Blackjack is a very popular casino game that many players enjoy regularly. It is both challenging and exciting because players can influence the course of the game by applying their skills and knowledge. It offers them the chance to make a profit in the long term despite the casino’s built-in advantage. This is why blackjack, along with its many variations, has grown so popular and is the favourite game of many passionate players.
Nowadays, more and more casinos offer a wide range of games online, including Blackjack, in order to meet players’ needs. It has never been so easy or accessible to enjoy the game on the go whenever you wish. Reputable online casinos have changed the way online gambling is perceived, as most of them provide world-class games and a high level of protection to their customers at all times.
Thanks to the Internet, players can enjoy their favourite game at any time and place, experiencing a whole new way of playing it. However, there is something even more exciting than playing online, and that is participating in an online Blackjack tournament. Just as the game boasts many variations, there are also numerous types of tournaments for players to choose from. Regardless of category, they are all interesting and enticing, offering players different opportunities and experiences, which is why they are well worth entering.
Just as the game offers a great many variations, there are also numerous tournament types for players to choose from. Regardless of their format, they are all interesting and enticing, providing players with different opportunities and experiences. This is why they are worth entering.
Blackjack Tournament Rules
The rules of blackjack remain the same and players still compete against the dealer; however, in this case the other participants in the game are also their opponents. When they play in a blackjack tournament, the main aim is to accumulate as many chips as possible, as the winner is determined in this way. Such events have an entry fee that players must pay to take part. Upon payment, they receive a fixed amount of chips with which to start the game.
Depending on the type of tournament, it can consist of one or more rounds. The time for each round or the number of hands permitted can also vary. During the session, the game is conducted in the usual way and players should make their decisions based on their hand’s total and the dealer’s upcard.
It is worth noting one difference: the order of play changes each hand, so players act in a different sequence every time. This rule prevents them from basing their decisions solely on those of the other players.
Each competition ends at a different time and in a different way, depending on the category it falls into. For example, in an Elimination tournament, as the name suggests, the participant with the fewest chips at the end of each round must leave the game. It is worth mentioning that the rules of these events can differ from one casino to another, and it is best to double-check them in advance.
One of the peculiarities of blackjack tournament play is that participants’ losses are limited to their entry (and possible re-buy) fees. This is not the case in classic house-banked games where there is no cap on potential losses. Basically, you can continue playing (and potentially losing due to negative variance) as long as you have money to fund your session bankroll.
Another essential point is that blackjack tournament players, at least the successful ones, are thoroughly familiar with basic strategy. This is because they often need to adjust some of the correct strategy plays to gain an edge over their opponents.
One example is doubling down for less in certain situations, which is never a good idea in house-banked blackjack according to basic strategy. In tournament blackjack, however, doubling for less is usually done during the final hand.
Different Tournament Formats in Blackjack
The most typical format for blackjack tournaments is the elimination format, with only one or two contenders from each table advancing to the next round. All contenders are granted the same amount of chips at the start of a round. Depending on the tournament and where it takes place, the contestants might use live chips or chips intended solely for tournament play that have no real-money value.
Also, elimination tournaments comprise a specific predetermined number of rounds (usually no more than five), with a single round normally lasting for 15 to 30 hands. Another aspect of blackjack tournaments that distinguishes them from house-banked games is the order in which cards are dealt to the players.
In conventional blackjack, the dealer makes two passes around the table, starting with the player in the leftmost seat and proceeding to the right. This is not the case in blackjack tournaments where a button is used, similarly to poker tournaments.
This button rotates around the table to indicate who will be the first-base player during a given hand. Participants who must post their wagers and play their hands earlier in the round are at a disadvantage compared with those who bet and act last.
Card Counting Systems
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Splitting a Pair of Aces
Spanish 21
The Non-Elimination Format
Non-elimination tournaments are another common format. These are similar to elimination tournaments, the only difference being that the objective of players is to earn the highest amount of chips over several rounds. There is usually a leaderboard that displays the chip counts so that participants know how many chips they must gain to catch up with the leaders.
Sit ‘n’ Go Tournaments
Online blackjack tournaments are also available in the sit ‘n’ go format where normally six players must sign up before the competition commences. The tournament starts immediately after the required number of participants have registered and is held within a specific timeframe. You will not be allowed to join if the needed number of players has already bought in.
Mini and Major Tournaments
Some online casinos hold the so-called mini blackjack tournaments on a regular basis, sometimes every day. The entry fees are typically rather small. Tournaments of this type rarely last for more than a single day. Their prize pools are normally lower at £2,000 or less. This is not the case with major tournaments where participants must pay higher entry fees upon registration to compete for a portion of larger prize pools.
Finally, there is the live-money tournament format where the chips you buy in and play with have a monetary value. Respectively, top finishers get the chance to exchange their chips for real cash at the end of the tournament.
Here, players are putting their own funds at risk when they decide to wager the maximum or go all-in. Tournament rookies are advised to refrain from participating in live-money tourneys and play for smaller stakes until they build up sufficient experience.
Tips for Online Blackjack Tournament Players
It is essential to remember that blackjack tournaments require a different approach compared with conventional house-banked games. Here, your goal is to earn more chips and beat other players rather than the blackjack dealer. Furthermore, you will often have to misplay some hands and deviate from proper basic strategy to overtake your opponents.
To start with, tourney beginners must become well-acquainted with tournament rules, or else they risk disqualification or expensive playing mistakes. When playing online, you should absolutely go through your chosen tourney’s ruleset to learn about the table limits, the number of hands played, whether late surrender is an option, and how many participants can advance per round.
Furthermore, once you read the rules and etiquette, be sure not to violate them. One of the things to avoid is called string betting. This is when a player grabs several chips in their palm and then drops them one at a time into their corresponding betting box/circle.
The rule of thumb is to post all chips you want to wager during the round at once. Our advice is to stack your chips in advance and keep them next to your betting box so you can readily slide them into the box when needed. When one is string betting, normally only the first chip to hit the betting box is considered valid. The rest of the chips are returned to the etiquette violator.
Another etiquette violation tournament rookies must avoid is conversing with spectators during the last round of play. The vast majority of tourneys even prohibit you from conversing with your opponents during the last round.
Learning to count chips quickly and accurately is another useful skill for a successful blackjack tournament player. This applies to counting both your chips and those of your opponents. This knowledge enables you to size your bets more adequately in relation to other participants’ current bankrolls. Another useful skill is understanding when to raise your wager, keep it the same as your opponent’s, and when to wager the table minimum.
Tourney players must also acquaint themselves with the importance of betting position. As previously explained, the participant who acts first is at a severe disadvantage, which is why the dealer rotates the button after each round of play.
Once you see who acts first, you must try and determine what your betting position will be during the tournament’s final round. If you end up in the button position, you will have to play more aggressively throughout the tourney to build up a commanding lead during the final hand.
If you trail behind the tourney’s leader, you can attempt to catch up by placing a couple of large wagers rather than making several smaller bets. However, this course of action is not recommended when one is in the button position.
Another approach when you need to gain on your opponents is wagering opposite to the current chip leader. During the early stages of the tournament, you make larger wagers when the leader is betting small and vice versa.
During the final hand, you should strive to pour more money into your hand to try and overtake the current leader. One way to achieve this is through doubling. In blackjack tournaments, participants often deviate from basic strategy and double down regardless of their hand value. There are even known cases of players doubling on their blackjacks (e.g. A-Q) and winning entire tournaments in the process.
Benefits of Participating in an Online Tournament
Apart from the advantage that players can participate regardless of location, blackjack tournaments offer several other benefits. When playing over the Internet, the many distractions found in land-based casinos do not exist. Gamblers are able to focus more and, therefore, make better choices. Moreover, any reputable casino nowadays ensures a high level of protection and security, which gives players the peace of mind they need.
Many online casinos organise tournaments on a regular basis, which is very convenient for players as they can plan their time in advance and decide where and when to take part. These events also give them the opportunity to enjoy their favourite game online and make a bigger profit from it. There are many great prizes to be won if players apply their chosen strategy correctly and possess the necessary skills and knowledge.
Perhaps the biggest advantage associated with tournament blackjack is that the house has almost no edge over the players. The prize pools normally comprise the entire sum players have contributed in the form of buy-in fees. Well-versed tournament players can gain a massive advantage over opponents of less experience, skill, and tournament knowledge.
Additionally, many online blackjack tournaments offer good value to players, with some of them returning all buy-in fees as prizes. You can sometimes win a substantial portion of the prize pool in exchange for paying a relatively nominal entry fee. In some cases, the house will even pour extra money into the prize pool as an additional incentive to attract more players.
Another merit of participating is that players’ losses are restricted to the amount they have bought in for. This is not the case in standard house-banked blackjack where you can always dip into your pocket for extra money to replenish a dwindling bankroll.
32Red Online Casino Tournaments
| 32Red | |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 2002 |
| Software used | Microgaming, Evolution Gaming, IGT, Novomatic, Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, Blueprint Gaming, and more |
| Number of blackjack games on offer |
29 20+ in the live lobby |
| Payment options | Bank transfer, ecoPayz, Mastercard, Maestro, Visa, Neteller, Skrill, Paysafecard |
| Deposit minimum/maximum | £10/ £425 for Paysafecard and £10,000 for digital wallets |
| Mobile play | Downloadable app for Android-powered devices |
| Languages | English and Japanese |
| Support channels | Live chat, phone, and email |
| Availability of tournaments | Yes |
32Red is among the online casinos that offer engaging Blackjack tournaments on a regular basis. To participate, players simply need to download the casino app and open the section with the available tournaments. 32Red has developed the app to ensure that players can join events on time and enjoy them without any obstacles.
The online casino offers three different types that players can choose from – $500 Blackjack Attack, Survivor Blackjack Tournament, and Freeroll Blackjack Tournament. Each of them provides gamblers with a different level of excitement and challenge, making them well worth a try. It is also possible to see when a particular event is scheduled, its prize pool, and its format, giving players the opportunity to prepare in advance.
Bet365 Online Casino Tournaments
| bet365 | |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 2000 |
| Software used | Playtech |
| Number of blackjack games on offer |
13 10+ in the live lobby |
| Payment options | Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay, Paysafecard, wire transfer, Click to Pay, and Google Pay |
| Deposit minimum/maximum | £5/£5,000 |
| Mobile play | Downloadable apps for iOS and Android |
| Languages | English, German, Norwegian, Bulgarian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Italian, French, Polish, Czech, Slovenian, Dutch, Danish, Hungarian, Greek, Estonian, and Japanese |
| Support channels | Live chat, email, and phone |
| Availability of tournaments | Yes |
Bet365 is no exception when it comes to providing players with the opportunity to participate in online casino competitions. They can join such events using a mobile device, which is extremely convenient as it allows them to play whenever and wherever they wish. The amount of money that can be won varies and depends on the position in which players finish the event.
The casino offers prizes to participants who finish at least 25th; of course, these are not as large as the prizes for the top places, but they still provide an incentive to take part in the competition. Like any other tournament, this one also has regulations and requirements that should be taken into account before playing. For instance, if players win a prize, they need to consider that it will be calculated in accordance with the casino’s currency multiplier table.
SlotsMagic Online Casino Tournaments
| SlotsMagic | |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 2017 |
| Software used | Big Time Gaming, Play’n GO, Playtech, NetEnt, Blueprint Gaming, Evolution Gaming, Push Gaming, Yggdrasil, iSoftBet, Merkur Gaming, Lightning Box Games, Slingo, and Games Global |
| Number of blackjack games on offer |
15+ 150+ in the live lobby |
| Payment options | Apple Pay, Mastercard, Visa, Paysafecard, and PayPal |
| Deposit minimum/maximum | £10/ not specified |
| Mobile play | Accessible through an in-browser app |
| Languages | English, Norwegian, German, French, Finnish, and Slovak |
| Support channels | Live chat, phone, and email |
| Availability of tournaments | Yes |
SlotsMagic is an online casino that is sure to make a great first impression not only on reel spinners but on blackjack fans as well. Members of the casino can revel in a slew of gripping variants of the card classic, including Blackjack X-change, European Blackjack Turbo, and American Blackjack Turbo, among others.
If players prefer a more authentic blackjack experience, they should take a look at the live lobby of the casino because it contains games from Playtech, Evolution Gaming, and Pragmatic Play.
As members of SlotsMagic, players will be able to explore some of the best casino games on the market, designed by software providers like Playtech, NetEnt, Play’n GO, Yggdrasil, Big Time Gaming, Blueprint Gaming, iSoftBet, Merkur Gaming, and Lightning Box, among others.
SlotsMagic does not provide the most extensive line-up of banking solutions for its registered users, as the only payment processors they can use when depositing or withdrawing are PayPal, Mastercard, Visa, Paysafecard, and Apple Pay. That being said, the casino seeks to make up for this through fast processing times and the lack of extra fees.
Right from the beginning of their wagering experience at SlotsMagic, players will be offered the chance to extend their playtime thanks to a generous sign-up offer. Blackjack fans who keep logging into their accounts will be invited to the VIP lounge of the casino, and there is also the option to collect extra prizes thanks to the tournaments the casino runs on a regular basis.
The online casino’s security and integrity should always be given enough attention, and in the case of SlotsMagic, the interactive casino operates under a licence from the UK Gambling Commission.
All British Online Casino Tournaments
| All British Casino | |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 2013 |
| Software used | NetEnt, Red Tiger, Merkur Gaming, Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, Big Time Gaming, Spinomenal, Amatic Industries, Blueprint Gaming, Evolution Gaming, IGT, Microgaming, Novomatic, Hacksaw Gaming, Booming Games, Eyecon, Inspired Gaming, Nolimit City |
| Number of blackjack games on offer |
15+ 50+ in the live lobby |
| Deposit options | Trustly, Paysafecard, Visa, Neteller, Skrill, and Mastercard |
| Deposit minimum/maximum | £10/£5000 |
| Mobile play | Downloadable app for iOS-powered tablets and smartphones |
| Languages | English, Swedish, Norwegian and Dutch |
| Support channels |
Live chat Phone – +44 (0)20 8089 0395 Email – support@allbritishcasino.com |
| Availability of tournaments | Yes |
With a well-organised and clean design, All British Casino is an online casino many blackjack fans are loyal to. Players might be eager to see what games await them at the casino, as the operator works with a number of providers that have already risen to fame, including NetEnt, Microgaming, IGT, Big Time Gaming, Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, and Red Tiger, among others.
Some of the blackjack variants that clearly stand out from the crowd are Vegas Single Deck Blackjack, Vegas Strip Blackjack, Blackjack X-change, Zappit Blackjack, Atlantic City Blackjack, and Premier Blackjack with Lucky Lucky, among others. All British Casino leaves no requests unfulfilled, as its portfolio also features slots, jackpot games, video poker, live games, and slingo.
Making payments to and from the casino never takes too long, as players can choose from several time-efficient banking methods. The payment services members of the casino can make use of when depositing and withdrawing include digital wallets like Neteller and Skrill, prepaid vouchers such as Paysafecard, and debit cards.
Judging by the special deals on offer, it is easy to see why players give All British Casino a fair chance. Their wagering experience will start with an eye-catching welcome bonus, and there are plenty of tournaments they may be eager to enter.
Whenever players need assistance, they can get in touch with the customer support representatives of All British Casino via live chat, email, or phone.
Casumo Online Casino Tournaments
| Casumo Casino | |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 2012 |
| Software used | NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Microgaming, Playtech, Push Gaming, Yggdrasil, Novomatic, Playtech, Red Tiger, SG Digital, 4ThePlayer, Kalamba Games, Hacksaw Gaming, and others |
| Number of blackjack games |
13+ 30+ in the live lobby |
| Deposit options | MuchBetter, Apple Pay, Trustly, Paysafecard, Neteller, Skrill, Mastercard, and Visa |
| Deposit minimum/maximum | £10 |
| Mobile support | Downloadable apps for iOS and Android-powered devices |
| Languages | English, German, Japanese, Norwegian, and Swedish |
| Support channels | Live chat |
| Availability of tournaments | Yes |
Launched in 2012, Casumo Casino climbed to the top with its customer-first approach. The online casino has built a solid fan base, which is not surprising considering how many jurisdictions Casumo caters to.
The web-based casino boasts a boatload of games and, to ensure its portfolio meets the needs of all wagering enthusiasts, Casumo offers dozens of slots, table games, live games, jackpot games, and video poker varieties. The casino’s suite is not short of interesting blackjack variants, and some titles players might be eager to try are Single Deck Blackjack, Double Exposure Blackjack, Classic Blackjack, 3D Blackjack, Perfect Blackjack, Zappit Blackjack, and Back Blackjack, among others.
The online casino allows its users to explore releases from giants in the iGaming industry such as NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger, Playtech, Microgaming, and Evolution Gaming.
Casumo offers a top-notch wagering experience to players who are constantly out and about, as the casino has introduced downloadable apps for devices that run on Android and iOS. The site is also built to adapt to the screens of all modern tablets and smartphones when players load it directly in their browser.
Casumo provides special deals that will keep players’ bonus balances topped up at all times, whether they are newcomers or existing users. Members will also discover various tournaments that will not only add to the excitement of their stay but may also bring them impressive payouts.
Luxury Online Casino Tournaments
| Luxury Casino | |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 2001 |
| Software used | Microgaming |
| Number of blackjack games on offer | 50+ |
| Deposit options | Neteller, Skrill, Paysafecard, Mastercard, Visa, AstroPay, PayPal, Instadebit |
| Deposit minimum/maximum | £10/£4,000 per week |
| Mobile support | Accessible on the go through an in-browser app |
| Languages | English |
| Support channels | Live chat and email (support@crhelpdesk.com) |
| Availability of tournaments | Not specified |
Although it is up against stiff competition, Luxury Casino easily manages to overshadow many of its rivals. The online casino opened its virtual doors in 2001 and continues to enjoy great success among players from the UK.
By far, the strongest suit of the casino is its portfolio, which is composed of video poker, jackpot games, slots, and card classics, blackjack included. All games players will be able to access as users of Luxury Casino are designed by Microgaming, one of the industry’s longest-standing game studios. No matter which games interest players, they can view the payout rate without hassle, as this information is readily available at Luxury Casino.
Fans of the card game are presented with more titles than they can try in one sitting, as their number exceeds 50. Some blackjack games worth a closer look include Bonus Blackjack Gold, Spanish Blackjack Gold, Vegas Single Deck Blackjack, Hi-Lo 13 European Blackjack Gold, Multi-Hand Perfect Pairs European Blackjack Gold, and Big Five Blackjack Gold, to name a few.
Players can effortlessly immerse themselves in their preferred games even when they are out and about, as Luxury Casino has a mobile-responsive design.
First-timers will have the chance to get to know the interactive casino better thanks to the generous welcome bonus awarded over their first five deposits. Besides, they will be enrolled in its loyalty programme, which also promises attention-grabbing extras.
Casino Action Online Tournaments
| Casino Action | |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 2002 |
| Software used | Microgaming |
| Number of blackjack games on offer | 50+ |
| Deposit options | PayPal, AstroPay, Mastercard, Visa, Paysafecard, Neteller, and Skrill |
| Deposit minimum/maximum | £10/£4,000 per week |
| Mobile support | Accessible on handheld devices directly in the browser |
| Languages | English |
| Support channels | Live chat and email (support@crhelpdesk.com) |
| Availability of tournaments | Not specified |
Casino Action is an online casino with a wealth of experience to its name that is part of the well-known Casino Rewards Group. The online casino prides itself on its sizeable game suite that brings players some of Microgaming’s best-known releases. The casino boasts an assortment of jackpot slots, video poker varieties, roulette, slots, and blackjack games. If they get a kick out of playing blackjack, gambling enthusiasts will be in their element, as Casino Action offers dozens of such games, including ones that allow players to play several hands at a time.
All the content players encounter at the casino is well placed and easily accessible on desktop and portable devices. The operator enables its users to put all their favourite games in the palm of their hands, as Casino Action is fully optimised for play on tablets and smartphones powered by Android and iOS.
Casino Action puts much effort into pleasing its most loyal users and gives them access to more eye-catching extras. Newcomers are not neglected either, as they can claim their share of a massive welcome bonus that is split across their first five deposits.
If players have any questions or experience any difficulties during their stay, they can rely on the support staff around the clock. Those who choose the live chat should receive an almost immediate answer, while email queries may take a little longer.
888casino Online Tournaments
| 888casino | |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 1997 |
| Software used | NetEnt, Playtech, Evolution Gaming, Yggdrasil, Novomatic, Dragonfish, IGT, and Blueprint Gaming, among others |
| Number of blackjack games on offer |
15+ 120+ In the live lobby |
| Deposit options | Apple Pay, PayPal, Trustly, Mastercard, Visa, and Paysafecard |
| Deposit minimum/maximum | £10/not specified |
| Mobile support | Accessible on portable devices through downloadable apps for iOS and Android |
| Languages | English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Finnish |
| Support channels | Live chat, email, and phone |
| Availability of tournaments | Yes |
Bursting with excitement, 888casino is among the veterans of the online gambling scene. The online casino knows that payments are a crucial aspect of players’ experience, and although 888casino does not offer an enormous selection of payment processors, players will still find some of the most commonly used banking methods, including PayPal, Apple Pay, Mastercard, Paysafecard, and Visa, among others.
The online casino boasts a massive game suite that is sure to please all players, no matter whether they are into slots, live games, jackpot games, video poker, roulette, or blackjack. Low Stakes Blackjack, American Blackjack, Multi-Hand Blackjack, Super Stakes Blackjack, Blazing 7s Blackjack, and Super Fun 21 Blackjack are some of the variants of the card classic that will be at the fingertips of players.
The casino’s live lobby is also packed to the rafters with blackjack games, and players can not only choose between tables with different rulesets but also between games with high and low bet limits.
The online casino makes it a joy for players to access their favourite blackjack games on a portable device, as 888casino offers downloadable apps for Android- and iOS-running tablets and smartphones.
The casino is exceptionally active in delivering generous rewards to both newly registered and existing users. The web-based casino raises the entertainment level for first-time users by making them eligible for an attractive sign-up offer. Existing users of 888casino have plenty of opportunities to increase their bonus balance, as they can take part in various prize draws and tournaments.
Conclusion
Online blackjack tournaments are a great way to experience a different side of the game and compete against other players. They allow gamblers to put their skills and knowledge to the test and demonstrate what they are capable of. Moreover, when playing on the Internet, many of the distractions found in brick-and-mortar casinos are absent, giving players the chance to apply their strategy more easily and make better choices for their moves and bets.