Amid a surge of new blackjack variations over the last two decades, Free Bet Blackjack has gained popularity in Vegas and certain online casinos. But what is Free Bet Blackjack and is it better than the regular 21?
Let’s explore the rules of the game, discuss the pros and cons, and find out whether Free Bet Blackjack odds make the game worth your time!
What Is Free Bet Blackjack?
Free Bet Blackjack is a relatively new blackjack game variation. It debuted in 2012 at the Golden Nugget in downtown Las Vegas.
Pot of Gold Side Bet Pay Table:
| FREE BETS | POT OF GOLD PAYS |
|---|---|
| 7 | 1000:1 |
| 6 | 300:1 |
| 5 | 100:1 |
| 4 | 60:1 |
| 3 | 30:1 |
| 2 | 10:1 |
| 1 | 3:1 |
This is the most common pay table for the Pot of Gold wager. Under this structure, the Pot of Gold Free Bet Blackjack house edge is 5.77%.
That’s quite high, so we don’t recommend placing this side bet.
If you make this side wager, always split your cards when you have the opportunity. That includes splitting 5s, which should otherwise be double-downed on.
22 Push Side Bet
The 22 push side wager is a bonus bet in Free Bet Blackjack that wins on a dealer’s 22. Contrary to the general rule of all bets pushing on a 22, the 22 push side wager gives players a chance to win.
If a player makes the 22 push side bet, however, they can win a bonus payout on a dealer’s 22. The standard payout for a 22 push side bet win is 11:1 odds. Alternatively, some casinos offer a different pay structure.
22 Push Side Bet Pay Table:
| DEALER’S HAND | ODDS |
|---|---|
| 22 Same Suit | 50:1 |
| 22 Same Color | 20:1 |
| Other | 7:1 |
The probability of a dealer landing on 22 in a six-deck game is roughly 7.4%. Given the odds and probability, players do not have an edge playing the 22 push side bet.
This bonus wager should only be made for fun as a flier, not for optimal Free Bet Blackjack strategy.
Is Free Bet Blackjack Worth Playing?
Whether Free Bet Blackjack is worth playing lies in the house edge. If you can find a table with suitable rules (the dealer standing on soft 17, for example), you can get 0.5% or lower. That’s better than most regular blackjack tables.
It’s important to employ an optimal Free Bet Blackjack strategy and follow some helpful tips to get the best odds. We’ve compiled a list of the best Free Bet Blackjack tips to keep in mind:
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Always play games with the best rules — 3:2, dealer stands on S17, free bet on soft hands
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Split all free bet pairs except 5s— only split a pair of 5s if playing Pot of Gold bet
-
Never reject free double-down bets with 9, 10, or 11
Apart from that, basic blackjack strategies should be followed.
Is Free Bet Blackjack Worth Playing?
As a general rule, Free Bet Blackjack is worth playing over traditional 6:5 blackjack games. Nevertheless, traditional 3:2 blackjack, with a high edge of roughly 0.50%, is the best choice.
Play Free Bet Blackjack Online
If you want to try Free Bet Blackjack, playing online is arguably the easiest option. With more than 20 unique blackjack games, including Free Bet tables, the online platform at Wild Casino is our top recommendation.
Currently, Wild Casino is offering a lucrative welcome bonus of $5,000 on your first five deposits. Get a 250% match bonus of up to $1,000 on your first deposit, and then a 100% match bonus of $1,000 on your next four deposits!
The “free bet” refers to doubling down or splitting pairs without risking any money. The same as traditional blackjack, players are dealt two face-up cards while the dealer will show one face-up card.
FREE BET: If the player’s two starting cards combine for a hard 9, 10, or 11, they can double down for free. Additionally, the house will cover splitting pairs aside from 10s.
To make up for the favorable odds for the players, though, all bets are a push if the dealer hits 22. Even with a 21, the hand is a push against a dealer’s 22. Now that you know the main concept behind Free Bet Blackjack, let’s break down the rules one by one.
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