Aria Brown
Invented by Geoff Hall, Free Bet Blackjack game was first unveiled in 2012 at the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas. Today, it is available in North American, European, and online casinos alike.
As the name implies, it gives you the chance to make free bets when doubling down on certain numbers or splitting particular pairs. This gives you a slight edge compared to traditional blackjack, especially for skilled players.
To maintain a house edge, all versions have one special rule in common. If the dealer busts at exactly 22 points, the hand's a push against all those who otherwise would have won. Other than that, the game structure and main rules are as usual, with minor differences or special features or side bets here or there.
Players love it because it has a low house edge and gives them more chances to win, without staking more. For newer players, it allows them to try fancier moves like splitting without risk.
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Free Bet Blackjack Basics
While every provider has its own way of handling side bets, there are clear basics that overlap at pretty much all Free Bet Blackjack tables: that is, the free bets for splitting pairs and doubling down.
You can double down on certain hands for free – typically two-card hard hands totaling 9, 10, or 11 points, though some versions accommodate more. In addition, you can split pairs – excluding 10s and face cards without risking any extra money.
Furthermore, doubling after a split is usually permitted, though details depend on the version of the game.
©Evolution Gaming
In some cases, up to three splits can be made per round, allowing you to continue with up to four hands. Each hand is treated independently. For example, one hand can be split into two or more cards, while the others remains standing.
Remember though, only certain hands can be split for free, while others will require an additional ante. And there may be different limits on free splits (typically up to two being allowed), and regular splits (usually being allowed three or four times).
The surrender option is rarely available, as this version already has so many other advantages in the player's favor.
The other main difference is the Push 22 rule. If the dealer busts with a 22, any non-busted player hands push (ie. neither win nor lose). This can be frustrating because in regular blackjack, a dealer bust with 22 would mean your win. However, it's a common rule in Free Bet Blackjack to balance out your free splitting and doubling advantages.
The rest of game play is fairly standard. And blackjack typically pays out at 3:2.
Rules and special features:
- Between six and eight decks of cards are used.
- Dealer stands on a hard 17.
- If the dealer busts on a 22, and you didn't bust, the hand results in a push.
- Can be played with different side bets, depending on the version.
- Free splitting of all cards, except those with a 10-value.
- Multiple splits allowed.
- Doubling down is allowed with any hand.
- Free doubling down is only allowed on a hard 9, 10, and 11.
- Surrender option is rarely available.
- Low house edge around 1% give or take, depending on the provider.
Overall, this blackjack variant is a very attractive option for players. The free doubling and splitting can give you a slight edge compared to traditional blackjack games, especially for skilled players who know how to make good decisions.
Similarly, as the free doubling and splitting let you explore these strategic options without risking extra money, this can be appealing for new players who might hesitate on wagering more on decisions they're not yet confident about.
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Play Free Bet Blackjack for Free
While Free Bet Blackjack is available in many land-based casinos, you won't be dealt in for free, ever. And while online casinos usually offer the advantage of allowing for completely free play to demo games, the live version from Evolution Gaming requires a real bet. So what to do?
First of all, you can engage in low stakes play, with the minimum bet to keep the risk level extra low. Or you can simply watch other players to get an impression and find out whether this variant appeals to you. Watching also helps you learn the rules and become familiar with the processes of the game.
Of course, you can also hone your skills playing many other "regular" online versions of the game completely free like Double Exposure or American Blackjack, and then apply what you learned there.
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Evolution Games
Free Bet Blackjack - Additional Rules Depending on the Provider
As Free Bet Blackjack is not a 100% standardized name, not every casino will have the exact same version or rules that apply to the game. To give you a sense of the nuanced differences, we've put together a small list of places you might play.
Tip: If you want to play the original game in its original home, The Golden Nugget still offers it at its Vegas casino, as well as its Biloxi, Atlantic City, and Laughlin branches.
Evolution Gaming / Online
©Evolution Gaming
The easiest way to enjoy the authentic Free Bet Blackjack experience is at an online casino. And no provider does it better than Evolution Gaming, the name behind some of the best live streamed casino games around.
Game play and rules are described in the basics above, with the select Free Double Down and Free Split bets available. However, note the small change here - that doubling is no longer possible once a pair of cards has been split.
The game will automatically offer the relevant free bet option whenever your hand qualifies. This way you don't have to worry about forgetting; you'll always get a prompt to make your choice.
It also has the Perfect Pairs and 21+3 side bets wrapped in. So you get a whole lot of extra possibility on every hand of this game.
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If the seats at the table are full, you can still gamble with the Bet Behind option. Instead of playing cards against the house, you're betting on one or more of the players seated at the table winning. You can also enjoy this additional bet if you're in one of those coveted seats, but we like the extra action it provides for those waiting.
Spicing all that up even further, Evolution has numerous spins on the theme, including Infinite Free Bet Blackjack, in which an unlimited number of players can participate, as well as a special VIP version.
Tulalip Resort / USA
There are lots of casinos across the USA where you can play Free Bet Blackjack including Caesars Palace, MGM Resorts International, and the Barona Resort & Casino. But since we're picking just one, we're going to go with the Tulalip Resort and its version of the game.
Basically, it's the same as what we've outlined with free splitting of all pairs, except for 10-value cards, with multiple splits allowed per round. And the free double down is offered on the first two cards with a hard total of 9, 10, or 11. Doubling is also possible after pairs have already been split. So, overall, the Free Bet Blackjack version at the Tulalip Resort can be played with up to four hands. And a 22-point dealer bust still pushes.
The small difference here is that there's an optional Push 22 bonus. Unless you bust yourself, you win this side bet if the dealer busts on 22 points.
- If the dealer holds cards with 22 points of the same suit, the bonus bet payout is 50:1.
- A same color 22-point hand pays 20:1.
- Any other dealer 22 hand combo pays out at 8:1.
- If the dealer busts on any amount above 22 points, you lose.
Also, the Tulalip game allows for surrendering after your first two cards - a rarity in this variation - though late surrenders are prohibited.
Perla Resort / Europe
Free Bet Blackjack isn't as widespread in European casinos as it is in the United States. However, it is definitely offered at some casinos. Like at the Perla, Resort & Entertainment, with locations in Croatia and Slovenia.
Played with six decks of 52 cards, the game begins after shuffling and the player seated to the far left of the table cutting the deck.
If the dealer busts on exactly 22 points, bets are a push and do not get paid out; with a natural player blackjack being an exception to the rule. That is, you'll win.
If your card total is 11 or less, you need to hit. While the dealer must draw to 16, and stand on 17. Winning combinations, including those resulting from splitting or doubling down, are paid out at a rate of 1:1. A natural blackjack is paid at the standard 3:2, unless the dealer has blackjack, in which case it's a push. You can buy insurance against a dealer 10-value or Ace up card.
Again, if your first two cards total 9, 10, or 11, you can double down free of charge. And you can split all cards without paying an additional bet, except for those worth 10 points.
You can also place the Push 22 additional bet, which is paid out if the dealer hand totals 22, at 1:1. And there's the option to purchase general insurance on a dealer up card Ace, at a cost of 50% your initial bet.
Fallsview Casino Resort / Canada
The special thing about the Free Bet Blackjack variant at the Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, is the Pot of Gold (POG) side bet. An optional wager, it ultimately leads to a bonus win for each free bet that becomes available during the round. The more, the merrier.
In other words, you're putting a side wager on whether or not the opportunity to make a free bet will arise, and if so, how many times in the coming round.
- The highest win is for 7 free bets, paying out at 1,000:1.
- 6 free bets have a Pot of Gold pay of 300:1.
- 5 = 100:1
- 4 = 60:1
- 3 = 30:1
- 2 = 10:1
- 1 = 3:1
Strategy for Free Bet Blackjack - How to Play Your Cards
A distinction must be made between real money hands and free hands. While you get your money back in the event of a "tie" after a split on a real money hand, you get nothing in the same situation for a free bet. This can be a good thing as it means you can play your free bet hands much more aggressively.
The best way to explain this is the following card comparison charts. Below is the basic strategy for a real money hand.
| Dealer's Up Card | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player's Hand | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Ace | |
| 5 to 8 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 9 to 11 | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | |
| 12 | H | H | H | S | S | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 13 | H | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 14 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 15 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | Sur | Sur | |
| 16 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | Sur | Sur | Sur | |
| 17 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | SurA | |
| 18 to 21 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | |
| Dealer's Up Card | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player's Hand | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Ace | |
| 12 to 15 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 16 | H | H | H | H | DD | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 17 | H | H | H | DD | DD | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 18 | S | S | S | DD | DD | S | S | H | H | H | |
| 19 to 21 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | |
Legend: H = hit, S = stand, DD = double down, FDD = free double down, Sur = surrender, SurA = surrender if allowed, alternatively stand / Note: face cards also count as 10.
In comparison, below is the basic strategy for free double down bets. Notice the missing surrender option, which wouldn't apply here.
| Dealer's Up Card | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player's Hand | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Ace | |
| 4 to 8 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 9 to 11 | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | |
| 12 | H | H | H | S | S | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 13 | H | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 14 | H | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 15 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 16 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 17 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | S | H | |
| 18 to 21 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | |
| Dealer's Up Card | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player's Hand | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Ace | |
| 12 to 15 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 16 | H | H | H | H | DD | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 17 | H | H | H | DD | DD | H | H | H | H | H | |
| 18 | H | H | DD | DD | DD | S | H | H | H | H | |
| 19 | S | S | S | DD | DD | S | S | S | S | S | |
| 20 | S | S | S | S | DD | S | S | S | S | S | |
| 21 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | |
Legend: H = hit, S = stand, DD = double down, FDD = free double down / Note: face cards also count as 10.
As for how to play free splits, the following strategy is recommended.
| Dealer's Up Card | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player's Hand | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Ace | |
| 2,2 | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | |
| 3,3 | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | |
| 4,4 | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | |
| 5,5 | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | FDD | |
| 6,6 | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | |
| 7,7 | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | |
| 8,8 | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | |
| 9,9 | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | |
| 10,10 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | |
| A,A | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | FS | |
Legend: S = stand, FDD = free double down, FS = free split / Note: face cards also count as 10.
A few other things to note: Even in Free Bet Blackjack, it doesn't make sense to split pairs of 10, J, Q, or K. For all other hands and pairs, as the strategy tables above show, there are clear recommendations for the next most sensible move.
Also, we'll reiterate: it's recommended to play free hands after a split much more aggressively than playing a real money hand with the same cards.
That being said, you can still always win or lose in this game of luck. So it's up to you to ultimately decide when to split, hit, double down, stand, or even surrender.
Free Bet Blackjack Tips & Tricks
Whether playing online or locally, it's always a good to read the game rules before you begin. And if the odds of winning are important, check that it's a 3:2 blackjack payout.
You may also want to choose a table with low betting limits. This is particularly useful for beginners, as Free Bet Blackjack cannot be played for free in land-based casinos or as a live game. Once you gain confidence, you can then add higher limits and play the tables accordingly.
In addition to odds, you'll 
also want to know if the version you've chosen allows for any side bets, like the Push 22 bonus, 21+3, or even the option to purchase insurance.
Take advantage of free splits and doubles. Since this game shoulders the cost of these actions, prioritize them whenever your strategy dictates (e.g., splitting 8s or doubling down on 9, 10, or 11).
Our main tip, however, is to master basic blackjack strategy, which is the foundation for good decision-making through the optimal plays for different hand combinations and dealer up cards.
While the house edge is considered relatively low, and the free bets help to your advantage, this is still a game of chance, and always a gamble. So make sure to set a budget and walk away when you reach your limit. Because all casino games, including Free Bet Blackjack, ultimately still favor the house.
Free Bet Blackjack FAQs
- What is the payout for a free bet hand?
- Where is Free Bet Blackjack offered?
- Is doubling allowed after a split?
- Are doubling and splitting always free in Free Bet Blackjack?
- Are there any side bets available in Free Bet Blackjack?
- Can I play Free Bet Blackjack on mobile?
1. What is the payout for a free bet hand?
The payout odds do not change with the free bet, but the free bet is not paid out.
For example, if you make a $5 bet, then a double down free bet, and win, you'll receive the winnings based on your stake and the free doubling portion, being $10 in winnings plus your original $5 stake paid back.
Splitting works in a similar way. One hand is with your own stake, and the other is the free bet.
If you win the hand with your own stake, you get your stake back plus the winnings; i.e. your $5 stake plus $5 in winnings, for a total of $10.
If you win the hand with the free bet, you only get the $5 winnings, since you did not put any money down for the stake.
And if both hands win, you'd get a total of $15 in this example.
2. Where is Free Bet Blackjack offered?
Free Bet Blackjack can be found in many brick and mortar casinos. It is known to be especially popular in its birthplace of Las Vegas, but due to its growing popularity, it is increasingly found elsewhere.
In addition, many online operators offer it (see our list of Free Bet Blackjack Casinos), particularly different versions of the live game, which is as exciting as it sounds.
3. Is doubling allowed after a split?
There are no strict rules for the double down option after splitting a pair of cards in Free Bet Blackjack. It depends on the provider whether they allow DAS (aka double after split).
However, this option is not particularly common as both doubling down and splitting are powerful tools for players; and allowing both on the same hand would simply give them too much of an advantage.
4. Are doubling and splitting always free in Free Bet Blackjack?
Only some options will be free. Usually, in Free Bet Blackjack, all pairs of cards can be split for free, except for those with a 10-point value. If you want to split 10-value cards, including face cards, you'll need to put up the extra bet money yourself.
The same goes for doubling down. It's usually free only on a hard 9, 10, or 11, with some exceptions depending where you play. If you want to double down on other hands, you can, but it won't be a free bet.
5. Are there any side bets available in Free Bet Blackjack?
Theoretically, operators have the option of combining Free Bet Blackjack with various optional side bets. While not standard, side bets such as the Pot of Gold and Push 22 bonus, and even standard blackjack insurance can be found in this variant. More common side bets like 21+3 or Perfect Pairs, tend to be more rare, although Evolution Gaming does allow for these.
Just remember, the side bets, whether offered in Free Bet Blackjack or in other variants, usually have a much higher house edge than the main wager, so be cautious if you choose to participate in them.
6. Can I play Free Bet Blackjack on mobile?
Yes, definitely you can play this game on your phone or tablet. All online casinos these days are mobile optimized, so that means you can access their games on a desktop or mobile device equally well. This translates to each game offered, including Free Bet Blackjack. So mobile Free Bet Blackjack is absolutely a thing.
Free Bet Blackjack Summary
Whether or not Free Bet Blackjack is a recommended game depends on your priorities and risk tolerance as a gambler.
Free Bet Blackjack generally offers a low house edge (around 1% to 1.5%) due to the free splitting and doubling down opportunities. The free splitting and doubling down features also add an element of excitement and strategic decision-making to the game. Overall that makes it fun and interesting, as is evident in its increasing popularity in casinos. And for us, definitely makes it worth playing.
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I am trained as a tax consultant, mostly because my father insisted that I get a normal job. Luckily, I listened to my heart and followed my passion in writing. Today I work as an online editor while traveling the world, which is why I'm rarely in my hometown, Toronto. By pure chance, I discovered the online casino review industry about ten years ago, and I have been testing and reviewing gambling sites since then. Personally, I prefer Blackjack and Poker games. I think the skills and strategies involved make them much more interesting than slots.