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Free Bet Blackjack
Free Bet Blackjack is one of the most popular blackjack variants in Las Vegas.
In most ways, it is identical to the traditional game. However, there are several significant differences.
The main difference is that the house pays the bet for a player to split and double down. This can result in up to seven free bets in a hand if a player splits three times and has double-down opportunities on all of them.
These free bets mean players have the chance to land massive wins with little risk.
Click chips from your bank to move them onto the table and make your bet. Click chips on the table to take them back. Click Deal, and the dealer will toss you two cards. Options to Hit, Stand. Free Bet Blackjack is a popular variant of the classic game of 21. It was first introduced at Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas in the summer of 2012, but quickly became available at gambling establishments across the city, the US, and the world. The game can also be played online.
Like all great blackjack rules, there is a trade-off for that. We go over that in this review of Free Bet Blackjack.
How Free Bet Blackjack Differs from Traditional Blackjack
The major difference between Free Bet Blackjack and the traditional version of the game is that a player gets free splits and double downs. There are some limitations to these advantages.
Free double downs are only available on 9, 10, and 11 hands that do not include an ace. The rule applies to before and after splitting. It must be on the first two cards dealt.
Players may double down on hands other than 9, 10, and 11. It just requires a normal match of the original bet.
Pairs may be split, except if the card has a value of 10. Multiple free splits and draws can occur on the same hand.
Free Bet Blackjack Rules
For example, if a player is dealt a pair of 8s, the first split is free. If another 8 is dealt, the player gets a free split again. If the player gets a 3 to make 11 in any or all the splits, the double down is also on the house.
Players do not get the free bet perks without having to give something up in return.
A big downside to this variant is that the dealer pushes any player left in the hand if the house makes a 22. This rule originated in Blackjack Switch and has spread to other games like Free Bet Blackjack to offset favorable rule variants.
Players dealt a blackjack get paid as normal if the dealer makes a 22. Any hand that busted before the dealer draws loses.
- Specifically, players in Free Bet Blackjack can double-down on 2 card scores of 9, 10, or 11 at no additional cost. The bet will be covered by the house and winning hands will be paid back their original wager plus winnings equal to double that wager. All other results are the same as in regular blackjack.
- Click chips from your bank to move them onto the table and make your bet. Click chips on the table to take them back. Click Deal, and the dealer will toss you two cards. Options to Hit, Stand.
A hand of Free Bet Blackjack starts with making a wager. Place the bet in the circle in front of you on the table.
The minimum bet is usually $5 or $10. Once all bets are made, all players and the dealer receive two cards. One of the dealer’s cards is placed face up.
Any player that receives an ace and a 10-value card has a blackjack. This is paid immediately, unless the dealer also has a blackjack. In that case, it is a push.
Most casinos pay 6 to 5 for a natural in Free Bet Blackjack. This means that for every $5 wagered, the player wins $6. Some casinos pay the standard 3:2 on a blackjack. This pays $3 for every $2 wagered.
The action starts with the first player clockwise from the dealer. This bettor decides which action to take.
- The primary options are hit, stand, or double down
- If the two cards are a pair, split is available
- Surrender is not available in Free Bet Blackjack
If a player hits, a card is added to the existing hand. The player can hit until the hand busts, meaning it goes over 21. A hand that busts automatically loses. Stand is when the player is satisfied with the point total and does not want any more cards.
Double down is permitted on any first two cards. The house will cover the bet if the count is a 9, 10, or 11. A double down is where the bet is doubled, and the player receives only one card. The player must keep this card and cannot draw any more.
A player with a qualifying pair may split. This is where the hand is turned into two, and each stack receives a new card to complete it.
From here, the options start all over again with hit, stand, double down, and split all offered. The exception is when the player splits aces. This hand cannot be hit but may be split again.
Once all players have acted, the dealer exposes the house’s down card.
- If the dealer has 18 or higher, the house stands
- If it has 16 or lower, the dealer hits
- The dealer also hits soft 17. This is an ace and any number of cards that equal six
- If the dealer has hard 17, meaning it can bust, the house stands
The dealer busts on any hand of 23 or higher. If the dealer makes 22, all players still in the hand push.
Once the dealer acts, all players with cards have their hands compared with the dealer’s hand.
If the player has more points than the dealer, the player wins even money. If the dealer and the player have the same number, the hand pushes. This means that the player receives the bet back as if the hand never happened.
If the dealer has a higher total than the player, the house wins.
The unique feature in Free Bet Blackjack is that the house pays for most splits and double downs. Many casinos have a special chip that is placed next to the hand receiving the free bet.
If the hand wins, the house matches all the free bets it laid out plus the original bet of the player. If the hand pushes, nothing happens. If the hand loses, the player only loses the original bet.
Free Bet Blackjack Strategy
The best Free Bet Blackjack strategy has some similarities to traditional blackjack.
The exceptions are when the player is dealt a pair or a 9, 10, or 11.
- Take the free split on all pairs except 5s because that should be doubled, and 10-value cards because they are not free
- Take the free double down any time you are dealt a 9, 10, or 11
- These rules apply regardless of what the dealer’s door card is
If a hand does not have a free split or double in it, follow this Free Bet Blackjack strategy.
The first section involves hard hands, meaning they do not have an ace or can bust. The second section involves soft hands, meaning an ace is contained in them that may be used as a 1 or 11 at the time.
- Hit any hand eight or lower
- Hit 12 against all dealer door cards, except a 5 or 6, when you should stand
- Hit 13, except against a dealer’s 3, 4, 5, or 6
- Stand on 14, 15, and 16 against a dealer’s 2 through 6. Otherwise, stand with those hands
- Stand on all hard hands of 17 and above, regardless of what card the dealer shows
- Always hit a soft hand of 13 through 15
- Hit soft 16, except against a dealer’s 6, where the hand should be doubled
- Hit soft 17, except against a 5 or 6, where it should be doubled
- Stand on soft 18 against a 2, 3, 4, 7, or 8
- Double down against a 5 or 6
- Hit soft 18 versus a 9, 10, or ace
- Stand on soft 19 or higher
The strategy chart below is a useful tool for following these Free Bet Blackjack strategy rules.
Where to Play Free Bet Blackjack
Most Free Bet Blackjack tables are in Las Vegas.
Unfortunately, many casinos decided to pay 6:5 on a blackjack. There are some exceptions, though. The following venues all spread the game with a 3:2 payout.
Free Bet Blackjack is not available at online casinos.
Our Pick
Our favorite casino for Free Bet Blackjack is at Plaza. It is on Main Street in Downtown Las Vegas, across from the Fremont Street Experience.
One reason this is our top pick is that Plaza is generous with comps. It does not take much action for players to receive free hotel rooms and meals at Oscar’s, the steakhouse founded by former Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman.
The Free Bet Blackjack table at Plaza typically has a $5 minimum bet. This is the lowest for Free Bet Blackjack games with a 3:2 payout.
Free Bet Blackjack is a fun game when looking for something new to play. The free splits and double downs can create significant hot streaks when receiving hands that qualify. The game returns 98.96% when playing a table with a 3:2 payout. That goes down to 97.6% when blackjack pays 6:5. We recommend sticking with the 3:2 tables. If the casino pays 6:5, there are much better blackjack tables in the casino in terms of payback. Even a traditional 6:5 blackjack table has a better return.
Gaming 101: Free Bet Blackjack
Free Bet Blackjack is now available at Four Winds Casino New Buffalo and allows players to double down and split for free!
How to Play
Enjoy the traditional game of Blackjack with a twist when playing at the Free Bet Blackjack designated tables.
1.) The game starts like any other, by making a bet against the dealer.
2.) The player and the dealer will get two starting cards, at that time the player will have the opportunity to fold, hit, stay, split, or double down.
3.) If the player decides to stay, hit, or fold, the game will proceed as traditional blackjack.
4.) If a player decides to split or double down using the Free Bet option, the dealer will place a special lammer next to the player’s original wager. If the player wins the hand, they get paid as if they had made a traditional split or double, even though they did not put any additional money at risk.
Free Split
You may free split any pairs, except for 10-value cards. Free re-splitting is also allowed.
Free Double
You may free double any hard two-card total of 9, 10 or 11. Free doubling after splitting is allowed, when the above doubling rule is followed.
Push 22
Free Bet Blackjack In Kansas City
If the dealer busts with a point total of 22, any bets you have left in action are pushes.
Note: Player blackjacks are paid before the dealer hits out their hand, so they are exempt from the Push 22 rule.
Pot of Gold
Pot of Gold is a side bet which is betting on the player receiving lammers on that hand. To make a Pot of Gold bet, place wager on the Pot of Gold bet spot. The more lammers you collect during that hand by splitting or doubling, the more you win. Payouts are based on the total number of Free Bet coins collected per blackjack hand. See paytable for odds. Note: All Pot of Gold wagers lose to a dealer blackjack.
Free Bet Blackjack House Edge
Want to give our Free Bet Blackjack but need a refresher on the basics of traditional blackjack? Check out our Gaming 101: Blackjack blog.