The Leelanau Sands Casino in northern Michigan was among the first casinos to try virtual blackjack, and I was there shortly after the machines were installed. Players were taken aback by the giant screens featuring beautiful male and female dealers.
Soaring Eagle, MotorCity, MGM and others have added virtual blackjack in recent years, and I have tried all of their machines.
The graphics and audio are outstanding and clear. Up to five players bet a minimum $5 per hand at most places, and have the option of splitting, doubling down and drawing. Payout for 21 is usually 3:2, meaning a $10 bet wins $15.
I like virtual blackjack because it is easier to move on and off a table, and sometimes I do not want to socialize. There is less pressure in the virtual game. If I want to split or draw when basic strategy says otherwise, no problem.
Some players still believe that the play of others at a virtual table affects their hand. Not true. It isn’t even true on most table games these days, because most shoes are continuous shuffle, meaning they rely on random number generators.
For extended play, virtual blackjack beats slots. $100 lasts a lot longer on blackjack than in slot machines.
On the down side, virtual play lacks the excitement of a blackjack table on a good run. I sometimes like the exchange among players and dealers, the action of using chips and the feel of felt and the slap of cards by a good dealer.
Like slot machines and table games, virtual games cycle through hot and cold spells. You still need to manage your stash, know when to push hard and when to pull back, and when to cash out.

Blackjack drew me to casinos many years ago. The game itself is simple, like euchre, meant for no more than four players. Unlike euchre, you have no partner and you generally are playing with strangers. That can be a problem when all of the strangers are smoking in your face, and some are self-appointed experts who are compelled to share their wisdom and criticism. Never mind that I was playing blackjack before many of these experts were born.
Granted, good advice from veterans is welcome for most who are just learning. Newbies need practice to learn when to up their bets, when to double down, split or hold. It is called basic strategy and it is just that. It is not a hard-and-fast rule to everyone.
The myth persists that a player who makes the wrong move impacts the entire table. Not true on modern continuous shuffle shoes, as I noted in the virtual blackjack piece. They operate on random number generators, just like slot machines. One play has no impact on the next. Learn this, and do not carp about the play of others.
I like my blackjack straight up with no side bets or special features. Anything beyond basic blackjack is an income enhancement for casinos. If side bets increase your enjoyment, go for it.
I fled to slot machines when blackjack become popular among the twentysomethings, thanks to Hollywood.
Slots are exciting at times, but I miss the game of blackjack. I’m going back in there, cherry picking tables with no more than one or two players, experienced dealers and no smoke.