Should We Play Free Bet Blackjack?

What do you think of the Free Bet Blackjack? How good or bad is this version of blackjack? I've seen several videos online that make it seem like a good game. It almost seems that the push for the dealer’s 22 is the only downside.

When questions like these come in, we miss Arnold Snyder the most. Before he passed away a few months ago, this question would have taken us 10 seconds to forward to him for another of his always-informed and insightful answers. RIP Arnold.

Anyway, we believe he would have said that Free Bet Blackjack is an interesting, fun, and often exciting game with a house edge similar to regular blackjack with optimal play.

Free Bet Blackjack is the same as the regular game played with 6 decks, except for the following: 1) You can double down for free -- you don't match your bet with your own money, but it pays double if you win, same as in traditional blackjack -- if you're holding 9, 10, or 11; 2) you can split any two pairs except 10s, also for free (these free bets are where the name comes from); 3) from what we've seen, blackjack usually pays 3-2; and 4) here's the catch -- if the dealer busts with 22, all active bets are pushes.

Basic strategy is a little different, given the free doubles and splits, and Michael Shackleford has worked out the changes, which you can see on his Free Bet page at WizardofOdds.com.

Michael also pegs the house advantage at 1.04%, which is lower than 6-5 blackjack by almost a half-percent, and the free double downs and splits make Free Bet Blackjack much more riveting than the standard game.

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Have a question that hasn't been answered? Email us with your suggestion.

Missed a Question of the Day?

Have a Question?

Tomorrow's Question

Has Clark County ever considered legalizing prostitution?

Comments

Kevin Rough Sep-11-2023

Palace Station

The only place that I have ever seen it was Palace Station and it was 6-5.

lennylasvegas Sep-11-2023

At 20 Casinos in LV

Since Anthony puts about as much effort into providing complete answers to the QOD as he does in getting discounts and coupons for the Members Rewards book, I'll try to fill in the blanks. Taking the additional 10 seconds (that Anthony couldn't be bothered with) to perform an internet search, I found a July 2023 post stating that Free Play Blackjack is available at 20 casinos in Las Vegas. 3-2 play is available at the Eastside Cannery, Golden Gate, Plaza and The D.  It is 6-5 at all other locations.  This page provides some great info about Free Bet Blackjack and many other blackjack variations that are out there:  https://www.onlineunitedstatescasinos.com/las-vegas/blackjack/variants/

Anthony Curtis Sep-11-2023

Angry?

Aside from emphasizing that the game gets worse when naturals pay 6-5 and suggesting that you can avoid 6-5 by playing at Eastside Cannery, which is closed (so you really can), I don't see anything in the link that adds to the answer. Also not sure what you're apparently so angry about. Send me an email if you like.

Lotel Sep-11-2023

House advantage

What is the House advantage for the average player?  and can we all just get along.

[email protected] Sep-11-2023

lennylasvegas google??

"Anthony couldn't be bothered with...an internet search?" Hey genius...Why bother with Anthony and LVA if you can get all your answers from googling on the Internet? And btw it's been proven that the Internet is WRONG at least 50% of the time anyway...

David Miller Sep-11-2023

@ The Virgin

  They offer Free Bet blackjack @ the Virgin - Mohegan Sun casino - I don't remember if it is 3/2 or 6/5.

Bob Nelson Sep-11-2023

Angry!

He seems to be angry because you or your staff isn't spending 10 hours on a 5000 word essay to answer somewhat random questions every day, for free - at least up to now.  Also doesn't seem to understand that including a detailed list of everywhere that offers a certain game and conditions will just leave a bunch of outdated information in your QA archive within days/weeks.

Tabbycat Sep-11-2023

Short Answer …

No.

Unlike COVID, all game variants are bad.

VegasVic Sep-11-2023

Lenny

Lenny must be a lot of fun to hang out with. Being bitter and petty always attracts people.

King of the Bovines Sep-11-2023

It's a 'Carnival Game'

By definition, it is worse than regular blackjack.

Throw in that you don't use regular basic strategy, but have to use a slightly different strategy to get that 1.04% house edge probably shouldn't be worth the effort compared to an 8 deck regular blackjack game with a .66% house edge.

So it's most likely twice as bad to the casual gambler than regular blackjack.

Not the worst Carnival Game...

Question of the Day - 11 September 2023

Comments