- What Casinos Have Free Bet Blackjack
- What Is Free Bet Blackjack
- Free Bet Blackjack Locations
- Blackjack Bet Table
- Free Bet Blackjack Odds
- What Casinos In Vegas Have Free Bet Blackjack
- Free Bet Blackjack Online
Blackjack online, free bet? Sounds awesome, right? People tend to be attracted to anything that’s free. The sense of having something without paying anything is everyone’s guilty pleasure. And if you find it in a blackjack game, there’s probably no reason not to take it.
The basic strategy of Free bet blackjack is to double any hard 9-11 unless the player has a nine versus a dealer 10 or ace. Split any pair that is covered by the house except for 5’s, which should be doubled. Too offset the free double down and splitting, there is one big rule that changes the game.
Free bet blackjack is one of the most popular variants of the card game invented by the genius Geoff Hall. Under this variation, the player can split and double down without placing additional wagers. Basically, the hands are played like standard blackjack. But if you’re given the chance to split or double down, you can do so for free.
For example, if you’re waging $10 for your original hand, you can double down or split without adding anything more than that. If you lose you lose nothing but if you win, you’ll get paid even money based on your original hand. So if you double down and win, your $10 becomes $40 instead of just $20.
But why would casinos give such luxury?
Too good to be true, right? Considering the nature of casinos, it’s odd why they would give players such advantage. You can easily bring the house down with this allowance. But beware, because the free bet variant comes at a certain price.
Also, the house edge is around 1%. Compared to Super Fun 21, it’s best to stick to the free bet variant.
The idea that you’re not going to risk more money lures dozens of people on these tables. It’s like having the dealer as your rich boyfriend who gets to pay for your extra wagers.
The free bet blackjack is just a new variant which emerged in 2012 at Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas. More splits and doubles were allowed and there’s no doubt that every single free bet tables are always filled with people. Nowadays, casinos can impose their own limitation on the number of splits and double downs.
However, this type of game is only available in the Golden Nugget as of last year. Some casinos may have acquired the game but it would be very rare to find one.
Pros and cons of the free bet game
Like any other variant, there would be some upsides and downsides with the free bet. If you’re planning to play this card game, take time to weigh into these points:
✔️You get free splits and double down bets
✔️You won’t lose as much money if the extra hands lose
✔️Great way to spice your game up
✔️Blackjacks won’t push on dealer’s 22
❌The dealer pushes his 22 against 21 and lower hands.
❌The house edge is higher compared to standard blackjack.
❌It’s only available in the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas
❌You need a different playing strategy.
Just because there are downsides to this game doesn’t mean you’re going to shy away from playing it. A lot of players, even expert gamblers, like this variation due to the freedom it gives the players. It may not be available as blackjack online, free bet, but casinos in Nevada are starting to take an interest.
How do you play the free bet variant?
If you’ve played standard blackjack before, we only have very little work to do here. The rules are based on standard blackjack but with very minimal differences to give the casino a reasonable edge.
The early surrender feature is removed but I think it’s just a fair bargain for the free betting that you’ll enjoy. But to guide you on specific rule variances, here are some points to remember if you are to play the free bet variant:
♥️It’s played in six decks
♥️The dealer will hit at Soft 17s and push on all 22s
♥️A blackjack has a payout of 3:2
♥️There’s no surrender rule
♥️You can double after split (DAS)
♥️You can only double on two cards
♥️Players can re-split aces and all pairs up to four hands.
What Casinos Have Free Bet Blackjack
♥️You can double down for free on any hard 9, 10, and 11 hands.
♥️You can split pairs for free except if you have 4s and 10s.
In this video, Canterbury Parks teaches us how to play the free bet variation:
Just remember that all standard blackjack rules apply here as well as the table limits set by the casino. The free bet variant is usually played on six decks without wild cards or jokers in the shoe. You can find a single-deck table in Golden Nugget but it pays 6:5 with bikini-wearing dealers. Not worth it, if you’re going to ask me.
What Is Free Bet Blackjack
So is everything free?
Nah, just because it’s called “free bet” doesn’t mean you can get away with all free splits and doubles. Sure, blackjack online, free can be played without real money, but it’s not the case with this variation. Casinos need to earn money so there would be exceptions to the rules. Here are two of the major changes you should keep in mind if you’re going to play on Golden Nugget:
Exceptions in free splits. You can split all pairs except 10s and depending on the table, all pairs of 4. When you split, your original wager will be placed in one hand and then a “free split” button on the other. You’ll then play the hands like how you play typical blackjack. You can resplit if you have another pair or double down if you the covered hard hands.
Exceptions in doubling down. You can have free double down only on hard 9, 10, and 11 hands. As for the other hands, you can double down but with additional wagers. There are three possible scenarios here after you’ve been dealt with one last card after doubling down with a free bet:
- If it’s a push, the dealer retrieves the supplemental bet s/he gave you.
- In case you lose, the dealer will get his free bet button and your original wager.
- If you win, you’ll get your original bet plus winnings that equates to the double wager amount.
Free Bet Blackjack Locations
This is already a very great opportunity for those who want to protect their money without missing the chance the win more. However, remember that a 21 pushes with a dealer’s 22. With the dealer hitting at Soft 17, there’s a high chance that s/he can yield a push during a game session.
House edge
For those who are calculating their EV, it’s important to identify the house edge before heading to the casino. Based on the Golden Nugget rules, the lowest house edge you can get for free bet blackjack is around 0.7%. This isn’t the best of all blackjack variants but not the worst either.
But if we’re to stick at the standard rules of the free bet variation, the house edge is at 1.04% – not very inviting for those who want to make profits per hour of play.
Rule variances will affect the expected return of players. Here’s a computation of Michael Shackleford from Wizard of Odds:
One-deck: -0.14$
Two decks: -0.06%
Eight decks: +0.01%
Payout of 6:5: -1.36% (jeez!)
If you’re going to play free bet, don’t consider tables that play 6:5. It’s not worth it even if you’re a card counting geek. It’s much better to invest your time and effort on a more rewarding payout rate.
Side bets
There also different side bets in the free bet variation. One of the most common is the Push 22 bet. This is like placing an insurance bet in case the dealer will push a 22 hand. Don’t worry since blackjacks won’t be affected in case the dealer pushes at 22 since it will be paid before the dealer plays his or her own hand. However, it’s not always like blackjack online, free bet.
Just remember that betting on a Push 22 isn’t free. If you lose, your money is taken by the dealer.
These are some of the side bets you can in a free bet table:
♥️Same suits. If the dealer pushes at 22 with same suits, your side bet will be paid 50:1
♥️Same color. If the dealer pushes at 22 with same color cards, you’ll be paid 20:1
♥️Any combo. Any combination of the two aforementioned compositions will be paid 8:1
Sounds like a lucrative side bet, huh? Don’t forget that casinos won’t risk their money if they’ll know that there’s a high chance you’re going to win. The higher the payout is the higher the house edge as well.
Payout
The payout for the free bet variation is the same with standard blackjack game. Blackjacks are paid 3:2, sometimes 6:5 based on the casino’s discretion. Even if you’re not going to wager your money on free bets, you’ll be paid like how standard blackjack does whenever you win the hands.
Just a friendly tip, though. Stir clear of side bets. If you want to earn a certain EV, it’s best to stick to a solid strategy.
Blackjack Bet Table
Strategy in playing the free bet variation
Basically, the basic strategy applies for this game, but we have to acknowledge the fact that the dealer won’t stand on Soft 17. In this strategy courtesy of Wizard of Odds, you’ll know what to do in different hands and dealer’s up-card:
♥️From hard 4 to 8, always hit.
♥️Free double down on hard 9, 10, and 11
♥️For a hard 12, always hit, but stand if the dealer has 5 or 6.
♥️If you have hard 13 or 14, always hit but stand if the dealer has 3 to 6.
♥️For hard 15 and 16, stand if the dealer has 2 to 6 and hit for the rest.
♥️In case of a hard 17, always stand but hit if the dealer has 7, 8, 9, or an Ace.
♥️For hard 18 to 21, always stand.
♥️In case of soft 12 to 15, always hit.
♥️For soft 16, always hit, but double with real money if the dealer has 6.
♥️If you have a soft 17, always hit but double with real money if the dealer has 5 or 6.
♥️For soft 18, always hit, but double down with real money if the dealer has 4, 5, and 6. Stand if the dealer has 7.
♥️For soft 19, always stand, but double down with real money if the dealer has 5 or 6.
♥️In case of soft 20, always stand but double down with real money if the dealer has a 6.
♥️For soft 21, always stand.
Splitting
For splitting, always free split the pairs but free double if you have a pair of 5s. One exception is you should always stand with a pair of 10s.
To make it simple, always grab free splits and doubles when it arises. There’s nothing to lose here and you also get the chance to win more money with no risk.
Is the free bet variant more profitable?
If we are to look at it on first glance, it’s definitely worth the money. However, we need to factor in the house edge and your expected profit at the end of the session.
For those playing with an optimal strategy and card counting, the free bet blackjack can be profitable. But given the fact that the dealer won’t stand on soft 17s, it reduces your upper hand against the house.
Remember, too, that free bet has a house edge of between 0.7% and 1.04%. This is higher than standard blackjack’s edge of 0.5% tops.
But if you want to have fun while enjoying the chance to gamble more without losing too much money, you can try free bet once in a while.
Conclusion
Free Bet Blackjack Odds
Bad news for those who want to try it online, the free bet variation of blackjack is currently available in Golden Nugget alone. It’s either you fly to Las Vegas just to play or explore other variants available online or in your local casinos.
As much as the free bet game is yet to find its way on online casinos, this is worth looking forward to. Somehow, knowing how to play blackjack variants sharpens your gambling skills aside from blackjack online, free. Besides, why restrict yourself to standard blackjack if you can enjoy playing under different rules?
Free Splits and Doubles Make for Aggressive Strategy in Free Bet Blackjack
When you first see the rules of Free Bet Blackjack it sounds like every player’s dream. Any time you double (on 9, 10 or 11) or split your hand, the house provides the bet for free. Since losing this free bet and a push are now of equal value, you can play these free hands very aggressively compared to the main game.
There are rules which help the house keep their edge of course (the game could not exist otherwise). The main one here is that when the dealer busts with 22, player wins become pushes. This real money blackjack variant was invented by Geoff Hall – who is also responsible for the popular Blackjack Switch. It was first introduced at the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas in 2012.
This page takes you through Free Bet Blackjack in detail. First below you will see an overview explaining how this game works. After that the strategy is covered, before I look at the pros and cons of this game compared to the many other choices available.
Overview of Free Bet Blackjack
The main game play up to when players make their decisions looks like any regular blackjack game. Each player gets two cards and the dealer shows one card with the other face down. If there are no splits or doubles, hands will play out with only one difference – that 22 for the dealer results in a push for players and not a win.
What Casinos In Vegas Have Free Bet Blackjack
When players have 9, 10 or 11 they get to double-down for free. What happens is that a player will request a double, and the dealer will place a ‘free bet’ button next to the player’s original bet. As usual a double is one card only. If this hand then wins, the player will be paid 2 units instead of one (the dealer retrieving the free bet button). In other words, you can double without risking any more than your original bet. You are allowed to double with any other total, though the free bet will not be used and you must pay as usual.
Splits are also free, and can be done up to 3 times for 4 hands total. If your cards are the same rank (not 10’s) then you split them and the dealer adds the free bet button to one of the hands. If you resplit, then you get another free bet – and so on. Most casinos will also allow you to double after a split, getting yet another free bet in the process.
With a solid strategy and 6 decks in play, this game can have a house edge as low as 1.08%.
Strategy for Free Bet Blackjack
Losing a free bet is no different to a push against the dealer. This means that it is optimal to play your free hands more aggressively than you would if it were your own money. Not only is this optimal strategy – it has the side-effect of also making this game more entertaining.
If you are dealt a pair of 5’s, the correct strategy is to take the free double – rather than the free split. Obviously, any total of 9, 10 or 11 you should always take the double, and any other pair 9’s and under you should take the free split. Rules about resplitting aces will vary.
An example of the more aggressive strategy is when you have a 14 on a free bet (after a split) against the dealer’s 2. Here you should hit, whereas if it were the original hand with your own bet, then you should stand instead. There are several more examples like this. I advise you to check out a strategy card before you play for real money – and to note the main differences between token bets and cash bets.
Pros and Cons of Free Bet Blackjack
This variation has quickly become a player favorite in live casinos – and it is easy to see why. You can double, split or even a combination of both using the house’s chips to bet with instead of your own. This keeps the risk to 1 unit, and gives you the potential to win several units on each hand. You can sometimes find a side-bet based on the number of tokens you’ll receive in a hand.
The downside is the ‘push on dealer 22’ rule. This is what swings the house edge back into positive territory for the casino. While this is only one way for the casino to bust, their hand can only get up to 26. This means one of the 5 ‘bust’ numbers (and one of the most frequent) will result in a push each time.
Summing Up – How Does Free Bet Blackjack Compare?
This game is making its way into more casinos, and I expect we will see it online soon. Like Geoff Hall’s other game (Blackjack Switch) it is a player favorite. The upside of winning multiple bets while risking only one is attractive to the players. While the push on 22 mathematically balances things out, Free Bet blackjack is still an entertaining game.
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