Blackjack is one of the most popular games in the casino sphere. However, it is also one of the more complicated. Many might believe that these two statements contradict each other. That is why, in this article, we are going to take a look at what blackjack is, what makes it complicated, what makes it popular, and anything else that newbies might need to know.
What is Blackjack?
Blackjack is a banking card game, the roots of which go back centuries. The card game involves a dealer (banker) sharing cards among a group of players. Each player is dealt cards until they ask to hold or until they reach a total sum of 21. Exceeding 21 results in a loss.
Online blackjack exists in two notable versions; digital and live. Digital blackjack is a staple of any casino. When most people talk about online blackjack, this is what they are referring to. Yet, that does not mean that this is the most popular variant of blackjack.
Indeed, many people prefer live blackjack. Live blackjack involves a living human dealer broadcasting themselves in front of an audience. The players interact with the dealer from a chat group. An excellent example would be Novibet blackjack, where you can immerse yourself into an original casino experience.
Complexities of Blackjack
It is easy to say that blackjack is a game of pure luck. After all, nobody can control the outcome of the cards after the dealer has given it a good shuffle. However, to say that blackjack is purely luck-based would be misleading.
We often hear about great players who’ve managed to rig the blackjack system in their favor. Card counters have found ways to perform incredible feats in blackjack. Of course, card counting is considered cheating at best, and can get players in legal trouble at worst. However, card counting is not the only blackjack strategy.
There are also the numerous betting strategies, that involve managing a bankroll, coming up with the best way to wager, and thinking about the amount that should be wagered, and when. Strategies like the Martingale and the Fibonacci are examples of notable betting strategies.
Why Blackjack Remains Popular
Finally, we must discuss why blackjack has remained a staple of casinos, and one of the most popular games for new gamblers. It isn’t as simple as say, roulette or slots, so why do most newcomers flock to the game? The answer is that blackjack has excellent player odds.
House edge is the percentile representation of a casino’s expected revenue. For example, if a game has a 5% house edge, it means that 5% of the total money wagered on that game will end up in the casino’s pocket. For most casino games, the house edge fluctuates between 2.5% and 5%.
For blackjack, however, the house edge tends to stay at around 1.5%, and it almost never exceeds that percentage. Depending on the number of decks being used, the percentage can drop to 0.5%, and even lower. That low house edge is why blackjack is such a huge hit.
