The coronavirus pandemic is changing so many things in life. The casino experience is one of the many forms of entertainment that people may be enjoying differently. Sitting at a socially distanced blackjack game with two other players at the table might suffice for some traditionalists. After all, this is the closest to a “normal” blackjack game.
Some blackjack players might prefer a socially distanced table with plexiglass barriers to possibly keep germs from other players and the dealer away. Sitting at a table might not suit all casino visitors and casinos have taken note of this.
Since casinos reopened many casinos have added a variety of electronic table games. Since blackjack is the most popular game on the casino floor, it’s no surprise that many of the new installations are for blackjack.
Prior to casinos closing, the electronic versions of blackjack were most popular with new gamblers, low rollers, and slot machine players who would rather play games without a dealer. Since reopening more people are playing this kind of blackjack to keep a distance from other people.
Electronic blackjack games have fewer touchpoints. There are no physical chips to touch. Since this game doesn’t deal cards, a player doesn’t touch the coated pieces of paper. Many casinos aren’t allowing card touching right now so that point might be moot depending on where you gamble. These games may allow blackjack players to feel more comfortably spaced than other games.
Playing Electronic Blackjack Games
Playing electronic blackjack games is pretty simple. However, new players may not be familiar so let’s look at the most basic instructions on how to get started playing video, electronic, and stadium blackjack.
Step 1. Locate the type of machine you’d like to play. Video blackjack, electronic blackjack, and stadium blackjack are all slightly different.
Step 2. Find a machine that offers limits and rules you’re willing to play. Rules and limits vary by casino. For example, the currently closed Park MGM only offered a game that paid even money for a natural blackjack. This is obviously worse for the player than being paid 3:2 or 6:5 for blackjack.
Step 3. Grab an open seat and insert the appropriate casino loyalty card before anything else. Similar to other machine games, this will enable you to earn points and rewards while playing.
Step 4. Insert cash into the machine. You can start small to see if you like this kind of blackjack game.
Step 5. Tap the denomination you want to bet. Stadium and electronic games will have a touchscreen where you slide a chip into the betting circle (some games also have side bets). Video blackjack is similar to video poker so just bet how many units you’d like to play. Again, this varies by casino.
Step 6. Play the game – hit, stand, split, double, etc.
Step 7. When you’re done playing hit the Collect or Cash Out button to get your money. Don’t forget to take the ticket along with your loyalty card before walking away. Cash the ticket at a bill breaker machine or cashier window.
Different Ways To Deal
There’s one difference with the video versions of blackjack. Stadium Blackjack uses a live dealer and usually deals a single hand of cards for all players to wager on. For example, a dealer might give the player a soft 17. Everyone at a Stadium Blackjack station will play the same cards but may do whatever they’d like. In this example, one person might stay on this hand, another might hit on this hand, yet another might double down for some reason.
Video and electronic blackjack tables will deal different hands to each player. So, three players at an electronic blackjack table will likely have three different hands. Video blackjack games are part of individual gaming machines where only one person is playing at a time.
Everyone has different preferences when playing an electronic blackjack game so spend a few minutes observing how a game is played before risking your money.
