Blackjack is a casino game loved by many and is found at plenty of casinos all over the planet. Most commonly played with eight decks of cards, the goal of the game is to form a hand of 21 without going bust and ultimately beat the dealer.
Newer players particularly question the integrity of the game; is online blackjack rigged or is it fair? Whether they are playing regular online blackjack or blackjack at land-based casinos, this question is one that the vast majority of online blackjack players end up asking at some point or another, and it’s perfectly valid.
In this detailed article, we aim to discuss what to look out for when a blackjack game is rigged and how to choose a trustworthy casino to place a real-money bet.
ARE ONLINE BLACKJACK GAMES RIGGED?
Whenever in doubt, here are a few pointers you should keep in mind:
1. LEGIT ONLINE BLACKJACK GAME CASINOS MAKE USE OF AN RNG SYSTEM
An important aspect of regular online blackjack games is the RNG (random number generator) feature. This assures that the online blackjack results are completely randomised and have no pre-determined odds. The best online casinos implement an RNG system to maintain a fair yet random experience.
Besides the aspect of fairness, online casinos also adopt RNGs to prevent fraud. No player is given special treatment, regardless of skill level, and those who attempt to procure an unfair advantage usually do not succeed in their actions. With that said, independent auditors ensure that RNG mechanics are regularly evaluated and tested to ensure fair play.
2. CASINOS THAT RIG BLACKJACK GAMES ARE USUALLY NOT AROUND FOR TOO LONG
The casino that provides rigged online blackjack games would be sure to lose all its players and money in no time. Not only would most players realise that, instead of making money through the game, it is being suspiciously lost, but legit casinos always make sure to provide fair gambling experiences to protect their reputation as well as reassure newer players through their years of supplying games.
3. ONLINE CASINOS DO NOT NEED TO RIG YOUR BLACKJACK GAME TO MAKE MONEY
You may think that online gambling sites have to cheat in blackjack games in some way, shape or form to benefit. However, this is in fact not the case. The house edge ensures that the casino is profiting in the long run, regardless of what happens.
Compared to other online casino games, the blackjack house edge is low, with only a one to two percent advantage over players. This may not sound like much when considering one player in an individual session, however, this slight increase is quite significant when combining all players and all the money put into blackjack games.
It is not just the house edge that gives the casino a slight advantage, but also human error. No player is perfect and even the greatest of players may make mistakes occasionally. For this reason, the casino has a chance of more profit.
Keep in mind that a house edge does not make online casinos rigged. Casino sites need a system to make money to continue running, and hence, have a slight upper hand in games. With that said, most casinos are usually rather transparent and clear about the house edge to players from the get-go.
4. LEGIT ONLINE CASINOS ARE REGULATED AND MONITORED
Rules and regulations are to be expected at online casinos due to their nature. A regional gaming commission is responsible for keeping an eye on the casino’s activities, such as overseeing all blackjack games. Gambling authorities and regulations ensure that every player gets to enjoy fair games of blackjack as well as other games offered by casinos.
5. IT IS NOT THE CASINO ITSELF THAT CREATES BLACKJACK GAMES
Online blackjack games are not likely to be rigged since the casino itself is not the one that programs them. Online gambling casinos license games available on site through third-party developers.
This might lead you to think about whether online blackjack is rigged, rather than the casino. However, similar to online casinos, software providers rely on creating high-quality and reliable products to keep growing their business and upkeep their reputation. Additionally, strict industry requirements also come into play for software developers, to ensure fairness to blackjack players.
WHY DO SO MANY PLAYERS THINK THAT THE ONLINE BLACKJACK GAME IS RIGGED?
Is online blackjack rigged? Many who play live dealer blackjack are concerned about the fairness of online gaming as they may not understand the full process of the game.
Although there are real cards at a brick-and-mortar casino, there isn’t that same sense of security when playing blackjack online. This does not mean that online blackjack is rigged, but it can definitely cause a few more question marks to pop up in your head at online casinos.
When online blackjack players experience a losing streak, it is not uncommon to think that blackjack games have been programmed unjustly. When you lose one too many games in a row, it may cause you to think that the online blackjack game is programmed to cheat. In reality, live online blackjack statistics have shown that your chances of winning are 42.22%, meaning that you are more likely to lose than to win — it all boils down to bad luck!
HOW TO DETECT A SUSPICIOUS CASINO SITE WITH BLACKJACK
When playing online blackjack, it is important to opt for a casino site that is trustworthy. The online casinos you choose should be able to provide proven security and be licensed by legal gaming jurisdictions around the globe, such as Gibraltar or Malta. Most online casinos that are legit would go to great lengths to establish firm gaming requirements to ensure fair play in online casino games.
Playing blackjack at a land-based casino differs from playing online blackjack games, as the latter relies on constantly improving random number generators, among other security features. Furthermore, these measures should be highly established and maintained prior to the first game being released on the site.
Before jumping into an online blackjack game, we recommend checking the following:
REVIEW THE CASINO’S SECURITY POLICIES
If the online live blackjack casino security statement is particularly difficult to locate or understand, you might want to find a new website.
Not only should the security policy address all your concerns and questions, but customer support or administration should also be able to quickly respond to any queries you may have. If this information or help is not readily available, it might be less risky to take your online blackjack experience elsewhere.
Moreover, security measures and licensing agreements should be available on the online blackjack casino’s home page. Logos of independent auditors that keep an eye on their software as well as any e-Gaming awards from respectable organisations are also green flags in our books.
CHECK OUT HOW THE CASINO ACCEPTS PAYMENTS
Another way of weeding out suspicious casinos is to check out their Payments section. Before proceeding to make a deposit, you should ensure that the server is secure and that other precautions are in place to protect you throughout all transactions. It might also be worth looking into the payment methods the casino may offer. If your options are extremely limited or seem unreliable, it would be best to take your funds and transactions to a more reputable casino.
HOW TO CHECK IF AN ONLINE BLACKJACK GAME IS RIGGED
Decades ago, untrustworthy online games were more common than today as casinos could easily rig players without regulations in place. Of course, nowadays the vast majority of casinos will offer you a safe and reliable experience when playing blackjack games. The odds of coming across an unsafe blackjack game are slim as it risks the casino’s business, besides the fact that casinos do not need to rig games to earn money.
However, that does not mean that all online casinos available on the internet are 100% reliable. In the case of suspicion, always make sure to look out for appropriate licences, check out reviews and ensure that the blackjack game you decide to play is by a reputable software provider.
The most popular example of online blackjack games rigged by a casino is the BetOnline Scandal. A few years back, a player realised that the dealer was cheating by swapping cards via second dealing. With that said, this incident was the software provider’s fault and not the casino’s fault as it is the third party business that takes care of the game.
HOW TO PROTECT MYSELF FROM RIGGED BLACKJACK ONLINE GAMES
Although not so common, it is still important to keep your eyes out for any odd online gambling casinos. When choosing an online casino to grant you a fair game when playing online blackjack, we’d recommend keeping the following questions in mind to avoid questioning whether online blackjack is rigged:
IS THE ONLINE CASINO AUDITED BY GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES?
As previously mentioned, the overwhelming majority of legit online casinos are constantly audited by authorities and third parties in order to maintain fairness in online gambling games. This prevents online blackjack rigged games from existing and taking advantage of players.
DOES THE ONLINE CASINO HAVE A GOOD REPUTATION?
A reason why gamblers may pop the ‘is online blackjack rigged?’ question is due to any past complaints that may have been directed at the casino of your choosing. If the casino has been up and running for a while, chances are it’s trusted.
The best way to ensure that your chosen casino does not have a poor reputation is to ask people you trust about which online blackjack sites that they have experience with or to search for positive reviews and good stories from players.
DOES THE ONLINE CASINO WORK WITH OTHER COMPANIES?
Another great way to tell if you’re in for blackjack rigged games is to check whether it has any payment partners or if it works with any software providers. Reputable companies would not want to slander their reputation by being associated with non-legit online casinos.
Another good way to tell if an online casino is legit is to check its payment partners and the software companies it works with. If it’s an unsafe site, reputable companies wouldn’t want their name associated with the particular online casino.
For example, the game developer Evolution (formerly Evolution Gaming) has made a name for itself in the Live Casino world, not only for creating several popular online blackjack games but for upholding a proven track record of trust-worthy titles.
PLAY ONLINE BLACKJACK SAFELY AT ENERGYCASINO
Is online blackjack rigged at EnergyCasino? Definitely not!
When looking for an online casino to play live blackjack games, one of the top choices will always be EnergyCasino. We are licensed by the MGA, offering you a safe platform play any popular casino game.
Additionally, you can nab bonuses for playing games on our ‘Promotions’ page or when participating and winning one of our exciting tournaments.
EnergyCasino also offers a wide variety of other Live Casino games, including live baccarat, poker and live game shows, giving you the Las Vegas experience in the comfort of your own home!