The Ultimate Showdown: Blackjack vs Roulette – Which Has Better Odds?

Blackjack and Roulette are top-rated casino games that billions of gamblers love.

Both games have pros and cons, but which one offers better odds? Which one should you play – Blackjack or Roulette?

The answer to this comes down to personal preference. 

To help you determine which is perfect for you, let’s simplify matters by discussing the two games and their variations, differences, strategies, risks, and everything else. 

Highlights of the Article

• Blackjack and Roulette are immensely popular casino games with billions of fans.
• The number of pockets on the wheel influences Roulette odds —the more there are, the higher the house edge.
• Blackjack offers a chance to reduce the house edge with a solid strategy.
• Hourly losses are higher in Roulette due to its higher house edge than in Blackjack.
• Blackjack pits players’ skill and judgment against the dealer, while Roulette is a game of chance.
• Roulette is more social, accommodating more players.
• Blackjack offers a strategic and varied experience for active participants.
• The final decision between the two games depends on personal preference, with Blackjack for strategy and Roulette for thrill-seekers.
• Both have different minimum bets and potential for big wins or losses.

The Odds Behind Blackjack and Online Roulette

Gamblers can legally play Blackjack and Roulette worldwide. 

However, these two popular game choices are played very differently — so much so that some players are ALL about one or the other, and there’s no grey area in between.

First, the technical differences between the two games are worth exploring. 

This includes looking at the numbers used, the various versions of the games, and how these factors affect the gameplay and your chances of winning. 

Odds of Winning in Roulette

Roulette has two major variants, American and European Roulette, primarily distinguished by the number of pockets on the wheel.

Regarding Roulette 0 vs. 00, American Roulette features a double-zero (00) pocket, one more than the game’s European counterpart.

This seemingly small difference significantly affects the player’s chances of winning.  

• With the extra pocket in American Roulette, the house edge doubles, making it less favorable for players than European Roulette, which has a lower house edge of 2.7%. 
• In some Roulette variants, like the one with the “en prison” option on even-money bets, players can get their money back if they win the next round after landing on green or red. 
  • This further reduces the house advantage to only 1.35%.
• In European Roulette, the probability of winning an even-money bet is approximately 47.37%, while the house edge remains at 2.7%.
• In contrast, the American version, with 0 and 00 green pockets, raises the house edge to 5.26%.

Odds of Winning in Blackjack

A typical Blackjack game carries around 2.5% to 4% house edge at some casinos. The highest house advantage is typically found in 6/5 Blackjack games, making it less favorable for players. 

Blackjack does, however, provide players the chance to lower the house edge if a player uses a strong enough strategy. 

This implies that Blackjack players need great concentration and sound judgment throughout the game, whereas Roulette players must pick a number or field’s color. 

Hourly Loss

The hourly loss is another factor to remember when deciding which game to play based on odds, winnings, and losses. 

Casinos carry out this calculation using a simple formula to estimate game profitability. 

Here’s how: 

Hourly losses = Average number of bets per hour × Average bet size

With that in mind, the concept of hourly losses of both games can be summarized as follows:

Roulette: Hourly Loss

• The average number of spins per hour is around 50.
• Roulette’s higher house edge (5.26%) leads to more significant expected hourly losses, despite fewer games played per hour.
• The expected hourly loss in Roulette can be more than five times that in Blackjack.

Blackjack: Hourly Loss

• The average number of bets per hour is typically around 100 but can vary.
• With a lower house edge of 0.5%, the expected hourly loss in Blackjack is significantly lower compared to Roulette.
• Despite playing more games per hour, the lower house edge in Blackjack results in a lower expected hourly loss.

Learning which game has better odds is one of many things that matter. 

But, players must also compare which is more fun, which you must strategize, and which game grants you more control over the risks.  

Thus, the upcoming discussion will center around the games’ differences. 

Differences Between Blackjack and Roulette

Both are games of chance, wherein players are in the unknown hands of luck and probability.

Apart from appealing to casual gamblers, both games have staunch enthusiasts who regularly engage in Blackjack or Roulette.

Let’s compare the features of these two popular casino games to get to the bottom of what you might feel is better for you.  

Game Mechanics

The primary difference between Roulette and Blackjack games is how the games are played:

•  Roulette‘s centerpiece is a wheel with 37-38 squares. When the dealer throws the ball onto the rotating wheel, you place a bet on the square or cluster it will land on. 

A range of bets is available, with odds varying from 1:1 to 35:1. 

All player’s significant decisions will be how much to gamble and which wager to place. It’s entirely a game of chance.

• Blackjack is where players aim to get a total of 21 or get as close to it without going over. 

In a classic Blackjack game, you play against the dealer, not against other players.

The goal must be, at most, without exceeding the maximum of 21, to accumulate more points than the dealer. 

The game’s outcome is determined by the player’s choice of several actions (hit, stand, split, double, or surrender). 

Game Rules

The rules of Blackjack slightly differ outside casinos. You don’t have a permanent dealer at home. Each player takes turns as the dealer.

Additionally, you can modify your sessions by adding additional rules like resplitting, surrendering, dealer peeks, etc.

Besides being enjoyable, practicing with friends will train your eye for the game’s nuances. You can test out several tactics and see what works best.

Here are the basic rules of online Blackjack:

• Depending on the casino’s rules, each player receives two face-up or face-down cards.
• Two cards are dealt to the dealer, one of which is face up and the other face down.
• Number cards 2 to 10 have their face value, while royal cards (jacks, queens, kings) are worth ten points each. Aces can be 1 or 11 points based on the player’s choice.
• Players have the option to “hit” (get another card) or “stand” (retain their existing hand).
• A player loses immediately (referred to as “busting”) if their hand totals more than 21 points.
• All surviving players win if the dealer’s hand totals over 21 points.
• If the dealer nor the player busts, the highest-valued hand wins.

In Roulette, you don’t have to do anything other than bet. With its spinning wheel and extensive range of betting options, it allows players to win big with little luck.

Here are the basic rules of online Roulette:

• The Roulette wheel is divided into numbered and colored slots, with numbers ranging from 0-36 (and sometimes an additional 00).
• Players place their bets on the betting table, corresponding to the wheel numbers and colors.
• After placing all the bets, the dealer drops the ball onto the spinning wheel.
• Once the ball reaches a stop, the dealer announces the winning number and pays out winning bets.

Now that you know the mechanics and rules of both games, the following section covers the ultimate match-up of everything you need to know.  

The Match-up: Blackjack vs. Roulette

As you can probably tell by the descriptions of all two games, they’re all relatively easy and accessible for novice gamblers. 

The choice between Roulette and Blackjack largely depends on your personal preference. Refer to the following table to help you decide which game suits you best.

Final Verdict

To wrap it all up, no game is definitively better than the other. Personal preference should be the final deciding factor.

If you prefer strategy-based card games, you should play at a Blackjack table. However, Roulette is your best bet if you’re seeking more thrill. 

The best part is that you don’t need to pick one or the other. You can easily switch and play these two and other casino table games depending on how you feel and what you can afford.