Last Updated on October 5, 2023
Blackjack is one of the most classic casino games, and probably one of the first card games people learn to play. Also called 21, the Blackjack game comes in different variations which gives players different odds and payouts. Practically every casino will have a variety of different blackjack games to choose from.
UK players looking to play blackjack online at casinos not with Gamstop will find that there are many sites they can choose from. These casinos will typically offer computer based blackjack games, which are also known as RNG blackjack, as well as live blackjack games. We will talk about some of the best non UK Gamstop sites to play blackjack, as well as cover some of the rules and tips to playing the game.
What is Gamstop?
Gamstop is a UK wide programme designed to help people who have a gambling addiction by blocking them from all UK licenced casinos. Players voluntarily sign up for the programme and then they will not be able to play at any online casino that is licenced by the UK Gambling Commission.
Non Gamstop sites do not fall under this rubric; that means those who have signed up for Gamstop can still play at this site. Therefore, players with a gambling problem should not visit these sites.
How to Play Blackjack Online
To play blackjack online, all you have to do is visit an online casino. Real money gambling will of course require that you make a deposit into your casino account with a debit or credit card, or a prepaid voucher such as Paysafe. There are numerous payment methods available.
There are software based, RNG blackjack games. RNG stands for Random Number Generator and this is essentially the algorithm that ensures each hand is truly random and fair. The exact look and feel of the game will vary depending on the developer, but rest assured that they are always designed to be intuitive and it’s extremely easy to pick up.
Live blackjack is when you play against a human dealer across a live video stream. Most online casinos will have live blackjack games and you can typically find it under their Live Casino section. These games are always for real money and no free play in demo mode is available.
Check our glossary to understand our online blackjack terminology.
What are the Online Blackjack Rules?
Online blackjack rules are the same as regular blackjack. There is a deck of cards, face down in front of you. To win, you will have to beat the dealer by:
- Drawing a higher hand than the dealer without exceeding a total value of 21,
- Drawing a value of 21
If you get exactly 21, you have a Blackjack and win. If you draw a hand over a value of 21, then you “go bust” and lose. The same applies to the dealer. The cards are drawn one by one, and you have the option to turn down the next draw if you are happy with your hand. This is called a “Stand”.
The value of the cards are as follows:
- Numbered cards (from 2 to 9) are at face value, eg. a 3 is worth 3 regardless of its suit.
- J, Q and K are valued at 10
- Ace can count as 1 or 11, whichever helps your hand
Blackjack Casinos not on Gamstop
Bonus 44% up to:
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*Over your first 3 deposits!
300% up to:
£3,000
Welcome Bonus
*On first 3 deposits
950% Bonus up to:
£7,000
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*Over your first 5 deposit!
450% Up To:
€3,000
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*over your first 3 deposits!
200% Bonus up to:
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*On 1st deposit!
Bonus 100% up to:
£500
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*Over your first deposit!
Welcome Casino Bonus Up To:
100 Free Spins
Wager free
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Up to:
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*over your first 5 deposits!
£1,000
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*Over your first deposit!
Bonus 750% up to:
£3,000
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* Only for new registrations and only for their first deposit
Bonus 1,200% up to
€2,400 + 120 Free Spins
Welcome Package
* Only for new registrations and only for their first deposit
Bonus 400% up to:
£800
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*Over your first deposit!
Bonus 300% up to
£1,200
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*10% Daily Cashback
Bonus 750% up to:
£5,250
Welcome Package
* Only for new registrations and only for their first deposit
Best Blackjack Casinos Not On Gamstop 2023
When it comes to playing Blackjack online, you have many choices. This includes casinos not with Gamstop as well. Below is a list of the best non Gamstop casinos for playing Blackjack.
Royal Oak Casino: 100% bonus up to £1,000
Bonus 100% up to:
£1,000
Welcome Package
*Only for new registrations and only for their first 10 deposits
Royal Oak Casino is an elegant site with an impressive collection of blackjack games that you can play for free in demo mode. Among the choices are Double Exposure, Atlantic City, Multi-hand Pro, Blackjack Switch, as well as both American and European Blackjack. They also have a live casino if you fancy playing against a live dealer. The welcome bonus here is generous and UK players can use credit cards among other payment methods to fund their bankroll.
Very Well Casino: 25 Free Spins
Bonus up to:
725 Free Spins
First Deposit Bonuses
* All bonuses are based on the following rules.
Very Well Casino is an excellent non Gamstop site and carries a solid portfolio of blackjack games. Whether it’s Single Deck, Blackjack Switch or a 3 Hand Blackjack game, there’s more than enough choice here. They also have a great live casino with several Blackjack tables to choose from. Although the welcome bonus at Very Well Casino is all about slots, you’ll find that if you hang around a bit, you can get a juicy deposit bonus that you can use on other games, such as blackjack.
MyStake Casino: 150% bonus up to 200 Euros
MyStake Casino has a rich collection of software based Blackjack games. Options here include Blackjack Lucky Sevens, Pirate 21, Vegas Strip, Vegas Single Deck and so much more. VIP games are also available for high rollers. There are also many live Blackjack tables and you will never have to wait to join a game. The welcome bonus is great, but don’t miss out on the 15% cashback promo at the MyStake live casino, which is obviously great for playing live Blackjack.
The Red Lion Casino: 400% up to £800
Bonus 750% up to:
£3,000
Welcome Package
* Only for new registrations and only for their first deposit
The Red Lion Casino is a site that is not with Gamstop. The software based Blackjack games are numerous, with all the most popular variations such as Vegas Strip, Blackjack Switch, European and American Blackjack, along with multi-hand and multi deck games. These can all be played in demo mode for free before real money gambling. There are also live blackjack games as well. Banking is easy for UK players as the casino accepts the British pound.
Betti Casino: Welcome Bonus Offer 100% up to 100%
Betti Casino has developed as one of the best nongamstop casinos in the virtual gaming sphere, serving as a digital paradise for gaming fans. Betti Casino, designed with cutting-edge graphics and a user-centric interface, offers a diverse range of games, from classic slots to live-dealer table games, appealing to both novice and seasoned gamblers. Its platform, which is available on both desktop and mobile devices, offers a smooth gaming experience with top-tier security features that ensure safe and fair play.
Tips to Win Blackjack
While some luck is always involved in casino games, playing Blackjack with some skill can help you better your odds in winning a blackjack game. In fact, it is known to be the casino game with the lowest house edge, which means you have the highest chance of winning
Below are some tips to win Blackjack:
- Always hit when your hand value is under 12. Hit means to take the next dealt card. When you have a hand under 12, you cannot go bust on the next card.
- Always take a look at the dealer’s hand. After all, you are playing against the dealer.
- Stand if you have a hard hand between 12 -16, and the dealer a 2 – 6. A hard hand is when you don’t have an Ace in your hand. Stand is the opposite of a Hit, and it means you pass on the next card.
- Hit if you have a hard hand between 12 -16, and the dealer a 7 – A.
- Stand if you have a hard hand between 17 – 21.
- Stand if you have a soft hand between 19 to 21.
Don’t play the insurance bet. The insurance bet is basically a second bet on that the dealer will have a Blackjack. You have the option to place this bet if the dealer gets an Ace. If the dealer does end up getting a Blackjack, you will only get your original bet back – which means no win or loss. On the other hand, if you win, you will only win back your original bet. It just drains your bankroll in the long run.
How to Count Cards in Blackjack
You’ve probably heard of card counting. It’s something that advanced players use to win blackjack games, or at least to better their chances. Learning to count cards itself is not difficult, although mastering it to win is not easy. The most common card counting system works like this:
- Assign values to cards.
- 2 to 6 = +1
- 7 to 9 = 0
- 10 to Ace = -1
As each card is dealt, keep a count of the cards through the assigned value
How to Play Blackjack for Free
Many casino sites will have free blackjack games that you can play in demo mode. These are invariably software based games, rather than live dealer games. Some casinos may require that you sign up for an account before you can play free games, but this is only takes seconds and signing up is always free. These games are won’t let you win any money, but they are a fine way to get a feel for the game. Switching over from demo mode to real money gambling is easy. It’s just a matter of pressing a button and then setting your bet size inside the game.
Live blackjack games don’t have demo mode and are only available for real money gambling. Stakes can start quite low though, so even budget players can have a go. Alternatively, a casino welcome bonus will get you plenty of free chips, which is the next best thing to playing for free.
Types of Blackjack Games
While the general idea of building a hand up to 21, the Blackjack card game actually comes in many variations. The most popular Blackjack games you will see include:
- American Blackjack, also known as Classic Blackjack: In this game, the dealer gets his card dealt before the player makes a decision regarding his or her own hand.
- European Blackjack: Here the dealer only gets his card after the player has made a decision on his or her hand.
- Blackjack Switch: Players get two hands to simultaneously and can switch the second card dealt between hands.
- Vegas Switch: Similar to American Blackjack, but played with 4 decks of cards.
Types of Blackjack bonuses
Online casinos are well known for the bonuses they offer. Although offers specific to table games tend to be rarer than those for slots, you can usually find these kinds of bonuses at casinos that can be used for playing blackjack as well as other games.
- Welcome Bonus: This is a bonus you get when you make your first deposit at an online casino. Usually it’s a 100% bonus, which means you’ll double your bankroll with free chips.
- Reload Bonus: This is also a deposit bonus, but for returning players.
- Usually the rate is lower than the welcome bonus.
- Game promotions: Some casinos will have special prizes you can win for playing. This is usually for Live Blackjack games though.
Tournaments or Leaderboards: Some casinos will have tournaments where players can win extra prizes.
Pros and Cons to Blackjack not Gamstop
What are the advantages and disadvantages to playing Blackjack at casinos not with Gamstop? The pros and cons are listed below:
- Higher limits
- Great choice of different Blackjack games
- Live Blackjack available
- Can use credit cards
- Players with gambling problems will not be blocked
- Not protected by UKGC
Blackjack Games not on Gamstop FAQ
Yes. A non Gamstop casino carry many different Blackjack games you can play against software. You can play these games for free in demo mode.
Yes. Most casinos not on Gamstop have a live casino section where you will find live Blackjack among other live games.
It varies with each casino, but Classic Blackjack, European Blackjack, Blackjack Switch, Multi-Hand Blackjack, Vegas Strip and all the popular variations of the game can easily be found on non Gamstop sites.
Yes. The recommended non Gamstop casinos listed on this page have welcome bonuses that you can use to play real money Blackjack on their sites.
