Blackjack is one of the most widely played card games online. You play against the dealer and aim for a hand closer to 21 than the dealer's, without going over. This page explains the common variants, the basic rules, and how the computer version differs from a live dealer table, so you know what to check before you sit down.
Common variants of blackjack
Blackjack has many variants, and the differences are usually in small rules. These include whether the dealer stands or hits on a soft 17, whether you can double after splitting, and how a natural blackjack is paid. Other common versions let you play several hands at once, or add a side bet on the first two cards. Each variant changes the odds slightly, so the rules matter as much as the game name.
Before you play, check which blackjack tables are available at VoodooDreams and read the rules shown for each one. Two tables with the same name can pay differently.
How the game works
Each player receives two cards, and the dealer shows one of their own. Cards from 2 to 10 count at face value, picture cards count as 10, and an ace counts as 1 or 11, whichever helps the hand. Most games use one or more decks of 52 cards, and the cards are shuffled between rounds.
On your turn you can hit to take another card, or stand to keep your total. Depending on the variant, you may also be able to double your stake and take one more card, or split a pair into two hands. The dealer follows fixed rules, usually drawing until reaching 17. A hand that beats the dealer wins, a equal total is a push, and a hand over 21 loses its stake.
The rules are shown on the table, and that is the best place to confirm the payout for a natural blackjack and whether the dealer stands on a soft 17.
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Computer and live dealer blackjack
In the computer version, a random number generator decides every card. The game runs at your pace, and each hand starts as soon as you are ready. There is no dealer to watch, and the results are random in the same way as any other game of chance.
In a live dealer game, a real dealer deals cards on camera, usually at a slower pace, and the table may have a chat for players. The rules are often the same, but the feel of the table is different. Neither version is a way to change the odds of a hand. The choice comes down to pace and atmosphere. If you want a dealer on camera, compare the options on the live casino page.
Practical tips before you play
- Learn the rules of the variant before you place a bet, and check the payout for a natural blackjack.
- Set a budget and a time limit before you start, and stop when you reach either one.
- Choose a stake you are comfortable losing. Do not raise your stakes to recover earlier losses.
- Remember that betting systems do not change the odds. Each hand is independent, so there is no pattern to follow.
If you want help keeping your play in check, see the safer gambling page.
