Blackjack has been entertaining casino lovers around the world since sometime around the 17th century.
Nowadays, there are many ways to play, and free bet blackjack in particular has caught the attention of online casino fans. Most notably, on Reddit.
Not sure how to play free bet blackjack? We've got you covered. Read on to learn how to play, tips from Redditors, and which free bet blackjack online casinos we'd recommend the most.
What is Free Bet Blackjack? Free Bet Blackjack Rules Explained
Naturally, free bet blackjack shares a lot of similarities with standard blackjack. The main difference is a player's ability to "double down" or "split" without needing to wager additional real money, hence why it's called "free bet" blackjack.
Essentially, players are given a free "voucher" or "token" to place a second bet if the following conditions are met:
- Free Double Downs: If the sum of the two cards in your hand is 9, 10, or 11, and neither of those cards is an Ace, you can double down for free.
- Free Splits: Aside from 10-value cards (aka 10s, Jacks, Queens, or Kings), any pair of same-value cards can be split for free. If another pair is drawn, you can re-split as well.
If you're wondering why the house would give free bet blackjack players this kind of advantage, it's because they've found a way to balance the scales: the "Push 22" rule. As it sounds, any round can result in a "push" if the dealer happens to bust with an exact total of 22. The only way for a player to avoid this is to hit a natural blackjack before the dealer draws their cards.
For those who may be unaware, a push is when the player and the house tie, resulting in the house refunding the player their initial bet amount. With this rule in place, free bet blackjack has a slightly higher house edge than standard blackjack. Still, it's a very popular blackjack variant thanks to higher action and lower personal volatility.
What are the Best Free Bet Blackjack Strategies?
The best free bet blackjack strategies differ quite a bit from standard blackjack without the added financial risk required to split or double down.
As such, there's a natural tendency to be more aggressive, which is instinctually correct as it's almost always in your best interest to split or double down for free whenever possible — regardless of what the dealer's cards are. That said, there are rounds that may benefit from a more defensive approach, depending on whether you have a "hard hand" (no Aces) or a "soft hand" (with an Ace).
For example, standard blackjack strategy tells us to stand on a dealer 4 with a hard 12, whereas free bet blackjack strategy suggests you hit. Conversely, free bet blackjack strategy discourages doubling down on a soft hand, even though there are multiple types of soft hands worth doubling down on when playing standard blackjack.
Refer to the table below for a summary of our best free bet blackjack strategies:
| 🖐️ Hand Type | ♠️ Your Cards | ✅ Optimal Action |
|---|---|---|
| Pairs | Any Pair (Except 10s) | Always Split |
| Hard Totals | Hard 9, 10 or 11 | Always Double Down |
| Soft Totals | Soft 16, 17 or 18 | Never Double (Hit or Stand) |
| The Rule of 12 | Hard 12 vs. Dealer 4 | Hit |
What Does Reddit Think of Free Bet Blackjack?
Most Reddit users are generally in favor of free bet blackjack, citing it as a great option for players prioritizing entertainment and variance control. On the other hand, many acknowledge that free bet blackjack likely isn't worthwhile for card counters and/or more advanced strategy-based blackjack players.
From a variance control perspective, some users noted that the ability to double down, split, or re-split without needing to subtract additional funds from your bankroll is a huge draw. In standard blackjack, the need to spend real money on more bets leads to greater overall losses if the dealer wins. In free bet blackjack, a similar loss would only result in the player losing their initial bet, whereas a win means a player could earn anywhere from 2-6x their initial bet.
When it comes to the free bet blackjack tables themselves, Reddit users were most concerned about other players. For example, a few users emphasized issues regarding free bet blackjack tables with high-paying side bets that allow players to accumulate free tokens over time (like "Pot of Gold"). This led to casual blackjack players abandoning strategy for the sake of chasing more side-bet tokens, resulting in uneducated moves that disrupted the flow of the table.
Lastly, multiple users lamented the increased house edge, which is just over 1% in free bet blackjack compared to the 0.5% edge of classic blackjack. Fortunately, one user noted that the free bet blackjack house edge can be lowered at certain tables. For example, a free bet blackjack table with 3:2 payouts where the dealer must stand on a soft 17 would drop the edge to ~0.73%.
What Are The Best Free Bet Blackjack Online Casinos According to Redditors?
The best free bet blackjack online casinos typically have multiple variants, unique rules, and other fun features. If you've never held an account with any of the casinos listed below, feel free to sign up using our links to receive a welcome bonus!
BetMGM Casino
One of our top free bet blackjack options is BetMGM Casino. Whether you prefer virtual table games or live dealer titles, there's something for you, and BetMGM's free bet blackjack variant comes with a couple of notable perks for players seeking something different.
The first is the "Six-Card Charlie" rule, meaning you will automatically win the hand if you're able to draw any six cards without busting. There are also unique side bets that can be made, including "Any Pair" and "Hot 3", giving players even more chances to win.
DraftKings Casino
Players will be impressed by the free bet blackjack options DraftKings Casino provides, hallmarked by the "infinite seat" mechanic. Anyone who plays live dealer table games knows that it can sometimes take quite a while for a virtual seat to become available.
As such, DraftKings Casino offers "Infinite Free Bet Blackjack". Simply put, this free bet blackjack variant allows an unlimited number of players to sit at a single virtual seat, with all being dealt the exact same two-card hand at the start of each round. From there, each player takes turns making independent decisions, meaning one player's result will not affect another.
BetRivers Casino
For players who predominantly play online casino games like free bet blackjack on the go, BetRivers Casino is a solid option. Available for both iOS and Android, the BetRivers Casino app has been praised for minimal lag during live dealer games.
This type of streaming requires a lot of bandwidth, which the BetRivers Casino interface does well highlight by the seamless overlay of its digital "free bet" tokens. What's more, every hand of free bet blackjack played accumulates loyalty points towards the "iRush Rewards" program, and players can unlock associated betting perks in real time.
