Casinos have been adding electronic blackjack tables along with video versions and stadium gaming installations since before the coronavirus pandemic. These games are becoming more popular with players and casino operators since the epidemic started to impact the casino experience.
There are more of these non-traditional blackjack games in casinos than ever before. More importantly, there are more new people playing these games instead of sitting at a blackjack table with a dealer.
Playing blackjack has changed over the past year as casinos are adhering to health and safety protocols. Some of the changes may include socially distanced seating and plexigass protections. Some recreational players facing a different atmosphere at the tables have opted to play the video versions of the game instead.
While the goal of the different blackjack games is the same, there are differences. Here are a few things to keep in mind when stepping up to a blackjack machine game.
Watch your pace of play
One of the best features of traditional blackjack games is the pace of the game. The game is played at a pretty leisurely speed. That’s not always the case with the video versions of blackjack.
This can be a problem for video poker and slot machine players too. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game and play way too fast. Whatever the rules of the machine game, the casino always has the house edge.
Over time, players will lose money faster by playing faster. Try to keep a comfortable tempo when playing any form of video or electronic blackjack. This will allow you to enjoy the game longer. It should also keep the losses from piling up quickly.
Use a casino rewards card
Casino rewards programs are beneficial to all players looking to earn complementary and discount hotel rooms, meals and so on. When playing at a table, blackjack players know to place their casino rewards card with the buy in.
Table game players may not be used to playing machines and could easily forget the card when inserting cash into a blackjack machine game. One thing that blackjack players may not realize is that machine games more accurately reward players than table games.
The computers inside the blackjack games register the exact amount played for every single hand. That’s not always the case with table games. For example, a player who changes bet denominations at a table won’t likely receive an accurate rating for that money played.
Table games rate players on the average amount and time played. That’s often an estimate. Machine games are accurate as long as the card is active.
One thing to note, blackjack machine games are rated differently than table games. Check the casino rewards club for how points are dispersed.
Check the blackjack machine rules
Here’s a short section.
Players should check the rules of the blackjack game. The information may be in fine print on the machine or listed inside of the machine. Some electronic blackjack table games pay 1:1 when a player receives a natural blackjack. Obviously, this is worse than 3:2 and even 6:5.
Electronic and video blackjack is random
Electronic and video blackjack games are different than the game with a dealer. The machines are controlled by a Random Number Generator (RNG) similar to slot machines.
The game isn’t played using a single deck or shoe. All 52 cards in a deck must have an equal chance of appearing on every hand. This part of blackjack is similar to video poker machines.
There’s a 1 in 52 chance of any card being dealt on the first card. This drops by a card each time. There’s a 1 in 51 chance of any card being dealt on the second card. The third card has a 1 in 50 chance of appearing.
Card counting isn’t quite as effective when playing an electronic blackjack table or a machine. This can be a turn off to some players.
