Blackjack Ante, what is it, and should you pay them up?

Have you noticed? Some offline casinos charge Ante to sit at a blackjack table and get cards. While the Ante is typically quite low and averages around $0.50 to $1 per hand, it could be handy to know what they are and if you should pay them up.

In the article that follows, we’ll dive deep into the Ante blackjack topic. So, if you aim to be a prolific advantage player, this one is for you.

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Blackjack Ante

A blackjack player’s tale

It wasn’t long ago that we heard about this blackjack player who was ready to take his game to the next level. And things didn’t go quite according to plan.

Indeed, this is because the table this player sat at charged Ante. Looking at the math, it’s evident that Ante blackjack games are not ideal for advantage players.

To sum up, suppose you play an average of 100 hands per hour. This means you’ll lose some of your expected value (EV) to the house. In this case, it’s $50 per hour, the player in question lost. Now, imagine if this player continually betted on 2 spots. Then the total EV lost would amount to a jaw-dropping $100 per hour. To recover such losses, an advantage player would need to wager $100 at a true 3 to compensate for the extra the house charges to join a blackjack game they host.

Why do brick-and-mortar venues offer ante blackjack but not online casinos?

Sure, not all blackjack tables at a brick-and-mortar casino come with Ante. If they did, possibly no advantage player would visit them. Some compared the blackjack Ante with the parking price. Ask yourself this question, would you visit a casino that charges you $50 to park your car as you play? Possibly not…

The truth be told; Ante blackjack games are for less-savvy players. All and all, by offering Ante Blackjack games, the house can build its cash flow. And later provide more value via comps programs or rewarding competitions.

Remember that blackjack is not poker. It’s acceptable to pay Ante at a poker table since the house needs to collect rake to make it worth it for them. However, when playing blackjack, the house already makes money on losses. And that’s why Blackjack Antes are so different from the ones you’ll pay at a poker cash game, for example.

Our top tip – Look out for special nights where you don’t have to pay the Blackjack Ante

Suppose you see more value in offline games than online casino games, but the Ante the venue charge puts you off from visiting it. Then our top tip would be to subscribe to your casino’s newsletter. This way, you’ll quickly know if they ever hold a “no ante” blackjack night. Then you can earn EV by visiting them. You can also ask the dealer at the table about any special occasion or night where Ante is not in play. This way, you stand more chances of beating the game.

What to take out of this blackjack ante article?

Being informed about the casino’s terms before sitting at any table is paramount. If you’re shy to ask the dealer, you can also ask for this information at the cage of any venue.

Sure, Ante blackjack games are beatable, as previously mentioned when the table’s count equals a true 3. But to do that, you’ll need a considerable bankroll. So, remember to do the math to understand your risk instead of picking any tables. Your aim as an advantage player is always to extract as much value as possible. And at first glance, Ante Blackjack games go against this principle, do you agree?

21+ | Terms & Conditions Apply | NJ Residents Only
Betmgm$25 FREE on Signup
100% up to $1.000 on First Deposit
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Review
Blackjack