Online Multiplayer Blackjack

Online Multiplayer BlackjackBlackjack is one of the high-profile games in any casino. Next to slots, it may the second most popular game around. That popularity has translated over from land-based casinos to online casinos. Any online casino worth playing at offers blackjack. Generally, whether you play for free or for real money, you are still playing as a single player against the house. However, the days of going solo against the dealer are no more. Now you can play online multiplayer blackjack. In this version, you can play online along with several other players at a virtual blackjack table. There are two versions of multiplayer blackjack. The first and most common is where each player is still competing against the house. The other version which is slowly becoming more widespread is where the players are competing against each other. This is a style that is more likely to appear in online blackjack tournaments. Online multiplayer blackjack offers a more challenging game and depending on which version you play, also offers a bigger pot.

Online Blackjack Multiplayer Rules

Despite the number of players sitting at an online table, the rules for online multiplayer blackjack are still the same as basic blackjack. Despite what some player’s think, the object of blackjack is not to get as close to 21 as possible. The object of the game is to beat the dealer.

The purpose in multiplayer blackjack is to amass cards where the values are as close to or equal 21 but without going over. The count of a hand is calculated on the basis of the total points of every card that is in the hand. Number cards use their number as the value. Face cards which include Jacks, Queens and Kings have a value of 10 points. The value of an Ace is flexible and is either 11 or 1. The Ace is valued at 11 as long as it would not make the value of the hand exceed 21. If it looks like the hand is going to go over 21 then the Ace’s value becomes 1. A soft hand is a hand with an Ace whose value is 11 and does not cause the total to exceed 21. A hard hand is a hand that has an Ace whose value is 1, since a value of 11 would cause the hand to exceed 21. In the case where the player and the house have a draw and there is no winner or loser, then this situation is referred to as a ‘push.’

In online multiplayer blackjack, each table has up to five players and one dealer. In online play, you can usually see the other player’s account names on the screen. Most casinos offer online chat between the players while they game is going on. Online multiplayer blackjack starts out with all the players making an initial bet before the “Deal” button can be hit. Each player will then be dealt two cards face up and the dealer gets two cards face down. Assuming the dealer does not have a blackjack, then play will go with each player taking a turn. You can select from several choices such as Stand, Hit, Surrender, Double, or Split. Most multiplayer blackjack games give you an allotted amount of time in which to make a decision. If you have not made a decision before time runs out, then the computer assumes that you choose to stand and play moves to the next player. Once all the players have made their decision, the dealer will then proceed to play out their own hand. Once the dealer has finished, then they will check to see which, if any players have won, and either collect wagers or pay out winnings.

If the dealer’s up card is an Ace, then all players will be given an Insurance option. You can leave the game at any time by clicking on the “Leave Seat” option.

Multiplayer Blackjack Tournaments

A great new innovation for online blackjack players are multiplayer blackjack tournaments. These are tournaments set up much like poker tournaments, except that the players are usually competing against the house instead of each other (although there are some tournaments where the latter is the case). In online multiplayer blackjack tournaments, each player starts the tournament with the same amount of credits. These credits are not real money and have no value other than in the tournament. There are usually 8 people at a table; seven players and one dealer. They play through each round and the winner who amasses the most credits advances to the next round. In the final round, the winner is determined as the player who has won the largest amount of credits. The winner then receives the cash prize for that tournament. All blackjack tournaments have a start time and date and an end time and date. You have to pay a fee when you register for the tournament and some have a maximum number of players. If the max number is reached before you register, then you can’t compete.

Multiplayer Blackjack Sites

Online multiplayer blackjack is offered at many online sites. Some of the games can be played for free while others require you to set up an account if you want to play using real money. No matter which method you choose, always be sure to read the house rules before you play. There are several variations of basic blackjack available and not every casino has the same rules. Here is a list of some great site where you can find online multiplayer blackjack.