Best Blackjack Apps for April 2024

First and foremost, we make sure that your chosen blackjack app is fully licensed. This means it has been certified by gaming authorities, most notably the American Gaming Association, as safe and secure.

We only enlist online casinos with appropriate, industry-standard safety protocols in place. Protocols like industry-grade encryption technology, 2-factor authentication, and biometric login ensure that your personal data is kept safe and secure at all times.

We only trust established, safe casinos with impeccable industry reputations and a good track record. We go through reams of data to ensure that customer service is respectable, the casino has not been blacklisted before, and follows fair gaming practices.

What’s in an online casino without attractive bonuses? We take into account what kind of bonuses are offered, at what intervals, and how they stack up against one another. Most popular promotions include no-deposit offers, matched deposits, and free spins promos.

Besides the sheer convenience, extra features and a variety of versions make online blackjack games especially attractive. When ranking casinos, we take a look at the additional features such as side bets, multihand play, super stakes, and more.

Besides the features, we also consider the range of blackjack games, such as European, progressive, or double exposure (more on this below) – and prioritize the ones that offer the most variety.

Checking out how easy it is to install, update, and run an application is important for any app – but even more so for an online casino app where you play with real money. We make sure that the casinos we pick are a breeze do download and register with, and players can be up and running after a few taps.

The basic blackjack strategy to win, or more precisely, to win as much as possible and lose as little as possible, was developed by an iconic group known as the Four Horsemen: Roger Baldwin, Wilbert Cantey, Herbert Maisel, and James McDermott. Over time, it was developed through computer simulations and relies completely on making mathematically correct decisions for every hand you can possibly be dealt during a hand.

In essence, it involves memorizing (or alternatively, you can download a cheat sheet) when to hit, stand, split, and double. When followed correctly, it reduces the house edge (your disadvantage) to 0.5% – which is usually 2 to 3%. This means that without the basic strategy, you start from a position that is 4 to 6 times more disadvantageous.

At times, you will find that following the basic strategy goes against how you are feeling and may seem unintuitive, but statistically speaking, it increases your chances of stretching your money further whenever you play blackjack.

Card counters hold a significant advantage while playing blackjack in a brick-and-mortar casino, but not so much during an online game.

The reason is that most blackjack sites shuffle cards after each hand, rendering card counting practically impossible.

That being said, some online gambling sites offer multi-deck games with a cut card. However, most deal only about 50% of the cards before reshuffling. To be sure, you need to check the site’s rules regarding when the cards are reshuffled. If they are reshuffled after 50% or more of the cards are dealt, then counting might be viable.

It might be useless to say this, but it's important to reiterate. Just don’t go on tilt.

Sometimes cards just don’t come out right; it happens to everyone, including card counters, professionals, and newbies. It’s natural to think, 'Maybe if I make a few big bets, I’ll win it back.' That could pan out right – but statistically speaking, it probably won’t. The odds are that you will lose more money and regret that decision.

One way to prevent this is to enter the game not expecting to lose. Make the decision before you step (or tap) into the game and abide by your limits.

Brian Rogers, the resident blackjack expert at Graton Resort & Casino in Sonoma County, notes that whenever you play blackjack, you tend to go through streaks.

He recommends raising your bet slightly to maximize your profits if you’re on a winning streak (3 or more hands in a row). Similarly, lower your bet again when you start losing. Waiting too long before cashing in is usually a mistake.

To stretch your money further, choose a goal or a set amount to spend, and when you double that amount or reach your goal, cash out and walk away. Your luck can change at any second if you keep playing, and you may end up giving it all back to the casino.

A blackjack expert and the star of the 2011 documentary Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians, Colin Jones advises entering the game with at least 6 bets to back up your position.

This means that if you have $100, have $600 you can spend before you place that $100 bet. By doing that, you’ll be prepared for any double downs or splits that basic strategy might instruct you to have.

Free games or a demo mode allow you to develop your game in a risk-free environment. You can learn and practice the game without risking any money, and improve your knowledge of the basic strategy. While this is particularly useful for beginners to become familiar with blackjack strategies and rules, even seasoned gamblers can take advantage of free games.

Free blackjack games also tend to offer various blackjack variants, which would allow you to try out different versions of the game without any cost.

On the flip side, there will obviously be no real winnings, and excitement might be limited for some. It can even lead to a drop in motivation and discourage some from taking the game seriously.

Pros and cons of free blackjack games

Well, money.

Besides the obvious benefit of earning real money, playing blackjack with financial stakes usually results in an increased engagement and comes with a thrill of risk that many love. If you can calibrate your excitement and thrill, and focus on the game the right way, you can also benefit from the increased engagement and try out your strategies in a more effective way.

However, real blackjack games, like any form of gambling, come with significant risks and drawbacks. Although it's one of the easier games, blackjack still has a learning curve and demands that players are well-versed in its rules and strategies. Therefore, it's advisable for beginners to test themselves (not just for the rules and strategies but also to gauge their limits) by playing free games.

Apart from the risk of causing stress to both yourself and your wallet, blackjack can also be quite addictive. The fast-paced nature of the game, combined with the thrill of real money play, can lead to greed and addiction. It's crucial to establish your limits in advance and gamble responsibly.

Pros and cons of playing real money blackjack games

The iconic game itself, classic blackjack is what it says on the tin – players attempt to get a hand as close to 21 as possible and let their strategy knowledge speak. There are typically up to 8 decks used, meaning there are a lot of chances for hitting or doubling down – but the house advantage increases to 0.65%. It's also possible to find single-deck blackjack games with some mobile casinos.

European blackjack deviates from the classic game in certain ways. The dealer only receives one card at the beginning of the game instead of two, and players must stand a hand value of 17 or higher. Dealer, on the other hand, must hit 16 or lower.

In this style, both of the dealer’s cards are dealt face up, giving the players a significant advantage. There are some rules that even it out though: the dealer wins all ties except for blackjack, and players can only double down on a hand value of 9, 10, or 11.

As the name suggests, progressive blackjack includes a progressive jackpot. Players must place a side bet to be eligible for the jackpot – other than this addition, progressive blackjack is fairly similar to the classical version, except for the thrill of lifting hefty winnings.

It’s important to get an honest opinion from those who have tried out different apps before making a decision. Plus, seeing what works (or doesn’t work) for others can give you a better idea of what type of experience each app offers.

Different apps offer different features and tools to help you take your game up a notch. Look for ones with stats tracking, tutorials, or other useful features that can assist you in becoming a blackjack master.

It’s always better to try out an app before committing to it. Try downloading the free version and playing around with it for a bit. If it doesn’t feel right or isn’t giving you the desired results, then move on to another one!

With these tips in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the best blackjack app site in 2024.

Possibly one of the most widely celebrated French contributions to the world after croissants, roulette has been around for centuries and played in casinos worldwide – and thanks to a wide variety of online casinos, it's right in your pocket.

The premise of playing online roulette is simple: You place a bet on where you think the small white ball will land on the wheel, and you can bet on things like which number it will land on or whether it will land on black or red. The virtual croupier then drops the ball into the spinning wheel, and if it lands on your choice, you win.

There are dozens of variations of online roulette, here are the most popular ones:

• European roulette – It's easily ranked as the most popular variation and is available in the majority of online casino sites. The wheel has a total of 37 pockets, with one being zero. It has a fairly low house edge of 2.70%.

• American roulette – The second most popular variation, the American roulette has 8 pockets and an additional pocket marked with an 00. With the addition of a double-zero pocket, the house advantage rises to 5.26%.

• Roulette royale – An online favorite, this variation is also played on a standard European wheel with 37 pockets. There’s, however, a jackpot attached to the game. Players are required to make a small, but obligatory side bet which goes toward a pot. Players who hit the same number five times in a row can collect the ever-increasing pot.

We listed the top options that come with a good variety of roulette games here.

Another casino classic, slots are also fairly popular among online casinos. As most of you will know there really isn’t a surefire way to beat online slots – this is mainly because they utilize a random number generator.

Instead, you can look for online slot sites that offer the best and most generous bonuses that add value, and ones that offer the most variety of slot games that suit your needs and taste.

We curated a good collection of online slot sites that have a respectable variety of games and loads of promotions ranging from welcome bonuses to free spins.

For those who don’t wish to limit themselves to one game, we also selected the best (and licensed) casinos available across the US.

Blackjack, slots, and roulette are usually fixtures across online casinos, but you can also find a good selection of table games and live dealers. Some, such as the likes of BetMGM and Unibet, also offer sports betting as well as casino games – with which you can capitalize on the success of your favorite teams.

Treat gambling as an expense

It makes it even more attractive to start gambling with the idea that you’ll be making money. But, in reality, the odds are that you are more likely to lose. Especially over time, you’ll probably give away more money than you gain.

To help with this, think of money set aside for gambling as an expense, like going to the movies or a concert. Don’t enter the game thinking you’ll be turning a profit, rather, think of it as a fixed price for entertainment. This way, any money you’ll win will be a bonus.

Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose

Just as you (hopefully) wouldn’t spend your kid’s braces money on Beyonce concert tickets, you shouldn’t use any money earmarked for necessary expenses, such as rent/mortgage, groceries, utilities, or medical expenses, to gamble.

Set a loss limit

Setting self-imposed limits is a very effective way to curb gambling addiction, or prevent developing one. If you don’t know how much you can spend on gambling in a given period, start by making a monthly budget to see how much money you have spare for entertainment and decide what percentage of said allowance you’d like to dedicate to gambling.

One effective way could be using a dedicated card or account for your gambling expenditures; this way, you could separate your income earmarked for necessary expenses from money dedicated to gambling.

Set a time limit

A study of online gamblers found that time spent gambling, as well as the money wagered, is an important indicator of gambling problems.

When gambling online, set app-use limits on your phone on a daily or weekly basis to stay cognizant of how much time you spend gambling, and take action.

Leave when it stops being fun

Gambling should be entertaining and fun – so, you should feel entertained at all times while gambling.

Ask yourself how you feel when you make the decision to gamble and while playing. Emotions can take over, it happens to all of us, especially when money is on the line. By checking in with your feelings regularly, you can spot when it starts to make you feel angry, upset, or frustrated – if you notice it, stop playing and get away.

Walk away from your losses

Understand that despite the best strategies, almost every game you can play at a casino is designed to win money for the house, not you. Even a proven system like the basic strategy for blackjack reduces your disadvantage to 0.5%; it doesn’t completely eliminate it. This means that the house will always have the edge, and the odds are never in your favor – so why chase losses?

Understand that you’re more likely to lose, and when you’ve already lost the money that you set as your limit, it’s time to walk away. Statistically speaking, trying to win back your losses often leads to even bigger losses. On top of that, the chase can start to negatively impact your life.

Understanding whether your gambling habit has turned into a problem is paramount. While the frequency or amount you play can be an indicator, they may not always paint an accurate picture.

There are various responsible gambling resources available online – such as the Gamblers Anonymous Quiz here. It’s a simple, 20 yes/no question quiz assessing how you view gambling.

If you score positively on quizzes as such, or simply don’t trust that you will be able to quit gambling if you want to, you should seek help.

Who do I contact if I think I may have a gambling problem?

The National Council on Problem Gambling is the top agency you can contact if you believe that things have gone out of your control. They offer a 24-hour, confidential helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

There are also peer support groups you can reach out to locally or virtually. Gamblers Anonymous and GAM-ANON offer weekly support groups in every state.

Besides the national organizations, a lot of state health departments offer resources to help problem gamblers. The level of services usually varies, but can to connect you with the appropriate therapists or groups. In some cases, you may be able to get therapy free of charge.