By Mickey Coyne.
Pondering whether you should focus on online or offline blackjack and not sure where to start? To reach a decision, there are some key considerations to make:
- Accessibility
Even in times of normalcy, accessibility to a casino may be an issue for you in case you reside outside of a major city. If this applies to you or if you’re looking for safe ways to practice a blackjack system, online casinos host a myriad of free blackjack games to brush up on your skills before playing for real money.
- Pressure
In an online casino, you can take all the time you want to make your move. In its traditional brick & mortar counterparts, however, there’s a constant pressure to keep things moving at a steady pace, both on the dealer’s end as well as from those who are waiting for their turn to play.
- Number of decks
If you’re into card counting, you’ll have more luck playing at traditional casinos. The reason being is that an online casino utilizes several decks that are further randomized and shuffled using a sophisticated random number generator. This all but renders even the most advanced card counting approaches completely ineffective.
- Atmosphere
Depending on what you’re looking for when playing blackjack, the overall atmosphere may be a vital consideration. Do you get energized by spending quality time with others or are you fine with playing alone in your apartment? The player experience you’re after will help you determine whether online or offline casinos are a better choice for you personally.
- Player rewards
What are you looking for in terms of player rewards? Online casino rewards can be quite lucrative, but they’re also different compared to what a traditional offline casino might offer. The latter, for instance, may reward your loyalty with a free stay at one of the establishment’s accompanying hotels, complimentary drinks and meals, or even shopping credits, whereas the former will offer cashback, reload bonuses, and more.
- Strategy assistance
Playing blackjack optimally is incredibly easy when playing online. There’s nothing stopping you from using your personal list of rules or a blackjack strategy chart. With its help, you can make the right play in any situation. If, however, you were thinking about whipping out your trusty strategy chart in a traditional casino, someone might look at you sideways. Remember: in an offline environment, proper casino etiquette goes a long way.
- Hands per hour
Depending on how busy the table is, you can expect to play somewhere in the ballpark of 30 to 50 hands in a traditional offline casino. In an online blackjack room, shooting for 100 hands an hour is entirely realistic, so the difference can be anywhere from 2x to 3x. If you’re working on improving your decision-making speed, you need to position yourself in an environment that allows you to use your time as efficiently as possible.
Conclusion
Offline vs. online blackjack is a never-ending debate and there are no clear winners. What’s right for you may be unsuitable for someone else and vice-versa. But based on the factors covered above, you should be well equipped to make the right decision in regard to what works best for you.
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