Blackjack, whether in digital form or among the various live dealer casino games available, is a global phenomenon. For centuries, people have enjoyed playing blackjack for its challenging strategy and simple structure.
Part of that challenging strategy is that the dealing of the cards is random and makes blackjack table games games of chance. At the same time, the right moves at the right time can reduce that risk in blackjack.
Blackjack tests players’ knowledge of probabilities, confronts their understanding of the odds of winning, and affords opportunities to reduce the house edge that players face. For players who want to take on these challenges, knowledge is power.
Blackjack House Edge
Playing blackjack with confidence starts with understanding the blackjack house edge. With most blackjack titles at online casinos, the house edge is more of a range than a fixed number because players’ decisions can either enlarge or shrink this factor.
In general, the house edge in blackjack tends to fall between half a percent and 4%. A standard expectation is usually around 2% in most games.
Although the random nature of the card deal means luck ultimately determines the results of wagers in blackjack, players can shrink the advantage that the casino enjoys. Doing so can lead to bigger payouts when luck is on their side.
Improve Your Blackjack Skills
There are many opinions on the best blackjack strategies and some objectively losing or winning moves according to the math in certain situations. Even in terms of the more tried and true plays, rule changes in blackjack variants can change that math to make the plays less or more dependable.
In traditional games, the basic moves and the conventional wisdom around them has become standard operating procedure for players. It’s always a good move to check out the blackjack variant rules of the game you’re playing to see if anything could throw the usual math off.
Standing
It’s best to stand on 17 or higher, even if the dealer has a 10 or an ace. Only stand on 12 if the dealer is showing four, five, or six.
Doubling
Double down on a hard 11 as this is an excellent starting hand. Some variants have special rules governing when you can double down, so check them out before you start playing.
Splitting
Splitting is one of the classic ways to diminish the house edge in blackjack but only in specific instances. Splitting a pair of eights, for example, is one of the most common plays in blackjack because the math supports doing so, at least in conventional games.
At the same time, splitting means doubling your wager and putting more of your bankroll at risk. A stronger position doesn’t guarantee a win in blackjack so you still need to respect your blackjack bankroll strategy with these opportunities.
Again, different versions of blackjack treat splitting in various ways. Never assume that you can split anytime you want. Always check the rules to be safe.
Know the Rules of the Casino
At any physical or online casino, there are rules for both how the casino treats various situations that come up in blackjack games and standards for blackjack etiquette. Players are responsible for knowing all of these customs.
As an example, casinos will differ in terms of paying out 3:2 or 6:5 for a natural blackjack payout. The rules can also affect how much you can reduce the house edge.
Some games don’t allow doubling down after a split, which acts to limit the extent to which players can reduce the house edge with an exceptionally strong hand. Not only should you never assume that the rules are the same from one casino to the next but also check the rules for each different version of blackjack you’re considering at the same casino.
The casino should be able to provide you with detailed information about any blackjack rule variations but also payouts related to specific outcomes in the game. That information can help you determine whether a particular game is a good value.
Understanding Blackjack Odds
Blackjack odds can swing in your favor if you get lucky and your decisions complement the cards you’re dealt. These odds depend on many factors like how many decks are used in a blackjack game, how many hands you’re playing, and which cards you need to win.
It’s important to note that even if the odds are on your side, that doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily get a payout in proportion with those odds. Additionally, nothing is guaranteed in blackjack as far as winning the game goes.
Another responsible gambling consideration is that winning and profit aren’t necessarily the same either. It’s possible to secure a few wins and still gamble more than you planned to or end up with a smaller bankroll than you started with.
Odds vs Probability in Blackjack
Online versions of blackjack aren’t rigged against players any more than blackjack games at a land-based casino are. Yes, there is a house edge to deal with, but regulations for licensed casinos limit that advantage. One of the ways to size up the house edge is to look at odds vs. probability.
Probabilities refer to the simple math of the likelihood of a particular card being dealt at a certain moment in a game. Because there is a finite number of each card, it’s possible to pinpoint the likelihood exactly before each deal.
The odds of winning blackjack refers to the likelihood that a player’s hand will beat the dealer’s hand. These aren’t as fixed, as they depend on more than just which cards are dealt when.
What Are the Odds of Winning in Blackjack?
There are many considerations in blackjack when it comes to the odds of winning a hand. Chief among them are any rule changes that affect the potential winning combinations or the paths to those card combos.
As an example, players should check to see whether the dealer can split in the blackjack game they want to play. That option can change the odds of a win drastically.
A good blackjack hand for the dealer makes a win for any player less likely but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still opportunities to score some wins in a hand. Some interesting side bets can pull victory from the jaws of defeat.
Odds of Blackjack Side Bets
Many blackjack versions offer players intriguing side bets. These wagers come with their own odds and payouts but the thing they all have in common is that you have to first place your initial wager before you can place any side bets.
A great example of a common side bet is the blackjack insurance bet. In some games, you can place this wager when it looks like the dealer might hit a natural blackjack. Some games might not allow players to buy insurance at all, though.
Some blackjack variants offer an exciting 2:1 blackjack payout in this instance while others may simply give you back part of your original bet.
The odds of side bets in blackjack can be long but the payouts reflect that, including the Perfect Pairs and Over/Under 13 wagers.
How Often Does the Dealer Bust in Blackjack?
In blackjack, the dealer is working with the same pool of cards that players are but the dealer has the advantage because players typically act before them in doubling down, hitting, and/or splitting. Many games limit that advantage somewhat by imposing rules on when the dealer must hit or stand.
As in most other games, such rules have a great effect on how often the dealer busts in blackjack. For example, in a game where the dealer must hit on 16, the likelihood of the dealer busting is tremendously higher than when that rule isn’t in place.
Some games will reward players well for their luck in this instance, potentially offering 3:2 blackjack payouts when the dealer busts. BetMGM Casino is a great place to explore all these blackjack rule variations.
Test Your Blackjack Strategy at BetMGM Casino
The number of BetMGM blackjack games is extensive. BetMGM offers players the best variety of blackjack titles and the most valuable promotions to aid in the exploration of these games. For example, people who register for BetMGM and make a qualifying deposit can take advantage of BetMGM’s exciting casino welcome bonus that’s just for new players.
Pairing those bonuses with the best casino rewards program is like getting an ace-10 as your first two cards of a blackjack hand. BetMGM is the only place where you can enjoy that combo and try to beat the odds at blackjack, too.
