Best Casino For Blackjack Odds
Understanding blackjack odds and house advantages will help you decide how to choose the best possible type of online blackjack. Read all about online blackjack odds and house advantages.
If you understand what your odds are when playing online blackjack, you’ll also be able to tell how to maximize your chances. And you’ll also start to realize what facets of the game affect those odds.
Jun 02, 2020 The best blackjack games in Las Vegas casinos tend to be double deck. The best is at M Resort. It has a $50 minimum bet and stands on all 17s. Players may double down on any two cards and after splitting. The 'edge' column shows the percent advantage the casino has over a basic-strategy player. Current Blackjack News is the source, and may differ slightly from The Wizard's Blackjack House Edge Calculator. Blackjack is a difficult game to analyze, and differences in methodology can play a minor effect on the results. As an example, the 2015 American Casino Guide book contains the following blackjack coupons for Las Vegas casinos: $25 matchplay for new club members at Golden Gate and the D. $10 matchplay at the Downtown Grand, Gold Coast, Hooters, Lucky Club, Orleans, The Palms, Riviera, and Tuscany.
Blackjack is a game that may look simple on the outside, but beneath the surface, you’ll find that it’s all about odds and making the correct mathematical decisions. It’s easy to let your intuition take over and base your decisions at the table on that. Apr 21, 2020 At most of these best odds blackjack casinos, you can play for free in “demo mode.” All you have to do is create a free account to get started. I suggest that you practice the games at El Royale Casino. You won’t even have to register to play the games for free there.
Online blackjack players may get into the game without much planning. Maybe you’ve played a little casino blackjack and want to have some fun online. Or you could be new to blackjack and want to try it where there’s less pressure.
Still, you should always look at online gambling as you would an investment. Learn as much as possible about the potential of that investment. Understanding online blackjack odds and house advantages is a great way to start that process.
In this article, we’ll explain the concepts behind online blackjack odds and the house advantage. We’ll talk about how you can control the odds in some respect by knowing what factors affect it. And we’ll also answer some of the most popular questions people ask about these concepts.
What Is the House Advantage?
You’ll sometimes hear it called the house advantage or the house edge, but it refers to the same thing. Basically, the vast majority of casino-type games are stacked against the player over the long run. This is how casinos and online gambling sites stay in business.
Some games have bigger house advantages than others, based on the rules and built-in odds. The good news about the online blackjack house edge is that it’s one of the lowest among most casino games. That’s part of the reason why it’s so popular.
How is Blackjack House Edge Calculated?
House edge is always measured as a percentage and is the inverse of the player’s payback percentage. If a specific game yielded a percentage of 100% exactly, you could be expected to break even playing it over the long haul. That makes the house advantage zero.
There are very few real money casino or online casino games that come in at a payback percentage of 100% or better. If you want to calculate the house edge all you have to do is subtract the actual percentage of payback from 100.
For example, imagine a game that is listed with a 98% payback percentage. The house edge would thus be 100 minus 98, which is 2%. Think of it this way—the lower the online blackjack house advantage, the better it is for the player.
This figure doesn’t include loyalty rewards you might earn from casinos or top gambling sites. If you can find a game with a very low house edge (ideally less than 1%) and consistently earn these rewards, you can make a profit in the long run.
Online Blackjack House Edge
Assuming standard rules and a player who knows how to make the right decisions in every circumstance using basic strategy, you can expect a payback percentage of around 99.5% to 99.6% for online blackjack. That means an online blackjack house edge or around 0.4% to 0.5%, which is very small. That sounds great, right?
Well, as we’ll explore, you won’t always be able to get standard rules in the online blackjack games that you play. The other key part of is the one about the player using strategy.
If you go into your online blackjack game without learning the basic strategy about when to hit, stand, double, split, and so on, your percentage will drop and the house edge will rise. That’s why you should always prepare by learning proper strategy beforehand, which we’ll discuss more below.
What Affects Online Blackjack Edge
Here are some of the rule variations that will help you determine the online blackjack games with the best odds:
- Blackjack payback: You should be looking for the standard payback of 3:2 whenever you are dealt a two-card 21. If you play a game where the payback is 6:5 or lower, the house edge rises.
- Dealer “soft 17” rules: Ideally, you’ll play an online blackjack game where a dealer has to stand on a “soft 17.” This is a 17 with an ace where the ace is valued at 11 instead of one. In games where the dealer can still value the ace as one in these situations and hit, the house edge rises.
- Decks used: The more decks that are used in online blackjack, the worse it is for the player. That’s because it will make blackjack a little bit harder to get.
- Split and double rules: Ideally, you would be able to make these plays in any situation as often as you want. Some online blackjack games restrict how many times and which cards can be used. The more restrictions, the worse it is for the player.
- Surrender: Novice players might not realize it, but being able to surrender your hand after a disadvantageous deal to lessen losses is an excellent strategy. If surrendering isn’t allowed, it works against you as a player and raises the online blackjack house advantage.
Online vs. Offline Blackjack Odds
For the most part, the odds for online and offline blackjack are moreso affected by the rules listed above than anything else. The big difference in the two is created by the fact that card counting, which can give an expert player an advantage, is extremely difficult in online blackjack.
Card counting only works when a lot of cards are out of play. But computer dealers reshuffle decks after every hand in online blackjack. That keeps all cards in the decks constantly in play and eliminates any house edge reduction from card counting.
You might be able to find some online blackjack games using live dealers. Unfortunately, even these games feature much more frequent shuffling than you would find in a casino. Therefore, the card counting edge you might gain is pretty much minimal to nonexistent.
How Strategy Affects the House Edge in Online Blackjack
As we mentioned above, it’s crucial to play online blackjack with proper strategy. Many people go into the game with homemade strategies that are actually hurting their chances to win. The more mistakes you make while playing online blackjack, the higher the house advantage becomes.
For example, one basic strategy that beginners use is one where they assume that the dealer’s hidden card has a value of 10 when making their decisions about whether to hit or stand. The problem is that, in actuality, the dealer has a less than 1 in 3 chance of having a card with a value of 10 hidden.
You’re better off taking the time to learn proper online blackjack basic strategy as devised by experts. This should lower the house edge a few percentage points.
That might not seem like much. But when you’re playing many hands per hour, it can start to mean several dollars at a time, maybe more depending on the size of your bets.
Advanced Strategy and Online Blackjack House Edge
In most cases, when people are talking about advanced strategy in blackjack, they are talking about card counting. An expert card counter can often bring up payback percentage two points or so, which can make the difference between profit and loss.
As we said above, however, card counting is pretty much worthless in online blackjack. One other advanced strategy that might help improve online blackjack odds bases your decisions about how to play the hand on the numerical value of each card, rather than the total value.
In other words, if you had a 13 that was comprised of a 10 and a three, you might be advised to play it differently than if you had a seven and a six. This strategy can shave a hair off the house edge, less than a percentage point. Yet even small advantages like that can help if you’re going to be a long-term online blackjack player.
How to Learn Online Blackjack Strategy and Minimize the House Edge
- Memorize lists of rules. These rules might say things like “always split aces and eights” or “double on 11.” You can find such lists containing a handful of general rules or ones that have dozens of specific plays on them.
- Get a strategy chart. A blackjack strategy chart has rows and columns that connect every card value the player has with what the dealer has been dealt. In each box where those rows and columns connect, you’ll find a symbol letting you know whether you should hit, stand, or perform any other action.
FAQ About Online Blackjack Odds
Do Online Blackjack Odds Differ Based on What Online Casino I Choose?
It isn’t so much the online casinos you choose that affects the online blackjack odds. Instead, it’s more important which rules they use.
You might find certain online gambling sites with different variations even within the single site. The bottom line is knowing which rules work in your favor and yield the best online blackjack house edge.
Should I Play an Online Blackjack Variation With Great Potential Payback Even If the Rules Are Confusing to Me?
You have to find the right set of online blackjack rules to lessen the house edge. But you also have to play with correct strategy.
If you’re a bit confused about the game you’re playing, that will lead to bad decisions. And those bad decisions will likely eliminate any edge you might have gained from the favorable payback. It would be better for you to play a standard game and play it well.
Will Blackjack House Edge Matter If I Only Play Every Once in a While?
Not nearly as much. If you’re only going to be a part-time online blackjack player, luck will be more of a factor in your results than any mathematical house edge.
Once you start playing on a regular basis, you should be trying to keep the house edge as low as possible. Over the long term, your results will be determined by the mathematical characteristics of the game once the luck evens out.
Conclusion on Odds and House Advantage in Blackjack
We hope that you now have a good handle on what online blackjack odds and house advantages are all about. And we especially hope that it leads to you choosing your game wisely and making the most of your online blackjack play.
So, you want to play blackjack online, but you’re not sure where to get the best odds? You’ll be glad you found this post. I’ve listed five of the top US-friendly blackjack casinos, and I can show you what your odds of winning are at them.
While these casinos do not publish their blackjack payouts, they all use RealTime Gaming software. Since this firm has been around since 1998, many casino experts have analyzed its software, and we have a fairly accurate reading on what the house edge is.
All of these casinos offer RTG blackjack, and that means they all have the same odds. What I can tell you is that you won’t find more competitive odds anywhere else. The house edge on these blackjack games is tiny if you play it with basic blackjack strategy and don’t make mistakes.
That means you can take your pick from any (or all) of the casinos below. Grab their welcome bonuses, hit the blackjack tables, and have some fun. Pay particular attention to the special blackjack bonus in the casino listed first below.
Assumptions and Odds
Before I show you the blackjack odds for RTG software, I have to be upfront that I’ve made a couple of assumptions. See them below.
- You are an experienced blackjack player and understand basic strategy. If not, learn it.
- RTG software uses six decks. They don’t officially publish this, but it’s what me and many others believe.
With these in mind, here are the odds for the various RealTime Gaming blackjack variants.
| Game | House Edge |
|---|---|
| Classic Blackjack | 0.54% |
| Face Up 21 | 0.75% |
| Match Play 21 | 0.73% |
| Perfect Pairs Blackjack | 0.54% |
| Pontoon | 0.65% |
| Super 21 | 1.06% |
As I always say, you’re better off playing classic blackjack every time. The other variants may provide a little variety and some lucrative (if unlikely) side bets. But other blackjack variants almost always put you at a disadvantage.
Best Casino For Blackjack Odds 2019
The Casinos With the Best Blackjack Odds
I’ve reviewed hundreds of casinos over the course of writing for GamblingSites.org. These are the five that I recommend for playing blackjack online. All of them accept US players.
Best Casino Blackjack Odds In Vegas
I’ve chosen to list High Country Casino first because of one thing; it offers a special “21 Match” bonus for blackjack players. When you sign up, you can claim a 100% deposit bonus worth up to $250. Use the coupon code BJCOUNTRY to activate it. You can cash out up to 20 times your deposit value, so take full advantage and max out the bonus. High Country Casino offers all of the blackjack games listed in the table above.
This casino got a top-rated status when I reviewed it earlier this year. It’s impressive, and like High Country Casino, it offers a special bonus for blackjack players. When you visit El Royale Casino, navigate to the “special offers” section, and locate the Slots and Cards bonus. This is one of the few bonuses you can play blackjack with at this casino. It’s a 125% deposit bonus, and you’ll need the bonus code DRESSCODE to claim it. All of the RTG blackjack games are available here. Stick with the standard variant for the best odds.
If you don’t feel comfortable playing at a new casino site, you can play at Cherry Gold Casino. It’s been online since 2011, and it’s one of the most popular US-friendly casinos online. You can get started with a 200% welcome bonus at this casino. You won’t need a promo code for this one. Like most RTG casinos, you can play the blackjack games here in demo mode for free. This is a great opportunity to practice your blackjack skills.
If you want to be absolutely certain that you’re in safe hands, how does playing at a casino that’s been online since 1999 sound? Yes, this is one of the oldest blackjack casinos with the best odds. It would not have survived this long unless it was legit and fair. This casino also has a special blackjack bonus. It’s a 100% deposit match. Use the bonus code BJMATCH to claim it. There are also lots of regular reload bonuses for card players. I highly recommend this casino.
Bovada is usually known for sports betting, but it also has an excellent online casino. It has the RTG blackjack games listed above, but unlike the other casinos on this list, Bovada also offers live dealer blackjack. All new Bovada players can claim a $3,000 welcome bonus package. This consists of three separate $1,000 bonuses. Bovada also offers a Bitcoin welcome bonus for those of you who are interested in playing blackjack with crypto. This is one of my top-rated blackjack casinos.
Blackjack Tips and Tricks
I know that many of you are already experienced blackjack players. However, I’m also aware that there may be some new players reading this. I’d like to offer you some blackjack tips for beginners. If you follow these, you’ll improve your odds and will be in a better position to win.
Learn and Master Basic Blackjack Strategy
Did you know that there’s a mathematically proven strategy that will improve your blackjack odds? It’s called basic blackjack strategy, and you can learn all about it here.
This strategy will tell you what to do in every blackjack scenario. You will learn how to play based on what cards you have and what cards the dealer has.
You can play at an online casino with the best blackjack odds, but unless you use the correct strategy, you won’t win.
Use Free Demo Play to Master Basic Strategy
When you’re learning a new strategy, you’re bound to make mistakes. While you can print out a basic blackjack strategy cheat sheet, you still won’t use it perfectly until it becomes etched into your brain, and you know what to do automatically.
These mistakes don’t have to cost you real money. At most of these best odds blackjack casinos, you can play for free in “demo mode.” All you have to do is create a free account to get started.
I suggest that you practice the games at El Royale Casino. You won’t even have to register to play the games for free there.
Take Advantage of Special Blackjack Bonuses
As you have seen above, there are several casinos offering special blackjack bonuses. It’s important to take advantage of these. Normal welcome bonuses won’t cut it.
Why so? Because of a thing called game weighting. You have to wager every casino bonus before you can withdraw it, but blackjack bets count as little as 10% towards wagering requirements on standard bonuses.
Blackjack bonuses offer a better deal. You’ll have more chips to play with, which means more chances to go on an epic blackjack winning streak and win big.
Which Blackjack Casino Should You Play?
All of these blackjack casinos offer the best odds online. They all welcome US players, and many of them welcome Australians, too.
I suggest that you sign up at a few of them and claim the specific blackjack bonuses at each one. You’ll also find that these casinos offer you reload bonuses. Many of them offer you tailored bonuses, so the ongoing bonuses will likely be suitable for playing blackjack.
Now you know where to play blackjack with fair odds, and where to score the best bonuses, it’s time to get started. Pick a casino, and have some fun!
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