Real Money Blackjack Games in Ireland

Blackjack is one of the oldest casino games globally and has come on a long way since the first versions back in 1700. It is a card game that is incredibly popular in Ireland throughout both land-based and online casinos. The format and rules of the game remain similar to the first versions, but new and more modern variants have given a twist to this classic game. You can play for free, to practise, or play online blackjack for real money.

Playing real money blackjack is fun and exciting, and there are many places to do it. Users can benefit from bonuses and rewards for signing up somewhere new and have a wide choice of online blackjack gaming options. However, with so many online casinos now offering Blackjack, deciding where to spend your cash can be difficult.

At IrishCasinoHEX, we know a thing or two about playing blackjack online for real money. We know what goes into great blackjack online casinos and what a generous blackjack bonus looks like. Following our recommendations can save you plenty of time and ensure that you’re only playing at the very best online casinos with blackjack. On this page, we explain more about what blackjack is, how to play it and what we look for in an excellent blackjack casino. You will then find a list of the very best blackjack online casinos in Ireland for you to choose from. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know!

What is Blackjack

Blackjack is the most played casino game in the world, both online and in land-based casinos. Although it’s closely followed by roulette, Blackjack continues to attract the most significant player numbers. It’s a card game that uses a standard deck of 52 cards. In a classic game of blackjack, there is one dealer and up to seven players.

Each player is dealt two cards initially, and the dealer takes two. The dealer overturns one of their cards, leaving the other face-down. The players must then decide whether to stay, hit, or split. Staying would mean you’re happy with your two cards and are confident they can beat the dealer’s cards. Hit adds an extra card to your deck. Split doubles your stakes and separates your two cards into two different games, usually done with a 10.

The aim of the game is to reach the number 21 with your cards. You get blackjack, which beats all other hands if you start with an ace card and a 10-value card (10s, Kings, Queens, Jacks). The decisions you make are usually influenced by the dealer’s initial hand; for example, if you see that the dealer has a 10, you’re more likely to play it safe. On the other hand, if the dealer has a low-value card, you might take more risk.

Real money blackjack is a double or nothing game. If you win, the payout is double your stake. If you lose, you don’t get a penny. For this reason, blackjack attracts a lot of high-rollers looking to increase their balance with huge bets. That said, blackjack is a classic game that suits every type of player.

How We Find and Review Blackjack Gambling Sites

Our team of casino experts handles our review process. We sign up, deposit money and play, to get a real feel for the player experience. We will never recommend an online casino without trying it ourselves first. Our testing criteria remains the same to ensure that each review is consistent, and here are just some of the things we look for in online casinos with blackjack.

Licenses and Safety

Checking for proper licensing is the very first thing we do in our casino review process. A gambling license is only issued to fair and compliant operators and so can be seen as a stamp of approval. These licenses are provided by the UK Gambling Commission, The Malta Gaming Authority or the Curacao Gambling Board. Properly licensed operators are subject to frequent audits and inspections to ensure compliant advertisements, promotions and fairness.

Bonuses

With so many blackjack online casinos out there, players are spoiled for choice. This means that the casinos are competing with each other for players. Because of this, you can get your hands on some seriously online casino bonus offers and spend some cash. During our reviews, we look at the welcome bonus, what it is, and the terms and conditions. We will only ever recommend a casino site with a fair bonus structure. We also look at loyalty rewards and bonuses for existing players, to ensure that both new and old players are treated fairly.

Blackjack and Other Games

When assessing casinos where you can play blackjack for money, games selection is very important. First and foremost, we, of course, check that blackjack is available. If it is, we also look out for special variations of blackjack, such as Blackjack Switch, Speed Blackjack or Live Blackjack. We also want to see other choices such as plenty of other table games, slots and jackpots for players to enjoy.

Payments

There are two specific areas of payments we look at; the processes and the methods. Firstly, we check that depositing and withdrawing are simple, and there are no unnecessary waits. We expect to see a proficient payout team that can approve payments quickly. On the other hand, plenty of payment methods also need to be available to players, including cards, e-wallets, cryptocurrency, and others.

Mobile Experience

Most of us now play blackjack on our mobiles, so we put every blackjack casino through a stringent mobile test. We check that the site loads quickly and s easy to use and navigate. We also check that blackjack and the other games have been properly optimised for the mobile platform and various screen sizes. We test on Android, IOS and Windows Phones.

Customer Support

Hopefully, you will never need the help of customer support, but sometimes it is unavoidable. If you do need assistance, it should be an easy process. We make sure that each casino has live chat and email channels with flexible opening times. We also test the quality of the help provided and the overall experience for the player.

How to Play Blackjack for Real Money

Playing blackjack for real money is easy, even for beginners. In fact, there are very few casino games with such simple rules. Follow our step by step guide below to get started:

1. Choose a blackjack casino – IrishCasinoHEX helps you find the best place to play blackjack online for real money. All that’s left for you to do is make your choice from our recommended list of blackjack casinos. Consider things like the welcome bonus, payment methods and selection of games before making your decision. Then, when you’re ready, click ‘visit casino’ to be taken straight there.
2. Create an account – To create an account, you will need to provide your name, date of birth and address. You will also need to register an email address and a telephone number. Once your personal information is submitted, you will then choose a username and password that should be memorable and secure. This is what you will use to log in every time you visit the site.
3. Deposit funds – Now it’s time to add some funds. First, head over to the wallet or banking section and choose your preferred payment method. You will then be asked to enter your payment details and the amount you wish to deposit. Once everything is in order, simply click ‘deposit’ to add your funds to your account. The money will be credited instantly.
4. Accept the bonus – After making your first deposit, you will be prompted with the welcome bonus. Once you have read the terms and conditions and are confident that you understand the bonus, simply click ‘accept’ to add it to your account. If it’s a deposit match, you will see your balance increase instantly.
5. Play blackjack for real money – You’ve opened the account, added funds and accepted the bonus. Now it’s time to play blackjack! Simply head over to the games section, find blackjack and load it up. There you can select your stake, number of hands and begin your game. Good luck!

High Stakes vs Low Stakes Blackjack

Real money blackjack can be enjoyed by every type of player, regardless of balance size. This is where high stakes and low stakes blackjack comes in. Both games play the same way but have table limits that cater to specific players.

High stakes blackjack involves placing large bets, sums as high as €1,000 or more per hand. The favourable odds of Blackjack and the double-your-money incentive makes it very popular with high-rollers who can very quickly increase their balance if they have a lucky streak.

On the other hand, low stakes Blackjack is better for those playing more for enjoyment. Unlike slots or different types of casino games, Blackjack doesn’t have variable payouts. If you’re staking small, you will win small. This is why it’s better to play more for fun than to win money. Minimum stakes can be as little as €1 a hand.

How to Make Real Cash Payment in Blackjack Casinos

Before playing real money blackjack games, you need to add some cash to your account. Of course, the exact process will depend on the type of payment method used. Below, we’ve outlined some of the most common ways to pay and how to use them.

• Mastercard and Visa – We’re all familiar with making payments using our Mastercard and Visa. Depositing into blackjack online casinos is no different to buying a product online. You will need your 16-digit card number, security code and expiry date. It will need to be entered the first time manually, but you can save it to the casino for future use. The cash will be deducted from your bank balance immediately and credited to your casino balance instantly.
• E-Wallets (PayPal, Neteller, Skrill) – E-Wallets are becoming more popular because of their sheer convenience. Instead of long card details, all you need is a username and password. When you select an E-Wallet option within the casino payment page, you will be prompted to log in using your E-Wallet details. Once in, simply enter how much you want to deposit and click submit. The whole process takes seconds.
• Paysafecard – Paysafecard is different from an E-Wallet in that it’s not designed to hold a balance or be used as an alternative to a bank account. A Paysafecard is a one-time-use way to make a purchase and is a great choice for those that like to keep their gambling transactions separate from their day-to-day spending. There are fees involved with transactions for Paysafecard accepted sites, so check what they are before making any deposits.
• Bank Transfer – A bank transfer is the old-school way to pay but is still used to this day. It’s safe and requires no middle man or payment processor, but it’s slow. A bank transfer casino deposit can take days to reach your account, meaning that you could have a long wait before you can play. The same applies to withdrawing with this method too.
• Cryptocurrency – Crypto isn’t something that is available at every online casino in Ireland, but as demand continues to rise, more operators are adding it to their platform. Bitcoin is by far the most popular cryptocurrency for gambling, and there are now a handful of Irish casinos supporting Bitcoin payments. This is the most private way to make any financial transaction and is well-liked by privacy fanatics.

Best Real Money Blackjack Types

There are several different types of real money blackjack, each with slightly different rules, features and side bets. Here’s a breakdown of the best real money blackjack types:

• American and European Blackjack – American and European Blackjack are almost identical. The only difference is when the dealer reveals their card and the player makes their decisions. In European Blackjack, the dealer has one card revealed and one card face-down, and it stays that way until every player has completed their moves. The second card is then revealed at the end. In American Blackjack, the dealer shows one card to the players, but if that card is an ace, they check the second card before making a move. If the dealer has blackjack, this is then revealed, and the game is over before it even really begins.
• Blackjack Switch – Blackjack Switch is an exciting variant of Blackjack that brings something extra to the table. The player is dealt two hands, which means double the stake. The best part? You can interchange cards between both hands, allowing you to make more favourable combinations. There is an obvious player advantage, and so, of course, there needs to be something in favour of the dealer. With Blackjack Switch, the game ends in a draw if the dealer finishes on 22. This would be a bust and a player win in standard blackjack.
• Perfect Pairs – Perfect pairs is a side game available on some variants of real money blackjack. It’s another way to win and adds to the excitement. Players can bet on their first two cards being a pair, such as two 10s. The payout is even higher if the pairs are from the same suit.
• RNG Blackjack – RNG blackjack, or Random Number Generator blackjack, is the computerised version of the game. It is powered by an algorithm that randomly determines the outcome of every hand. This was the first type of online blackjack for real money and accounts for most variations today.
• Live Blackjack – Live blackjack is one of the newest ways to play blackjack online. It involves interacting with a real dealer and fellow players while still enjoying the comfort of your own home and privacy. Each hand is dealt right in front of your eyes, making it the closest thing to being at a real casino.

Blackjack Casino Bonuses

Unfortunately, many casino bonuses exclude blackjack. Blackjack bonuses can be a little harder to find, but they are out there. They tend to fall within three specific categories, they are:

Deposit Matches

A deposit match is a very simple yet very popular type of casino bonus. An example would be a casino offering 100% up to €500. This means that if you deposit €500, you will have €1,000 to play with. The lower limit is often between €10 and €20, so you can even benefit from these offers if you don’t have a huge bank balance. Wagering requirements will apply, and blackjack usually has quite a low weighting. Be sure always to read the terms and conditions to understand wagering and any limitations properly.

Cashback

Imagine playing blackjack for real money and getting a refund if you lose. That’s exactly what a cashback bonus is; a way to claim back some of your losses. The specifics can vary, but a typical example would be 10% cashback up to €100. It’s like insurance, an added peace of mind and something to cheer you up if luck isn’t on your side.

Free Casino Bonuses

Some blackjack casinos will give players a completely free no deposit bonus without having to spend a penny. These are used to attract new players and provide them with a chance to get a feel for the casino brand. They can typically be used on Blackjack, and so it’s a completely free hand to enjoy. Only when you’re satisfied with your experience can you then opt to deposit some real cash funds.

Live Blackjack in Online Casinos

Live blackjack is a newer way to play online blackjack for real money. It is the perfect combination of enjoying a real casino experience straight from your mobile or desktop device. Everything is real, from the dealer to the cards and the table. You will see the game unfold right in front of you and be able to interact with other players and the dealer. Live blackjack is the closest thing you will get to being in the real casino, and many players prefer it over the RNG alternative.

Playing Blackjack for Real Money on Mobile

With more of us than ever opting to gamble using our mobiles, blackjack casinos had to improve their mobile offerings. As a result, the best sites offering real money blackjack now have a fantastic mobile platform that works on almost every type of device. There are two primary ways to enjoy blackjack on mobile; through an app or a browser. Here’s an overview of both:

Blackjack on a mobile app

Real money blackjack mobile apps are fantastic as casinos have developed them with blackjack players in mind. The games load fast, are optimised for all screen sizes and operating systems, and have dedicated technical support teams in the event of any issues.

The only downside to opting to play on an app is the additional space it requires on your device. In addition, some people prefer not to download any third-party apps and already have limited storage, so it’s not for everybody.

Blackjack on a browser

Playing real money blackjack on a browser is the easiest way. There is no installation required, and all you have to do is enter the website and click go. This is a great option for those that are security-conscious or just don’t like the idea of installing anything on their phones.

There is a real lack of dedicated technical support from the casino side, though. If the website isn’t working on a specific browser, you will be encouraged to contact the browser directly.

Best Software Providers Creating Blackjack Games

Almost every software provider is now producing Blackjack games as player numbers continue to grow. However, despite the rise in game developers, some tech giants continue to dominate the market. Here are some of the biggest and best companies creating blackjack games for real money.

Playtech

Playtech is the king of the original casino table games. One of the first software developers when online casinos launched in the late 90s, Playtech continues to dominate the industry. It has many different blackjack games in its portfolio, including Blackjack Switch and many other RNG options.

NetEnt

Despite becoming more famous for its epic slots, NetEnt produces some of the best quality blackjack games on the market. This Swedish company is one of the biggest and best in the world and has European, American and Speed Blackjack in its portfolio of games.

Evolution Gaming

Evolution Gaming is the name behind hundreds of amazing live casino games. Pioneers of the live casino platform, Evolution has fantastic live blackjack options that are available at any good online casino. In addition, they have friendly and professional dealers and high-quality equipment with technology that makes for the perfect blackjack experience.

Microgaming

Microgaming is another of the oldest and most established casino software developers. Their European Blackjack is one of the most played blackjack games in the world, but they also have plenty of other variations, including Speed Blackjack and low stake options.

Blackjack Casino Tips from IrishCasinoHEX

1. Read the rules of the specific blackjack game you’re playing – The rules vary depending on the type of real money blackjack you’re playing. One of the main things to consider is when the dealer has to stand. In standard blackjack, the dealer has to stand on 17, giving you the chance to get higher and win the hand. However, some other types of blackjack state that the dealer has to hit on 17. Such rules can significantly impact house edge and odds of winning, so it’s important to understand them first.
2. Consider blackjack strategies – Despite being a game of luck, there is a certain element of strategy involved when playing blackjack. There are many strategies out there to study, and we encourage you to pick your favourite. However, even if you’re not big on strategy, it’s a good idea to have your own ‘rule book’. E.g. to always hit if the dealer has lower than seven in their first two cards. Having such rules in place helps with decision making and consistency.
3. Practice before you play blackjack games for real money – Unlike other casino games that just require the click of a button and no thought, you can benefit from practising blackjack before you spend cash. Of course, every outcome is different, and ultimately, you need luck on your side, but doing a few trial runs before you play for real cash is a bright idea. It will help you to understand the different plays and outcomes without spending any money.
4. Don’t stick to one game type – If you keep playing the same game, you will quickly get bored, especially if luck isn’t on your side. So as well as playing blackjack, we recommend switching it up now and again and trying something different. This is why all of our casino recommendations include thousands of games in multiple categories so that you can keep your game time fun, enjoyable and fresh. We recommend also checking out the live casino platform for blackjack alternatives in a fun and immersive environment.

Brian Kiley

Editor-in-Chief

Hello, I’m Brian, and I have been on the IrishCasinoHEX team since the very start in 2018.

As an Irish (born and raised), I not only have a passion for all things related to gambling, but also a deeper understanding of how the Irish casino market works, what are the latest trends in the country, and how the entire industry is regulated not only on a global but local level as well.

Thanks to this position, I managed to combine my two passions – the one for writing, and the one for gambling, so you can bet all my reviews are very user-friendly.

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