If you’ve ever considered playing blackjack online, you’ve probably wondered what — if anything — is different about playing blackjack at an NJ online casino instead of a casino on the Atlantic City strip.

The past decade has seen an overhaul in many facets of life, with technology being the key driver. From booking a taxi and ordering food to gambling online and booking a vacation home, technology has enabled this new way of life that has seen almost everyone join in without being coerced. In this article, we’ll discuss the gambling industry, which has seen some significant changes enabled by advanced technology. In particular, we’ll focus on the blackjack scene in New Jersey.

New Jersey residents are a lucky bunch as they are among the few Americans who are allowed to gamble online. Gambling online remains an illegal activity in most of the U.S. after the enactment of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). However, the act was repealed in New Jersey, permitting New Jersey residents to bet online legally.

Blackjack is among the most played casino games in-person and online. Being part luck and part strategy — blackjack is easy to learn and fun to play. It can also be more rewarding than many other casino games because it has a relatively low house edge.

Luckily for New Jersey residents, they don’t have to visit Atlantic City casinos to enjoy playing for real money. From the comfort of a home computer or mobile device, you can place bets, split 8’s, double down, and bust by playing blackjack at an online casino in New Jersey. 

When it comes to deciding which option is better between playing blackjack online and playing in a brick-and-mortar casino, not everyone has the same opinion. While both of them satisfy the desire of playing blackjack, each option has its own pros and cons. Here, we’ll explore those pros and cons and offer a suggestion as to which option might be better for you.

Online Blackjack

Online blackjack has two main playing options: the live dealer option and the random number generator (RNG) option. The live dealer version allows you to play blackjack online, but you’ll be interacting with a real dealer who is in a remote live studio.

Due to advanced technology, the live blackjack rooms have HD cameras that allow you to see everything from multiple angles, and they have microphones that allow you to hear the dealer as well as typical casino noise like the shuffling of the cards. You’ll also usually have the ability to chat with the dealer and the other players through a text interface. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, many casinos have invested more heavily into live dealer blackjack games to accommodate those players who cannot frequent their favorite in-person casino.

The RNG version of online blackjack is the most common as the game is run by computer software, making it more widely available. To ensure fairness, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement requires online casinos operating within New Jersey to have their RNG and payout percentages regularly tested by independent testing laboratories.

On the bright side, compliant online casinos offer players immense benefits when playing online blackjack. Here’s the scoop on online blackjack.

Advantages of Online Blackjack

• Convenience: Playing online blackjack from the comfort of your house or mobile device is much more convenient than physically travelling to a casino. When making a trip to a casino, you have to have your itinerary, find a parking space, and make other arrangements. Online blackjack allows you to play on the go from anywhere, provided that you have an internet connection on your smartphone or computer.

Also, there is often a feeling of obligation to tip the dealer or gifting other losing players next to you after winning several rounds in a brick-and-mortar casino. With internet blackjack, there isn’t an option to tip or gift other players, so you’ll be able to save that money for betting. This difference can also make it easier to keep track of how much money has left your bankroll.

• Privacy and security: Online blackjack comes with the advantage of greater privacy, unlike land-based casinos where privacy is extremely limited. Other players and casino staff know how much you have cashed in and cashed out. Also, if you win a lot of money in a real casino, you might be nervous about walking out with a huge chunk of money. With an internet casino, your payout goes into the electronic payment method you’ve chosen, which is only known to you and much more secure.
• Different variants and a low house edge: Internet blackjack has many variants compared to in-person blackjack tables. These variants typically have a low house edge; for instance, the Microgaming Single Deck Classic Blackjack has a house edge of 0.13%, which live blackjack can’t match.
• No distractions: Most live casinos have cases of unruly players, the smell of cigarettes, and other distractions that are common in live casinos. This isn’t the case with internet blackjack casinos.
• Bonuses: Online blackjack rewards players with bonuses and promotions, unlike live blackjack where it is rare for casinos to have bonuses for its players.

Disadvantages of Online Blackjack

• Impossible to count cards: Card counting is a technique that veteran blackjack players often use to have an edge over the dealer. With online blackjack, it is impossible to count the cards as the RNG reshuffles the cards after every hand. With live dealer versions, the dealer will often remove an extra card from the deck before each deal, which has a similar effect.
• Lack of the ambiance of a traditional casino: The chandeliers of the house, the free drinks, and the social aspect from the conversation around the casino floor are impossible to have while playing internet blackjack. Although, this could be considered a positive aspect to some players.

Live Blackjack

Live blackjack is the traditional blackjack game found in brick-and-mortar casinos. With live blackjack, players sit around the blackjack table, and the dealer deals actual cards to each player. The rules of the game are usually the same no matter where you are playing from. Live blackjack has several pros and cons of its own. Here are a few things to consider.

Advantages of Live Blackjack

Casino atmosphere: The sounds of slot machines, the low-tempo music, and free lunch are some of the best memories of visiting a traditional casino. There’s just no substitute for these things.

Social setting: With live blackjack, although it’s not necessary, you can interact with the dealer and other players to reduce anxiety or simply to enjoy yourself more.

Fast cash-out: In live blackjack, if you win and want to cash out, you get paid instantly in real money. With internet blackjack, depending on the payment method, the money may take several days to get to your bank account.

Disadvantages of Live Blackjack

Poor position will affect your gameplay: If you position yourself incorrectly at a table with experienced players, you might end up losing more often than you would in a better position.

The Bottom Line

In the end, deciding whether to play blackjack online or by visiting an Atlantic City casino comes down to individual preference. As in-person casinos begin opening up following COVID-19, many players will need to decide whether to go back to the traditional in-person blackjack table or continue to pursue “21” from their desktop or mobile device.