By James Kelly.
Blackjack is at an interesting intersection right now. While the art of being a pro player is alive and well, there are certain conditions in (land-based) casinos that have changed the game. For example, there is the much-discussed move to a 6:5 payout for a ‘natural’ in some casinos, leaving a bad taste in the mouths of players. That 6:5 payout instead of the traditional 3:2 is estimated to raise the house edge from a fraction of a percentage point to about 1.4%. It’s one of the reasons that pro players avoid casinos that have changed the payout.
But what about online casinos? The first thing to say is that you can get blackjack with an ultra-low house edge (in the form of RTP). For example, DraftKings Blackjack powered by Blackthrone Studios has an RTP of just 99.62%. However, it is also the case that top blackjack sites online will have a massive selection of games, and there is a big variation in the RTP and house edge (if played with live dealers) levels.
Check before you bet
The best rule of thumb is to simply check before you place any bets. If you load up an online game, head to the payout section and see the published figure. This is where we found the information for DraftKings Blackjack. If it’s not in the payout section, it might be in the rules section. The vast majority of reputable casinos publish this information, so it will be available somewhere.
If the blackjack game has a lower-than-expected RTP, then you need to ask why, as it is not always an indication of the casino gunning for more profits. For example, a lower RTP is sometimes a trade off for bigger prizes, such as progressive jackpots attached to the game. As a general rule, side bets in blackjack tend to have a lower RTP than the main game, so this may eat into the overall RTP rate.
Look for low RTP Blackjack
If it is classic blackjack that you are after, you should really be aiming for an online game with an RTP lower than 1%, preferably lower than 0.5%, which puts it on a par with the blackjack (with a 3:2 payout for a natural) at land-based casinos. Of course, there are other factors to consider, including the number of decks used. If you can find it, single-deck blackjack is the way to go.
One other thing to consider is that, while based on software and random number generators, online blackjack is supposed to be played with optimum strategy. Indeed, if you play sloppily, the RTP can be impacted. This is also usually explained in the rules section, which can provide guides to what is expected for an optimum strategy.
In the end, you’ll get a massive selection of blackjack at online platforms. There is usually something for everyone, including options to play with more archaic rules like surrender. Yet, it’s worth doing your homework first: Load up the games and make sure you are choosing the title that is right for your style of play. The information is all there, and it may be to your advantage to use it.
IMAGE CREDIT: Flickr.com