Play 200+ free blackjack games online (no download)

What is free blackjack?

Online free blackjack is a table game you can play without risking your own money. Playing free blackjack is a great way to hone your strategy, try out new variants, or enjoy the gameplay of this classic card game. 

Free online blackjack is almost identical to real money blackjack, with the only difference being that you don't need to deposit money to play. Of course, that also means you can't claim real money prizes when you win free blackjack games. 

Still, playing blackjack for free is a great way to enjoy this casino classic without gambling, and that is why free casino blackjack online is so prevalent at top SA online casinos.

Why play free blackjack?

The main advantage of playing free blackjack games is that it's fun! You can use these games to practise your strategy without risking funds. You can work on strategies like when to double down, split or stand and see how hands play out without worrying about losing money. 

You can also play free blackjack online to try different versions of the game before staking your own money. Our free games arcade features many free blackjack variations (more on this below), so you can test these out before deciding whether you want to play for real money. 

How to play free blackjack

1. 1

   Visit our free games arcade at the top of this page, filtered to show our selection of free blackjack games. Choose a game and hit 'Play for free', and the game should instantly load.

2. 2

   The aim of blackjack is to beat the dealer by getting a score equal to or as close to 21 as possible. You and the dealer will be dealt two cards in a standard game. Remember that numbered cards hold their value, face cards are worth 10, and aces can be either 1 or 11. 

3. 3

   Depending on your hand, choose to hit, stand, or draw another card. 

4. 4

   The dealer's cards will be revealed so you can see who has won the game. 

5. 5

   Choose another game or hit the 'Play for real money' button if you're ready to stake money on a game. You'll be redirected to one of our recommended real money casinos, where you will need to register and deposit to play. 

Popular free blackjack variants to play

The good news is that the basic aim of blackjack remains the same no matter which version you're playing, but different variants come with unique twists and special features. Check out some of the most popular available at SA online casinos below: 

Classic blackjack

A good game to start with is classic blackjack. Here, your only concern is beating the dealer with a hand equal to or as close to 21 as possible, and you can double down and split your hand to help you win. 

Multihand blackjack 

Gameplay is the same as classic blackjack, the only difference being that you can play up to five hands per round. Again, you're playing against the dealer and the objective is to have a higher hand total. 

Blackjack switch 

In blackjack switch, you receive two hands at the start of the round rather than one. Then, as the game progresses, you can switch the best two cards between them to try and make the best possible hand. 

Perfect pairs 

Perfect pairs introduce side bets into the game to boost your potential winnings. You can place side bets on the dealer's or player's hand and whether a perfect pair, colour pair, or mixed pair will be dealt. 

Single-deck blackjack 

While most online blackjack games use eight decks of cards, you can also play blackjack with a single deck. This is a great game as it reduces the house edge and means each round is played with just 52 cards. 

Blackjack surrender 

Players can 'surrender' or fold their hand and receive half of their stake back. This is a good option for beginner or budget players as you only lose half of your stake if you are dealt a bad hand. 

Free blackjack strategy & top tips

Playing blackjack for free is a strategy in itself, allowing you to practise different techniques without risking cash. But you can also bear the following tips in mind when playing free blackjack to boost your winning chances:

• Counting cards

  Counting cards helps you narrow down the chances of the next card being a 10. It isn't illegal, but casinos frown upon it. So, if you can master it, counting cards can be a beneficial long-term blackjack strategy. 

  You can practise counting cards while playing online blackjack for free. Of course, it is extremely difficult to count cards when playing online blackjack as online casinos utilise random number generator (RNG) technology that shuffles the decks and ensures unpredictable game outcomes. 

  The best way to practise card counting is to play live casino blackjack, which features a human dealer who shuffles the deck before you. However, live blackjack isn't typically available in free-play mode. 

• In-game strategy

  Knowing when to hit or stand is key to any blackjack strategy. While playing for free, you can test out how successful you are when standing on 16 compared to standing on 17, for instance. 

  You can also experiment with doubling down and splitting pairs to see how best to proceed. It's not usually a good idea to split 10s as they form a strong starting hand, but many skilled blackjack players advocate splitting aces or eights. 

• Free blackjack glossary

  Here are some key terms you need to be aware of whether you’re playing blackjack for free or real money:

  Blackjack term	Definition
  Blackjack	Landing 21 straight away with 10 + A or a picture card + A.
  Bust	When you go over 21 and therefore lose the hand.
  Double down	Double your bet and get one extra card.
  Hit	Take another card from the dealer.
  Insurance	Optional side bet if the dealer’s upcard is an ace. Place the insurance bet, and you get back 2:1 if the dealer turns over a blackjack.
  Split	Your option to split your hand in two if you’re dealt a pair. Double your bet and play two hands rather than one.
  Stand	When you decide to take no more cards.

Free blackjack vs. real money blackjack

Let's take a closer look at some of the main differences between free blackjack and real money online blackjack that you need to consider when choosing which is best for you: 

Free blackjack software providers

Many leading game providers develop blackjack games with free-to-play versions. For instance, IGT's multihand blackjack is available in demo mode, as is NetEnt's version of classic blackjack.

You will also find free blackjack games from developers like Pragmatic Play, Betsoft and Games Global (formerly Microgaming).

Free blackjack on mobile

You can play blackjack for free on your desktop, smartphone or tablet in South Africa. This is because the best blackjack games (like those featured on this page) have been created with HTML5 technology, meaning they can seamlessly adjust to various screen sizes. 

Create an account at one of our recommended online casinos, and you can download its native iOS or Android app to play free blackjack on your phone. Alternatively, you can access the mobile casino via your browser. 

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Popular blackjack games

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Free blackjack FAQs

• Can you play blackjack online for free?

  Yes, you can play blackjack online for free. Try lots of free games here at OnlineCasino.ca.za or register with one of our recommended SA casinos to enjoy free-play blackjack games. 

• Where can I play blackjack for free in SA?

  You can play blackjack for free on our site – we have 200+ free blackjack games available. Alternatively, you can play demo versions of blackjack at your chosen online casino. Just bear in mind that you will need to register and submit personal details to play for free or real money. 

• What is free bet blackjack?

  Free bet blackjack is not the same as free-play blackjack. Free bet blackjack is a variation of the standard game of 21, in which you’re entitled to a free double or a free split on both hands. You still need to place an initial real-money bet to play free bet blackjack, and it is only available at real money casinos in SA.

• How to play free blackjack?

  To play free blackjack, select the free-play mode when opening the game and start playing. The aim of the game is to beat the dealer with a hand equal to or as close to 21 as possible. 

• Can you win real money on free online blackjack?

  No, you can't win real money on free online blackjack. If you want to win money, you must play blackjack online for real money at a licensed casino in South Africa.

Ross Young

Verified expert

Global content writer

Ross has been writing about casino betting for many years, and his speciality subjects include news, game guides and casino reviews. He is passionate about helping his readers make informed decisions when it comes to gambling.