Blackjack and video poker are at once both games of skill and games of luck. Today there is more luck than skill since these two great casino games have been analyzed thoroughly by computers so that we know what the best play is on every hand.
Gamers who are steadfast in making the known correct play on every hand can expect a return to player rate of about 99.5%.
However, there are some strategy moves in both games that seem counterintuitive. There is a lot more skill than is generally understood in making the correct play rather than the play that seems best.
Here are a few of the most important strategy decisions a player should make in both video poker and blackjack.
- In blackjack, avoid playing in a game that pays only 6-5 for a blackjack.
- In video poker, avoid playing in a game that pays only 8-5 or 7-5 for a full house and a flush.
- In video poker, always bet the maximum.
- In blackjack, never accept insurance.
- In video poker, learn when you should break a winning pair in order to try for a much better hand.
- In blackjack, learn when it is correct to hit with 12 or more points.
- In video poker and blackjack, use a good strategy card until you know the card perfectly by heart.
- In online games, never expect a given hand or result to happen simply because it has not happened in a long time.
Please Allow Jackpot Capital Casino to Explain These Important Points
Jackpot Capital is a leading online casino. We offer several variations of both video poker and blackjack. It is very difficult for a land-based casino to offer multiple blackjack variations because a blackjack table takes up a lot of space, and land-based casinos prefer having slots terminals in that space.
It is possible for a land-based casino to offer several variations of video poker because video poker is a digital game that players play at a terminal but, again, they prefer to have slots terminals in the space that video poker terminals would go.
What are 6-5 Blackjack and 8-5 Video Poker?
Some land-based casinos pay out only 6-5 for a blackjack and 8-5 (or sometimes 7-5) for a full house and a flush in video poker. They do this because it reduces the players’ return in blackjack and video poker and, therefore, increases the house’s edge.
Land-based casinos need the extra revenue because their operating costs are so high. Gamers have no obligation to play blackjack or video poker at these low payout rates. Here at Jackpot Capital, we pay 3-2 for a blackjack and 9-6 for a full house and a flush in video poker.
Why Should Gamers Bet the Maximum in Video Poker?
By betting the maximum, you get a chance at the extra payout for a Royal Flush. Now, it is true that a Royal Flush comes about every 40,000 hands or so. It is also true that a gamer who plays video poker often will come close to a Royal Flush or actually get one at some time.
Some gamers choose to play for less than the maximum. If you have to for financial reasons, that’s okay, but if you can afford the added bet, you should make it. By betting the maximum, you also put yourself in a position to go for the higher hands when the opportunity arises.
Why Do So Many Sites Advise Players to Avoid Taking Insurance in Blackjack?
The simple reason is that insurance, in the long run, is a losing bet. This is one of the counterintuitive actions a gamer should take as a skilled decision instead of taking the “obvious” insurance.
If you have 16 points and the dealer is showing a 7 or better, the temptation to take insurance is great. It is a genuine skill to play the hand out without taking insurance, which, even in this extreme case, is a losing bet.
Now, we should point out that insurance in real life is a very good thing. Insurance for your home, car, or health will save you a great deal of money if you face a loss from an accident or Mother Nature. Life insurance will protect your family’s standard of living if you pass away unexpectedly.
When Is it Correct to Break a Winning Pair in Order to Go for a Better Hand?
Let’s say that you have four connected cards of the same suit and a winning pair. That means that among the four cards of the same suit is at least one jack or better.
You should definitely break the winning pair in order to go for a better hand. You could hit the straight flush; you could get a straight; you could get a flush; and, finally, you might get another card to pair the high card and win with that.
There are simply a lot of ways to win the hand even if you break the winning pair that was dealt to you.
When is it a Good Move to Hit with 12 or More Points?
To fully answer this question, we would need a tutorial for just that situation. For now, you should understand that full knowledge of a strategy card for blackjack will show you when to hit with 12 or more points. Especially if the dealer is showing a 7 or better, you usually hit with 12 or more points. Even if the dealer is not showing a 7 or better, there are many times to hit with 12 or more points.
Should I Always Use a Strategy Card for Blackjack and Video Poker?
You should definitely use a strategy card until you know it by heart. Your return to player rate depends heavily on making the correct play on every hand, and the strategy card tells you what that correct play is.
Still, a lot of gamers like to feel that they can play without a strategy card. If you know the card perfectly and follow it without fail, then, yes, playing without a strategy card gives a gamer the feeling that he or she is highly skilled at the game.
Why Shouldn’t I Expect an Outcome That Hasn’t Happened in a Long Time?
This gets to the heart of online casino gaming. The random number generator decides on all outcomes. It is entirely random. Over time, the outcomes will generally reflect expected odds and results, but no single hand can be predicted.
You might expect a given result, and it might very well happen, but it might also take many hands to occur.
So, the rule of thumb is to understand and accept the role of the random number generator. Please, do not make a wild bet expecting a result that might or might not happen.
The Bottom Line on Video Poker and Blackjack
It really doesn’t matter if these games are more games of skill or games of chance. The bottom line is that if you play them and follow the established best strategy on every hand, you can expect a return to player rate of about 99.5%.
Jackpot Capital carries several variations of both blackjack and video poker. Be sure to use the correct strategy card for whichever variation you decide to play.
We also carry about 400 other games! We run a lot of great promotions. Our banking options are also user-friendly and absolutely safe, as we use the best encryption software available.