Windows Mobile Blackjack

Of the 4 primary platforms, Android, iOS, Blackberry and Windows, Windows is without a doubt the black sheep. At least in the online gambling space.

What do I mean by that? Well, of the 4 operating systems, Windows is compatible with the fewest number of casinos. I use the word compatible loosely, too, as most casinos I’ve come across don’t even have a Windows app. They just use a mobile-optimized website. And a poorly designed one at that.

So why dedicate a page to Windows blackjack casinos then? Well, our goal is to help you find the best casinos with what limited information, resources and casinos that are out there. So if you don’t mind a little bit of trial and error, I recommend reading this page and trying out some of the casinos we mention. You might find one that you like.

At the very core, what makes a great Windows casino for blackjack players is no different than any other platform. The casino should be safe, have a good reputation, pay their players and honor promotions. They should treat their players well.

But Windows is also a different beast. At this point there are few casinos that are compatible with the platform. So there are a couple of additional points that will help a casino stand out versus another. Points that other platforms, like iOS or Android, don’t really have to worry about. This is in addition to just offering an app, which apparently is a feat in itself.

• Blackjack specific bonuses for mobile users. I’ve not seen this yet.
• Actual apps for Windows. Most (if not all) platforms I’ve come across are mobile-optimized websites. This works, but the problem is that not all Windows’ (or other platforms) devices are created equal. So the games may look different from one to the next. That’s why I prefer apps. They’re created to that specific phone / model.
• Better mobile-optimized sites. If they’re not going to offer an app, then the websites need to be better. For example, if you run a test now on some of these casinos that are ‘compatible’ with Windows, they hardly work. They’re not responsive or they use i-frames.

These are the things I’d look for in a Windows mobile casino. As things start to improve, say more apps are introduced, then our priorities will obviously change. But for now, I’d be happy with a functioning blackjack app for Windows.

Getting started with mobile games is straightforward. Depending on the casino and if you’re on a tablet or phone, you’re going to gain access to the games one of these ways:

• Flash – Some casinos will have mobile-optimized Flash casinos. These will work with Windows. You’ll want to visit the casino and they’ll redirect you to that section of their site. Then log-in or create an account if you haven’t, choose your game and play.
• App – This will be downloaded to your phone. You’ll want to visit their app or the casino from your phone, then click the download link.
• Form – This will also be an app. You’ll give the casino your phone number, device, country and the game you want to play, and they’ll send it (or the link) to your phone.
• QR Code – Visit the casino on your desktop and scan the QR code. The game(s) will download to your phone.

Depositing from your phone or tablet will be identical to depositing from your desktop. Once logged in you’ll click the deposit tab, choose the option you want and enter your information. Keep in mind that some casinos don’t let you deposit and/or withdraw to/from your mobile device. You’ll have to via a different mobile platform or your desktop computer.

One question that comes up time and time again is, what will this cost me? How much am I going to have to pay to play blackjack on my Windows phone or tablet?

The answer? It varies a little, depending on what exactly you’re doing and where from.

If you’re playing real money blackjack, then the app or access to the Flash casino won’t cost you anything. The casino makes money from you when you lose. And if you choose to play for free you won’t have to pay anything either.

However, there will be costs to play the games. And how much you decide to pay is up to you. I recommend playing with only what you can afford to lose, regardless if that’s $20 or $2,000.

Aside from that, if you choose to play while on the go, then you might have data costs. Exactly how much will depend on your carrier. But if you’re using 3G or 4G internet, then you’ll be using up your data or you’ll be incurring data charges at a higher rate vs. the plans.

That’s the extent for playing with real money. For app users, where you’re playing blackjack for free, you’ll have the cost of the app, if it’s not free. Depending on the game you may or may not have data charges.

In terms of security, all worthwhile rooms will have software that has preventative measures in place. This means encryption and firewall technology, made to make hacking your account harder to do, if not nearly impossible. Many of them use identical programs that banks use. So your information will be safe. And you can take things a step further by locking your phone, changing up your password and never saving your log-in or password to the casino, if they even let you do that in the first place.

Windows users are going to have the hardest time finding real money blackjack apps. This is even truer for US players. The task is near impossible; at least for the time being.

There are a couple of alternatives, though, that you might be interested in.

One option is to try a remote app. This will install to your phone or tablet, and allow you to control the programs on your computer from a different location. However, keep in mind that this is just an idea — I’ve never tried it. I’m only basing that on theory, in which it should work. You’ll have to try it yourself, though.

Another option is to log-in to the standard desktop casino and see if the Flash games show up on your device well enough to play.

Last, you can pickup an app from the Windows store and play blackjack for free. I know that’s not the same as real money blackjack, but considering how few options blackjack players have, I’m not so sure you’re in a position to be picky. At least it’ll keep you entertained.