Blackjack vs. poker – which is best for you?
Whether you’re looking at the best online casinos or looking to attend a land-based establishment, you’ll find that blackjack and poker are two of the most popular games that exist. While there are plenty of players who love just leaving their games all down to chance with the likes of slots, others like to have a degree of control and to be able to influence the outcome of a game. With the right skills and strategies, that’s just what you can do with blackjack and poker. Read on to learn all about Blackjack vs poker.
It can’t be denied that these two popular games have much in common but it’s worth noting that there are plenty of differences too. We’re going to take a look at the pros and cons of both so that you can decide which is the right game for you.
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Blackjack vs. Poker – first considerations
When it comes to deciding which game is right for you, the first thing to be aware of is that, at its basic level, blackjack is a game with much simpler rules. With the aim of getting as close to 21 as possible, it’s a game that is easy to learn and one that you can pick up extremely quickly. Of course, should you decide to master the likes of basic blackjack strategy and card counting, things get a little more complicated but the game is still known, and loved, as being one of simplicity.
Poker is a game that’s viewed a little differently. Even to get started with playing this one, there are a whole host of rules to get your head around. That’s not a reason to avoid the game but it’s worth being aware of the fact that it may take a little more time to get going.
Blackjack vs poker – The advantages of playing blackjack
For blackjack to be as popular as it is, there has to be a selection of pros associated with the game. The fact that so many choose this game over poker means that it must have clear advantages over the other game. Here’s a look at what many would consider being the key ones:
You can get started quicker
As we’ve already touched upon, blackjack is a game that you can learn quickly and start playing in no time at all. The rules of the game are relatively simple and that means that you can master these much quicker than you can those in poker. Even though there are a number of blackjack variants, these tend to have subtle differences and the underlying game stays pretty much the same.
Control the house edge
One of the major attractions when it comes to blackjack is that it has one of the lowest house edges of all casino games. What makes this game even better is that there are actions that you can take to bring that house edge right down and give yourself the very best chance of a win. By learning basic strategy, or even by having a chart in front of you, you can take control of the house edge.
It’s you vs. the dealer
With poker, you’re facing a range of other players and trying to outwit and beat them. When it comes to blackjack, the other players don’t matter as you’re only trying to beat the dealer. The actions taken by other players don’t matter and even the dealer’s actions are limited by casino rules.
Blackjack vs poker – Disadvantages of blackjack
Of course, nothing is perfect and the game also has its downsides. These include:
The house will always win
Yes, there will be wins but over the long term, players are always set to lose. While there are a handful of professional players who may be exceptions to the rule, the majority of players will be out of pocket when all’s said and done.
You still need luck
While strategy is important when playing blackjack, it’s still all but impossible to win without luck on your side. Poker is different here as skill will always triumph over luck.
The casino always has the edge
Yes, you can use basic strategy to get the house edge right down but that edge will always exist. There’s nothing that you can do to give yourself the advantage.
Blackjack vs poker – Why poker could be a better choice
The biggest appeal of poker for many players is the fact that it’s a game of skill. This means that players have control over the outcome and have no need to rely on luck. This means that, when you’ve mastered the skills required, you can ensure that your wins and profits are consistent. There’s also the chance to play against players who lack basic skills and that means that your chances of winning increase even more.
That being said, poker still has its downsides too. These include:
Casinos take a hefty cut
No matter what casino you’re playing at, land-based or online casino, the house will be looking to take a cut of your winnings. This is charged as a percentage and will differ from casino to casino.
You need a great deal of patience
Blackjack is a game of speed whereas poker can be long and drawn out at times. You need to wait for the right moment to make your next move and this just doesn’t suit some personality types.
Stiff competition
If you’re wanting to master the game and break through as one of the top players, the competition is fierce. The rise of online casinos has meant that more and more people are playing the game and you’ll need to be something quite special to make it as a pro.
Final thoughts on Blackjack vs poker
As we’ve seen, both blackjack and poker have their own pros and cons. When it comes to deciding which is the best game to play, much will come down to your personality and what you seek from a casino game. Both are certainly highly enjoyable and the best way to find which is right for you is to simply give them a go.
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