RacingBetter News
	Tuesday 8th July 2025

What is Online Blackjack and How Does it Compare to the Traditional Game?

Blackjack has long been a staple of casino gaming. For centuries, players have been joining tables in land-based casino venues to try their hand at beating the dealer in a race to 21.

Its combination of simplicity and structure has made it a consistently popular choice among table games. But as the industry has evolved, this popularity has spread across to different formats of the classic game.

Online Blackjack casino games offer the same core rules, but in a different setting with added features and advanced mechanics. But how does this digital version compare to the traditional, land-based format?

Read on to find out.

Understanding the basics of Blackjack

It’s important to first highlight the core aim of Blackjack, as this remains the same in both land-based and online games.

Also known as 21, Blackjack is a comparing card game where your goal is to beat the dealer, not other players. You do this by achieving a hand value closer to 21, without going over.

The card values are often the same across most online and traditional games:

• Cards 2 to 10 are worth their face value
• Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) count as 10
• Aces can count as 1 or 11, which you can choose based on your hand

After the initial two-card deal, you’ll have a choice to either 'hit' for another card, 'stand' to hold your total, or complete a few other actions depending on the specific game rules.

If your hand exceeds 21, you go bust. If the dealer busts and you haven't, or if your final total is closer to 21, you win that round. The rules themselves do not vary dramatically between in-person and online formats.

Key features of online Blackjack

Whilst the core gameplay is similar, online Blackjack offers different mechanics on through a digital platform.

This format doesn’t use a physical table or human dealer, so random number generators (RNGs) are used to determine card outcomes. This ensures each round is independent and based on chance, so you cannot predict outcomes in any way.

It’s worth noting, however, that some online platforms offer live dealer versions. This is where a human dealer manages the game at a physical table in a dedicated casino setting, and you take part in the game through a live-stream from your device.

Comparing the game pace

Another apparent difference is the pace of play.

Playing in a land-based casino usually involves a dedicated table, chips, and other players taking part in the game – although you’re only playing against the dealer. This means the dealer manages the pace, and games can be slower due to betting windows and other player actions.

In contrast, online Blackjack is accessed via desktop or mobile, often with a click-and-play interface. The pace tends to be faster online, as you don’t have to wait for other players to take their turns – unless you're at a live dealer table.

Regulation and fairness

Both forms of Blackjack are regulated, although the systems differ slightly. Land-based casinos tend to be licensed by local authorities, with oversight applied on-site.

Online casinos, however, are licensed by national or international regulatory bodies that impose strict rules for fairness and safe gaming. This includes auditing RNG systems through independent testing, to keep games fair and transparent.

Regulation in both cases is important, and you should only play at licensed land-based venues or digital platforms.