High Limit Blackjack

High limit means a different amount to different players. Some players feel like they’re playing over their head at $25 a hand and others don’t get the adrenaline pumping unless $500 a hand is at risk.

If a number popped into your mind when you read high limit in the title then stick with that amount. On the other hand, if you want a number to separate low and high limits, I always go with $100. If you bet black chips at the blackjack table you’ve entered high limit play. I admit this is subjective. No matter your number, high limit blackjack offers excitement and enticing rewards.

Best High Limit Blackjack Casinos

Here are our recommended casino sites where US players can play high limit blackjack.

Disadvantages of High Limit Play

Losing Money

The main disadvantage of high limit blackjack play is you lose more money per hour than playing lower limits, all things being equal.

Here’s an example. If you play a combination of favorable rules and basic strategy that reduces the house edge to a half percent and you’re betting $100 a hand at 100 hands per hour your expected loss is $50 per hour. Playing $25 per hand makes your expected hourly loss only $12.50. However, if you play at $500 a hand the expected loss is $250 per hour.

The reason I bothered bringing up something as simple as this as a disadvantage is to make a point about finding a way to beat the house without learning how to count.

If you can get the casino to rate your play at a higher average amount than you actually play, you have a chance to get enough additional comps to erase the true house edge. The key is to understand how much more your expected loss is at the higher limits and compare that to the additional comps you receive. It’s getting harder and harder to fool the casinos about your average wager, but you can try by always betting higher when the pit is watching.

Security

One other possible disadvantage of high limit play is the security of your money. In land-based casinos, some unsavory people watch for high rollers who may have a great deal of cash on them. You may be targeted because of your high limit play.

If you play high limits online you need to make sure you’re playing where it’s safe. Find a safe online casino with a strong track record of customer service and fast pay outs.

Counter vs Non Counter Considerations

If you’re not a card counter, you want the casino to see how much you wager and how often you play. You want credit for everything you do in the casino so you can receive as many comps as possible. Make sure you present your player card before playing a single hand and that whoever is responsible for rating your play is aware of it soon after you start playing. When you play for high stakes online, only play where they offer a player’s club and make sure you’re receiving credit for your play.

Even if you play perfect basic strategy and find the best rules you’re still giving the house an edge on your play unless you start counting cards. The best way to reduce the edge further is getting as many comps and freebies as possible. On the other hand, if you’re a successful card counter playing at the highest limits you want to be ignored by the casino. You don’t want to bring any attention to yourself and you don’t want the pit knowing anything about you.

The issue most card counters run into is they have to play at fairly high limits to maximize their profit potential enough to make counting beneficial, but the heat is highest in bigger games. Sometimes you can count and vary your bets widely at low limits but get noticed quickly once you move up to higher stakes. Basically it’s impossible to play at high stakes and be ignored by the casino. As a card counter your best bet is playing short sessions, spread over different shifts, and at as many casinos as possible.