Is there a best version of Blackjack (or Roulette, etc.) for beginners?
For those who are unfamiliar with gambling, which type of Blackjack or Roulette do you think is better suited for beginners? What would be the most appropriate variant for first-time players in terms of ease of play and chances of winning? Thanks!
5 Answers
As a rule of thumb, blackjack beginners should focus on single-deck games, which have fewer rules, making it easier to master fundamental strategy without having to deal with multi-deck splits/hits charts or keeping track of various rules (including whether the dealer hits or stands on a soft 17).
roulette? Play European, which only has one zero on the wheel, reducing the house advantage by about 50% over American double-zero roulette. It’s simple and easy for novices, with clearly marked bets and an element of pure chance. You can’t go wrong playing the “outside” wagers like red or black, even or odd, as those bets have close to even odds with reasonably good payoffs. And both games are mellow enough to enjoy watching before starting to wager. Have fun!
If you’re new to casinos, try Classic Blackjack or French Roulette. It’s easy to learn how to play– just try to beat the dealer without busting (going over 21). Preferably seek out a game that offers a 3:2 payback ratio. French Roulette is more forgiving than American Roulette because it has the La Partage rule which lets you win half of your even-money bet if the ball lands on zero. Try both if you want, but French Roulette requires less thinking on your part. Bet small, don’t rush, and have fun!
Beginners should stick with traditional blackjack. Single deck is easier, with basic strategy: hit or stand, and don’t bust. Roulette is pure chance, whereas with blackjack, you can influence the outcome. You’re better off playing European roulette if it’s available (it has a smaller house advantage than its American counterpart, which is why it costs more). If you don’t know where to begin, start with blackjack – it’s easy and offers more room for making decisions on your own. Roulette isn’t as stressful, but you’re basically flipping a coin. Go easy.
If you play blackjack, choose Classic Blackjack (Dealer Stands on Soft 17). The rules are simple, the strategy guides are easy to understand, and the house advantage is low. Stay away from any blackjack game that has a bunch of fancy “side bets. ”
The same goes for Roulette – use a European (single-zero) table; American (double-zero) are just too hard. At least to begin with, just bet on colors (red or black), or evens and odds. Easy peasy.
Start with Blackjack if you prefer to have some influence over the outcome or lose as little as possible while learning. Go with Roulette if you want a fast-paced experience that’s low-stakes and fun. In either case, go into your first session with the lowest stake possible.
Beginners should play single-deck or European Blackjack; they offer low house advantages, easy rules, and real player strategy. Preferably, the croupier checks blackjack only on 10s: that’s a rare little edge for you! Roulette? French Roulette, please. It offers the lowest house advantage (La Partage). Both games can be learned quickly, but Blackjack offers the most opportunities for strategic thinking to give you an edge. Take it slowly, casually, and modestly. Don’t think big.