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Featuring straightforward rules and being easy to get started with, Blackjack is a casino staple at both land-based casinos and online gambling sites. The game of Blackjack comes with several standard betting options and many Blackjack variations allow you to place additional side wagers as well. In this article, we offer a comprehensive overview of the most popular side bets in Blackjack. Read on!

What are side bets in Blackjack?

As their name implies, side bets are additional wagers that can be placed in the game of Blackjack. While each Blackjack side wager is different, the basic premise behind most of them is to guess what cards you or the dealer will have.

Unlike other betting options such as the Blackjack split, side bets need to be placed before the dealing of the cards takes place. As such, there’s no skill involved and they are completely based on the element of chance.

A look at the most common Blackjack side bets

When playing Blackjack online, you’ll find several different types of Blackjack games. And all of them feature a different set of side betting options. But still, you can expect your side bets to be from

Insurance

This is arguably the most common Blackjack side betting option. The insurance wager covers you if the dealer’s up-card happens to be an Ace. To place the insurance bet, you need to wager an amount that’s half your initial stake for that gameplay round.

The Insurance bet pays 2:1 if the dealer’s second card leads to him having a Blackjack. While this betting option reduces the overall house edge, experienced players don’t use it as often considering the risk and the payout offered.

Perfect Pairs

This Blackjack side bet is based on the player’s cards only. Perfect pairs offer a payout if your initial two cards form a pair. The payouts for different Blackjack pairs are as follows:

• Mixed Pair – Two cards of the same value but different colour and suit forms a mixed pair in Blackjack. This Blackjack side bet pays 5:1.
• Coloured Pair – A coloured pair is made up of two cards of the same value and the same colour. The payout for getting a coloured pair right is 12:1.
• Perfect Pair – A perfect pair consists of two cards that have the same value, are from the same suit and have the same colour. A perfect pair in Blackjack pays 25:1.

While the payouts that we’ve mentioned above are pretty standard, they can vary slightly at different online and mobile casinos. So, be sure to check the paytable of your chosen Blackjack game.

21+3

This is one of the most popular side wagers you’ll come across in the game of Blackjack. 21+3 involves your initial two cards and the dealer’s face-up card. This side bet pays differently for having different card combinations, as follows:

• Flush – As with other card-based casino games, cards of the same suit make a flush here. The payout for having a flush combination is 5:1.
• Straight – A straight combination consists of cards with consecutive values. The payout for this card combination is 10:1.
• Three of a Kind – The 21+3 Blackjack side wager pays 30:1 if you have three cards of the same kind.
• Straight Flush – A straight flush is made up of cards that are in sequence and are of the same suit. When playing Blackjack online, the payout for getting a straight flush is usually 40:1.
• Suited Triple – A suited triple consists of three identical cards. As for the payout, it’s 100:1 here.

Some other Blackjack side bets explained

Along with the standard betting options like double down in Blackjack, you can find some lesser-known side wagers at selected Blackjack tables. They include:

Royal Match

– This is one of the oldest side wagers in Blackjack. With royal match, you receive a 5:2 payout on a same-suited pair. Here, the payout is 25:1 for having a suited king and queen.

Lucky Ladies

– This side bet pays 200:1 if you manage to get two queens of hearts. And if it happens that you have two queens of hearts and the dealer has a Blackjack at the same time, you can receive a whopping 1000:1 payout.

Super Sevens

– As the name implies, the Blackjack side wager focuses on the number seven card. Here, the payout ranges between 3:1 and 5000:1, based on the number of suited cards you have.

Summing Up

For many players, Blackjack side bets are wagers that add an extra bit of thrill and complexity to your gameplay. When opting to play Blackjack games that come with side betting options, make sure you know the basics and payout rules of side wagers available in your chosen game. Also, it’s important for you to remember that many side bets can result in increased house edge.

The thrills of casino gambling aren’t confined to a few casino gaming venues and a handful of gambling meccas anymore. Today, casino players can easily access and play their favourite live casino classics whenever and wherever they want.

Of course, being able to enjoy casino gaming in real-time on the top live casino platforms is pretty enjoyable. But there exist a small number of rogue live casino operators that may try to dupe and cheat players. As such, here are the things to check for when playing at a new live casino gaming platform.

Check casino licensing

This is one of the most critical aspects of live casino safety. To verify the casino license, you just need to navigate to the bottom section of your chosen live casino’s homepage and check whether they’ve listed The top live casino gambling platforms, which hold licenses from reputable gambling authorities such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), usually feature the seals of their licensing provider in the bottom section of the screen.

What are the benefits of having a casino license? Well, a gambling platform needs to go through stringent quality and security checks to obtain a casino license. As an operator, not following the licensing requirements can result in their license getting cancelled and the platform being banned from offering its services. And this is something that the top mobile casinos and the most reputable live gambling platforms would never want to happen. All in all, having a valid casino license will ensure that you always have a completely safe and secure casino gaming experience.

SSL encryption is a requirement

When playing casino games at a live casino, you’ll have to share your personal and financial details with the platform to verify your identity and make deposits.

And you’d never want any third party to have access to all of that sensitive information. So, make sure that your selected live casino platform has SSL encryption technology in place. If you’re unaware, SSL encryption encrypts all your details into a special format that can be accessed only by you and the casino.

Also, you must always set a strong and complicated password for your casino account. Furthermore, you can use the two-factor authentication feature if your gambling platform has it.

Use reliable payment options

Another critical element of live casino safety is the payment methods available. This is because you’ll use those payment options to transact real money. So, they need to be completely secure and risk-free. Most players tend to choose payment options that suit their preferences (which is also critical), but you must also take safety and reliability factors into account when doing so.

If your chosen platform has several different payment options from reliable providers, it’s usually a positive sign. The top payment companies employ top-notch security measures to ensure that all payments on their platforms are completely secure.

Furthermore, ensure that your chosen casino gambling platform doesn’t prolong cash-out times. Certain casinos may take up to a few days to verify your identity and process your withdrawals. But if it takes several weeks or months to cash out your winnings, it’s better to stay away from such sites.

Never share personal details in live chat

Whether you want to play the game of Blackjack or wish to try your hands at the live Baccarat game, you’ll have the option to interact with the croupier and other players via the live chat feature. The ability to chat in real time is great because it allows you to ask questions and share your thoughts about the game.

But when using the live chat facility, it’s imperative to be mindful of what you’re sharing. As a player, you must never share your personal info and financial details in live chat. This is because the information can be used against you if a rogue player sees it.

Summing Up

When playing at any reliable live casino, you’ll usually find roulette games and other titles from renowned live software providers such as Evolution, Playtech and NetEnt. Along with the casino platform, all of these top game providers have state-of-the-art streaming and security technologies in place. However, it is crucial to check the security aspects of a new and less-known live casino before playing. By following the tips mentioned in our article, you can expect to have a safe, fair and reliable live casino gaming experience.

Featuring jackpot prizes that can be significant or even life-changing, progressive jackpots are fascinating slot games to play online. In this article, we delve deep into the basics and other fundamentals of progressive slot games. We also explain how progressive slot machines can trigger the jackpot prize. Read on!

A look at the basics and the workings of progressive jackpots

Progressive slots are online slot games that come with progressive jackpots attached. A progressive slot game’s top payout increases until it is won by a player, unlike other slot games with a fixed payout.

Depending on your chosen progressive slot game, the jackpot prize can start at a few hundred dollars and go all the way up to millions of dollars. To offer such huge prizes, a part of each player’s wager is added to the final jackpot amount. Also, keep in mind that the regular prizes in many progressive slot games aren’t always substantial.

When playing progressive jackpot slots, players need to wager the maximum number of coins on each to be eligible for the jackpot prize. If you don’t, you may not be able to claim the progressive jackpot even after lining up the required combination of slot machine symbols.

The working of progressive slots is quite straightforward to understand. In progressive slots, the jackpot amount keeps increasing until someone wins it. Jackpots rise by adding a percentage of each wager to the total jackpot. After winning, the jackpot amount is reset to a predetermined level and rises again.

The different types of progressive jackpot slots explained

In the world of online slots, there are three main types of progressive slot games. And each of these progressive slot types differs in terms of payouts offered and the number of players taking part. Below we’ve explained these progressive slot types in more detail:

Standalone progressives

As the name suggests, this progressive jackpot type is limited to just a single slot machine. Here, a percentage of each player’s bet on that slot machine is added to the final jackpot amount. As standalone jackpots aren’t linked to a wider network, the amount offered is usually lower than the other two types.

Local progressives

Also referred to as “in-house jackpots”, local progressives are linked between several machines within a short distance. Due to their nature, land-based gambling venues usually offer local progressive slots. As wagers from multiple machines contribute to the final jackpot amount here, these machines have bigger jackpot rewards than standalone machines.

Network progressives

Also referred to as wide-area progressives, these machines come with some of the biggest jackpot prizes. This is because network progressives are usually linked across multiple online or mobile casinos. The chances of grabbing the final prize in network slots are slim, but the amount can be life-changing if won.

How are progressive jackpots triggered?

As with other online slot types, the way progressive jackpots get triggered varies from one software provider to another. While certain progressive jackpots can only be won during specific bonus rounds, others require you to line up specific symbols on slots paylines. Here are some of the most common ways to trigger jackpots in these slots:

Jackpot wheel mode

Some progressive slots with high slot machine volatility come with a jackpot wheel mode that can be activated by lining up specific symbols on the reels. Upon triggering, players are transferred to a different screen and offered the chance to spin the reels.

The different jackpot amounts that can be claimed on the progressive wheel are listed. As a player, you just need to click on ‘Spin’ to initiate the spinning of the wheel. The jackpot prize is then awarded to you as the final prize. After this, the jackpot amount reverts to its initial level again.

Matching symbols

Matching symbols is another way to trigger the jackpot prize in progressive slots. Just as in regular online slot games, there must be a winning combination to win. The number of symbols players need to match to trigger the bonus feature depends on your chosen progressive slot game.

Collect 3 symbols

This jackpot-triggering option is simple to understand. Here, you need to collect 3 symbols to claim the jackpot prize. While this may seem like an easy thing to do, lining up the three symbols that trigger the jackpot prize is the most difficult task to do in progressive slots.

Beginners may believe that betting is limited to classic casino games and sporting events. However, there are many other things to bet on, including TV, movies, and politics. Additionally, many players are unaware of several bizarre betting options. Here are some of the craziest things you can wager on if you want to try something different.

Extraterrestrial life

Throughout history, scientists and astronomers have debated whether extraterrestrial life exists. Math and science geniuses are no longer the only ones who understand it; the betting world has also embraced it.

These days, you can find several land-based gambling venues and online casinos taking wagers on when we’ll discover alien life. As for the timeframe, it ranges from the current year to a decade or later.

While this may seem like a strange thing to wager on for many casino players, it has become a popular option among people who have a soft corner for both gambling and the universe.

The Next James Bond

In 2006, Daniel Craig made his first appearance as special agent James Bond (007) in Casino Royale, one of the most popular gambling movies to date. With the release of No Time to Die in 2021, Daniel Craig ended his nearly 15-year association with the iconic James Bond character.

The popularity of agent 007 has led to a lot of speculation about who will be the next Bond. In response, several bookmakers have accepted bets on actors like Regé-Jean Page, Henry Cavill, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy and James Norton. Fans may be backing their favourite stars, but only time will tell who will play Bond.

Cheese Rolling

If you live in the UK, you should know what cheese rolling is. But if you don’t know what cheese rolling is, here’s a short explanation: cheese rolling is a sport where participants roll a big chunk of a cheese wheel towards the bottom of the hill. Then they start a 200-yard race down the hill. Here, the contestant who is first able to finish the task wins the game.

A few years back, it was reported that the officials of the sport had sent an application to the International Olympic Committee. There was an application for it to include in the Olympic Games. As you’d guess, their application got rejected. However, it hasn’t stopped bettors from wagering on this unique sport.

Celebrity death pools

Back in the day, people doubted the existence of celebrity death pools. But with the arrival of the information age, everyone knows they exist. A casino player aware of casino myths may think of these pools as some joke. But the details they cover are mind-boggling.

Along with wagering on the year, the celebrity will die, celebrity death pools also cover betting options on the cause and the location of the death. Contrary to playing Blackjack at the best mobile casino, wagering on celebrity deaths is not always a wise idea. In other words, if you’re considering celebrity death betting, make sure it’s legal where you live.

Ferret Bingo

As the name suggests, this game is a novel way of playing classic Bingo games. Here, a ferret is placed in a cage that has numerous exit tunnels with numbers printed on them. The numbered exit tunnel the ferret comes through is then declared as the winning number.

While betting on Ferret Bingo is not as convenient as it is to play Roulette online, it’s an interesting thing to wager on. This is if you want to try something entirely different.

Pesapallo

While this may seem more like an exquisite delicacy, Pesapallo is a sport that involves the use of a bat and a ball. To give you an idea, Pesapallo can be compared to the sport of basketball or rounders.

In Finland, a large group of people consider Pesapallo as the country’s national sport. While betting markets for this sport aren’t as common as other sporting events at the live casino, local bookmakers may offer odds for more significant Pesapallo events.

When playing slot games, most players tend to check a variety of things, including the types of available symbols, the in-game bonus features and the slot machine’s RTP. But a highly significant aspect of slot machines that many players often overlook is the slot game’s volatility.

In this article, let’s delve deep into the concept of slot machine volatility and how it works in online slots. Also, we list the different types of slot volatility that you can find in both online and land-based slot games.

What is slots volatility?

In slot games, volatility is a term used to assess how high-risk a slot title is for the player. In other words, it details how often a slot machine pays out and the typical payout size.

Based on the risk involved and the size of the payout offered, slot machines can be classified into several different levels of volatility. But the three main types of slot volatility are low, medium and high. If you want to learn more about how the concept of slot volatility emerged, we recommend you take a look at our article on the history of slot machines.

Different types of slot volatility

Now that you know the basics of slot volatility, let’s take a look at the different types of volatility you can find online:

Low-volatility slot machines

As their name suggests, these slot machines have a relatively low level of risk involved. When playing low volatility slots, players stand the chance to win smaller, regular payouts (of course, if lady luck is by their side).

The final prize in low-volatility slots isn’t as enticing as in high-volatility slot games. But the fact that they pay out more often is enough to make them appealing to many slot players. Other benefits associated with low-volatility games include small minimum bets (which can vary from one game to another) and increased gameplay time.

Medium volatility slot machines

These are a kind of middle ground between low and high-volatility slot machines. Medium volatility slot machines can offer decent wins, and you don’t have to spin the reels for substantial periods to trigger the bonus round.

In many medium volatility slots, the bonus round usually triggers after a few dozen spinning rounds. Also, the final payout in these online slots can range between 100x and 500x your initial wager. This means that you can enjoy significant wins in a relatively short time if luck favours you.

High-volatility slot machines

A high-volatility slot machine is a preferred choice for players who want to try their luck at huge jackpot prizes. In these slot games, you can find scatter symbols and wilds, which are highly rewarding symbols.

A high-volatility slot machine is also known as a “high-risk” slot machine. Their payout frequency is lower than those of the other two types of slots. However, the size of the jackpot compensates for this.

High volatility slots are usually common among players who have significant bankrolls. As for the jackpot rewards, they can range between 3,000x and 10,000x your initial wager.

How to determine the volatility of a slot machine?

In an ideal world, the mobile casino will list the volatility of your chosen slot game in the information section. But sometimes, the volatility of the game may not be apparent. In such cases, here are some ways to determine the volatility of the slot game:

Try the demo version

The first way to determine the volatility of a slot game is to try its free version. While it may not be evident at first glance, the variance of a slot game remains the same in both the demo and money versions. Also, free versions don’t require to use of real cash, so you don’t need to worry about risking your bankroll to check the game’s volatility.

Check the game’s RTP

In online slot gaming, RTP is the theoretical percentage amount that a slot game is expected to return in the long term. The RTP rate is determined by the provider that offers the game. Usually, slot games with high RTP rates have higher winning chances. As such, the volatility of these slot machines is relatively low. On the other hand, the volatility of RTP slot games is high.

Do a quick online search

Another way to determine the volatility of your chosen slot game is to search for it online. The RTP of NetEnt’s Starburst slot game, for instance, can be found by searching for “Starburst Slot RTP” in your search bar. Make sure you check the volatility of a slot machine online using multiple sources to ensure it is accurate.

With simple rules and low casino advantage, Blackjack is a highly exciting casino game to play at both online casinos and land-based gambling venues. What makes Blackjack even more interesting is the fact that it allows players to place a variety of side wagers. Here, we explain to you the basics and the payouts of some of the most popular Blackjack side bets. Keep reading!

What are Blackjack side bets?

As their name implies, Blackjack side bets are additional wagers that can be placed in a Blackjack game. Both online and land-based Blackjack games offer these features in order to make blackjack more appealing.

In most Blackjack games, players need to place the initial wager before being able to make side wagers. The only exception to this rule is the Bet Behind side bet. A very positive thing about Blackjack side bets is that they pay irrespective of what happens in the main game. So, even if you lose your main bet, you are eligible to win your side bets.

Speaking about the payouts, they vary based on the specific Blackjack dealer rule and the probability of the side bet winning. In general, you can expect to receive a payout between 2 to 500 times your initial wager with Blackjack side bets.

How to place Blackjack side bets?

The same as with double down and other main betting options, placing side bets in Blackjack is easy. On the Blackjack table, you’ll find designated areas where players can place their chips. The square slots are located near the main betting area and are printed with their motives.

If you want to place a specific type of side bet, all you need to do is move your chips or point towards the betting area for that wager. In online Blackjack games, you can transfer your virtual chips with the help of your mouse or fingers. The minimum wager for Blackjack side bets is usually equal to the minimum wager size for original bets.

A look at some common Blackjack side bets

When playing Blackjack Split and other Blackjack variations, there are a variety of side bets for you to make. Below we take a look at the most common Blackjack side bets:

21+3

21+3 is a popular side bet in Blackjack. And it involves the three cards that are received in the initial Blackjack round – two face-down cards that are given to the player and one face-up card that’s received by the dealer. Here, a payout is awarded if the combination of the cards makes any of the following Poker hands – Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Straight Flush and Suited Triple.

Below we’ve listed the payouts for different 21+3 hands:

• Flush – Three cards from the same suit (5:1)
• Straight – Three cards in sequence form a straight hand (10:1)
• Three of a Kind – This hand comprises three hands of the same kind (30:1 or 25:1)
• Straight Flush – Three cards that are in sequence and of the same suit (40:1)
• Suited Triple – Three identical cards (100:1)

Lucky Ladies

Introduced in the mid-20th century, this side bet is popular among players who play Blackjack in land-based gambling venues. Here, a payout is received if the total value of the player’s initial hand is equal to 20. But note that the payout for certain card combinations is better than the rest. Here is the Lucky Ladies pay table that’s common at most gambling venues:

• Two unsuited cards totalling 20 – 4:1
• Suit cards totalling 20 – 9:1
• Matching cards which total 20 points – 19:1
• Two queen of hearts – 125:1
• Two queen of hearts plus dealer blackjack – 1,000:1

Perfect Pairs

This is another common side bet in Blackjack. Here, players bet that they will receive two cards of the same rank. The payout for this side wager depends on what kind of pair is dealt.

• Mixed pair – Two cards of the same rank, but varying colour (6:1)
• Coloured pair – Cards with the same rank and colour (12:1)
• Perfect pair – Cards that are of the same colour and have the same suit (25:1)

House edge for Blackjack side bets

Blackjack side bets are a great way to try your luck at significant monetary rewards, but it’s worth noting that they come with a relatively high casino advantage. For players who don’t know, the house edge is the mathematical advantage that the gambling venue has over you in a given casino game.

To lower the house edge in Blackjack, the basic strategy can be used. The basic strategy details the optimal move to make for each hand, based on the player’s total hand value and the dealer’s up card. The standard Blackjack system does not require knowledge of advantage gambling techniques like Blackjack card counting, but some things must be memorized.

In almost every aspect of life, myths and fallacies surround us. And casino gambling is no exception to that. In the casino gambling world, one can find several players believing notions and concepts that simply aren’t true.

We look at some common casino myths that beginners and even more experienced players believe. Read on!

Casino games can’t be won

Since casino gambling became mainstream, this casino misconception has been around. People tend to believe this notion because they don’t know how casinos work or have incorrect information about them.

To ensure that their costs are covered and profits are generated, casinos need to make money. For each of their casino offerings, casinos have a house edge. The house edge is the long-term mathematical advantage that a gambling venue has over its players.

In other words, the casino edge is a way for gambling operators to generate guaranteed returns from Roulette games and all other casino games they offer. However, the thing is that the casino advantage only applies in the long run. In the short term, you can beat the casino odds if you use the right strategy and have lady luck by your side.

Casinos provide oxygen to their gaming atmosphere to keep players energized

This is another common misconception in the land-based casino gambling world. The theory behind this fallacy is that pumping extra oxygen into the air makes people feel more energized. That way, there are higher chances that they will continue playing for longer durations.

But this idea isn’t quite true for a number of reasons. First, medical-grade oxygen can be expensive, and using it for extended periods will result in increased expenses for the gambling venue. Also, there is no scientific evidence that validates the notion that adding extra oxygen can alter playing habits.

Finally, the leading gaming commissions have special executives who keep a check on the air quality at gambling venues. Casino operators wouldn’t want to do anything that might result in their licenses being revoked.

The game will stop working if you win consistently

Although quite rare, casino software or hardware malfunctions can happen. And sometimes, this may cause the game to stop working. If a player is on a consecutive winning streak here, he may think that the machine has stopped

working due to him winning significant amounts. But again, this is just a casino myth.

As mentioned earlier, the house edge is based on the wager amount and works in the long run. That being said, the casino would only lose its profits if it stopped players from playing the game. If your game freezes when playing online, it’s more likely that you may be experiencing connectivity issues or having an incompatible device. Nevertheless, on the best mobile casino platforms, the chances of your gameplay stopping are almost close to zero.

I can be affected by the decisions of other players

In the casino gambling world, some players believe that the decisions made by others at the table can affect their outcomes as well. However, let us tell you that this is simply not the case. As long as you play at a legitimate casino, you can rest assured that the results are completely random and aren’t based on each other.

In addition, the outcome of every casino gameplay round is completely random, regardless of how other players play. If you’re still worried about this casino misconception, you should start with online gambling. As online Blackjack and other online casino games are played directly with the casino, you don’t have to worry about what other players are doing.

A casino’s loosest slot machines are located at the end of the casino

It is believed that in the early days of casino gaming, gambling platforms wanted to attract more players to their slot games. As such, they placed the looser slot machines in their corridors so that more players could see and try them. And this led to the introduction of another misconception in the casino gambling world.

While it’s true that the payouts vary from one slot machine to another, it’s impossible to know which slots pay more often over the long haul. Also, you need to factor in other things such as betting limits, payout frequency and volatility. For example, progressive slots can offer significant wins to their players, but the chances of you grabbing that huge prize reward are quite slim.

Doubling Down is a popular betting move to make in the game of Blackjack. Getting it right can greatly improve your chances of winning in the game. But if you don’t, it will quickly consume your bankroll at the Blackjack table.

That being said, knowing when you should and shouldn’t double down is an important skill to have as a Blackjack player. Here’s an article that offers insight into the use of the Blackjack double down option. Keep reading!

What is doubling down in Blackjack?

Before talking about when to double down in Blackjack, it’s important to know what the concept actually is. When playing Blackjack, the main aim is to get a hand value that’s exactly 21 or as close to it as possible. And that needs to be done by using the Blackjack hit stand option and without going bust.

While having the perfect score of 21 is great, you don’t always need it in order to win. If you ask Blackjack veterans, they’ll tell you that the real game is to have a score that’s higher than the dealer. That way, you are able to beat the dealer and win without having the perfect 21 value.

This is where the doubling down option can help you in European Blackjack and other Blackjack variations. When you double down, you increase your bet size by your initial wager to draw an extra card. As you’d guess, your final score is then calculated by adding the values of your initial two cards and the additional card.

Knowing when to double down is important because your hand gets over after using the option. Also, if you’re dealt a low card, doubling down increases your risk of losing an amount that’s double of what you’d lose in a regular Blackjack round.

When to double down in Blackjack

Here are some instances when you might consider doubling down in online Blackjack and land-based Blackjack games:

Dealer has a weak hand

This one doesn’t require much of an explanation. As a player, you’d want to double down if the dealer’s hand seems to be weak. Generally, the dealer is considered to have a weak hand if the value of his/her face up card is between 2 and 6.

Soft 16, 17, and 18s

In all Blackjack types, the term ‘soft hand’ refers to the type of hand that includes an ace and another card. Here, the ace can be counted as either 1 or 11. So, having a soft 16, 17, or 18 is another great instance to double down in Blackjack.

Hand totals 11

Almost all experienced Blackjack players would double down when the value of their initial hand is 11. This is because getting a 10 value on the extra card will make their final score exactly 21. And even if they draw a low value card, their hand will still be stronger than the one they had before doubling down.

Hard 9 or 10

When playing Blackjack, a hard hand is the one that doesn’t contain an Ace. But having a hard 9 or 10 is a good time to double down in Blackjack. Again, you can’t go bust here by drawing an additional card. And landing a high value card will make your hand better than it was before.

When not to double down in Blackjack

As with the betting moves for other online casino games, it’s not always good to use the double down option. Below we explain the situations when you should abstain from doubling down.

Dealer has an Ace

As mentioned earlier, the Ace card can be counted as either 1 or 11 in Blackjack. This flexibility in Ace rules makes it a pretty powerful card to have in the game. As such, you should avoid doubling down when the dealer has an Ace card.

Hard hand that’s higher than 11

Doubling down a hard hand that’s higher than 11 increases your chances of going bust in Blackjack. Of course, you can have a strong hand if your extra card doesn’t make you go bust. But the chances of that happening aren’t quite great.

Are Splitting and Doubling Down the same in Blackjack?

Blackjack split is another popular move to make when playing Blackjack at the top mobile casino. Unfortunately, many novice players think that splitting is the same as doubling down in Blackjack. But this isn’t actually true. While the double down move allows you to draw an extra card by doubling your initial wager, splitting provides you with the chance to split your cards into two different hands. Note that to use the splitting option, the value of your first two cards must be the same.

No matter what type of casino game you prefer to play, it’s important for you to have an understanding of return to player (casino RTP). In this guide, we dive deep into the basics and the working of casino RTP. Also, we take a look at the return-to-player percentages of some popular casino games. Continue reading!

What is Return to Player?

Return to Player, commonly referred to as casino RTP, is a term that’s used to explain the amount of money you’ll get back from the casino game. Casino RTP is given in the form of a percentage and is calculated over the long run. So, players trying a hand or two at their favourite casino title don’t need to worry much about the RTP percentage.

If you’ve been playing casino games for a while or are aware of common casino terms, you’ll notice that RTP is just the opposite of casino house edge. For players who don’t know, the house edge is the mathematical advantage that the casino game has over you as you play over time. To give you an idea of the return to player percentage, a casino game with an RTP of 97% will return 97 cents on every dollar you wager in the long run.

How is casino RTP calculated?

Now that you’ve got a basic idea about casino RTP, let’s take a look at how it is calculated. As daunting as the term “RTP” may seem, its calculation is incredibly simple. All you need to do is use the following RTP formula: Amount of money that’s returned to players divided by the amount of money that’s wagered by players.

As mentioned earlier, casino RTP can’t be based on the history of a single gameplay round. So, the casino gaming software is made to play thousands or even millions of rounds over a brief period of time to finalize the game’s RTP. And as the outcomes in online casino games are completely random, you can rest assured that the return to player percentage is accurate.

The connection between RTP and volatility

You might have heard that the longer you play a given casino game, the closer you’ll get to its theoretical RTP. But to know why exactly that happens, you need to have an understanding of casino volatility (variance).

Simply put, volatility is a term that’s used to describe how risky a given casino game is for the player. For example, a slot game that’s reported as highly volatile has a high risk associated with it. On the other hand, the risk is lower in slot games that are described as lowly volatile.

Speaking about their characteristics, casino games with high volatility offer fewer but higher wins. In contrast, the winning amount in low volatility casino games is somewhat lower, but they offer more frequent wins.

While it’s easy to think that high RTP is correlated with high volatility, let us tell you that it isn’t so. Both RTP and variance are independent, and you need to have a good understanding of the two if you want to assess whether your chosen game is actually good for you.

A look at the RTP of some popular casino games

Blackjack

Blackjack is a casino card game that’s played against the casino. Blackjack is a highly popular casino title at both land-based and online casinos, all thanks to the high return to player percentage it has to offer.

By making use of a basic strategy, the RTP in Blackjack can be increased to as high as 99.50%. When playing Blackjack online, there are a number of playing techniques for you to choose from. So, you can easily select the one that suits you the most.

Roulette

Roulette is another popular casino classic that’s enjoyed by millions of players across the globe. In Roulette, your main aim is to guess where the ball will come to a stop on the spinning wheel.

Online gambling sites offer several exciting Roulette game variations, and all of them come with varying RTP rates. European Roulette, arguably the most popular Roulette variant, has a decent RTP of 97.30%. The double zero American wheel comes with the worst return to player percentage of 94.74%.

Slots

When gambling online, you’ll find thousands of different slot gaming options at your disposal. While the RTP rate in each of these slot games is different, it usually ranges between 90 to 99% in most online slot titles.

Does high RTP always mean a good online casino?

Getting a high RTP percentage is undoubtedly important when it comes to improving your winning chances in the long run. However, that’s not the only thing you should factor in when selecting an online casino. Your chosen gambling site should hold a proper gambling license, have a variety of casino games on offer and possess an intuitive website. Considering all these things will save you from online casino scams and also make for a top-notch casino gaming experience.