Low Limit Blackjack

Posted by Dave Consolazio .

Low limit blackjack is defined by different players as varying amounts. One player might consider $5 low limit while a high roller might consider $100 a low wager. Though its arbitrary, let’s assume for the sake of this article low limit is anything $25 per hand and lower.

In live casino play you may be able to find a few $5 tables, but some casinos are moving to higher minimum wagers. If you play online you can find minimum bets of $1 or $2 most places. Low limit players have a few challenges, have to fight poor rules, and have different considerations between online and live blackjack play. I’ve put together a guide covering blackjack for low rollers below.

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Low Limit Blackjack Challenges

The two biggest challenges low level blackjack players face are finding tables offering low enough stakes and finding tables offering rules that aren’t too bad. I cover table rules in the next section so let’s consider finding low limit tables.

When you play online, you can find the lowest limit blackjack tables in the world. But what if you want to play for $5 a hand in your local casino but they have $10 minimum wagers? Your only choices are finding somewhere else to play, playing online, or getting the local casino to let you play for less than the table minimum. The first thing to do is ask if they might lower the table minimum. If they aren’t busy I’ve seen this work a few times. If they hesitate, offer to play two hands at $5 each instead of just one.

I know you want to play blackjack, but consider learning how to play Jacks or Better video poker as a backup. If your casino has 9 / 6 machines you can play with a house edge similar to blackjack and only wager $1.25 per hand on a quarter machine.

Low Limit Blackjack Table Rule Considerations

The thing that always irritates me if I just want to enjoy a few low limit hands to relax is how bad the table rules tend to be. For some reason, many casinos set up their lowest limit blackjack tables with the worst house rules.

I assume the casinos think the low rollers won’t understand or care how bad the rules are or feel they can just take advantage of small players. By far the worst rule is when blackjacks only pay 6 to 5 instead of 3 to 2. If the only tables you can find that fit your bankroll pay 6 to 5, you need to find another game to play. If all other rules are the same and you can play at $5 a hand at a 6 to 5 table and have to play for $15 at a 3 to 2 table your expected loss per hour is roughly the same.

Some of the rules you might find at the low limit tables that aren’t favorable to the player include:

Live Play

The best thing you can do when considering playing low limit blackjack live is walk around the casino and look at all the blackjack tables. See what the table limits and rules are everywhere before you start playing.

In some large casinos, the worst tables are in the main traffic areas with better tables located off the beaten path. Don’t be afraid to ask a casino employee if they have tables located elsewhere.

Online Play

When you start looking for online blackjack to play for lower limits you need to consider a few different things than playing at a local casino.

Check out our online casino reviews and research the available casinos to see which ones offer the best rules and where your money and play is safest. Most online casinos offer blackjack games with good rules, but you still need to shop around a little.

Read reviews on sites you trust and conduct research on making deposits and withdrawals before starting to play online for real money.

Should You Still Join the Player’s Club as a Low Roller?

You should join the player’s club, either online or where you play locally, before playing another hand. It doesn’t matter if you play for small stakes or not, the player’s club gives away free stuff. You’re playing at the casino and the casino is willing to give you special bonuses, free meals, and who knows what else, so why wouldn’t you try to get some extra benefits?

If you’re a successful card counter you may want to not sign up. Otherwise, earn as many benefits as possible.

Advantages of Low Limit Blackjack

Card Counting

Card Counting

Things aren’t all bad for low limit players. If you’re learning how to count cards and want to start practicing in a real environment the low limit tables are a great place to start. The pit doesn’t watch the low limit tables for counters as closely as the higher limits.

Play the Long Game

Play the Long Game

You can clear an online blackjack bonus at the low limits just like at the higher limits, it just takes more time. Isn’t that what most players want? Don’t we want the ability to gamble for as long as possible? Most players also want to win, but most of us keep playing even after we get a payout.

Game Variety

Game Variety

The majority of real money blackjack players are low limit players. While most in-person casinos cater to high rollers, the low rollers account for a great deal of play. Online casinos offer plenty of games for low stakes players so look for the best rules, the best games, and the best comps.

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Dave Consolazio

Dave Consolazio has been passionate about writing and sports journalism since his high school years. He has a degree in Broadcast Journalism from USC where he worked with the school's radio and television stations. His work has been featured in SportsbookReview, Sports Illustrated and SB Nation. Dave's experience ranges across multiple fields in the gambling industry. You can find his sports, casino, and poker articles in GambleOnline.co.

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