Blackjack players at online casinos sometimes wonder if the game is a scam. We are here to dig out the truth.

Why Players Ask This Question

It is a common human trait to look for patterns in occurrences around us. This is why our ancestors were able to note the changes in the seasons and decide which was the best time to plow the fields, hunt animals, or bring in the harvest. Unfortunately, this trait is a hindrance when we try to base our casino play outcomes on pattern recognition.

Blackjack players in particular might go through a string of losses to the dealer and conclude that the casino must be rigging the game in the dealer’s favor. Funny enough, though, a player on a winning streak will not come to a similar conclusion. The truth is that our minds tend to be more alert to patterns with negative outcomes.

How RNG and Live Dealer Blackjack Actually Work

In Classic Blackjack, the general aim of the game is to see who, between the dealer and the player, gets to collect cards whose total comes to 21 or lower. If none of the dealt card groups hit 21, then the closest card total lower than 21 is the winner. Overshooting 21 is an automatic loss. 

In licensed and accredited casinos, the requirement is that the casino practices fair play. Online casinos employ an RNG (Random Number Generator) to ensure that the outcome of games at the casino is completely random and therefore, unpredictable. 

Since the RNG is software, it performs as programmed. Of course, software can be tampered with, but online casinos have several safeguards against doing so. Licensing from reputable bodies ensures that casino games, including blackjack, are fair. Reputable casinos are also regularly audited for fairness by recognized casino audit entities.

Live dealer blackjack is where an online casino uses a human dealer to deal out the cards in a live-streamed video instead of a computer-generated dealer. This style of play was developed due to the demand by gamblers for the human touch in some online casino games. 

Licensed Casinos vs Rogue Operators

Online Casinos are in the business for profit. However, the profits must be made legally. Licensed casinos make money by retaining a percentage of the money wagered and returning the remainder to the players as winnings. The casino’s percentage of profit is what is sometimes referred to as the house's edge. In the long run, a casino will always retain more money than it pays out.

Unethical and rogue casinos, however, exist. These operators are unregulated. Since casino regulatory bodies do not supervise their activities, they are likely to use underhanded methods to make profits. Tampering with the randomness of the casino games, including blackjack, is likely for these unscrupulous casino operators.

How to Verify Fairness

For the informed casino player, there are several things to look for before deciding to commit real money while playing at your favorite online casino. The first sign of legitimacy of an online casino is the license it operates under. Not having a license means a casino can do as it pleases without care for its clients. For such a casino, fairness is the least of its concerns. 

Using an RNG (Random Number Generator) at a casino means that the outcome of any game operating in this software is unpredictable. The RNG is the backbone of fairness in casino games. However, the RNG can be manipulated in a rogue casino. To make sure it is used correctly, there should be an independent oversight body.

eCOGRA is an example of an independent casino agency that tests online casinos to ensure that they conform to the industry’s standards. If an online casino employs the services of oversight agencies, it is likely to observe fairness and other business best practices. Lastly, a helpful customer care department is an indicator that a casino takes its clients seriously, including any complaints of unfair treatment.

Myths vs Reality - Common Misconceptions

There are several reasons why casino players distrust the validity of the results from online Blackjack games. Most of this distrust is due to ignorance about measures casinos put in place to ensure fair play. Players also believe some myths about casino game operations. Luckily, facts can be used to debunk most of these myths and set the record straight.

• Casinos freeze games after you go on a winning streak to prevent you from winning more. This is simply not true. The RNG operates on a percentage of losses and wins, but in no particular order. What is true, however, is that in the long run, the house’s edge ensures that the casino will always win at the expense of players.
• A specific blackjack table is hot or cold. Again, this misconception is based on the misunderstanding of the unpredictability of the RNG. If you could correctly determine which hand pays out, then the casino would lose its business.
• Online casinos are out to scam players. This myth is often perpetuated by players on a losing streak. However, with the proper checks and balances in place, online casinos are simply businesses serving a need in society. 
• Live Dealers are fairer than virtual blackjack. This myth stems from the human need for interaction with a fellow human being. The dealer, in any form, operates from the premise of randomness.

Tips to Avoid Shady Blackjack Site

How can you determine that an online casino is up to no good? These are some red flags to look out for when an online casino is involved in some monkey business.

If a casino is unknown, it is best to keep away. Reputable blackjack online casinos take their reputations very seriously. Any complaint of unfair treatment at such a casino will be taken seriously and investigations carried out. Conversely, a rogue casino has no obligations to anyone.

Getting a license from a recognized gambling authority is one of the signs that a casino’s blackjack site is legit. The licenses can be both international and local. To check the license a casino operates under, visit the ‘About Us/Home' section on its site.

The use of RNG software is an indicator that a casino cares about fair play. In addition, the casino should have a regular audit of its operations by a reputable agency. If a casino does not have an RNG, players should keep off. Unfortunately, some rogue casinos could tamper with the RNG to rip off players. A good place to start is to read customer reviews about a casino’s suspicious behavior before signing up.

Arm yourself with information about how to spot rogue casinos before signing up. Some casinos will offer huge bonuses at specific games so as to entice new players. However, once you sign up, you do not get what was promised.

Final Verdict - Can Online Blackjack be Trusted?

Most online casinos operating under valid licenses are trustworthy. Their Blackjack sites are likely to follow the best standard practices in the industry. As a confirmation of this, the casinos allow scrutiny and auditing from independent regulatory bodies. Furthermore, such casinos have a reputation to protect. Any underhanded methods employed in their Blackjack games would likely backfire.

Lastly, any player who opts to play at an unregulated casino can expect to be scammed. The trick lies in doing your due diligence by doing a background check of the casino beforehand. After the background check, you should read several customer reviews about the casino before signing up.

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