The consensus on bitcoin blackjack has changed significantly in recent years, and it’s now viewed by many as a safer way to gamble online than using traditional currencies like CAD.

All the best online casinos have some degree of encryption, but this is ramped up at crypto blackjack sites, which are built around a much more modern technology. And that technology also proves that games are fair.

This is achieved by giving you a code before each hand of online bitcoin blackjack which you can then match to the result at the end, showing that the cards were already fixed in place. It makes it impossible for any casino or third party to switch the cards after you’ve made your choice, which is perfect for card games like blackjack or bitcoin poker.

It’s also fair to say that most bitcoin blackjack players would prefer that people didn’t know about their online gaming activity, whether that’s to protect a big win or simply to have some privacy. Crypto casinos make this infinitely easier than regular ones, where you’ll usually provide bank details and your home address.

One regular concern we see from players who have yet to try bitcoin blackjack is whether or not it’s legal. Buying, trading and gambling with cryptos like BTC is legal. While state regulations vary on gambling laws, there are tons of excellent offshore casinos which accept Canadian players and offer bitcoin blackjack.

Bitcoin blackjack can be a lot of fun, but it’s also important to look at the wider aspects of the site. For example, is it trustworthy and reliable? Does it offer other games? And how easy is it to cash out?

Here are the main features our experts focus on when rating a bitcoin blackjack casino.

• Fully licensed. Just like regular casinos, it’s important to play at online bitcoin blackjack casinos which hold a current license from a valid gambling authority. If we’ve recommended a casino, that means it passed this test.

• Secure site. Your safety is the most important thing when playing for real money online. Crypto can give you anonymity which makes this much easier, but we do also make sure there are no red flags – especially with new crypto casinos.

• Multiple coins. We’ll often speak about bitcoin blackjack because listing every crypto would take forever, but, when it comes to ranking the casinos, we prioritize those which give you plenty of options. Five or six is good, 15+ is even better.

• Quality games. There are many different versions of bitcoin blackjack coming from multiple providers, and the quality varies significantly. We highlight the best bitcoin blackjack casinos with great games, fast loading times and wide limits.

• Juicy bonuses. One of the amazing things about joining a crypto casino is how wild the bonuses can be. This is especially true for welcome bonuses. We take the time to examine the T&Cs and look for favorable wagering requirements.

• Speedy withdrawals. Crypto can be moved around in minutes or even seconds, without the need to wait for a bank to approve it. With this in mind, we hunt down the bitcoin blackjack casinos which facilitate immediate and cheap (or free) withdrawals.

Haven’t played bitcoin blackjack before? No problem – we’re going to walk you through every step of the process and show you how simple it is to sign up and start playing.

1. Pick a crypto casino. There are tons to choose from, each with different features. Select your favorite.

2. Create an account. Open an account by filling in a few simple details, including an email and password.

3. Open a crypto wallet. If you don’t already have one, open a crypto wallet at an exchange like Coinbase.

4. Deposit CAD. Upload some CAD from your bank account. In some cases, you can trade directly for BTC.

5. Trade CAD for crypto. If you can’t trade directly for BTC, upload your CAD then manually trade to BTC on the CAD/BTC pair.

6. Transfer. Copy your wallet address from the casino cashier section and use it to send over some BTC from your wallet.

7. Play bitcoin blackjack. Once your BTC lands at the casino, select any of their bitcoin blackjack games to start playing.

We’ve spoken about bitcoin blackjack in general, but there are actually many versions to choose from. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most popular BTC blackjack games:

• Classic Blackjack – Also referred to as ‘American Blackjack’, this is the go-to for many players. It has a very low house edge at 0.5% and uses a single deck, making it easier to count outs.

• European Blackjack – Uses two decks but requires dealers to stand on a soft 17, unlike Classic Blackjack. If you and the dealer both hit blackjack, it’s a push.

• Multi-Hand Blackjack – As is the case in live casinos, Multi-Hand Blackjack lets you play more than one hand at the same time. If you play perfectly, the house edge is under 0.5%.

• Perfect Pairs Blackjack – This game variant is similar to Classic or American Blackjack but has a side bet option. You’ll win if your hand pairs, with up to +2500 if they precisely match in both rank and suit.

Why should you choose bitcoin blackjack over more traditional options?

Every player has different preferences, but, when looking at it objectively, it’s clear that crypto blackjack has a ton of benefits.

Anonymous bitcoin casinos shield your personal information, which is a big perk. It keeps your business private and makes it harder for any hackers to target you.

Instant deposits are nothing new, but instant withdrawals are. With crypto, many of the best bitcoin blackjack sites will process your payments right away, so you can win a few hands of blackjack and have the funds in your digital wallet in minutes.

When you compare BTC blackjack to more traditional payment methods, like credit cards or bank transfers, the speed and anonymity really stand out. Plus, you no longer have to simply “trust” the casino, as the blockchain technology allows you to literally check that previously played hands were fair.

Before you start playing bitcoin blackjack, take a moment to consider the many bonuses you could claim. There are a few different types which are all worth your consideration.

• Welcome bonus – BTC blackjack bonuses are often substantially higher than fiat offers.

• Reload bonus – If you’re an existing customer, you can still pick up deposit bonuses or reload bonuses.

• Cashback offer – Some of the best bitcoin blackjack sites will award you cashback on losing sessions.