In brief: Find a table paying 3 to 2 for blackjack and follow basic strategy. That keeps the house edge near half a percent.
Rules that matter
| Rule | Better | Worse |
|---|
| Blackjack pays | 3 to 2 | 6 to 5 |
|---|
| Dealer on soft 17 | Stands | Hits |
|---|
| Doubling | Any two cards | Restricted |
|---|
| Decks | Fewer | More |
|---|
Core strategy
| Your hand | Dealer 2 to 6 | Dealer 7 to ace |
|---|
| Hard 17+ | Stand | Stand |
|---|
| Hard 12 to 16 | Stand (hit 12 v 2 or 3) | Hit |
|---|
| Hard 11 | Double | Double on most rules |
|---|
| Aces, eights | Split | Split |
|---|
| Tens, fives | Never split | Never split |
|---|
A summary. Full charts vary by table rules.
Full charts: blackjack strategy.
Bets to avoid
Insurance, and most side bets: both carry a far higher edge than the main game.
Live blackjack tables fill up at busy times; software blackjack always has a seat and a lower minimum.
Live blackjack
| Casino | Live studios reported | Live score |
|---|
| Coral | Evolution, Playtech and Pragmatic Play | 8.5/10 |
|---|
| Ladbrokes | Evolution, Playtech and Pragmatic Play; around 100 live tables reported | 8.5/10 |
|---|
| PlayOJO | Evolution, with other studios reported | 8.5/10 |
|---|
| Casumo | Evolution, Pragmatic Play and Playtech, plus Casumo-branded tables | 8.5/10 |
|---|
| 10bet | Evolution and Pragmatic Play | 7.5/10 |
|---|
Ad 18+ only. We may earn commission from these links. Advertiser disclosure
Coral Casino ★ 4.3 out of 5
Bet £10 on slots, get 100 free spins
No wageringFree spins
- Wagering
- None
- Minimum
- £10
- Time limit
- 48 hours to accept, then 7 days
- Worked value
- 100 spins at £0.10 (£10 in spins)
Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
PlayOJO ★ 4.2 out of 5
80 free spins, no wagering
No wageringFree spins
- Wagering
- None
- Minimum
- £10
- Time limit
- See offer terms
- Worked value
- 80 spins at £0.10 (£8 in spins)
Significant terms: 18+. First deposit only. Minimum deposit £10. 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, £0.10 each. No wagering requirements; winnings paid in cash. Cannot be used with any other offer. Only available to players who arrive through the designated offer link. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
More games: Online baccarat UK, Live casino UK and Live game shows UK.
Elsewhere in games: Live casino UK, Blackjack strategy and Casino game odds.
Slots and lists: New slots UK, Sweet Bonanza UK and Slot sites UK.
Offer terms dated 5 October 2026, from each casino's published conditions. Other casino details are reported by independent reviews. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
