Play Online Blackjack with Other Players

Multiplayer blackjack, as suggested by its name, is a blackjack version in which there is more than one, and up to six, participating players. The basics of the game remain the same; all of the players compete against the dealer and not against each other. When it comes to online blackjack variations, you will have the opportunity to play in the company of other players at just about any live dealer casino, but here’s our top recommendation:

The game is considered to be more dynamic and many players report that this variant adds the ‘realism element’ to the online casino experience. In other words, playing at a multi-player table online makes you feel like you’re in a traditional, brick-and-mortar casino with your friends more than the other blackjack variants.

What’s Different About Multiplayer Blackjack?

Multiplayer blackjack is based on Standard blackjack and there only few variations of the rules when compared to it. The game is played with eight decks of cards, and the dealer is supposed to shuffle them after each hand. A player is not allowed to play more than one hand at a time (this does not include splitting). Most cards have their face value, the ace can be counted either as one or as eleven and the pictures have a value of ten.

The goal of the game is to have a hand greater than the one of the dealer, but not to go over 21. If it does go over 21, then you lose the hand. If you and the dealer have hands of the same value it results in a ‘push’ and you get your bet back. If you are dealt an ace and a card which has a value of 10, then you have a blackjack and you win, the payout for a blackjack is 3:2 and the payout for a regular win is 1:1. If both you and the dealer have a blackjack, then that’s a push.

The first dealer’s card is dealt face up. You are allowed to split any two cards which have the same value, including aces and ‘pictures’. If you split aces and then get a card that is worth 10, that is not a blackjack. You are allowed to double only once, either after you are dealt your two cards or after splitting your pair.

The Standard House Edge

The house edge for Multiplayer blackjack is practically the same as the house edge for Standard blackjack and it is 0.44%, with the standard variation being 1.15. If the dealer isn’t supposed to shuffle the cards after each hand, then the house edge would be 0.456%. As for the other rules, there are no notable variations, since most casinos offer the same rules as for Standard blackjack. If a casino does apply a different rule, this will affect the house edge and it could be increased or decreased.

How to Place Insurance

Just as in standard blackjack, or many other blackjack variants for that matter, the player is allowed to buy insurance, whenever the dealer’s face-up card is an ace. This insurance costs half of your initial bet on that hand and it protects you should the dealer get a blackjack. If the dealer gets a blackjack, then you get the insurance money x2, which means you get your initial bet back, but if the dealer doesn’t get a blackjack, you lose the insurance money even if you end up losing the hand. For example, if your bet is £10, the insurance would cost £5.

Multiplayer Blackjack Strategy

The strategy for playing this game is quite straightforward and it resembles the strategy for Standard blackjack. You are strongly advised to hit when your hand has a value 5-9, regardless of the cards of the dealer. If you have a 9-valued hand, then you should double in the cases when the dealer has 3-7 and hit in all the other cases. When you have 10 you should double unless the dealer has 10 or an ace (in that case you should hit) and when you have 11, you should double, except in the case where the dealer has an ace (then you should hit). You should always stand when you have hard 17, 18, 19 or 20. When you have 13-16 in this multiplayer blackjack game, you should stand when the dealer has 2-7 and hit in the cases when s/he has 7-ace. A specific situation is when you have 16 and the dealer has 10, in that case, you should hit only if you have less than 3 cards (i.e. 2) and stand in all the other cases.

If you have a soft 13-17, you should hit almost always, in some cases double too (when applicable). You should always stand on a soft 19 and 20, and stand on soft 18, unless the dealer has 9, 10 or an ace.

As for splitting, you should always split aces and 8s. You should always stand on two 10s, and stand when the dealer has 10, an ace or 7 when you have two 9s. When you have 2s, 3s, 7s or 8s you should split when the dealer has 2-8 and hit when s/he has 8, 9, 10 or an ace. Now, you are ready to hit the 888 Casino blackjack tables and start winning.

The Bottom Line

One of the unique features of Multiplayer blackjack, according to many players, and its key advantage when compared to other variations, is the fact that more than one player is involved. This is why the game is viewed as a more sociable game, a game which is more fun and enjoyable, simply because of the company and the ability to interact with other players. Take for example Ladbrokes Casino, where you can play your favourite game and interact with other players. The house edge in the game is not bad for the players (it’s pretty much standard). However, people who enjoy a more quiet, laid-back game, would not fancy this game in particular. All in all, it’s a fun and unique variant and you should probably try it out if you haven’t already.