Why Blackjack Remains a Casino Staple After All These Years

If you ask a person or a particular business who has been successful, one of the common threads about what has been a challenge is to try and remain relevant over a long period of time.

Staying popular and relevant is certainly no easy task and if people or businesses can achieve that feat over a number of decades that has to be considered a major success. To remain popular over a period of centuries is very rare, but that is exactly what blackjack has been able to achieve.

Having first been played back in the 1700’s, blackjack remains just as popular today as it ever has. Considered a true online casino classic, the blackjack bubble doesn’t look like bursting anytime soon. 

So what is it about blackjack that has helped make it so popular? Let’s explore this in more detail below.

Blackjack has always been hugely social

Whether it be in real life or or within an online casino environment, one of the reasons why blackjack has remained hugely popular to play is the social element that it provides. Unlike games such as craps and roulette where there can be dozens of players playing the game at any one time, blackjack tables are a lot more intimate.

Usually the maximum number of players permitted at the tables at any one time is nine but that can be reduced and at times there can only be around six other players playing. 

At busy times, grabbing a place at a blackjack table can be tricky, due to the more limited availability and seats can be harder to obtain due to the great conversation that can flow.

By its very nature, blackjack can be a game that players can play over a long period of time. Due to the payouts being smaller in comparison to other casino games, it is a game where bankrolls can be protected and players can often play for long periods of time. 

Due to the length of game time, conversations can flow and you have the opportunity to really get to know the other players around the table. It is often the case that players will encourage the others whilst playing and advice can be given by fellow players if needed.

It isn’t just with other players where the conversation can flow. Interactions can also be had with the dealer. Dealers will always try to be positive and engaging and within the intimate setting of the blackjack tables this is where they can really come into their own.

Whilst the dealer can’t be approached for advice, what they can do is participate in the conversation happening around the table and they will also ensure any winnings are celebrated and enjoyed.

Casino nights whether that be in a real or online setting are unique and part of that comes from the special interactions that can take place between players and the dealers. Blackjack leads the way when it comes to those special interactions and is one of the reasons why blackjack will continue to be popular for years to come.

It’s an easy game to play

Often the most successful things are often the simple things and that is very much true when it comes to blackjack.

Whereas there are other casino games where in order to play it feels like you need a rocket scientist degree, that doesn’t really apply to blackjack. 

Blackjack is a brilliant game to enjoy whether you are a veteran of the game or completely new to it. Despite being centuries old, the game hasn’t really changed. Yes, there has been the introduction of side bets (more on that later) but ultimately the game simply pits the player against the dealer and that is why so many enjoy it.

Many of us grew up playing 21 or Pontoon at home where in order to get as close to 21, you would either stick or twist. Although you wouldn’t have been playing for money in those days, the same principles apply when playing for money in blackjack. 

Although you can split or choose to double, the main two actions to take are to hit or double and the best thing about it, is that it is entirely up to you regarding what action you want to take.

Even if you are completely new to blackjack, sitting and watching for a few hands usually does the trick when it comes to learning the game. Coupled with the fact that there are usually real life and online tables that accept pretty low minimums, the best thing about blackjack is that you can learn in a relatively stress free environment without the fear of losing too much money.

Whilst those with more experience might have certain rules (for example never hitting when the dealer has delta themselves a five or 6), with the rules being the way they are, blackjack tables should always be open regardless of your ability.

It is widely available 

When it comes to laying out the architecture for any online casino, whether that be a classic name or a new player to the scene, you can rest assured that the site will be packed full with blackjack games. 

Alongside roulette, the two games continue to attract thousands of players on a daily basis and it isn’t a surprise that at online casinos such as Staruniv there are many different blackjack games and tables that are available. 

With so much choice and variation, finding a game that suits your overall staking limit can at times be as simple as clicking a few buttons. 

Whether you choose to play, there should be plenty of blackjack choices for you to enjoy. 

Blackjack is a game suitable for all staking limits

It is often common to see on an online or real blackjack table players betting different amounts. As long as the table minimums are met, bets of different shapes and sizes are usually accepted.

For those new to the world of gambling, blackjack is often the game that people are directed towards. There are some tables that can be played for as little as £1, which means that if you have £10, you could play up to ten different hands. Ten hands would take a fair bit of time to complete which means that you can gamble for a fairly lengthy period of time without staking or risking too much.

As you gain more experience, you may want to up the stakes slightly, again blackjack is usually accommodating in that regard. Gambling should always be fun and taking your time and enjoying the action really does help enable that. 

For those that have the ability to play with bigger stakes, it is usually common that private or high roller tables are made available in either a real or online casino. For those that like to play and mix it up with the high rollers, having an environment specifically designed for the high rollers is great.

High roller environments can be a little more serious due to the larger amounts that are being staked, therefore it is important that this can happen in a specialised environment. 

Online casinos such as Staruniv will have a huge variety of tables that ensure whether you want to play socially or play for larger sums, your gambling preferences and limits should be accommodated for.

The pace of the game is quick

There is an old saying that a quick game makes for a good game and that is certainly the case with blackjack. Although there can be up to nine players at the table at any one time, the uncomplicated nature of blackjack ensures that hands at most only take a few minutes to play. 

With the pace of the play being quick and there being plenty of demand for quick and speedy action, it’s very difficult to get bored playing blackjack and plenty of fun and brilliant conversation can be had.

The development of side bets have bought blackjack up to the modern age

In order for blackjack to remain popular with today’s tech savvy and mobile audience, blackjack has had to adapt and evolve to remain relevant. 

Although the heart of blackjack hasn’t changed much over the years, the one area where there has been significant developments made has been through the evolution of the side bets that can be placed. At most blackjack tables there are two types of sidebets that are commonly played, Perfect Pairs and 21 + 3. Both are hugely popular and both enable those playing blackjack to eek out a little more value than the 1:1 standard payouts that are offered.

Perfect Pairs

Of the two sidebets, it is arguably the Perfect Pairs bet that is more popular than 21 + 3. Fairly easy to understand, the bet does what it says on the tin. Using the two cards that are dealt to the player, the aim of the bet is to try and be dealt a pair and depending on what type of pair is landed, the payouts will differ.

One of the nuances of blackjack is that multiple decks will often be used. This means that it is possible to be dealt a pair of the same suit. If you are lucky enough to be dealt a pair of Queen of Hearts, this will payout the maximum of 25:1. As you can see, these odds far outweigh the payouts that can take place during standard play.

Any combination that contains the same suit will receive these larger payouts. If you were to match up a pair but for example one card was a Diamond and the other was a Club, the payout would be lower and a player would be paid out at 5:1. 

21+3

The 21 + 3 side bet is a little more complex. Whereas some people would think it would have something to do with an allowance on the main 21 rules of blackjack, instead it actually combines 3 card poker and blackjack together. 

Using the two cards that are dealt to the player and the one that the dealer receives, the idea of the sidebet is to try and combine the cards to make a poker hand. Due to the fact that only three cards are involved, the range of poker hands that can be made are limited in comparison to standard poker hands.

These are the combinations that can be made.

• Suited Three of a Kind: three cards of the same rank and suit.
• Straight flush: three sequential cards of the same suit.
• Three of a Kind: three cards of the same rank and any suits.
• Straight: three sequential cards, e.g., 9-8-7, of any suits.
• Flush: three cards of the same suit in any order.

The payouts are as follows

• Flush: 5/1
• Straight: 10/1
• Three of a Kind: 20/1
• Straight Flush: 30/1
• Suited Three of a Kind: 100/1

In order to understand the 21 + 3 bet, you certainly don’t need to be an expert of poker, but having a basic understanding of the game would help. As shown above, there are plenty of different possibilities that the bet can cover but it does require a little concentration as to what you could possibly win.

How have sidebets helped keep Blackjack popular?

As we have already explained, one of the main reasons as to why the sidebets have helped blackjack remain as one of the casino greats, is that the sidebets allow those seeking better value the opportunity to do exactly that.

However, it is important to note that the sidebets can’t be placed for free. When it comes to placing the bets they can often be placed at less than the minimum value but the placing of these bets will see the overall value of the hands increase.

When placing either the Perfect Pairs or 21 + 3 sidebets there isn’t a limit on staking on one over the other, both can be bet on at the same time. However, it’s important to realise that there won’t be any guarantees that the hands will be winning ones and the overall bet sizes will increase.

In order to remain relevant, bettors often want choice. Without the option to place sidebets, blackjack is limited and in comparison to the new breed of game show games the lack of choice would be incredibly stark.

The option to place a few different bets during one hand keeps blackjack in line with the latest online versions of roulette and ensures that the game can keep pace with the very best live casino games that have taken live casinos by storm in recent years. 

Blackjack is the perfect game for exciting new variants

With blackjack being so simple and easy to play, it isn’t surprising that many game developers have viewed it as the perfect game to introduce some exciting variants. These variants have offered an exciting new dimension of the much loved classic.

The Staruniv live casino houses many of these exciting variants and they could be worth a try the next time you login. One of the most popular live Blackjack games that you can play is ‘Lightning Blackjack’.

Blackjack but with a real modern twist, the game includes multipliers that can see the overall payouts increase depending on the outcome of the multipliers that have been applied. 

Another popular variation of Blackjack that you will be able to find within the Staruniv library is ‘Quantum Blackjack Plus’. Another game that involves multipliers, there are a range of different multiplier options that you can apply that can see any potential winnings be increased. 

The use of multipliers has proven to be a great addition to these live blackjack games. Multipliers have been a huge reason behind the popularity of modern slot and game show games as they have given players choice and flexibility. The option to choose which multipliers to play, gives those playing a choice that doesn’t come with a standard game of blackjack and has helped bring blackjack into the modern era. 

You can play Blackjack whether you go

The future of the live casino industry very much looks to be in mobile and some of the biggest game developers are now adopting a mobile first strategy. Ever since the launch of mobile play, blackjack has maintained its position as being one of the most popular games that is played.

Due to the uncluttered nature of Blackjack, all of the action can be easily followed on smaller screens and the experience of the game isn’t diminished at all. WIth blackjack being perfect for the smaller screens it fits playing on mobiles perfectly.

Whether it is a standard game of blackjack or you want to try a game that contains one of the new exciting elements, both can be played and enjoyed on mobiles.

Is there any immediate threat to the popularity of Blackjack?

Whilst online and real life casinos are a constant hub of innovation and new barriers being pushed, it’s fair to assume that blackjack isn’t going anywhere soon. 

Alongside roulette, the two are synonymous with casinos and because of that, blackjack should continue to go from strength to strength. 

The big barrier standing in the game of blackjack as a whole, is what form of the game continues to live on and thrive in popularity.

Currently the classic game that has been in place for decades, has a huge presence in online casino libraries, but over the last few years we have started to see new exciting variants starting to take it’s place. 

Whilst at the moment the variations are still yet to replace the classic that we have all become so familiar with, the direction of travel that casinos are taking would suggest that the classic game has some work to do to stay on top. 

Games that offer choice and the ability to land large, valuable multipliers are steadily becoming some of the most popular games out there, and the experience that these games offer can’t really be compared when it comes to classic blackjack. 

Whilst that clamour for change is nowhere near from being realised, how blackjack looks in decades to come could be hugely different from the game we love playing so much today. 

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