Online Blackjack in Michigan 2024

Online blackjack in Michigan is legal and available through various Michigan online casinos legal in the state. You can also find it at retail casinos throughout the state. If you are interested in playing online blackjack for real money in Michigan, you’ve come to the right place. Learn where to find the best online blackjack in Michigan, how to play, using bonuses, and much more.

Best online blackjack in Michigan

Is blackjack legal in Michigan?

Yes. Blackjack is legal at both tribal and commercial casinos throughout the state, as well as popular online casinos.

In fact, legal blackjack has been available in Michigan for nearly four decades. The first blackjack tables appeared in 1984 on the tribal lands of seven Native American groups in the state. The tribes in question were the:

• Bay Mills Indian Band
• Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa
• Keweenaw Bay Indian Council
• Sault Ste. Marie Band of Chippewa Indians
• Hannahville Potawatomi
• Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
• Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

At the time, there was no legal backing for the tables, but the winds of change were already beginning to swirl. Four years later, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 opened the possibility of legal gambling on the properties of federally recognized tribes.

These seven casinos remained open, if under a cloud, until 1993. In that year, all seven tribes successfully reached an agreement with the state to become fully legal operations.

Three years later, the Michigan Legislature passed the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act of 1996, which created the Michigan Gaming Control Board and authorized it to issue licenses for commercial casinos in the state. The MGCB’s rules specifically mention blackjack as an acceptable game to be offered at its permitted member locations.

There are now 26 full-service casinos in the state of Michigan, including three commercial casinos in the Detroit area. Blackjack is available at most of these locations.

Real money vs. free blackjack

Most blackjack players in Michigan want to play blackjack for real money. Blackjack is fun, but not for long if there’s no risk involved.

However, it is possible to play free demo versions of online blackjack games on many Michigan gambling sites. The version will give the player $1,000 in bonus chips, and most of the game functions are available to try.

It is important to note that free blackjack is only available for Michigan casino games that are automated. In cases where sites offer live dealer games, it will only be possible to view the action.

Once you’re ready to play for real, the first thing to do will be to check this page. We will have offers for new player bonuses on these sites that are often not available elsewhere.

One of the most common types of bonus that you will encounter is the no deposit casino bonus. In many cases, the online casino will actually give you free money to try the site. No deposit bonus money is quite real, although it is usually site credit and will only be usable as playing funds.

When and if you need to use more funds, you will need to make a deposit into your new casino account onsite. Once again, be sure to check with us, as online casinos will often match a portion of your deposit as a bonus. This bonus can be as high as 100% of the deposit, so it is silly to miss out on a dollar-for-dollar match.

You can often make a deposit with a variety of methods, most notably a credit card or an electronic check. It is in the best interest of the online casino to offer as many possibilities for depositing as it can, so you should be able to find a way that works for your own financial situation.

Playing at online blackjack casinos in Michigan

If you are ready to play at online blackjack casinos in Michigan, the first step is to select a reputable platform. Research and compile a list of licensed casinos offering diverse variants with exciting payouts. It is also crucial to consider other factors, such as payment methods, bonuses, and mobile compatibility. Once you find a suitable gaming site, go to their homepage and click the Sign-Up button to begin registration.

A form appears on the screen for you to enter your name, email, and address. Also, you might have to verify your identity by uploading valid documents. After signing up, navigate the Blackjack section in the casino lobby to check out the available variations and choose an option matching your preferences. Tap the game icon to gain access and join a table to start playing. Whoever has the highest hand total between the player and dealer without exceeding 21 wins the game. Learn how to play online blackjack in the Great Lakes state to enjoy a refreshing gambling experience.

Online blackjack vs. live blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most well-known casino games in the world. Most people, including those who do not gamble, have an understanding about how blackjack works.

However, their experiences are mostly limited to live blackjack. There are some very specific ways that online blackjack is different compared to the live version.

The most profound difference is the speed of play. Online games of all stripes move faster than their live counterparts, since there is no physical manipulation of objects to be completed. So, you will average a great deal more hands of blackjack in the same time period online than you will live.

Secondly, you have a better chance of encountering a wide selection of variants online. Because most online games require no active dealer to manage them, a site can host as many versions of the game as it likes without having to worry about manpower or floorspace. Though most of these games vary only because of slight rule tweaks or extra side bets, it’s nice to have a variety of options.

Third, the limits online are much lower than they are live. In live casinos, it is difficult to find a game dealt with a minimum bet less than $10 these days. Depending on the time of day and year, it can be much higher than that. However, online blackjack games are available for less than a dollar a hand at multiple sites, so it’s a better option for gambling on a budget.

You also don’t have to worry about not being able to find a seat. Even the most popular games and tables will always have an opening for the online player.

Finally, it is impossible to count cards in online blackjack. Because of the technology involved, online blackjack games are able to shuffle the deck after every single hand, which negates the advantage that counters hope to gain.

Online blackjack variations

With the introduction of blackjack to online casinos came many variations offering similar gameplay but slightly different rules. These games increase the options you can consider when playing at gambling sites in Michigan. Visit the casino lobby to discover the available blackjack titles before creating an account.

Here are a few popular online variations:

• Bonus Bet Blackjack: It offers double-down and split wagers but allows the dealer to ‘push’ on 22s.
• Single deck Blackjack: Play with a single deck of 52 cards and split up to three times when the dealer hits on soft 17 or split aces to get one card for each.
• American Blackjack: The gameplay involves six to eight decks with players doubling down on any hand sum. Dealers stand on a soft 17 in this variation.
• Multihand Blackjack: Stake on up to five hands at once and enjoy a high winning potential.
• Live Blackjack: Play against dealers in real time via live streaming technology.

You can access these exciting titles at top online casinos in Michigan. However, the most popular option is live dealer blackjack due to its engaging nature.

Michigan blackjack tables near you

Now that you’ve heard about all things blackjack in Michigan, you’re probably ready to go play some hands. Thankfully, with so many options in the state, there’s probably a blackjack-dealing casino a short drive away.

By and large, Michigan’s casinos are clustered into one of four regions. However, if you don’t live in these areas, be sure to check the last section on the list. There are some other locations that might be able to serve you.

Detroit

• Greektown Casino Hotel, 555 E. Lafayette St., Detroit, MI 48226
• MGM Grand Detroit, 1777 3rd Ave., Detroit, MI 48226
• MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48201

SW Michigan/Kalamazoo

• Firekeepers Casino and Hotel, 11177 E. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49014
• Four Winds Dowagiac, 58700 M-51, Dowagiac, MI 49047
• Four Winds Hartford, 68600 Red Arrow Highway, Hartford, MI 49057
• Four Winds New Buffalo, 11111 Wilson Road, New Buffalo, MI 49117
• Gun Lake Casino, 1123 129th Ave., Wayland, MI 49348

NE Michigan/Eastern Upper Peninsula

• Bay Mills Resort & Casino, 11386 W. Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, MI 49715
• Kewadin Casino, N7761 Candy Cane Lane, Christmas, MI 49862
• Kewadin Casino, N. 3 Mile Road, Hessel, MI 49745
• Kewadin Casino, 5630 W., US-2, Manistique, MI 49854
• Kewadin Casino, Hotel and Convention Center, 2186 Shunk Road, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
• Kewadin Shores Casino & Hotel, 3015 Mackinac Trail, St. Ignace, MI 49781
• Kings Club Casino, 12140 W. Lakeshore Dr., Brimley, MI 49715
• Leelanau Sands Casino, 2521 N. West Bay Shore Drive, Peshawbestown, MI 49682
• Little River Casino Resort, Government Center Drive, Manistee, MI 49660
• Odawa Casino, 1760 Lears Road, Petoskey, MI 49770
• Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, 7741 M-72, Williamsburg, MI 49690

Western Upper Peninsula

• Ojibwa Casino, 16449 Michigan Ave., Baraga, MI 49908
• Ojibwa Casino, 105 Acre Trail, Marquette, MI 49855
• Island Resort & Casino, W. 399 US-2, Harris, MI 49845
• Northern Waters Casino, N5384 US-45, Watersmeet, MI 49969

Other properties

• Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd., Mount Pleasant, MI 48858

Make sure to call ahead before you head out for one of these properties. The situation regarding hours of operation and availability can change rapidly, and you don’t want to waste a trip. However, there should be at least one great option for playing blackjack in Michigan nearby. Check it out!

Michigan blackjack rules

Michigan’s 26 casinos are owned by nearly two dozen operators. Most of them reside on tribal lands and function courtesy of individual compacts with the state of Michigan.

So there’s never going to be universal lockstep in terms of how each property manages its blackjack games. Each location is likely to have its own variations and ways of doing business.

However, in most cases, you will find the following rules in place across the board:

• Blackjacks pay 3:2. There are a couple of properties that appear to have some options for 6:5 payouts, but both locations (MGM Grand and Soaring Eagle) have 3:2 games, too.
• Most games use six decks. There are a few options here and there that use five decks. MotorCity Casino has some games that use eight. You may also come across a few single deck opportunities.
• Double down on any 2. You may even find some more options for doubling, like any 3, any 4 or redoubling.
• Most casinos have dealers hitting on a soft 17. There are some exceptions, but the majority will take an extra card.
• In general, no surrender is allowed. Some casinos may let you forfeit half the bet and save some money, but most of the blackjack casinos in Michigan are going to showdown without exception.

You may also encounter various side bets and options depending on where you go. In general, side bets are not good wagers, but if you’re having fun, then go right ahead. Some side bets you might see include:

• Perfect Pairs
• Trilux BJ
• Lucky George Dealer Envy
• High Tie
• Super 4

Odds and house edge on blackjack

We’ve made several passing references to the house edge or house advantage that the casino has over you in blackjack. However, it might be a good idea to review what that means, exactly.

The house edge is the percentage of each bet that the casino expects to keep and that you expect to lose. So, if the house edge on a game is 5%, then the casino expects to keep $5 of every $100 you wager.

Blackjack’s popularity is due, in part, to its house edge being one of the lowest in the entire gambling industry. The casino never expects to realize more than 1% of your bet over the long haul. In other words, it’s not unusual to get a bit lucky and either win or break even in blackjack.

Below is a list for all the different house edges of a standard blackjack game. The only variable is the number of decks being used. However, please understand that these percentages depend on you executing perfect basic strategy when you play. Any deviations will lead to higher chances for losing.

Here are the typical house edges for blackjack games:

• One deck: 0.17%
• Two decks: 0.46%
• Four decks: 0.60%
• Six decks: 0.64%
• Eight decks: 0.66%

Bear in mind that the many variants you see usually come with greater advantages for the casino. So be wary about anything that looks new or unusual and has the word “blackjack” attached to it.

Using basic blackjack strategy

Regardless of your source of account funds, you need to play as smart as you can when you’re online. The speed of the game means that all things, good or bad, happen far more quickly than live.

It is crucial that you learn and employ basic strategy when you play. Although it may seem restrictive, the steps described on a basic strategy chart have proven to be statistically optimal over any other decision. If you decide to deviate from the recommendation, you are only increasing the advantage that the casino already has.

If giving yourself the best chance to win is your goal, you should also avoid most variants or side bets. They are usually not a good deal for you.

Finally, each game will have its own rules, and you should look for ones that present the best opportunity. So, check each game for its rules on doubling down, splitting and what happens on a soft 17. Ideally, you want to be able to double down on whatever card pair you want, you want to be able to split as many times as you want, and you want the dealer to stand on soft 17s, rather than hit.