games.

Object of the Game

You want to have a point total that is higher than the dealer but that is twenty-one or less. The dealer must hit til they have a point total of at least seventeen.

Value of Cards

The two through nine cards are worth their face value. All ten cards and face cards(jack, queen, king) are worth ten. Interestingly, an ace can be worth either one or eleven. So, if you are dealt an ace and a six, your point total is either seven or seventeen, whichever is most advantageous.

Blackjack

A blackjack, despite its name, is any first two cards that total 21. So, an ace and any ten-value card, not necessarily just one of the black jacks. This is an instant win for the player and should pay 3 to 2. Some games attempt to pay only 6 to 5 and should be avoided. In American blackjack, the dealer will check under his hole card for a blackjack before gameplay begins. If they have a blackjack, they automatically win.

Initial Game Play

Everyone will be dealt two cards from left to right. The dealer will expose one card and leave one unexposed. This is called the hole card. Play will commence with the player to the dealer’s left. You can stand or hit, double or split. If you go over 21, you lose.

Hitting and Standing

If you choose to hit, you will be dealt one extra card and then offered the opportunity to hit or stand again. When you stand, you are done for the round.

Doubling

You may choose to double your bet once you’ve seen your first two cards. For instance, many players will double a ten or eleven against a dealer’s upcard of four, five, or six. This means you place up to the amount of your original wager near your original bet. You will then receive only one card with no option to continue hitting.

Splitting

If you are dealt two cards of the same value, you may opt to make this into two hands. For instance, a pair of eights is dealt in the first two cards. You may place an amount equal to your original wager and make this into two hands; each eight will get a card in turn, and then we will return to either hitting, standing, or doubling.

Insurance and Even Money

If the dealer has an ace as their top card, they will offer insurance. This is a side bet that the dealer has 21. You may bet up to half your original bet, and it pays two to one. This bet has a terrible house advantage, so it’s best to leave it alone.

Even money is a shorthand way of taking insurance when the player has been dealt a blackjack, and the dealer has an ace. If you ask for even money in this case, which is only available on the games that pay blackjack at 3- 2, you will get paid for your original wager, not the 1.5 x you would have been paid.

Basic Strategy

As a general rule, you should stand once you have more than 12, and the dealer’s upcard is a two through six. If the dealer has a seven-through ace up, you’ll need to hit until you have at least seventeen.

If the dealer has a bust card like a four, five, or six turned up, it’s a good time to split, double, and get more money on the board. You can find a basic strategy card for each game type, number of decks, and specific rules here.

Can I Play Free Blackjack Online if I’m Not in a Regulated State?

You can absolutely play online blackjack games for free as long as you are not in a regulated state. These social casino sites offer dozens of different blackjack games that you can play without a download or risking your own cash. You can start playing for free right away.

Why Should I Play Blackjack Online for Free?

Playing free black games online is the perfect way to practice blackjack or work on your basic blackjack strategy. You can learn the ins and outs of how the casino sites work and the buttons and animations involved in blackjack games online, and even get some of the same thrill and adrenaline you get from real money games.

The free games mean no risk, but there is still a chance, even with free blackjack games, that you might win a valuable prize like a free room in Las Vegas or a dinner comp in Atlantic City.

Where Can I Play Blackjack Online for Free?

BetMGM

Available States: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia
Shares wallet with: BetMGM Sportsbook, BetMGM Poker

BetMGM has taken the social casino concept to a whole new level with its partnership with MYVegas apps. Playing the free games here can earn you points for free nights at MGM properties, free meals, or even free play for the tables. Sadly, their MyVegas blackjack only has a few selections, including Shaq Jack, Free Bet Blackjack, and the always popular Singel Deck Blackjack.

If you wish to play on the BetMGM site, you can expect to find almost two dozen blackjack titles. Infinite Blackjack is a great place to start, although their Lightning Blackjack and Surrender Blackjack games are also a great place to begin your free online blackjack adventure.

Golden Nugget Casino

Available States: New Jersey and Michigan
Shares wallet with: Golden Nugget Sportsbook

The Golden Nugget also has many free blackjack demo games to play for free. Because of their recent merger with Draft Kings, many of their blackjack titles are branded with Draft Kings logos. Check out their Draft Kings Baseball Blackjack or Draft Kings Touchdown Blackjack if sports is your thing.

For a more classic experience, look to the Golden Nugget Single Deck game or the Golden Nugget Multihand game. Both are excellent for practicing your basic strategy or even running down cards to practice your card-counting skills.

For a limited time, you can also get a deposit match of up to $1000 in bonus funds when you play blackjack at Golden Nugget!

High 5 Casino

Available States: All States except WA, NV and ID
Shares wallet with: None

High Five is one of the new wave of social casinos. While not backed by a vast international casino company, they offer free blackjack games where you can also earn sweepstake coins. Sweepstakes coins can be redeemed for cash. There is also the chance to win sweepstakes coins even if you are playing in free mode. You can’t register if you live in Nevada, Idaho, or Washington State.

They don’t offer a lot of blackjack titles, but the games they do offer are live dealer games through Vivo Studios. This is a rare chance to play live dealer games for free. This allows you to learn the ins and outs of online live dealer games without having to risk real money and provides a break from all the random number-generated blackjack titles.

Online Blackjack Terminology

Hole Card: The dealer’s card that is not initially exposed.
Third Base: The player’s position to the dealer’s right that acts last.
Natural: Another term for a blackjack.
RTP: Return to Player. This is the percentage of the wager that the player wins back on average. In online blackjack games, this number implies that you are using a basic strategy chart and playing perfectly.
Live Dealer: Live dealer blackjack is played online but with real dealers at a studio or casino. The game is streamed live to your device, and the play more closely approximates that feeling of being at an actual blackjack table.

Free Blackjack vs. Real Blackjack

Playing free blackjack games at social casinos is really the best of both worlds. You can play with no risk and still have the ability to win great rewards. You can practice all the different blackjack variants and learn them inside and out without depositing a dollar. Free blackjack games can even help you practice counting cards with none of the real-world consequences.

Playing online blackjack for real money hits just a little different. Even if you’re playing for just 25 cents at one of the real money casinos, the feeling in the pit of your stomach is just a bit tighter, that feeling when you hit a double down just a bit sweeter, but with real rewards come real risks.

Carefully consider if you’re ready to embark on gambling for real money before you head down that road. And whatever you do, make sure you only play at licensed and regulated US casinos. Playing for real money is enough of a gamble; don’t risk playing with unscrupulous offshore operators as well.’

When Should I Start to Play Real Blackjack?

There may come a time when free blackjack games don’t have the thrill they once did. But before you decide to move on to betting real cash, it’s essential to set aside a specific bankroll amount. Also, make sure you understand the game that you want to play thoroughly and completely and that you understand all the online casino sign-up bonuses, blackjack bonuses, and any other offers that might help you keep as much of your money in your pocket as possible.

What States Can I Play Real Money Blackjack?

Currently, you can play real-money blackjack games in only a handful of states. As of mid-2023, only Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan, Delaware, and West Virginia have online casinos. Rhode Island should have legal and regulated casinos with blackjack games offered by the beginning of 2024. But many other states like Missouri, North Carolina, and even Texas have had bills submitted in the legislature. Over the next few years, it’s quite likely many more states will approve online casino gambling.

Best Online Casinos to Play Real Blackjack

Free Blackjack Online FAQs

Absolutely! As long as you’re not gambling for cash, it doesn’t matter if you’re in Texas, California, or New York; you can play free blackjack games. Hawai and Utah are kind of sticks in the mud. But everywhere else in the US, playing online black for free is your right.

You can find free blackjack games at any of the many social casino sites. We like Bally’s, BetMGM, Fan Duel, as well as the Golden Nugget.

When placing your action with legal online casino sites, the banking options will be plentiful. Players are able to choose from a multitude of popular banking methods, including online banking, PayPal, debit card, and much more. Check out the online casino operator of your choice to access a full list of ways to send and receive funds to and from your account.

To play blackjack for real money, you will need to be in Connecticut, Michigan, West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Delaware for now.

Yes! And not only by betting real money. Many social casinos have options allowing you to win real money or gift cards just for playing their free blackjack games.

It’s important to only play at licensed and regulated US casinos. These are some of the biggest casino companies in the world, and would never risk their licenses across many state jurisdictions by rigging blackjack games. Their software code is tested and verified by regulators in each state where they operate. You can not say as much about some overseas operators away from the prying eye of US regulators.

Kevin Lentz

Kevin has been in land-based casino management for more than 30 years, overseeing table Games and slot departments, sportsbooks, and even poker rooms. He currently writes about all things casino-related, but especially blackjack, card counting, and game protection.