One of the most popular card games in the world, blackjack has been around for hundreds of years and has been influenced by many different cultures. While some prefer to play with a single deck of cards, others prefer to use a virtual card deck consisting of players and computers. No matter how you choose to play, blackjack is a game that is enjoyed by people of all ages around the world.
If you’re new to the game, let’s take a look at which is the best betting strategy for blackjack and what game settings make a difference.
Decimal vs. Fractional Payouts
One of the first differences you’ll notice between the American and European versions of blackjack is the payout structure. In American blackjack, you’ll typically win or lose the amount you bet, while the house edge is calculated into every winning hand in European Blackjack. In some versions of the game, the house edge is even built into the cards themselves, resulting in a game that is completely riddled with manipulation by the casinos in order to make money off unsuspecting players. Even in non-manipulated games, however, the house edge is usually so high that you’re better off avoiding the game altogether or playing at a casino where the house edge is closer to zero.
Single Deck vs. Multiple Decks
Another important factor that can change the way you play blackjack is the size of the decks you use. Most casinos offer several options for playing the game, including single-deck blackjack and multi-deck blackjack (more commonly referred to as virtual blackjack or digital blackjack).
When playing with a single deck, each card only has two possible outcomes – a faceup win or faceup loss. Since there’s no hiding in a single deck game, it’s essential that you use effective strategy to beat the odds and win more often than not. The more decks you use to play with, the more complex the game becomes. Some casinos offer benefits for those who play multiple decks, such as the ability to win more money when playing with a certain number of decks. Playing with more than two decks is highly recommended, especially since the more decks you use, the greater the variance in the game. This means that some wins are more likely than others, and this makes the game less predictable.
Playing Against The House Or Playing Solo
Another significant difference between the American and European versions of the game is how you play against the casino. In America, you’ll typically play against the house, while in Europe you’ll play against a series of solo players – a situation that can alter the fundamental strategy you must use to win the game.
When playing against the house in American blackjack, you have the rules of the casino – allowing them to adjust the variance in their favor – to help you beat the odds. It is not uncommon for American casinos to adjust the rules of the game to fit their own advantage. For example, they may allow certain bonuses to be counted as ties or allows blackjack to be dealt as stand-alone cards instead of being drawn from a deck. Some casinos will even give you the option of whether you want to play with all the cards faceup or face down.
On the other hand, European casinos do not offer this variety of strategies, so you have to figure it out for yourself. For this reason, playing in Europe with a group of friends is often considered a more enjoyable experience. Your options for how to play are much more limited, and the simplicity of the game means less opportunity for cheating – at least, as far as the casino is concerned.
Play At A Better Location
If you’re determined to beat the house in blackjack, the best thing you can do is play at a better location. Even in non-manipulated games, it’s still very difficult to beat the house at the minimum bet limit, especially if you play at a low-quality casino. The reason is simple: the house edge is so high in these locations that you’re better off avoiding the game altogether or playing at a better place where the house edge is lower. If you want to beat the house, try your luck at a reputable casino where the rules are fixed and the house edge is manageable – at least, as far as you’re concerned.
Roulette Is Better Than Blackjack
While blackjack can be fun, exciting, and profitable, roulette is a better choice for those who want to beat the house. The reason behind this is simple: the house advantage in roulette is much lower than it is in blackjack. Even in non-manipulated games, the house edge is around 0.5% in roulette, compared to the 2.8-4% range in blackjack. This makes the game less predictable and, in some cases, even lets you have a slight edge over the casino. However, like blackjack, roulette can still be found in some pretty bad casinos, so make sure you’re playing at a good location if you want to enjoy the benefits of lower house odds!
If you consider yourself a lucky person, you might consider trying your hand at roulette instead of blackjack. The luck in roulette does tend to run out eventually, however. For this reason, it isn’t uncommon for players to switch to blackjack when their luck turns for the worse in roulette. Since you know the rules of blackjack better than most other games, you’ll have a better chance at beating the casino even when you’re having bad luck.
Red Or Black?
One of the first things you’ll likely be asked when playing blackjack is if you want to play red or black. This is a simple enough question, but there is actually a scientific way to answer it, and that is to play the odds. Most casinos offer substantially better odds of winning when playing red than when playing black, making red the superior option from a pure rationality standpoint. If you’re curious, the reason behind this is that the skin on a human hand is much more sensitive to red than it is to black, and this is reflected in the betting rules for the two versions of the game. If you want to play red, go for it! Just make sure you understand the implications of this decision before you dive in.
Raise The Stakes
It’s a good idea to raise the stakes when playing blackjack. Many players consider raising the stakes to be the simplest way to increase their probability of winning. When playing with real money, this means putting more coins or bills on the table. When playing with fake money (such as those found in many casinos), it means changing the betting options to increase the amount you’re allowed to wager. For example, in some casinos, you can only bet on the even numbers in blackjack while in others, you can bet on any card you choose. As a general rule, playing at a higher stake level makes the game more interesting and, usually, lets you have a better chance at winning.
Watch Out For Scams
Just because a casino is reputable and has a good reputation does not mean that it is safe for you to play there. In fact, there are countless ways for scammers to trick you into giving them your money, and you should never, ever give your money or personal information to anyone you meet online or in meatspace. If you want to beat the scammer, you have to play at a better location – one that is monitored by trained staff and has a good reputation in the industry. Reputable casinos will have security measures in place to protect against fraud, which you can find out more about by contacting the customer support team directly through email (if you’d like). Just remember – trust no one and nothing. If you lose money, it’s your own fault for not doing your homework before playing.
Avoid Games With Bad Reputation
If a casino or online poker site has a bad reputation for scams or fraud, it’s usually a safe bet that you’re going to be scammed or forced to pay out bogus winnings. It’s all about reputation; if you want to beat the crooks at their own game, you need to play at a reputable casino where you know the rules and are able to report any suspicious activity promptly. The last thing you want to do is play at a scummy casino where you don’t feel secure enough to report anything to the proper authorities – it ruins the fun of gaming!