Free Blackjack / How to pick a blackjack table
How to pick a blackjack table
Read the felt before you sit. You want blackjack paying 3 to 2, a dealer who stands on all 17s, and doubling after a split. Skip 6-to-5 tables and skip the side bets.
What to look for
| Rule | Good | Bad | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackjack pays | 3 to 2 | 6 to 5 | 6 to 5 costs about 1.4% of every bet |
| Dealer and soft 17 | Stands on all 17s | Hits soft 17 | About 0.2% |
| Double after split | Allowed | Not allowed | About 0.1% |
| Surrender | Offered | Not offered | A small gain when you use it right |
| Decks | Fewer | More | Small, but fewer is better |
3 to 2 or walk away
A 6-to-5 table pays $12 on a $10 blackjack instead of $15. That one rule costs more than every other rule on the felt. Look for "Blackjack pays 3 to 2" printed in the felt. If the casino only has 6 to 5, play somewhere else.
Skip the side bets
Perfect Pairs, 21+3 and the rest keep about 3% to 6% of every bet, many times more than the main game. Side bets explained.
What a night costs
Four hours of $25 hands at about 70 hands an hour, with good play:
| Table | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 3 to 2, dealer stands on 17 | about $35 |
| 6 to 5 | about $130 |
| 6 to 5, plus $5 Perfect Pairs every hand | about $215 |
The table minimum
Pick a minimum that is a small slice of what you brought. Bringing 40 times the minimum gives you room for a normal losing streak.
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Questions
What is the best blackjack table to play?
Blackjack paying 3 to 2, dealer stands on all 17s, double after split, and surrender if offered.
Is 6 to 5 blackjack worth playing?
No. It costs about 1.4% of every bet, more than every other rule combined.
How much money should I bring to play blackjack?
About 40 times the table minimum for a session gives you room for a normal losing streak.
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