Free Bet Blackjack Calculator: When the House Pays for Your Action

Free Bet Blackjack lets you double down and split for free on most hands—but dealer 22 pushes instead of busting. Our calculator shows when to take free bets, explains the true cost of push-22, and reveals the strategy differences from standard blackjack.

What Is Free Bet Blackjack?

Free Bet Blackjack allows free doubles on hard 9, 10, and 11, plus free splits on most pairs (except 10s and 4s). The catch: dealer 22 pushes all bets instead of busting. It feels generous but the push-22 rule creates the house edge.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Free Bet Blackjack Calculator →

Determine optimal play with free betting options.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Your Hand: Two cards

2. Enter Dealer Upcard: Showing

3. See Free Bet Availability: Which options free

4. View Optimal Play: Best decision

5. Check EV: Expected value

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Your Hand	Two cards	6♠5♦
Dealer Up	Showing	9♣
Free Double?	Available	Yes
Decision	Optimal	Free Double
Push-22 Impact	Edge cost	~8.5%
House Edge	Total	1.04%

Rule Differences

Free Bet Rules

Free doubles on:
Hard 9, 10, 11
(Not soft hands)
(Not after split usually)

Free splits on:
All pairs EXCEPT 10-value and 4s
(House pays the split bet)

Standard double/split:
Still pay for soft doubles
Pay for 10s and 4s splits (rarely)

The Push-22 Catch

Dealer 22 = push (not bust):

Standard blackjack:
Dealer 22 = you win (bust)

Free Bet:
Dealer 22 = push (tie)
All bets push, even winning hands

This funds the "free" bets
Happens ~8.5% of hands

Why It Works

Push-22 finances free bets:

Dealer busts 22: 8.5% normally
That's 8.5% fewer wins for you
But free doubles/splits compensate
Net edge: ~1.04%

Strategy Modifications

Always Take Free Doubles

Free double always on 9, 10, 11:

Hard 9 vs anything: Free double
Hard 10 vs anything: Free double
Hard 11 vs anything: Free double

No downside—house pays!
Standard blackjack: Some exceptions
Free Bet: Always take free double

Always Take Free Splits

Free splits (all except 10s and 4s):

2-2: Free split always
3-3: Free split always
5-5: Don't split (double on 10)
6-6: Free split always
7-7: Free split always
8-8: Free split always
9-9: Free split always (usually)
A-A: Free split always

Hands You Pay For

Still costs money:

Soft doubles:
A-2 through A-8 doubles
Not free—evaluate carefully

10-10 split:
Not free (and never split anyway)

4-4 split:
Not free—usually don't split

Modified Soft Hand Strategy

Soft hands (with ace):

A-2 to A-5: Hit always
(Don't pay to double)

A-6: Double vs 3-6, else hit
A-7: Double vs 3-6, stand vs 2,7,8
A-8+: Stand

Less doubling than standard
Because you're paying

House Edge Analysis

Edge Breakdown

Free Bet Blackjack edge:

Push-22 costs player: ~8.5%
Free doubles value: ~4.5%
Free splits value: ~3.0%
Net house edge: ~1.04%

Compare to standard:
6-deck blackjack: ~0.50%
Free Bet is higher but not terrible

Why Not Lower?

Push-22 is expensive:

Standard bust-22: Win 8.5%
Push-22: Win 0% of those

But free bets exciting
Action without risk on key hands
Entertainment value high

Optimal vs Suboptimal

Perfect strategy: 1.04% edge

Common errors:
Not taking free doubles
Paying for soft doubles incorrectly
Not splitting when free

Poor strategy: 2-3% edge
Big gap from mistakes

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Free Double 11

Hand: 6-5 vs Dealer 10

Standard blackjack:
Double—pay another bet

Free Bet Blackjack:
Free Double—house pays!

$25 bet, free double:
If win: +$50
If lose: -$25 (original only)
If push: $0

No added risk for double reward
Always take this

Example 2: Free Split 8s

Hand: 8-8 vs Dealer 6

Standard: Split, pay $25 more

Free Bet: Free split!
Play two hands on house
Each can win/lose independently

If both win: +$50
If split (1 win, 1 lose): $0
If both lose: -$25

Amazing value

Example 3: Push-22 Happens

Your hand: Blackjack (A-K)

Normally: Auto-win 3:2

Dealer shows: 6, draws to 22

Standard blackjack:
You win $37.50 (3:2 on $25)

Free Bet blackjack:
PUSH—dealer 22

You win: $0

This is where house makes money
Blackjack can push!

Example 4: Soft Hand Decision

Hand: A-6 vs Dealer 5

Free double available? NO
(Soft hands not free)

Pay to double? YES
EV positive in this spot

$25 bet, pay $25 to double:
Worth it—strong spot
Take the paid double

Strategy Chart Summary

Hard Totals

Hand | 2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 A
-----|-----------------------------
8    | H  H  H  H  H  H  H  H  H  H
9    | D* D* D* D* D* D* D* D* D* D*
10   | D* D* D* D* D* D* D* D* D* D*
11   | D* D* D* D* D* D* D* D* D* D*
12   | H  H  S  S  S  H  H  H  H  H
13-16| S  S  S  S  S  H  H  H  H  H
17+  | S  S  S  S  S  S  S  S  S  S

D* = FREE Double (always take)
S = Stand, H = Hit

Pairs

Pair | 2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 A
-----|-----------------------------
2-2  | Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* H  H  H  H
3-3  | Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* H  H  H  H
4-4  | H  H  H  H  H  H  H  H  H  H
5-5  | D* D* D* D* D* D* D* D* D* D*
6-6  | Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* H  H  H  H  H
7-7  | Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* H  H  H  H
8-8  | Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp*
9-9  | Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* S  Sp* Sp* S  S
10-10| S  S  S  S  S  S  S  S  S  S
A-A  | Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp* Sp*

Sp* = FREE Split, D* = FREE Double

Common Mistakes

1. Not Taking Free Bets

Mistake: Hit instead of free double Problem: Giving up free value Fix: Always take free doubles/splits

2. Paying for Marginal Hands

Mistake: Paying to double A-3 vs 5 Problem: Not worth it (pay positions) Fix: Only pay when strongly +EV

3. Forgetting Push-22

Mistake: Expecting bust wins Problem: Those hands push now Fix: Adjust expectations

4. Splitting 4s

Mistake: Split 4-4 (it's free!) Problem: 4-4 splits NOT free Fix: Hit 4-4, don't split

Frequently Asked Questions

Are free doubles really free?

Yes, for hard 9/10/11. House places the extra bet. If you lose, you only lose original. If you win, you get paid on doubled amount.

What's the catch?

Push-22. When dealer gets exactly 22, your winning hands push instead of winning. This happens ~8.5% of hands when dealer should bust.

Is Free Bet Blackjack better than regular?

Slightly worse edge (1.04% vs ~0.50%). But more exciting with free doubles/splits. Entertainment value is high.

Which hands get free bets?

Doubles: Hard 9, 10, 11. Splits: All pairs except 10-value and 4s. Soft hands don't get free doubles.

Do I ever not take a free bet?

Essentially never for doubles on 9/10/11. For splits, pairs like 5-5 should double (as 10) instead of splitting. But when splitting is right, always take free split.

What about card counting?

Works but modified. Push-22 changes deck effects. Higher counts still beneficial but edge calculations differ from standard counting.

Pro Tips

• Always take free doubles: 9, 10, 11 always

• Free split pairs: Except 10s and 5s

• 5-5 = 10: Double, don't split

• Remember push-22: Adjust expectations

• Paid doubles carefully: Only strong spots

Related Calculators

• Blackjack Odds Calculator - Standard game
• Blackjack Strategy Calculator - Basic strategy
• Spanish 21 Calculator - Another variant
• House Edge Calculator - Compare games
• Expected Value Calculator - Bet analysis

Conclusion

Free Bet Blackjack offers exciting free doubles and splits—funded by the push-22 rule. Our calculator shows when to take free bets (almost always), explains why soft hand doubles cost money, and reveals how the 1.04% house edge compares to standard blackjack.

Calculate Free Bet Blackjack Odds Now →

Your hard 11 versus dealer ace is normally a tough double in blackjack, but Free Bet Blackjack makes it risk-free. Our calculator shows why you should take every free double offered—the house is paying for your action.