Blackjack vs Poker

Every casino, whether it’s a brick-and-mortar venue or an online site, will have both blackjack and poker among its many games, given the popularity of them. However, despite the immense popularity of both, players new to these games may sometimes find it difficult to get into the rules and main aspects of each.

That’s why it’s important to know the main differences, as well as the slight similarities, that connect blackjack and poker. This guide will go through the rules and gameplay of both and explain exactly what it takes to win at both.

Simplicity of Blackjack

The clearest separation between blackjack and poker is the fact that the former takes a lot less effort from the player. Ultimately, boiled down to the simplest concept, blackjack is a game where a player is dealt cards by a casino dealer or computer as both parties aim to achieve a number as close to 21 as possible without overshooting it and going bust. Getting exactly 21 means you’ve got blackjack and have won that hand outright.

The dealer will dish out a card for the player and for themselves, and the player will have to decide whether to keep going by saying “hit”, doubling down or standing and taking the chance that they have got as close to 21 as they will get. If they are closer than the dealer, they win that hand. If the dealer has a greater hand, they lose. If the value of their cards goes beyond 21, they lose, and if both of their values go bust, it’s a draw, and new hands are dealt.

Blackjack Methods

As in any casino game where a player holds some sway on the outcome, there are blackjack strategies that can be employed in an attempt to level the playing field between player and dealer as much as possible. While these can never guarantee a win, as is always the case in games of chance, they can often provide a solid base for those players looking for a structured approach to their game.

Firstly, when it comes to the odds of winning in blackjack, the player usually would have roughly 42% chance. Now, that’s not to say that you will win exactly 42% of the time, obviously, and it also doesn’t mean that the house has a 58% chance of winning. There’s around an 8% -10% chance that any hand will result in a “push”, which is a tied outcome. Because of this, standard blackjack sees the dealer with around a 49% chance of winning.

The house edge typically comes in at around 0.5%, which means it’s one of the lowest you’ll find at the casino.

Some players will use their knowledge of the probability of busts to gauge whether or not to keep the cards coming. As an example, if a dealer’s first card visible to the player is a five, this is the most regular bust card at around a 43% probability. This can inform the next step for a player as they look to make their next move.

Wide Variety of Blackjack Games

The internet has made the casino much more accessible for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Long gone are the days of the games being stuffy and limited in their scope. The sheer size of the catalogues of games available has meant that there really is something for everyone, even when it comes to games like blackjack.

You will be able to find a full list of different twists and takes on the classic game. Here are just a few of the different types that you’ll likely find.

• European blackjack
• Spanish 21
• Vegas strip blackjack
• Atlantic City blackjack
• Progressive blackjack
• Multi-hand blackjack

Some of these games will be similar to traditional blackjack, and the only differences may be superficial or slight alterations to the rules. However, the Spanish variants use 48-card decks, as well as using a table with a slightly different layout.

That means that you should always read up on the rules for the specific game you’re playing before diving straight in, even if you think you’ve got a good handle on the basic format of the game.

Complex Hands in Poker

It’s safe to say that poker is a more complex game than blackjack. While it remains a popular choice for players and is pervasive in TV and film, for many, the rules and strategies needed to succeed in the game can make it seem hard to grasp. In particular, while blackjack is a game with a simple structure that in some ways reflects another popular game in darts - don’t go past 21 - poker requires knowledge of different combinations of cards, their meanings and values, and how best to play your opponents as well as the game itself. Because of that, it’s a much more involved game that requires a lot of focus and some studying before it can be mastered.

Most amateur poker players know that the strongest hand in the game is the Royal Flush - five cards of one suit in consecutive order. If you find yourself in a make-or-break moment with one, you’re looking at a good chance of winning.

However, there are different ways of building a winning hand - especially as you won’t always experience a Royal Flush - and some of these require some strategy to navigate. For example, a Full House consists of three same-rank cards (same number or face card) and a pair of a different number or face. In this situation, your trio of cards establishes the strength of your hand, so you’re going to want to make sure that those cards are of the highest value possible before continuing with confidence.

This can seem alien to a complete beginner in the game and make it seem like an extremely complicated pastime. That may be partly true but it is what makes the game of poker such a popular one. Almost all the games of chance in a casino are based entirely on chance. That’s not exactly untrue of poker, either, but the added layer of difficulty and strategy is something that gives players the extra element in gameplay. It's a much more cerebral experience than a game like roulette, where the outcome is entirely out of your hands as soon as the dealer spins the wheel.

Strategic Play in Poker

We’ve talked extensively about the extra layers of strategy and that’s where poker has developed its mystique through the years. A player can’t rely purely on the chance of being dealt a Royal Flush every time they take a seat at the table. Instead, they need to be able to pick their moments in the game, when to bluff, and even when to fold if the game is getting away from them. This is what makes the game so intriguing, as it’s one that revolves around personality as much as the draw of the cards.

The multiplayer action of the game makes it much harder to give a player a probability of winning when it comes to poker, and this also applies to the house edge.

A typical game will not see players going against the house, as they will instead be playing against each other. As such, there isn’t a house edge for a typical game. These games are known as “rakes”. Instead, the probability will be based on the likelihood of different card combinations.

Wide Variety of Poker Games

Much like blackjack, poker is a game that has seen a great number of variants springing out of it over the years. Now that the internet has made access to tables easier than ever before, you will be able to pick from a long list of types. Some of the most common are listed below.

• Texas hold’em poker
• Omaha
• Five-card draw
• High/Low Chicago
• Stud poker

Blackjack or Poker - Which Game is Better?

At the end of the day, only you can decide which game is best for you. Everybody has their own individual preferences, and these will shape what it is that makes the perfect pastime for them. Both of these games have stood the test of time and retain a massive fanbase that will tell you why their chosen game is the best. It’s best to research both to determine what you want from your game and make an informed decision.

Some players will look at the low house edge in blackjack and see that as a good reason to choose it. Others may like the skill element that needs to be employed in poker.

However, it’s important to note that while strategies can always help you feel more in control in a game, the outcome can never be determined.