By Lars Holmström.
By Lars HolmströmOnline blackjack is available in most Pennsylvania (PA) online casinos. In fact, it is one of the most popular casino games in the state. Being a game that balances skill and luck, it appeals to both new and loyal players.
Following the gambling expansion bill, both visitors and residents can now enjoy various blackjack games within the state lines. Other popular casino games in the state include craps, baccarat, and roulette.
Is Online Blackjack Legal In PA?
If you are 21 or older, you can legally play online blackjack in Pennsylvania. In addition, you can get into any of the land-based casinos. The Pennsylvania Gambling Control Board overseas gambling activities in the state. It demands fairness and transparency from all operators. Whether you choose to play free games or for real money, you have plenty of options.
PA Laws and Blackjack Games
In January 2010, during the expansion of the 2004 Gaming Act, tables were included in live casinos. The table games tax rate was set at 16 percent. Although the number isn’t as high as with slots, it is pretty impressive. Based on the PGCB rules, blackjack games need to have a low house edge. They should also be friendly and fair.
After the opening of PA’S first online casinos, online blackjack wasn’t immediately legalized. In October 2017, Gov. Tom Wolf signed the Gambling Expansion bill. A licensing process for PA online casinos kicked off and the initial sites were live by mid-2019. Find some of the best PA online casinos rated here.
Free Online Blackjack in Pennsylvania
If you are new to the game, you’d be wise to check a few options out before risking your money. Luckily, PA has plenty of free online blackjack games. They are just as fun as money games.
You will find a few blackjack games in almost all PA online casinos on demo mode. You may receive a no-deposit cash bonus when checking out new games. Usually, demo mode is available through software-based games. Although you can access live dealer games, you can’t place bets for free. Free games are perfect for the casino lover who wants to have fun without risking their money.
Real Money Online Blackjack
You will find real money online blackjack in all Pennsylvania online casinos. They come with lucrative welcome bonuses and regular promotions. If you make the leap to real money games, you have the chance to have some fun and potentially make profits. The secret is to choose games with the lowest house edge.
The best blackjack games have a smaller number of decks. The best bet is to play single-deck games. In addition, find games with splitting rules, liberal doubling, and a soft 17 dealer stand.
Do not go in without a basic strategy. It could improve your playing experience and increase your chances of winning. If you go in blindly, you will be handing your money to the casino every time.
Take advantage of side bets as well. They add some excitement to the game, and you could win huge profits. Although the house edge can be high, it is worth the risk.
Before making a deposit, check to ensure that you are using the safest payment options. The popular ones include PayPal, MasterCard, and Visa. Bank transfers are pretty popular as well.
The best PA casinos for real money blackjack include: Unibet Casino, SugarHouse Casino, and Hollywood Casino. SugarHouse has partnered with Rush Street Interactive to bring you the best blackjack games.
Unibet works with Meadowlands and Hollywood Casino teams with IGT to bring you blackjack and other popular casino games in PA.
PA Live Blackjack
Thanks to the PGCB, PA live blackjack is governed by special rules. The games are generally immersive and player-friendly. The average RTP is 96.6 percent. You can enjoy side bets like; Royal Match, 21+3, Lucky Ladies and Kings Bounty, and Match the dealer. They are perfect when you hope to win huge profits.
Types of Blackjack in Pennsylvania
Since blackjack has been popular for such a long time, it is no surprise that there are so many variations. Even the most minor changes from the basic rules can alter the game significantly. For example, some variations allow you to surrender your hand, but others don’t.
Most PA online casinos have the basic game. They may have a few variations as well. The most popular ones include Interlock blackjack and Spanish 21. All PA sites must follow the rules that apply to land-based casinos. The main difference is in European and US blackjack:
- In European games, the dealer will get just one visible card. After every player has acted, the second card is dealt.
- In US games, dealers can peek at their hidden cards when the up-card is an ace or 10. If they have a blackjack, the hand doesn’t continue.
Blackjack Odds
The best thing about blackjack is that your success isn’t entirely up to chance. It is also dependent on your skill. Even when the odds are against you, your skill could give you better winning opportunities.
The odds in blackjack vary depending on the number of decks in the game. Every variation uses a different number of decks, and it is important to do your research before playing. Here is a look at the number of decks and how they may affect your odds:
- Eight decks: 0.65 percent
- Six decks: 0.64 percent
- Four decks: 0.60 percent
- Two decks: 0.46 percent
- One deck: 0.17 percent
Online Blackjack Rewards and Bonuses
Since there is so much competition among PA online casinos, they are always coming up with new bonuses and rewards. The casinos give both new and loyal players incentive to keep playing, from free bet bonuses to generous welcome bonuses and reload bonus deals.
Usually, the play-through requirement for blackjack bonuses is weighted. You may need to wager your bonus a few more times than in slots thanks to the low house edge. Most casinos have a points collection system to reward their loyal players. The longer you play, the bigger your bonuses become.