The following tables show the Blackjack rules offered by some of the major online casino software providers.

Some software providers, including Real Time Gaming, Unified Gaming, and GamblingSoftware.com, allow their licensees to select their own rules so be aware of this. The rules below for Real Time Gaming used to be standard but with a software update the number of decks may be set by the operator.

Comments on Unified Gaming rule variations follow the tables.

At Microgaming and Unified Gaming casinos, the player may only double on 9 to 11. At GamblingSoftware.com casinos, the player may not double on soft hands, effectively limiting doubling from 9 to 11.

This next rule is too involved to explain in the table. In the United States, the player may lose no more than their original bet if the dealer has a Blackjack. In Europe, the dealer does not check for Blackjack until all the players are finished. If the dealer does have Blackjack then the player will lose the total amount bet, including any additional from doubling or splitting.

Naturally, the U.S. rule is advantageous for the player. Online casinos can go either way, or half and half. For example, at World Gaming and GamblingSoftware.com casinos the player will lose the full amount bet if the dealer has a 10 showing but only the original amount with an ace showing.

Boss Media, on the other hand, is the opposite. Micgrogaming has the full European rule, and Cryptologic and Unified Gaming following the full U.S. rule. The following table shows on which dealer up cards the player is subject to lose the total amount bet if the dealer has a Blackjack.

Note that some software brands have different games tables for different betting spreads. Jumping from the minimum to the maximum bet may require changing tables.

Note: The Real Time Gaming house edge is based on 4 decks. This is configurable and the online rules in my experience do not disclose the number of decks used. However, I believe most Real Time Gaming casinos to use at least 4 decks.

Note: All Microgaming rules are based on their single-hand game. They also offer a multi-hand game with the same rules, except 5 decks instead of 1. This results in a house edge of 0.57%.

One last note about the finer points of basic Blackjack strategy - Most online casinos shuffle after every hand, especially in single deck. However, just the cards on the table can be enough to deviate from the basic strategy sometimes.

• Visit The Wizard's Blackjack Appendix #3 for the fine points of basic strategy in single deck Blackjack, which is perfectly suited for playing Blackjack online.

• Check out WINNERonline's software directory to find the best place to play Blackjack.

About the author: Michael Shackleford is the mathematician and webmaster at The Wizard of Odds, a gambling site focusing on cutting the house edge as much as possible on all casino games through optimal player strategy.

Digg

Del.icio.us

Reddit

StumbleUpon

Email this page to a friend
Go to the Message Boards
Contact the editor