Online vs. land-based blackjack – which is best?
In this article we take a look at online vs. land-based blackjack. Blackjack is one of those casino games where skilled players have the potential to win significant amounts of money. When players understand the likes of basic strategy, card counting and shuffle tracking they give themselves the lowest house edge possible.
There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy live blackjack at land-based casinos but, increasingly, there are also online casinos that offer an alternative. This alternative allows you to enjoy all that blackjack has to offer without even leaving your home.
We’re going to take a look at the pros and cons of the online experience when compared to the live one. Let’s get started.
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The pros of online blackjack – Online vs. land-based blackjack
There are plenty of positives when it comes to considering online blackjack over visiting a land-based casino. These include:
Online vs. land-based blackjack: The online game is faster
For many players, what really adds to the blackjack experience is the speed at which the game is played. While some players may prefer a laid-back approach, there are many who prefer the excitement of playing at speed. If you sound like the latter then online casino blackjack is going to be the best choice. Why? Well, there’s no need to wait for other players to make decisions and there’s not even the need to wait for a dealer to act. With cards being controlled by a random number generator (RNG) everything is much much faster.
A great selection of signup bonuses
One of the biggest advantages of playing blackjack online is that these casinos have some great bonuses and offers for new players. These bonuses take the form of credits that can be used to play blackjack and, you’ll also find, that many also offer free spins that can be used on some of the best slots titles. Some of the most common bonuses are matched deposits. These tend to look something along the lines of depositing will see the casino match your deposit by 100% up to a maximum of $100.
More favourable rules
There has been an increase in land-based casinos adopting rules that are less than player-friendly. One of the most common of these is the fact that many casinos will now only payout 6:5 for a natural blackjack. By heading to an online casino you’ll find that the rules are a little better. if you can master basic strategy then you’ll find yourself playing blackjack where the house edge is less than 1%.
No need for player interaction
Okay, so looking at this as a pro is perhaps debatable. There are plenty of players who attend land-based casinos because they enjoy the social aspect of the game and love making friends. That being said, there are just as many players to whom the social aspect really doesn’t appeal. Playing online blackjack is the best option for these players as it means that there is no need for any human interaction.
Lower stakes online
If you visit casinos in the likes of Las Vegas, you may find that you need a hefty bankroll to really get into it. Yes, there may be the odd casino that offers hands for $5 but these are few and far between. When you take a look at online casinos, you can find games where you’re able to get involved with less than $1 a hand. The chances of finding land-based casinos that offer similar are highly unlikely.
The cons of online blackjack – Online vs. land-based blackjack
While there are a host of pros associated with online blackjack there are also downsides to consider. These include:
Hourly losses can be high
We’ve said that playing at an online casino leads to a much faster game than you’d find at a land-based one. While this is great in some regards, the watch out here is that it can lead to a higher hourly loss rate. With more hands being played per hour, you’ll be wagering more money per hour and so the losses will, over time, be higher.
Bonuses and wagering requirements
While online casino bonuses may look attractive at first, you need to look a little deeper to make sure that there worth your time. One of the biggest things to look at is the wagering requirements that are attached to these. While wagering requirements are an accepted part of online casino bonuses some of these are higher than others. When you start to see these reach levels of 60x and higher it may be worth trying to find a bonus elsewhere.
Advantage play is restricted
We’re huge fans of strategies such as card counting and shuffle tracking. When used correctly these really can have a dramatic impact on the house edge. The problem is that these skills just can’t be used at online casinos. The fact that the RNG is used means that the deck is shuffled after each hand and it becomes impossible to keep on track.
It can get lonely online
There are some players who thrive on the atmosphere that a land-based casino provides. They need that human interaction and they need the chance to socialise. By opting to play at an online casino this element of the game is sacrificed.
Final thoughts on online vs. land-based blackjack
There are both pros and cons when looking at online blackjack vs playing at a land-based casino. The main differences between the two are based on the social aspect and the strategies that can be used during a game. When deciding which is the best, the reality is that this is all down to personal preference.
There is a third option to consider that perhaps can be seen as taking the middle ground. This can be found at online casinos that offer live dealer games. These allow players to interact with the dealer and see the cards being dealt just as they do at an actual casino. These live dealer games are growing in popularity as they bridge the gap between the traditional online game and that at land-based casinos.
| 21+ | Terms & Conditions Apply | NJ Residents Only | ||
| $25 FREE on Signup 100% up to $1.000 on First Deposit Hotspot Leaderboard | Visit Casino |
