
Since real money online casinos are strictly prohibited, you may think that a search for “blackjack online casinos Australia” would prove fruitless. However, thanks to free-to-play sweepstakes casinos, it is possible to legally enjoy online blackjack games in Australia.
A top class sweepstakes casino, such as RooVegas, offers the same fun and excitement as a real money casino, but without the risk. In this short guide, we will give you a full lowdown of how to play blackjack at sweepstakes casinos, including top tips to help you get the best possible experience when playing the game.
Before we look specifically at blackjack games, it’s important to give you a comprehensive understanding of sweepstakes casinos and how they differ from the standard real money online casinos that are available in other countries. Here are nine quick facts you need to know:
Whether you’re a complete blackjack novice or a seasoned player, it is essential that you have a completely clear understanding of what is required before you play online blackjack at sweepstakes casinos. So, to ensure you are fully au fait with how the game works, here’s an overview of the basics:
1. The aim of blackjack is to build a hand with a total card value closer to (but not in excess of) 21 than the dealer’s.
2. Number cards are worth their face value, picture cards are each worth ten, and aces can be valued at either one or 11.
3. You begin by selecting how many GC or SC you want to play.
4. You then receive two cards and need to make one of the following moves:
5. After making your decision and finalising your hand, the dealer will play and attempt to form a hand that is closer to 21 than yours.
6. If you have the hand closer to 21, you will win the game and receive a payout of 1:1. For example, if you play 20 SC and win, you would receive 20 SC, in addition to your 20 SC stake.
7. If the dealer wins, you lose the value of your stake.
Online blackjack is a staple of all leading sweepstakes casinos, and whilst the precise range of blackjack games available to you will depend on the site you are playing at, you will usually be able to find the following variations:
| Game | How it works |
|---|---|
| American blackjack | The most common form of online blackjack. One of the dealer’s cards is face up at the start of the game. The dealer HAS to hit if their hand is 17 and contains an ace. If the dealer’s face-up card is an ace, the player can make an Insurance side bet. This gives them a payout if the dealer is holding 21 |
| European blackjack | Very similar to American blackjack, but the dealer only receives their second card after the player has finished their hand. This minor difference reduces the house edge slightly. |
| Multihand blackjack | Rather than receiving one hand, the player receives multiple hands at the start of the game. Most sites allow you to play up to five hands in one game. Whilst you need to bet GC or SC on each hand, these bets do not have to be for the same amount. |
| Single deck blackjack | Whilst most online blackjack games are played using six to eight decks, this variation of the game uses just one. This reduces the house edge slightly as there are fewer cards in play. |
As is the case with the sweepstakes titles at roulette online casinos Australia, the blackjack games at sweepstakes casinos are either live games hosted by dealers, or first person video blackjack titles in which you play against a computer generated dealer. To help you decide which of the two options is right for you, here’s a look at how they compare:
| Game type | How it works | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Live dealer blackjack | A real croupier deals the cards in a setting similar to a real life casino. The games are played in real time on a live video stream. Each hand is time restricted. | You can interact with other players via chat rooms. Recreate an authentic bricks-and-mortar casino experience. Choose from a wide selection of tables and game variations. |
| First person video blackjack | A random number generator (RNG) determines the outcome of each deal. There are no time restrictions. | Play at your own pace. Play at any time. Ideal for casual play. |
Live dealer blackjack and first person video blackjack both have their downsides. Live dealer games aren’t always available at sweepstakes casinos, and some tables only run at certain times, which can make them harder to access. First person video blackjack, on the other hand, is available more often and gives more flexibility, but it doesn’t have much social interaction and feels less like a real casino since there’s no live dealer.
Now that you’ve got a clear understanding of how online blackjack works at sweepstakes casinos, let’s look at three of the main benefits of giving the games a try:
Whilst the exact house edge of online blackjack can vary slightly depending on the game type, you will usually find that it is 2% or lower. In other words, blackjack offers just about the lowest house edge you will ever see at an online sweepstakes casino game.
Compared to traditional online casinos, sweepstakes casinos offer a relaxed gaming environment that allows you to interact with other players, plus try out new game variations and strategies, without the risk of losing any real money.
Because of its ultra-low house edge, blackjack is the ideal game for playing with Sweeps Coins and meeting redemption eligibility requirements. As we mentioned earlier in this guide, if you have enough played through SC in your account, you can swap your balance for a real world prize.
Of course, as well as plenty of pros, there are also a couple of negatives associated with playing online blackjack at sweepstakes casinos:
If you decide to join some sweepstakes casinos and give online blackjack a try, here are some expert tips to help you enjoy a regular flow of victories and (potentially) land a prize:
Whenever you join a new free-to-play blackjack table, you should always start by playing with your Gold Coins. This will allow you to fully get to grips with the game (including any idiosyncratic rules), without risking any of your precious Sweeps Coins.
As we outlined in our baccarat online casinos Australia guide, you should always stick to small amounts whenever you play a new online casino game. This principle is as important to sweepstakes gaming as it is to real money gaming. In the case of GC, small stakes will maximise the amount of freeplay opportunities you have, whilst when it comes to SC, small stakes will minimise your variance and give you the best chance of growing your balance.
A blackjack strategy chart tells you the best option based on every possible two card hand. By consulting a strategy chart you will be able to make the optimal decision every time and maximise your chances of having a winning hand.
As you can see in our ‘The different forms of online blackjack games’ table, there are subtle gameplay differences between the various versions of online blackjack you find at sweepstakes casinos. You will also find that some sites have their own in-house rules relating to areas such as side bets, splits and insurance. Make sure you familiarize yourself with these rules before you begin to play.
If you search for “live casino online Australia,” you won’t find any real money casinos, but will have plenty of great sweepstakes casino options at your disposal, including RooVegas– a world class sweepstakes casino that is perfect for social blackjack players. The site boasts a thriving live casino that is home to multiple blackjack tables, including all of the game variations featured in this article. The games are presented by professional dealers and feature slick graphics, plus seamless gameplay, in-depth information to help you make your decisions and lively chatrooms where you can interact with your fellow players.
Away from the blackjack tables, RooVegas players can get stuck into hundreds of free-to-play games from world famous developers, plus take advantage of just about the best collection of online casino free spins Australia has to offer. When you also factor in an excellent rewards program and an extremely generous welcome offer, it is no surprise to discover that RooVegas is one of the fastest-growing sweepstakes casinos in Australia.
Blackjack is a fantastic choice for sweepstakes casino fans. The game is easy to play, and thanks to its incredibly low house edge, it gives you an excellent chance of growing your Sweeps Coins balance and redeeming a cash prize. If you like what you’ve read in this guide, we can highly recommend heading over to RooVegas via our links and trying out their top class selection of free-to-play live blackjack games. Enjoy!
Whilst real money online blackjack is prohibited in Australia, sweepstakes casinos are legal. Many of these sweepstakes casinos, including RooVegas, have several free-to-play blackjack tables that allow you to play the popular games using virtual currencies.
Whilst there are several excellent sweepstakes casinos in Australia, we think that RooVegas leads the way. The site offers an excellent collection of live blackjack tables, plus hundreds of world class pokies and an array of super daily promotions.
The best way to play online blackjack at sweepstakes casinos is by using a strategy chart, as this will tell you whether to hit, stand or split based on the two cards you receive at the start of the game.