Perhaps we’re biased, but when it comes to the argument of whether blackjack is more fun than pokies, our hands-down preference is for blackjack. But don’t just take our word for it, have a look at our reasoning and see if you agree.
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For many loyal 21 players, it’s hard to comprehend why so many punters flock to the shining lights and lively sounds of pokie machines, a game which by nature can be influenced by no external force.
With a game like blackjack that requires a certain level of skill and concentration, luck based pokies requiring no player proficiency beyond the ability to push a button seem to pale in comparison.
Reasons why blackjack is better than pokies
Blackjack requires skill – this is the biggie and the main reason why we fly our preference flag for the glorious game of 21. Blackjack is a great game to learn and practice strategy, making it more challenging and thus more rewarding when you collect a win. It’s a satisfying feeling when your choices surrounding how to play a hand pay off, plus it’s encouraging to watch your skills improve. The pokies can be a lot of fun, but they’re also mind numbing. There’s nothing involved with a game of pokies to stimulate your brain like the skill required in blackjack.
Card games rule – let’s face it, card games are simply superior to most games. 
There’s something so charming about the fact that these age-old games maintain their relevance amongst today’s recreational activities despite the lack of technology add-ons or stimulants. The first deck of cards dates all the way back to the Tang Dynasty of Imperial China during the 9th Century, with the decks as we know them originating in France circa the 14th Century. How’s that for sophistication!? The fact that most of us grew up playing card games on family trips adds to a certain nostalgia that you simply can’t get with the bells and whistles of the slots.
The house edge is better in 21 – the house edge in blackjack is difficult to calculate due to rule variations between almost every game of 21, but the generally accepted blackjack house edge is around 1%. The house edge in pokies also varies between each game, but the average figure is around the 5% mark, with some land based casino slot games carrying a house edge as high as 15%. This one speaks for itself.
There’s room for improvement – the old adage “practice makes perfect” can be applied to blackjack. Having the chance to improve your skills at something has been proven to be great for your mental health and self-confidence. While there can never be a guarantee to the outcome of a blackjack game, learning the best strategies and watching your game improve is an exhilarating and positive experience. In comparison, a person chucking a dollar into a pokies machine for the first time has just as much chance of striking it lucky as a seasoned punter whose been spinning the reels for a decade.
Some reasons why pokies may be better than blackjack
We’re not completely prejudiced and we do realise that the pokies offer some features that give blackjack a run for its money. Perhaps it’s just that these features don’t really appeal to us, but for players that enjoy a bit more hype to their casino games, there are a couple of benefits to the pokies:
Vibrancy, animation and special features – there’s no doubt that these features will appeal to the more tech-loving blackjack players. The pokies, especially online, have come such a long way over recent years, firmly securing their place in the 21st century. Online pokies have collaborated with movie studios, bringing blockbuster hits like Jurassic Park, Terminator II, The Dark Knight and Scarface to life in pokies form. For movie buffs, there’s no way blackjack can compete with that.
There’s also 3D animation akin to the quality you’d expect from a Pixar film, with special features and side games adding all kinds of fun elements to the pokies. While these features are all captivating and exciting, in our opinion they only serve to distract from the fact that underneath it all, pokies are quite boring, offering nothing like the genuine thrill of blackjack.
Progressive jackpots – how can we possibly argue against the progressive jackpots offered by pokies when they’ve been responsible for making so many instant millionaires? There is definitely some high appeal to the monumental wins offered by slot machines, especially when triggering such wins can be done with only a few dollars if incredible luck happens to be on your side. But in all reality, these kind of wins are highly unlikely, and you stand a much better chance to win playing strategically in a game of 21.
The verdict
Ultimately, whether you believe blackjack or the pokies is more fun will come down to personal choice. In our opinion, there’s just no arguing about the superiority of 21. If you’re looking for a sophisticated game that tests your skill, challenges your ability, provides a huge level of excitement and has the possibility to financially reward you for your efforts, then blackjack gets our vote any day.