One Hand of $10 Blackjack or Two Hands of $5 at a Time?

Which is better? One hand of blackjack at $10 or two hands at $5 at the same time?

In general and ignoring card counting, there is no difference in expected value for one hand of $10 blackjack versus two hands of $5 each. However, there's a slight risk consideration.

In principle, playing two hands has a slightly lower volatility, which means the risk of winning or losing the full $10 is less. From an entertainment standpoint, playing two hands is also more fun.

But there's an additional practical consideration. Many casinos impose a greater minimum for playing multiple hands -- usually at least two times the table minimum. So if you're at a $5 table, you'd have to bet $10 per hand, or $20 total. This consideration might be enough to keep you playing at one hand of $10.

As to the effect on card counters, mixing one and two hands can be used to disguise bet variation. A card counter may also wish to use multiple hands to control how many cards are depleted per round.

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Comments

rokgpsman Feb-21-2023

Playing 2 hands sneakily

A variation on this when you want to pay 2 hands is to have a friend that doesn't play blackjack sit next to you. You can say you're teaching them how to play, give them some of your chips and tell them how to play each hand. This way you can play two hands but not have to double the minimum bet on each hand. And it's fun having a friend there at the table with you, works great with a wife or girlfriend, she gets a free drink now and then and enjoys being part of the game with you.

[email protected] Feb-21-2023

Friend

Or a husband or boyfriend! :-) He gets a free drink now and then and enjoys being a part of the game with you. :-)

O2bnVegas Feb-21-2023

not fair anyway

I always thought requiring player to double the bet when playing two hands to be unfair, greedy, etc. on the part of the casino.  Like penalizing a player for patronizing the place.  JMHO.

Candy

rokgpsman Feb-21-2023

you got me!

@[email protected]

you're right, it works that way too, I was thinking of my own situation but there's a lot of female bj players that like to play 2 hands sometimes.

Kevin Lewis Feb-21-2023

But...but...

What's a "$5 table"? Something you get at a garage sale?

spaxman Feb-22-2023

repeat

What's the difference between today's question and yesterdays? We need a Feb. 22 question

Bob Feb-22-2023

To quote the great Yogi Berra

"It's like Deja Vu all over again."

O2bnVegas Feb-22-2023

hope not

And as for the question about allowing someone to play with a 3 month old child "sleeping" in a backpack, God I hope not.  3-month olds do tend to wake up and start crying, ya know.  Imagine the trend allowing that would start!

Yeah, something got twisted up today, but they'll fix it.

Candy

Roy Furukawa Feb-22-2023

At Least…

… you know BJ will pay 3-2 if the place actually offers a $5 table.

Tim Clark Mar-02-2023

living in the past

$5 table dream on. Since covid you are lucky to find a $10 table. I like to play for fun so 20 hands @ $5 is fun. 10 hands @ $10. not so much fun, especially when you are on losing streak. Then add on 6/5 payout. I do more walking around then playing now.

Question of the Day - 21 February 2023

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