Free Bet Blackjack lets you double down and split... for free! If you choose free-bet options, the dealer will place a special lammer next to your original wager. If you end up winning the hand, you get paid as if you made a traditional split or double, even though you didn't put any additional money at risk.
Getting Started
Mat a bet to play against the dealer. You and the dealer will get two starting cards, as in standard blackjack. You may also make a bet on the optional Pot of Gold wager.
The Blackjack Free Bet This is a free bet blackjack strategy which is indicated by a ‘ Free Bet ’ button which the player can access when it’s being placed to them. The strategy itself is an action in which when the dealer hits soft 17, the player can double down on any of the first two cards. Free Bet Blackjack is a blackjack variant by game inventor Geoff Hall. The twist to this one is the player doesn't have to risk his own money when splitting or doubling (most of the time). It is like playing with a generous boyfriend at the table who makes all the supplemental bets for you and lets you keep the winnings. What is the catch? Like in Geoff's other game, Blackjack Switch, if the dealer gets a 22, all bets left standing pu. Free Bet Blackjack is normally dealt out of a six-deck shoe and requires the dealer to hit soft totals of 17. Minimum bets are typically either $5 or $10. The round starts with players posting their chips in the betting circles corresponding to their spots on the table. Free Bet Blackjack is a new blackjack game in Las Vegas. Free Bet Blackjack can only be found at the Golden Nugget in Downtown Las Vegas. The game is distributed by Shuffle Master which is an arm of Scientific Games and was invented by Geoff Hall. Editor’s Picks for Best Online Blackjack in 2020.
Free Split
You may free split any pairs, except for 10-value cards. Free re-splitting is allowed.
Free Double
You may free double any two-card hard 9, 10, or 11. Free doubling after splitting is allowed, when the above doubling rule is followed.
Push 22
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 his hand, so they are exempt from the Push 22 rule.
Pot of Gold
Place a wager on the Pot of Gold bet spot. The more lammers you collect, 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.
What is Free Bet Blackjack?
Have you ever set foot in a casino playing your favorite game of blackjack and got offered that someone else pays for your bets, while you collect the winnings? You wish, right?! Well, Free Bet Blackjack does exactly what it says: a chance to play on someone else’s money!
While you will still need to put up your own cash for the initial wager, you’ll get to make double-downs and splits for free, increasing your potential wins. Of course, there are some negative rule to compensate for that, such as dealer’s becoming a Push and not bust. Nevertheless, Free Bet Blackjack, one of the newest blackjack games, is really fun and it is one of the most popular blackjack variants.
Btw, it was invented by the same guy that created Blackjack Switch and Zappit Blackjack – Geoff Hall. It first appeared in Vegas in 2012, but since then it spread across the globe. Unfortunately, it is not available for online play so in order to benefit from free bet financing you’ll have to walk into a land-based casino. We assume it will become available online in 2017.
* If you were looking for free chips and not the free bet blackjack variation – check our blackjack no deposit bonuses page.
Free Bet Blackjack Online
Before we dive into details, you should know that Free Bet blackjack odds are 98.96% (house edge of 1.04%). That’s definitely below some of the lowest house edge blackjack games, but we are here to have fun. So if you like this game, you should play it. Just play it right.Free Blackjack Games to Play
Free Bet Rules
Regardless of whether you’ve got tons of experience with this popular table game or have just started understanding the basics, you should find it relatively easy to play this variant. Many of the standard rules apply and quite a few will work in your favor.
- Playing with six decks
- Dealer hits on soft 17’s
- Blackjack pays the standard 3 to 2
- You can double after a split
- You can double on two cards only
- You can re-split to four hands, aces included!
- Surrender is not allowed
So what’s different? Regular (paid for) doubles are allowed on all two-card hands except hard 9’s, 10’s and 11’s. In case of the latter, your wager will be matched with a free double and you’ll receive 1 additional card. Should the dealer win this hand, you’ll only lose your original wager. If it ends in a push, you’ll get back what you wagered. However, if you win, on top of your wager you’ll get winnings equal to double that amount.
Free Splits are available when you’re holding a hand of any pairs except 10’s and 4’s (and you’d probably wouldn’t want to split these anyway). Your original wager is placed on one of the split hands while the other receives a free bet. Each of them is eligible for a free double or a free split. Should you win, your free bet tokens will deliver chips equaling the original bet.
Free Bet Blackjack Locations
There is one minor catch to this game: if dealer busts on 22 while you’re holding 21 or less, your wager is a push.
Free Bet Blackjack Strategy and Tips
Having in mind the specificity of this game, one general advice is to accept any free double and free split opportunity you get.
Free Blackjack Games Wizard Of Odds
Other than that, and keeping in mind that dealer hits on soft 17’s, your regular blackjack strategy should apply. Always hit on hard 9 – 11 (except 9 vs dealer’s 10), stand on hard 12 vs dealer’s 4-6 and hit on hard 13-16 only if dealer holds 7 or higher. Always stand on hard 17 or more and hit on soft 17. Stand on soft 18 unless the dealer reveals 9, 10 or an ace. Whenever you’re holding soft 19 or more, stick with it.
Free doubles aside, you should also double down on hard 9 against dealer’s 3-6 and do the same on soft 13-19 vs dealer’s 6. As far as splits go, the ones we’d recommend are already included in the freebies offer.
Free Bet Blackjack comes with many rules in your favor and really only one against, with dealer pushing on 22. As we’ve mentioned before, that brings the house edge to 1.04%.
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