The Battle of Casino Classics: Blackjack vs Roulette

Black and Roulette are two of the most recognizable, popular and fun games available in any casino. They have been around for decades, even centuries in the case of roulette and have provided thrills and fun for generations both in their land based form as well as in the new online environment.

But when it comes down to it, which is the better game, which game offers better odds, better winning options and a better entertainment factor?

The Battle of the Odds

While roulette has a simple betting system which often gives the impression of 50/50 odds for some bets nothing can be further from the truth. In terms of odds Blackjack is the clear winner as it is a game of skill as well as chance while the results of a roulette spin are 100% random. The choices a player makes can significantly affect the result of the hand and reduce the house edge. When it comes to roulette, the house edge is fixed regardless of how the player bets with the American roulette wheel giving a house edge of 5.26% while the European wheel gives a house edge of 2.70%.

While each spin of the roulette wheel is not affected by a past result, the same cannot be said about each hand in a game of Blackjack. Once a hand is over some cards are never going to appear again, giving an experienced player the chance to improve his odds of winning.

Wagers and Payouts

One of the most efficient ways to measure how much you stand to win or especially lose with any one of these classic games is by taking into consideration the pace of the game and the amount of bets you can make in a set time.

Roulette is a slower type of game, particularly when there are more players invested. By taking into account the amount of bets you can make in an hour as well as the house edge and the value of your individual bet you can easily calculate how much you risk of losing.

Blackjack on the other hand is a faster paced game where the potential to win or lose is bigger. The house edge can vary between 0.5% and 5% depending on the skill level and strategy the player uses.

Generally, even though Blackjack can allow player to have twice as many bets per hour when compared to roulette, the potential for losing (when taking into account house edge, the value of the bet and the time frame) is smaller and can be reduced even further by the player’s skill.

But Which is More Fun to Play?

Of course both games have a high entertainment value, otherwise they wouldn't have stayed so popular for such a long time. The answer is based on each individual player and their mood. If you are looking for a more social game, more leisurely paced that allows you to enjoy the action as well as the company then roulette is certainly the better choice.

If winning is your thing or better yet, if you want to have the best chance to win against the house while concentrating on your strategy then Blackjack might prove to be better suited for your needs.