Blackjack is one of the most common online casino games in the world. Millions of players play this exciting game of hitting, doubling, and the dreaded busting every year. Its popularity stems from its fast-paced action, the superstition and betting styles surrounding it, and its great odds. Blackjack is almost always the best game to play at a casino, assuming you use optimal online blackjack strategy. With the standard Vegas payout of 99.54%, blackjack can keep your gambling dollar alive for quite a long time.

Unfortunately, as the casino industry grows, so do the numerous unsavoury rules that are being attached to American blackjack. Thankfully, online casinos still have largely generous payouts, and the rules are generally adequate. However, always be sure to check for these three terrible rules. If you do see one in your chosen blackjack game, make sure the game is offering other exceptional rules to counter it.

#3: No Hole Card

The hole card is the face-down card the dealer gives him or herself. In a conventional game of American blackjack, the dealer will check the hole card if his or her up card is a ten or ace to see if he or she has blackjack. While it’s frustrating when the dealer has blackjack, it’s good that the dealer runs this check before players make additional bets like doubling or splitting. If the dealer doesn’t have a hole card, players will lose all of these bets if the dealer ends up getting blackjack. This rule typically costs .109%.

#2: Dealer Hits Soft 17

This rule was introduced a while ago, and is actually quite commonly found. Many people are unaware just how much of an edge it gives the house, and some may even think that the dealer hitting soft 17 is a good thing. It isn’t. While it does increase the chance of the dealer busting, it more greatly increases the chance of the dealer getting a significantly better hand. With this rule, players can’t feel as secure when they stand with a high total. Few things are quite as frustrating as the dealer having a soft 17, then drawing a small card and wiping off your bets. It adds .212% to the overall house edge, draining your bankroll around one and a half times what a standard game would.

#1: Reduced Blackjack Pay

This bad rule is the king of awful blackjack rules, and makes the other two pale in comparison. We are unaware of any reduced payout blackjack game worth playing. While it may seem like 3:2 pay on a blackjack isn’t that big of a deal, it helps significantly in extending your bankroll. Reducing this is always a bad idea, which is why insurance is frowned upon. With standard rules, the cost of a 6:5 blackjack is a considerable 1.36%. A horrendous 1:1 blackjack increases the edge even further, with a cost of 2.27%.

While there are exceptions, it is almost never a great idea to play any American blackjack game that has one of these three rules. If there are enough factors to cancel them out, it might be worth your while. However, players are almost always better off sticking with the most traditional blackjack games they can find. Variants with names like “classic”, “Vegas”, or “American” are typically the best you can find online. And as always, use blackjack strategy tables.