Learn How You Can Play Online Blackjack With Friends And Other Real People

If you’re old enough to gamble, the equipment your parents needed to play blackjack with their friends was far different from what you’ll need today. Back then, a deck of cards and a decent sized table – preferably with some comfortable chairs around it – would do the trick. Or, they could car pool to the nearest casino and gather around an open blackjack table. Today, you need none of these things (except the friends, of course).

Thanks to impressive advancements in modern technology, you can play blackjack with friends online, anytime, from anywhere. All you need is the smartphone in your pocket. Or, from the comfort of home, any computer, laptop or tablet connected to your home WiFi network will do the trick. So long as you’re of adult age, residing somewhere within the borders of Canada, you can even bet real money on the games.

How to Play Blackjack with Friends Online

Note that your options may vary depending on how you define “friends.” On one end of the spectrum, you have strangers you meet online. In that case, your blackjack options will be plentiful. On the other end, your friends may be close family members. In that case, options will be limited due to many online casinos’ rules against multiple connections from the same household.

But in general, these will be all your options to play with friends (the term is used here in a loose way):

• Live Dealer Casino Tables (paid option)
• Blackjack Tournaments (free or paid)
• Blackjack Social Multiplayer Apps (free option)
• Tabletop Simulators (some free, some one time fee to purchase)
• Blackjack Home Games (for free/fake money, the paid version has many legal considerations, and is outside the scope of this article)

In general, if you choose play with friends at an online casino, you need to abide by the Terms and Conditions of that site. All prohibit collusion or sharing information about your hands. So if you go that route, play normally as you would against strangers without sharing information about your hands or strategies. Follow fair-play rules and transparency.

Some Context on Modern iGaming

Playing blackjack over the internet with real people is not a new concept. We’ve had such access since Playtech held the soft-launch of the very first ‘live dealer online casino’ in 2003. It wasn’t the greatest technology, and only catered to a niche market of players – those with the most elaborate (expensive) computer set-ups of that time. Things got a lot better in 2006 when Evolution Gaming launched its state-of-the-art live casino platform, making high-quality live blackjack tables available to all players, regardless of their system budget. And technology has only gotten better since.

What’s come to fruition more recently is the ability to choose the people you want to play with. Instead of being automatically seated with random players from all over the planet, we now have the option of playing blackjack online with people of our choosing. This includes people we might now, people we might have seen before in previous games, or even public figures/streamers. This social aspect, combined with advancements in secure payment methods (such as eCheck and ewallets like MiFinity), has made online blackjack more accessible and enjoyable than ever before.

The contents of this page will teach you everything you need to know about partaking in free and real money blackjack games over the internet. You’ll learn the difference between RNG and live dealer games, and the pros/cons of playing on a mobile device or desktop computer. And, of course, we’ll offer advice on things like where to play, and how to manage your bankroll efficiently and securely.

Table of Contents

• Choosing the Right Hardware and Software
  • Hardware: Mobile Device or Computer?
  • RNG vs. Live Dealer Blackjack
• Choosing the Right Blackjack Medium
• Gambling for Payment or Entertainment
  • Play for Fun – No Cash Involved
  • Play for Real Money
    • Fiat Money (CAD, EUR, GBP, USD, etc.)
    • eCheck as a viable deposit option
    • Crypto Currency (BTC, BCH, ETH, LTC, etc.)
• Online Casinos & Apps w/ Private Blackjack Tables
  • Blackjack Legends (Free, Browser, App, Friends)
  • Blackjackist (Free, Browser, App, Friends)
  • Vegas World Casino (Free, Browser, App, Friends)
  • Black Jack (Free, Browser, App, Friends)
  • Jackpot City (Real Money, Crypto, Browser, Live Games)
  • Ruby Fortune (Real Money, Crypto, Browser, Live Games)

The Right Hardware & Software for Online Blackjack with Friends

First, some definitions for this piece. When we talk about gaming hardware and software, hardware refers to the tangible, physical equipment you can touch and hold, while software refers to intangible components, such as a mobile app or your device’s operating system. Let’s get started with the hardware side of the equation.

Hardware: Computers vs. Mobile Devices

In this case, hardware refers specifically to what type of device you’ll be playing on. Basic options include a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone. Let’s take a closer look at what each of these devices brings to the table.

Choosing a Desktop Computer For High-End Live Dealer Blackjack

The argument for a desktop computer relies solely on the power of the system. If you plan on running multiple live dealer blackjack tables simultaneously, a good desktop system with plenty of RAM is critical. You can go with a Windows PC, Mac, or Linux/Ubuntu (see below); whichever you prefer working with. Most online blackjack programs run in a web browser, on an HTML5 build, which offers cross-platform compatibility with all devices. The only downside to choosing a desktop is that it’s not portable, forcing you to do your gaming in one set location.

Here’s an example of a basic desktop build that would be suitable for running modern live dealer blackjack games:

CPU Options (including integrated graphics):

1. AMD Ryzen 5 5600G (with integrated Vega 7 graphics)
2. Intel Core i5-12400 (with integrated UHD Graphics 730)
3. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

GPU Options:

1. Integrated graphics from CPU (if available)
2. NVIDIA GTX 1650
3. AMD RX 560

RAM/Storage:
16GB DDR4-3200 RAM + 500GB NVMe SSD

For single-table live dealer blackjack, integrated graphics often provide sufficient performance. If you plan to multi-table games with several live dealer tables streaming simultaneously, then a dedicated GPU will provide much better performance. This is from our own testing and experience… Additionally, a more powerful GPU is beneficial if you intend to combine quality gaming with online gambling. This allows for smoother transitions between AAA games and casino platforms.

A note about playing blackjack on Ubuntu:

Ubuntu is still a solid choice for online blackjack in 2024. While some casinos might not officially support Linux, HTML5-based games typically work without issues. Live dealer games run smoothly on browsers like Firefox or Chrome on Ubuntu. For casinos still requiring Windows-only software, consider using Wine, a compatibility layer that can run many Windows applications on Ubuntu. Another option is using a Windows virtual machine through software like VirtualBox. This allows you to run a full Windows environment within Ubuntu, though it requires more system resources. In general, if you’re playing against friends, we recommend that you all use the same operating system to avoid any compatibility issues.

Choosing A Laptop Computer For More Relaxed Social Blackjack

A laptop is the prime choice if you like the basic perks of playing on a desktop, without limiting your mobility. A well-equipped laptop’s with integrated camera/microphone provides the same live dealer gaming functionality, combined with high-quality graphics and speed. You can even take your laptop outside of the house, so long as you’re able to tether to a secure WiFi. Since laptops are usually not as powerful as their desktop counterparts, they might be more suited to playing social blackjack apps, or casino games from the steam store that are not too resource intensive.

Going Hybrid with the Steam Deck

For those seeking even greater portability, the Steam Deck offers an interesting option for social gaming.

While it doesn’t support real-money gambling or live dealer games, there are multiplayer card game options available on Steam that can be played with friends. Popular titles like “Tabletop Simulator” allow you to play various card games, including blackjack, with friends online. Other titles of interest we’ve seen on the steam store include Blackjack Championship, and Super Blackjack Battle 2 Turbo Edition.

Some social casino-style games are also available, though these typically use virtual currency rather than real money. Keep in mind that the Steam Deck’s smaller screen may not be ideal for extended sessions of card games. Unless you’re in an airplane maybe. But its portability makes it a fun option for casual gaming with friends while on the go.

Smartphones: Blackjack in Your Pocket

The most convenient of all options is a smartphone or phablet, like the Z fold series that bridges the gap between phones and tablets. Of course, this applies to both Android and iOS devices.  The advantage of playing blackjack with friends on a modern mobile device is that it’s so portable. Using your phone’s secure mobile network, you can log in and play anytime, from anywhere your travels may take you. These days, mobile users are catered to via various payment methods, including pay-by-SMS or mobile phone billing using a service like Boku. Which makes them an even more attractive, end-to-end solution for Canadian iGaming. Although cashout-outs to your phone bill are of course not possible.

While discussing mobile devices, it’s worth noting Canada’s historical contribution through BlackBerry. Once a leader in smartphones, this Waterloo-based company has since shifted away from consumer devices. As of 2024, BlackBerry no longer produces phones, and their older models aren’t suitable for modern online gaming. Today’s players should stick to current iOS or Android devices for the best online blackjack experience. BlackBerry’s legacy, however, lives on in their focus on enterprise security solutions, though not specifically for online casinos.

WARNING: If you’re gambling online for real money, it is never recommended to connect via public WiFi. Playing on an unsecured network gives anyone with the right knowledge the ability to see everything you do over that unsecured connection. That may include the use of logins and passwords, as well as the transmission of monetary deposits and withdrawals.

RNG vs. Live Dealer Blackjack – What’s the Difference?

This is another software matter, relating to how a game is played out. RNG games are run on a computer program, using non-deterministic algorithms. Live dealer blackjack games are – as the name implies – real games. They are just like the ones you’d find in a land-based casino. Continue reading below for a more detailed description of each.

Random Number Generator (RNG) Blackjack

Computer programs have long utilized random number generators to produce non-deterministic results, based on actual real-world probabilities. An RNG Blackjack game incorporates the actual number of cards in a real deck or shoe, requiring the computer to put those cards in random order (algorithmic shuffling). Every new hand of blackjack requires the computer to digitally reshuffle those cards in a new random order. Thus, the games genuinely mimic the randomness and unpredictability of a real deck of cards. But alas, the results are 100% computer generated.

Live Online Blackjack Games

Live blackjack software does not utilize an RNG, but rather a real deck/shoe of cards, dealt by a real professionally trained dealer, at a real blackjack table. They are the closest thing to playing in a land-based casino, without actually traveling to or entering said casino. The difference is that the games are live streamed from a studio (or actual casino) using high-tech video and audio equipment. So, instead of being seated at that table, you are seated in front of your computer or mobile device, watching it all take place in real-time, able to interact with the game as if you were there in person.

Ontario is your best bet in this regard. Because it’s legal and regulated and your friends can easily join the same live dealer table as you. As long as you aren’t cheating or colluding you should be able to gather around a live dealer table, and partake in the same game (however check the casino T&Cs to confirm and remember that multiple connections from the same house-holds are usually not allowed) . I don’t think there is anything wrong with this approach if you follow casino policies and fair play (no collusion/cheating/or chat other than the public table chat). It’s just a more modern take on the “gathering around for a game of cards” theme. All the heavy lifting (cards/equipment/score keeping) is done by a live agent. However this does comes with transparency concerns too, so if your goal is simply to have fun, you might simply want to use free multiplayer apps for social play.

Choosing the Right Blackjack Medium

In thi section, we will expand on each blackjack platform where you can play with your friends:

Live Dealer Casino Tables (Paid Option)

Live dealer blackjack tables offer the most authentic casino experience when playing online with friends.

Pros:

• Real-time interaction with professional dealers
• High-quality video streaming
• Authentic casino atmosphere
• Multiple camera angles
• Chat functionality with dealers and other players

Cons:

• Requires real money wagers
• Limited seats per table
• Potential for slower gameplay
• Higher minimum bets
• Some legal considerations about transparency and fair play when joining with friends

Live dealer games are ideal for those seeking a genuine casino experience and don’t mind spending real money. Popular providers include Evolution Gaming and Playtech, with games available at sites like Jackpot City and Spin Casino.

Blackjack Tournaments (Free or Paid)

Blackjack tournaments provide a competitive environment for playing with friends.

Pros:

• Structured competition with defined start and end times
• Potential for large prizes in paid tournaments
• Free tournaments available for practice
• Leaderboards add excitement

Cons:

• Requires waiting for scheduled tournament times
• Limited flexibility in betting amounts
• Pressure to make quick decisions
• Less freedom than a normal table game

Tournaments are great for friends who enjoy competition. Sites like Ruby Fortune and Gaming Club offer regular blackjack tournaments with varying buy-ins and prize pools.

Blackjack Social Multiplayer Apps (Free Option)

Social multiplayer apps offer a casual, free-to-play environment for blackjack with friends.

Pros:

• No real money required
• Often feature customizable avatars and social elements
• Can usually invite friends directly to private tables
• Available on mobile devices for on-the-go play

Cons:

• May include ads or in-app purchases
• Graphics and gameplay might be less sophisticated
• Limited options for serious players

These apps are perfect for casual players. Popular options include Blackjack 21: Blackjackist and Blackjack 21 – FREE Black Jack, both available on iOS and Android platforms.

Tabletop Simulators (Some Free, Some One-Time Fee)

Tabletop simulators provide a virtual environment that mimics playing blackjack at a physical table.

Pros:

• Highly customizable gameplay experience
• Can often import custom assets or rule sets
• One-time purchase for paid versions (no ongoing fees)
• Supports various other games beyond blackjack

Cons:

• Requires more setup time
• Learning curve for using the simulator interface
• Typically less polished than dedicated blackjack apps
• Software learning curve might be quite high

Tabletop Simulator on Steam is a popular choice, offering a versatile platform for various card games, including blackjack. It’s available for a one-time fee and supports multiplayer sessions. Other alternatives include Tabletopia (free basic version) and Boardgamelab.

Blackjack Home Games (For Free/Fake Money)

Home games involve setting up your own private online blackjack sessions.

Pros:

• Complete control over rules and gameplay
• Privacy for your group of friends
• Can be customized to your group’s preferences
• No pressure from outside players or casino environments

Cons:

• Requires more effort to set up and manage
• May need to use third-party software for video chat and gameplay
• Lacks the professional dealing and management of casino games

For home games, platforms like PokerStars Home Games allow you to set up private poker clubs, which can be adapted for blackjack play. Additionally, video conferencing tools like Zoom combined with shared spreadsheets can create a DIY blackjack experience

Choosing Between Online Blackjack for Fun or Real Money

One of the most interesting things about playing blackjack online is that you have the choice of playing for real money, or just for fun. How many land-based casinos do you know that give you that option? On the other hand, pros and cons do exist on each side, depending on what you want to gain from the experience. In addition to these topics, we’ll also outline the possibility of real money players wagering with fiat money (i.e. CA$) or crypto currency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Doge, etc.)

Playing for Fun – No Cash Involved

Every online blackjack website and mobile app promotes a free-play option. Social casino apps thrive on the fact that their games are 100% free to play. Real money online casinos hope you will deposit and place real bets, but you don’t have to. You can choose to play in ‘practice/demo mode’ for as long as you like. Which is right for you? Let’s examine.

Free Option 1: Social Blackjack

Social blackjack apps are great for convenience and functionality, and are the most likely to support private tables. However, there’s a trade off for that free-play access. First, you’ll be subject to watching video advertisements. If it’s a low frequency of quick running ads, that’s fine, but some apps force you to watch long ads with a high frequency rate, and that can get incredibly annoying.

As for in-app purchases, most apps offer them. No big deal, right? Unfortunately, many of today’s social casino apps have gotten stingy, greatly limiting the number of free chips you’ll receive to a small amount every few hours or so. Or, you might get a chunk of free chips for completing various tasks and achievements. If you bet and lose all these chips, the app encourages you to buy more with real money, even though you can never exchange them back for cash. You don’t have to buy them, of course, but until you’re eligible to collect more free chips, you can’t continue playing.

Free Option 2: Practice at Real Casinos

Free play at real money casinos eliminates the constant ads and ‘buy now?’ pop-ups. If you run out of chips, they will gladly give you more, over and over again. These operators already have a throng of paying customers, and are perfectly willing to let you play for free, for as long as you wish, in the hopes that one day you might choose to deposit and play for real money, too.

You may even be offered special promotions in which you can earn real money and/or cash-equivalent bonuses without making a deposit; an opportunity to win money without risking any of your own first. Such promotions are getting more and more rare these days, but they do still exist. Just remember to read the fine print before taking advantage of such offers.

Playing for Real Money with Friends

If it’s a genuine gambling experience you seek, you’ll want to choose a legitimate real money online casino. There will be more stipulations to look for, like Canadian player acceptance and available payment methods that meet your needs. More importantly, the operator needs to be licensed in a reputable jurisdiction, and have at least a few years of positive customer satisfaction ratings under their belt.

A legitimate license ensures that the operator is in compliance with the regulatory guidelines of its licensing authority. The strictest regulators include the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC), Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), and any provincial gaming authority of Canada (ALC, BCLC, OLG, Loto-Quebec, etc.)

When choosing a real money online casino, it’s also important to consider how you want to pay for your wagers, which brings us to…

Gambling with Fiat Money (CAD, EUR, GBP, USD, etc.)

Fiat money applies to any real-word form of currency. In Canada, we use Canadian Dollars (CAD). Americans use US Dollars (USD). Europeans have a variety of currencies, depending on their location; Euro (EUR), British Pounds (GBP), Swedish Krona (SEK), etc.

To play blackjack with fiat money, you can make a deposit using your credit card, debit card, prepaid / gift card, bank account, Interac, iDebit, mobile payment app (i.e. Apple Pay, Google Pay), or any of a number of eligible web wallets, like PayPal, Neteller, or ecoPayz. Make sure you know what payment methods are accepted, and that your preferred method is available, before signing up. Here’s a list of common casino payment methods for Canadian players.

• Debit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro)
• Interac e-Transfer
• MuchBetter
• Neosurf
• ecoPayz
• Paypal
• Neteller
• Skrill
• Instant Banking by Citadel
• Paysafecard
• MiFinity
• eCheque
• iDebit
• InstaDebit
• International Bank Transfer

Feature on eChecks: A Convenient Canadian Option

For Canadian players looking to enjoy real money blackjack online, eChecks offer a secure and familiar payment method that bridges traditional banking with digital convenience.

Pros of using eChecks for online blackjack:

• Direct connection to your bank account
• High security standards
• Widely accepted at Canadian online casinos from Cadtree and Casino Rewards in particular.
• No need for third-party e-wallet services
• Typically higher deposit limits than credit cards

Cons of using eChecks:

• Processing times can be longer than some other methods
• Requires sharing banking information with the casino
• Not all banks support eCheck transactions

eChecks, also known as electronic checks, function similarly to paper checks but are processed electronically. This method is particularly popular among Canadian players due to its simplicity and the fact that it’s backed by the Canadian banking system.

To use eChecks for online blackjack:

1. Select eCheck as your deposit method at the casino cashier
2. Enter your banking information and the deposit amount
3. Confirm the transaction
4. Wait for the funds to clear (typically 3-5 business days)

Many reputable Canadian online casinos accept eChecks, making it a versatile option for blackjack enthusiasts. It’s especially useful for players who prefer to keep their gambling transactions separate from credit cards or e-wallets

Blackjack Betting with Crypto Currency (BTC, BCH, ETH, LTC, etc.)

Crypto casinos are a whole other breed of iGaming entertainment. Many of them offer anonymous gambling options, meaning you don’t have to sign up an account with all of your sensitive information. All you need is a username and password, and a valid crypto Wallet ID to move money in and out of your account.

• Learn More: Gambling Online with Crypto in Canada

Different crypto casinos accept all sorts of digital tokens. Some deal only in the major coins, like Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum. Others offer a full list of cryptos for depositing, betting, and cashing out. Below is a list of eligible crypto currencies for gambling online.

• Bitcoin – BTC
• Binance – BNB
• Bitcoin Cash – BCH
• CasinoCoin – CSC
• Ethereum – ETH
• Dogecoin – DOGE
• ChainLink – LINK
• Litecoin – LTC
• Tronix – TRX
• Tether – USDT
• Monero – XMR
• Ripple – XRP
• Verge – XVG

Online Casinos & Apps w/ Private Blackjack Tables

Above, we detailed a lot of differences in the various ways to play online blackjack. We’ve described the difference between playing with friends versus random people, social blackjack apps versus real money online casinos, as well as variations between playing in a web browser or with a mobile app. We also described real-money gambling with fiat money versus crypto currencies. While touching on the benefits of eCheck. In hopes that you’ve read and come to appreciate some of these options, we’ve set up the informative tables below detailing the various features supported by each of the blackjack software programs that made our list.