The Best Online Ireland Blackjack Casinos of 2024 – Scam-Free Sites

Blackjack has been one of the most popular casino games for centuries, evolving over time since it was first developed in the 1800s. It certainly hasn’t seen its popularity wane as gaming has moved online and been exposed to a wider group of gambling enthusiasts.

The key to this game’s popularity is because the player has a lot more control over the outcome than in games of chance like roulette. Instead, there are strategic moves you can make to reduce the house edge.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the best online blackjack casinos in Ireland right now, weigh their pros and cons and provide some detailed information about the game itself. Below, you’ll find a table of the top four casinos where you can play online blackjack. In our test, Casumo came out on top.

Here at scams.info, we are dedicated to providing holistic information to help you make educated gambling decisions online. In this case, we have specifically investigated the best places for you to play the game of blackjack in a safe and secure way.

Overview of the Best Blackjack Sites

Top 4 Blackjack Casinos

• 🥇 Most blackjack providers: Casumo
• 🥈 Top blackjack games selection: PlayOJO
• 🥉 Best blackjack bonuses: Genesis
• ⭐️ Most blackjack free spins: NetBet

With so many different online casinos fighting for your attention, it can be easy to get swept up into an option that doesn’t actually suit your needs. So, before you start looking at the blackjack casinos, you need to think about what kind of criteria are important to you.

This could include the types of games that are available, the table limits, and if there is a suitable welcome bonus on offer. These two criteria will ensure that you have the right collection of products to try, but there are also a few more things to check.

You also need to make sure that your personal information and money are in safe hands with a licenced casino that has been vetted by appropriate regulatory bodies. As Ireland currently does not have an official regulatory body tasked with licensing online casinos, Irish players are advised to look for licences from the Malta Gaming Authority or UK Gambling Commission.

How to Find the Best Blackjack Sites

Of course, finding a blackjack online casino that suits your needs is a many-faceted approach that required looking at a lot of different criteria. Then, what makes one player happy isn’t always universal, as we all have different preferences. However, there are some things that are non-negotiable, like safety.

Safety Comes First

There are a lot of safe blackjack casinos where you can play blackjack online, but there are also a number of rogue websites to look out for. This is where scams.info is here to help. There are three easy ways to spot a scam site.

First, they won’t have a remote gambling licence from an appropriate regulatory authority, which should be clearly displayed on the website somewhere. Often, this information is in the website’s footer, or you can request it through the site’s communication channels. You can also check against the register of licenced casinos on the websites of these regulatory authorities.

Secondly, the casino may not publish the return to player (RTP) rates, and thirdly, the casino is unlikely to use reputable software providers. If you ever have doubt about a casino, always check out Scams.info for up-to-date casino reviews. After all, it’s our job to check online gambling sites for scams.

Real Money Online Blackjack Table Limits

The amount of money you are allowed to place as a wager in a blackjack must be in between the table’s maximum and minimum limits. Table limits can vary wildly between different variants of the game, especially when comparing live dealer products to the random-number generated (RNG) versions.

Depending on the game itself, some RNG blackjack tables have limits as low as €0.10 per hand, or as high as a few hundred euros, while the live casino titles can reach up to €10,000.

This is clearly important to consider when choosing which game to play. If you are a high roller, for example, a game with a maximum bet of €20 isn’t really for you.

While, on the other hand, if you prefer a more cautious approach with lower stakes, a game with a minimum bet of €50 won’t suit you either. There are a huge number of online blackjack games out there, though, so you’ll be able to find a game suited to your preferences.

Blackjack Promotions

All blackjack sites will have something slightly different on offer in terms of its welcome bonus offer, however you’ll generally find that they follow the same sort of rules. Generally, you’re looking at a match bonus of 100% up to a few hundred euros.

So, the amount of cash bonus you receive will depend on how much you load up to your account on your first deposit. Once you claim a bonus during the deposit, you will then have to wager it a certain number of times, usually between 30-50x the bonus amount.

Unfortunately for blackjack fans, this game rarely contributes 100% towards a wagering requirement. This is due to the fact that blackjack is one of the games with the lowest house edge.

Therefore, the casino wants you to bet more times on this type of game than on slots, for example, which have a much bigger house edge. However, it’s a good idea to shop around, as some sites occasionally offer specific blackjack promotions.

Awards and Acknowledgments

Some online casinos have won industry adulation in the form of awards, highlighting their achievements as a service provider. Some software companies also win awards based on their new and exciting developments.

Commercial Experience

If you’re not sure of a brand’s trustworthiness, one tried and trusted method is to stick to High Street brands like William Hill. If a casino can last as long as these have done in a brick and mortar establishment, you can be sure that they have the commercial know-how to provide you a safe gambling experience.

Customer Service

An essential value that allows you to further evaluate a blackjack casino is the assistance it provides to the customer. It seems obvious: the more contact methods are available, the more efficient the service can be. From the contact form to the classic telephone number, from email to the more recent introduction of live chat.

These are all different tools available to customers to solve problems related to the account or to dispel any doubts about the games in the catalogue. The most provident operators also have a complete and exhaustive FAQ platform.

Opinions on the Internet

Another important criterion for our online casino reviews are the ratings that can be found on the net for a given operator. Players exchange opinions and experiences in order to educate the less experienced or to share useful information on a given casino or particular game. Before proceeding to our reviews, therefore, we also analyze these comments that can be found on the net.

Finding the Perfect Operator for You

So, with all of this information in mind, how do you go about finding the best blackjack sites for you? Well, there are many factors to consider when picking a blackjack casino, but the main ones should focus on the game selection and the inclusion of industry-leading software developers such as NetEnt, Microgaming and Playtech.

Casinos that offer a range of reputable software developers is advantageous for two reasons. First, it provides further credibility as to the legitimacy of the casino. And, second, it ensures you are getting the best selection of blackjack games around – as well as a good selection in one place, so that if one isn’t quite to your taste, another surely will be.

Another thing to consider when selecting a casino is figuring out which variant you want to play. As we’ll later discuss, there are many different variations out there, including Spanish 21, Double Exposure Blackjack and more.

Learning the Rules

Blackjack rules are easy enough to learn, as there are only a few different actions that are possible for the dealer to make or the player to take. Which move to make is part of learning blackjack strategy, which we’ll go into more detail about further down the page.

It’s also important to know that different variants of the game will follow a different set of rules. However, the standard rules include the following.

Basic Rules:

• The aim of the game is to beat the dealer’s hand with a higher point total to a maximum of 21.
• A hand’s total is the sum of the values of the cards.
• The Ace card counts for either one or 11, numbered cards for their value, and face cards as ten.
• Blackjack is formed with a ten-point card and an Ace.
• A blackjack hand beats a total of 21, and a dealer blackjack results in a push against player blackjack.
• There can be anywhere between one and eight decks of cards used.

Blackjack Terms

There may be some unfamiliar terminology to you in those basic rules above if you have never played this game before. Though some of them are self-explanatory, it’s a smart idea to get a full grasp on all of the different terms you’ll hear being used before you start playing, less you make an incorrect move due to a simple misunderstanding.

• Hit: Take another card from the deck and add its sum to your total
• Stand: Refuse the offer of an additional card
• Split: If your hand contains pairs, you can ‘split’ them into two hands. Requires placing a second equal-value bet.
• Double: You will place another equal-money bet on your hand and receive one more card from the deck.
• Insurance: You place a bet that the dealer has blackjack.
• Blackjack: A hand containing a ten-value card and an Ace.
• Push: Your hand was equal to the dealer hand and your bet was returned.

Odds and Payouts

Many people worry that online variants of blackjack are fixed as a computer is running the game. However, this is not the case at legitimate casinos. Indeed, it is illegal to fix the outcome of a game, and any casino found doing so will have their gambling license revoked.

Every secure blackjack casino will operate using an RNG – which stands for a random number generator. This generator is fool and tamper proof and will provide a truly random result for each card that is drawn. Indeed, apart from on live feed games, no shuffling takes place in the digital versions, with every hand being completely randomised.

All online products should also provide you with an RTP (return to player) rate. Pronounced as a percentage, the RTP describes how much of your wagered money you can expect to be returned back to you over an extended period of time. Blackjack typically has an RTP rate between 99.2 – 99.8%

Rule variations:

• Hit split aces
• Double after split
• Dealer peek
• Dealer hits soft 17
• Re-split

The Top 10 Best Blackjack Games

Just like in land-based casinos, there are many different blackjack variants available online. Indeed, in many cases there are even more online than in land-based casinos. Below, we’ll run through some of the popular variants, including Blackjack Switch, Spanish 21 and Double Exposure Blackjack.

1. Blackjack Switch

There’s no need to cheat in Blackjack Switch, as you’re able to trade your cards between two hands – without breaking the rules. In order to make this trade when playing, the player must place two bets of equal size, enabling to them switch the second card to the other hand.

There is one other key difference in the game, though, because if the dealer lands 22, this results in a push against all non-busted hands, while blackjack pays even money. One of the top online versions of Blackjack Switch is provided by Playtech.

2. Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is a variant that offers a low house edge due to the fact that when a dealer stands on a soft 17, the player is allowed to redouble – providing a considerable advantage to the player winning. What’s more, Spanish 21 also uses a 48-card deck, having had the four 10s removed. Betsoft is one of the leading providers of Spanish 21 at online casinos.

3. Double Exposure Blackjack

Double Exposure Blackjack was created in Germany (where it is known as ‘Zweikartenspiel’), and its key premise lies in the fact that the dealers two cards are always exposed – providing a tactical advantage to the player.

Like with Blackjack Switch, the house edge is restored by only paying out evens on natural blackjack wins. NetEnt is the leading provider of Double Exposure Blackjack at online casinos.

4. Blackjack Surrender

This variant on the popular card game offers the helpful ‘Surrender’ option, as an addition to its fairly standard set of rules. If you think your hand is going to lose against the dealer, you can choose the surrender option, and claim back half of your initial bet.

In many cases, this is the statistically best move to take, so should be carefully considered as part of your strategy.

5. Pontoon

This popular alternative to blackjack follows many of the same rules and indeed shares the same aim – beat the dealer with a better hand, with the best hand being a 10-value card and an Ace (sound familiar?).

However, the main difference in this variant is that both of the dealer’s cards are dealt face-down, making it harder to predict the outcome. It also is a bit more liberal with the moves the player can make, offering the option to re-split and double after split, for example.

6. Perfect Blackjack

This is one of the best variants of the game to practice your strategy on, as it has a standard set of rules with no muss and no fuss. All of the options you can ask for are here, and none you don’t need.

If you’re feeling like a little extra risk, there are a few different side bet options you can take in the form of various types of pairs. Though basic blackjack strategy says to avoid these types of bets, they can spice things up if necessary.

7. Progressive Blackjack

Another fairly standard title when it comes to the main game, this version of blackjack stands out for its rare progressive jackpot offer. It plays in the exact same way as all others – you need to get a better hand than the dealer.

However, this version has a bigger focus on the side bets, in particular the jackpot side bet. The side bet pays out on the number of aces that are dealt.

8. 21 Duel Blackjack

One of the varieties of this game that has the biggest changes to the main gameplay, this one starts with the dealer giving the player one face-up card and one face-down card, while giving himself two face-down cards.

At this stage, you’re offered three different choices of actions you can take: namely fold, choose a card, or hit. This gives you a lot more choice than a normal game, and therefore the RTP is much lower – coming in at around 98%

9. Blackjack Peek

This type of blackjack is one of the most popular because it can save you from making unnecessary additional bets on your hand. What happens is that after the cards are all dealt, the dealer will check their hand to see if it has a blackjack. If it does, gameplay ends immediately, and you lose.

However, if it does, gameplay continues. This is helpful in cases where you may have made your initial wager, then chosen to split or double your hand with a pretty good statistical chance of winning, only to see the dealer has blackjack and you lose it all.

10. Single Deck Blackjack

One of the best variants to test your advanced blackjack strategy, Single Deck Blackjack follows the simple standard rules and is played with only one deck of cards. This significantly raises the ability to choose your move based on composition dependent hands, therefore lowering the house edge a fair bit.

The other rules of the game are all the same, and blackjack pays 3:2 as standard. Other options like doubling after split or re-splitting are not available.

Are Live Blackjack Sites a Scam?

It has become increasingly popular with live casino sites at online casinos in recent years, and involve a live feed of a croupier at a casino dealing blackjack, with the players betting via interactive elements on their screen.

These differ to software-based features, as they do no use an RNG (random number generator), instead the format is the same as you’d find at a casino with shuffled cards. Although cards are not shuffled in front of the player, the dealer does split the deck on screen. In many ways, this is a much safer way to play blackjack, as live blackjack is very hard to rig – unlike scam software-based games.

Blackjack Strategy: How to Win at Online Blackjack

As blackjack does offer players some control over their own fate, it’s always a good idea to play with a clear strategy, rather than on gut feeling. Studying statistical guides will give you a significant advantage as this will teach you when to stand and when to hit depending on what cards you’ve been dealt and what cards the dealer has – this enables to play the percentages intelligently.

Other strategic areas to look at include knowing when you should place side bets, as well as the nuances of splitting and doubling down to boost your chances of winning. Of all casino games, blackjack is the one most famous for players being able to rig, thanks in large to films such as 21 which have documented the concept of card counting.

In reality, card counting is incredibly difficult and not within the capability of most players. It’s also not possible to do when playing online. So the big question for some players is: can you cheat the game?

Well, yes and no. While it’s not possible to rig an online game (due to their use of RNGs), it’s certainly possible to boost your chances of winning by using solid, statistical strategies – as we’ve previously discussed. By correctly playing the percentages, you can significantly reduce the house edge and put yourself in a great position to win while playing.

1. Use a Basic Strategy Chart

There are a lot of combinations for which cards can be in play at any one time, and there can be different strategic moves to make based on their composition. These can be quite challenging to memorise as there are hundreds of different moves to take.

Instead, online blackjack players can use a strategy chart or table to quickly identify the statistically-best move to make. On the chart, simply identify which cards are in your hand and which are in the dealer’s hand, then cross-reference to see which move you should make. There are different charts you should use, depending on which variant you are playing and what rules it uses. Here is one blackjack strategy chart example:

2. Learn to Count Cards

One of the most well-known blackjack strategies is counting cards. This type of system has been made popular through countless Hollywood blockbusters, each showing a mathematical genius or person with a photographic memory taking his/her talents to Vegas and coming away a lot richer.

Important to note is that blackjack card counting is not possible at all in online RNG features, as the deck is shuffled immediately after each hand is dealt. It is possible through live dealer versions of the game, though. There are a few different ways of counting cards, some more complicated than the other.

One of the simplest types of card counting is the ‘running count’ system, which is essentially a ‘high-low’ method. Each card is given a value of either -1, 0 or +1, based on the point-value of the card itself.

As the cards are dealt, the player keeps a running tally up or down from zero, based on which values are handed out. The idea is that as the numbers get higher, you should increase your bet as you are more likely to be dealt better hands.

3. Pick the Game with the Highest RTP

As we explained earlier, the RTP of a blackjack game will be between 98-99%. Tiny changes to the rules of a variant will change the RTP slightly, as they will either tilt the game into the player’s or the dealer’s favour.

Though the difference between 99.5% and 99.8% doesn’t sound like a lot, expert blackjack players will tell you that this actually represents quite a large shift in blackjack odds. This information can almost always be found in each individual game’s help or information section, whether it is an RNG-based or live version.

4. Don’t Place Side Bets

As we’ve already described, playing blackjack online is not a scam. The closest thing, however, is the optional side bets offered. Though this card game has one of the highest RTP rates of any offered in a casino, the side bets have a significantly lower payout percentage than the main game.

The options for side bets can include things such as Lucky Lucky, Perfect Pairs, 21 + 3, and Red Queen. These are purely additional to the main game and do not affect your hand at all. The best blackjack strategy is to avoid making wagers on anything other than the main hand.

5. Try the Demo Game First

One of the best things about playing blackjack online is that there are almost always free demo versions of the game you want to play. This allows you to get a full grip on its rules and the strategy you need to follow before you actually wager any of your hard-earned money.

It differs from one casino to another, however most will offer a ‘free play’ mode either immediately available on their website, while others will require you to have an account and login before you can test any of the products.

Conclusion: Blackjack Sites are Scam-Free

So, if you like to play the percentages and have an element of control over your destiny, you’ll certainly want to try your luck at blackjack casinos. To help you find the safest and best blackjack casino around, we at Scams.info is here to do the research for you.

We’ve sorted through the world’s best and worst online casinos, ensuring that you can play without fear of being ripped off.

This article is part of a series we have created on many different types of casino games, so if you’re interested in another style you will also find a great collection of holistic information.

Scams.info

Nicholas Crouch

Chief Editor at Scams.info

Our Chief Editor brings with him an extensive background that spans decades. Known for crafting captivating casino and sports betting content, Nicholas began his journey into the world of gambling with football pools, and he now enjoys the excitement of high variance slots and curating engaging content for our site.  

I've learned that when creating gambling content, knowledge offers an edge, but ultimately, it's about the enjoyment and sharing my honest expertise with others.

FAQ

As much as we have tried to cover the topic of safe places to play online blackjack in a very thorough manner, you may still have questions. Or maybe you’ve skipped right to this part for a simple away to find the answer to a frequently asked question that hounds your mind.

Certainly, you will find these below, and there are many more that we’ve actually answered throughout the page, so have a read. If you’re interested in learning more about operators and how we check for scams, you can check out our guide to the best online casinos in Ireland this year.

🤑 Can you play blackjack online for money?

As long as you are over 18, and a legal resident of Ireland, you can play online blackjack with real money wagers and prizes to be won. You will need to sign up for an account at a casino and load your virtual wallet with funds from your bank account in order to do so.

🤚 Is online blackjack legal?

Yes. You must be over 18-year-old in Ireland in order to legally play blackjack online, and there are an enormous number of hoops that a casino must jump through in order to be licenced by an appropriate regulatory authority. Without this licence, a casino cannot legally offer blackjack.

🥇 How old do you have to be to play online blackjack?

In order to gamble with real money in an online casino on a blackjack game, you need to be over 18 years of age. This will be verified by the casino when you attempt to withdraw funds.

🧐 Can you count cards in blackjack online?

Counting cards involves assigning a value to all the cards that are dealt and keeping a running total to get an overview of the cards that are left in the shoe. The higher the total adds up to, the better the chances are of you being dealt a good hand.

🤔 How do you play blackjack?

The rules of blackjack are simple. The dealer will give you two cards. Add up the point values to find your total. The aim is to have a higher total than the dealer, with 21 being the best possible totally to have. You will be able to ask for another card, or stick with the two you are dealt, before the hands are compared.

🤑 How many people can play at a blackjack table?

Usually there are a maximum of seven people allowed to play at any one time at a land-based casino blackjack table. However, in online live games, there are infinitely more seats available. You will always play alone in an RNG-based game.

🤚 When should you hit or stay in blackjack?

This will depend on the hand that the dealer has, compared to yours. However, a good general point is to hit on any number up to 17, and stick on a 17. Keep in mind the cards that are on the table already, as more low-value cards dealt means it is less likely one will be passed to you.

🥇 What does 'table minimum' mean?

The table minimum refers to the lowest amount of money that a single player must place onto the table in order to have it counted as a bet. Online, this can be as low as €0.10 per hand, while in a land-based casino it is unlikely that you will find table minimums below €1.

🧐 What does it mean to split in blackjack?

When you are dealt two cards with an equal value, you will be offered the option to split. You will have to put another equal money wager on the table, and you will now be playing with two hands that are separate to each other. A good move when dealt a pair of aces.

🤔 What is soft and hard in blackjack?

Soft refers to the hand composition including an ace, while hard means that the hand does not include an ace. It is called soft because there are options for how the total value of the cards can be tallied, with the ace counting for either one or 11.

🤑 Do you hit or stay on 16?

It depends on the cards on the table, but generally, yes you should hit on a 16. However, if you are playing online it is best to use a strategy sheet to investigate whether a surrender may be the best option, should it be available.

🤚 Can you make money with online blackjack?

It is possible to win hands of blackjack with real money wagers. However, keep in mind that over time, your wagers and odds of winning will eventually see that you are losing money. This is because casino games are a business, where the operator needs to make money off you. Quit while you are ahead.