The game of Blackjack, enjoyed by countless gambling enthusiasts worldwide, involves an element of strategy as well as being a game of chance.
One aspect of Blackjack that often sparks debate among players is the influence of seating positions at the Blackjack table. This article aims to analyse whether your choice of seat at the Blackjack table can indeed influence the game's outcome and if there is a so-called 'best' seat.
What Is The Best Seat At A Blackjack Table?
The influence of seating position in Blackjack is a contentious topic. From a mathematical standpoint, your seat does not provide an inherent advantage, nor does it affect the house edge.
However, particular seats might cater more to specific strategies or personal preferences. Let's delve into the various positions at the Blackjack table.
First Base
The first base refers to the first betting seat located to the far right of the table if facing the dealer. The player occupying this position is the first to receive cards (dealer's left) and initiate each hand. Some players favour this seat, believing it grants a certain degree of control over the game's progression. However, the responsibility of being the first to act could be daunting for novice players.
Third Base
The opposite end of the table is home to the third base, also known as the Anchor seat. Positioned on the right side of the table, the player in this seat is the last to receive cards and make decisions. This position may be favoured by seasoned players for the additional time it provides to strategise and make informed decisions, as well as being able to see all of the cards played up until that point.
Shortstop
The shortstop position, located in the middle of the table, is often chosen by beginners. This seat offers a balanced view of the table and allows players to learn by observing other players in action without the pressure associated with the first and third base positions.
Is Playing Blackjack On A Full Table Better?
The choice between playing at a full table or with fewer players largely depends on personal preferences and playing style.
A full table allows more time for strategic decision-making based on the cards dealt to each player. However, it also implies fewer opportunities to score potential Blackjacks as more cards are dealt out to other players.
Conversely, a table with fewer players might bring less pressure for new players and offer more chances to score Blackjacks, but the gameplay could be quicker as there are fewer players to play a turn.
Best Blackjack Seat For Card Counters
While card counting is a frowned-upon practice and incredibly challenging to accomplish, those who engage in it often prefer the third base position. This seat offers a comprehensive view of the table, enabling counters to keep track of dealt cards effectively.
However, it's important to remember that this strategy proves ineffective in online Blackjack due to the decks being shuffled almost every hand.
Online Blackjack Seating Positions
In contrast to physical casinos, online Blackjack doesn't offer the same advantages in terms of vantage points. However, the liberty of choosing your preferred position still persists. When practising for a land-based Blackjack game, alternating seats could help familiarise yourself with the different perspectives - as long as the game allows you to choose a seat position.
In the majority of online Blackjack games, they are played solo against a Random Number Generator (RNG). So, there is only one seat, and the impact of different seats is entirely non-existent.
If playing a live Blackjack game online, then this is more akin to playing in a brick-and-mortar casino. Therefore, the different seat positions are available as players take turns from left to right. However, it's crucial to stress that each player is against the dealer alone, so while some may argue that the anchor seat is the most important to put the dealer in a disadvantaged position, the impact is thought to be minimal.
Blackjack is a game of chance with an element of strategy, but the seating position is not a priority and doesn't have a noteworthy statistical effect.
Please gamble responsibly and only bet money you are comfortable losing.