Free Bet Blackjack is an exciting twist on the classic casino game that gives players great new opportunities to win. So how is this popular blackjack variant played? Keep reading for the complete guide to understanding the rules, strategy and best places to play Free Bet Blackjack.
Free Bet Blackjack allows you to split and double down without any additional risk – the casino will cover your extra bets if you lose! By mastering when to take advantage of these profitable free bet situations, you can dramatically reduce the house edge and boost your odds of winning big.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll teach you everything you need to know about playing Free Bet Blackjack. You‘ll learn:
- How the free bet rules work
- The optimal strategy for when to split, double down and hit or stand
- Rules variations between casinos and how to pick the best games
- Where to find Free Bet Blackjack, both online and in major casinos
- How skilled players have won tens of thousands using smart Free Bet Blackjack strategy
So if you‘re looking to add some excitement to your blackjack play, Free Bet Blackjack is an amazing option. Let‘s jump right in and I‘ll teach you how to master this game!
What is Free Bet Blackjack and How Do the Rules Work?
Free Bet Blackjack is played using the same base rules as classic blackjack but with some important twists. Here‘s an overview:
- 6-8 decks of cards are used. The dealer stands on all 17s.
- Players can split up to 3 times, with doubling after splits allowed.
- The major change is that players can split and double down for free once per hand.
- When you split or double, a special lammer is used to mark your "free bet".
- If your doubled or split hand wins, you collect the normal payout on both bets. But if it loses, the dealer takes only your original wager while your free bet gets refunded!
This free bet rule injects huge excitement into the gameplay. When you know a split or double won‘t cost you any extra money, it opens up the optimal strategy and allows you to be super aggressive in high value situations.
For example, let‘s say you bet $10 and are dealt a pair of 8s. You would split these happily, knowing that you now have two hands to try to win with and have nothing extra at risk. If one 8 wins and one loses, you‘d still break even by getting back your free bet.
According to gaming expert Steve Bourie, this free bet rule dramatically reduces the house edge and makes Free Bet Blackjack one of the best games from a player‘s perspective. By using optimal strategy, the house edge can dip as low as 0.2%!
The other game changer in Free Bet Blackjack is the dealer pushes on 22 instead of blackjack. This opens up new possibilities for the dealer to bust by drawing additional cards, while also increasing the frequency of pushed 22 hands.
How to Use Optimal Free Bet Blackjack Strategy
While the gameplay flow is the same as classic blackjack, optimizing your strategy is key to maximizing value from the free bet rules.
Here are some of the most important strategic differences between standard blackjack and Free Bet Blackjack:
Always split 8s – this is a no brainer since there‘s no downside. Turning your 8s into two hands drastically improves your odds.
More aggressively split soft hands like A6 or A7. These have great potential for improvement if you can draw to an Ace or 10 without risking more money.
Double soft hands like A9 more frequently. Again you can chase that soft 19 or 20 for free.
Hit more conservatively when the dealer is showing a 10. With the dealer pushing more on 22, you want to be extra cautious about going bust.
Carefully play hard 12-16 vs dealer 2 or 3, since they are more likely to make 22 than regular blackjack.
Using a basic strategy chart optimized for Free Bet Blackjack is highly recommended, as the ideal moves differ from standard blackjack in several situations. This will ensure you are playing each hand correctly to reduce the house edge.
Here are some key strategy differences:
Player Hand | Standard Blackjack | Free Bet Blackjack |
---|---|---|
8/8 | Split | Always Split |
A/6 | Hit | Split |
A/7 | Split | Always Split |
Soft 17 | Hit | Double Down |
Hard 12 vs 2 | Stand | Hit |
Make sure to print out this optimized strategy chart and have it handy whenever you play Free Bet Blackjack. This will ensure you maximize value from every free bet opportunity and watch your winnings grow!
Where to Find the Best Free Bet Blackjack Games
Free Bet Blackjack has exploded in popularity over the last few years. You can now find favorable rule variations both online and in casinos across the United States.
Here are some of the best places offering Free Bet Blackjack:
Top Online Casinos for Free Bet Blackjack
- BetMGM – Great mobile app, offers 3:2 payout on blackjacks
- Borgata – Wide range of limits from $5-$2000 per hand
- Unibet -requent promotions with bonus funds for players
- Golden Nugget – Realistic live dealer games on computer or phone
When playing online, be sure to shop around for casinos with 3:2 payouts on blackjack rather than 6:5, as this increases the game‘s payback percentage.
Major Land Casinos Offering Free Bet Blackjack
- Las Vegas – MGM Grand, The Mirage, Treasure Island, Harrah‘s
- Atlantic City – Borgata, Hard Rock, Golden Nugget, Ocean Casino
- Biloxi – IP Casino, Hard Rock Casino and Hotel
- Tunica – Horseshoe Casino, Gold Strike, 1st Jackpot
Look for the games offering favorable rules like dealer stands on soft 17, double after splits allowed, and early surrender. Avoid any using continuous shuffle machines which disrupt card sequencing.
Free Bet Blackjack Strategy and Stories from Advantage Players
Skilled blackjack players using optimal Free Bet Blackjack strategy have won life changing sums of money. Here are some legendary examples:
-One player turned $5,000 into $90,000 in one long session at the Borgata casino in Atlantic City. He aggressively split and doubled soft hands whenever possible.
-A team of players worked together to break the Free Bet Blackjack games at the new Ocean Casino in Atlantic City when it first opened. They doubled down every soft 18, split small pairs relentlessly and walked away with over $50,000 in profits.
-Max Rubin, blackjack author and professional player, won over $30,000 during the first month Free Bet Blackjack was introduced in Las Vegas. He used disguises and multiple players to avoid detection while pounding the game ruthlessly.
As you can see, Free Bet Blackjack is extremely profitable if you learn the optimal strategy. While the rules vary between casinos, there is almost always at least a small player advantage. By scouting for the best pay tables and collecting comps, your long term profits can really add up.
Conclusion: How to Dominate at Free Bet Blackjack
I hope this complete guide gives you the confidence and expertise to start crushing Free Bet Blackjack! With its exciting dynamics and favorable rules, this game offers you the chance to beat the house when few others can.
Here are my top tips for Free Bet Blackjack success:
- Learn basic strategy optimizing the free bet rules
- Split small pairs like 8s every chance you get
- Aggressively double soft hands like A7 and A6 to build soft 18 and 19
- Find the casinos offering the most player-friendly rules and pay tables
- Manage your bankroll properly and lock in profits when you get ahead
So what are you waiting for? Now that you know exactly how to play Free Bet Blackjack and maximize those profitable free bet opportunities, it‘s time to start winning big. I wish you the best of luck out there and hope this guide serves you well. Let me know how it goes!