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Is Online Blackjack Better Than Land-based Blackjack?

Staff Writer 12/01/2020 News 278 views

The short answer to this question is – yes, but not necessarily. Of course, a lot more goes into reaching the answer than just a gut feeling. A lot of information is mixed with myths or gamblers’ superstitions, making it hard to reach a proper answer.

Our job today will be too look at the evidence and decide once and for all. Is online blackjack more profitable than classic, real-life blackjack?

What Makes a Blackjack Game Good?

A verity of factors all need to be looked at before you can know if a blackjack game is good. For example, we often make online blackjack reviews based on a set of criteria. We use these to compare online blackjack, but we can apply the same principles to blackjack in a land-based casino. We’ll point out a few things first, though.

First of all, we’ll only be considering the aspects that actually impact the players’ ability to profit with blackjack. More often than not, this means that we’re not looking at side-bets, special features, or other game-specific factors. Why not side bets? Well, according to basic blackjack strategy, side bets are generally bad for your bottom-line.  Consider this: blackjack is one of the best casino games in terms of the return-to-player (RTP.) The main game, meaning only Hit, Stand, Double, and Split, boasts an unbeatable RTP rate of 99.41%. Almost no popular side bets manage an RTP over 96%. As such, sticking to the classic blackjack game is the best way to win in the long run.

However, this RTP implies that you’re relying on an optimal strategy as well. It also implies that you’re using classic blackjack rules. The rules specific to the table or game in question are the line dividing good blackjack from bad blackjack. While the core gameplay of the game never changes, certain parts directly impact the house edge and RTP rate.  Let’s look at some examples:

Rules in Blackjack You Should Pay Attention To

  • Double – If the player can double down on any total, as opposed to just 10 and 11, the house edge decreases by a hefty 0.25%. Overall, though, this kind of rule is hard to find in any type of blackjack.
  • Stand on 17 – If the dealer stands on a soft 17, the house edge is generally smaller. Almost all blackjack variants use this, though.
  • Double After Splitting – a very talked-about feature. If a player can double after a split, the RTP increases by 0.17%.
  • Number of Decks – The fewer cards are in play, the better the game is for the player.

Can You Win More with Online Blackjack?

Generally speaking, online blackjack is better in terms of the rules we mentioned above. When you play blackjack online, you have a lot more choice in terms of which games you want to pick. By and large, it’s much easier to find an online blackjack game with favourable rules and RTP rates.

Of course, that doesn’t mean online blackjack is always better. Some land-based versions have the best rules you could want. The issue here, however, is that most people don’t live in Vegas where you have an enormous choice of tables at all times.

Also, this doesn’t take into account the main reasons people go to brick-and-mortar casinos. In most cases, it’s the experience or the social aspect. Even with live dealer blackjack, the feeling is tough to bear. If you have a land-based casino near you, our advice is to check out the house rules first and see how the RTP compares to blackjack in online casinos.

Is Virtual Blackjack Rigged?

Absolutely not – if you’re playing at a trusted online casino. Online casinos operate under licences which guarantee fairness and customer protection. That said, the main reason online blackjack isn’t rigged is simple – it doesn’t need to be.

Remember the old adage – the house always wins. Considering how RTP works, blackjack and all gambling games earn money for the casino without any need for foul play. Still, it’s quite possible to come out in the green if you know what you’re doing. And in 95% of cases, it’s smarter to do it online.

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