Should Real-Life Strategy Be Employed in Virtual Casino Card Games?

We know, of course, there is some level of skill involved, as well as strategy, but to what degree those are more influential than the literal luck of the draw is not fully agreed upon. Overall, though, we know skill and strategy do matter; otherwise, you would not have ‘good’ and ‘bad’ card players.

Nonetheless, the question takes on a new meaning when looking through the lens of online casino games. These days, all major online casino sites like DraftKings Casino will have both live dealer card games and virtual, software-based games. Broadly speaking, the same strategies should apply to the live games as they would to in-person games, but the software-based games are based on random number generators (RNGs), so there could be an argument that no skill at all is needed. Yet, when we scratch the surface, there is a little bit more context needed.

First, let’s consider what we mean by RNG-based casino games. In the simplest terms, the outcome of each round is randomly determined by software. The RNG part is a software algorithm, continuously running to produce outcomes, even when the game is not being played. The random part is contained within very important parameters, though, known as the return to player calculation (RTP).

RTP is basically a virtual representation of house edge, although it is in reverse. The RTP for a classic blackjack game, for instance, is usually about 99%, which represents something close to the real-world house edge. The upshot is that the game is programmed to pay back $99 for every $100 over time. Thus, it follows that what you do in the game can’t really have an impact on your success.

Yet, if you read the rules pages of online casino card games, many will state clearly that the RTP is determined by using “best strategy,” meaning that, effectively, it is better to play like you would in a ‘real’ casino. The RTP figure will still hold, and a certain amount of luck will still be required, but the upshot is that the game’s randomness will not make the conditions equal between those playing with optimum strategy and those not.

Of course, there are other debates worth having. Professional card sharps believe that their implementation of strategies tips the balance of house edge in their favor. Whether it’s card counting (not illegal, despite what the movies suggest) or some other strategy, they believe that they have the advantage over the casino, but this would not be the case if the RTP/house edge is built into the system. It’s not, however, the case that you should never play virtual games, as the RTP is calculated over millions of plays and, thus, becomes impossible to predict.

In the end, the best approach is always to play as you normally would. When playing online, you naturally act and feel differently from how you would in a real casino. But those who keep a cool head in either setting, employing the strategies that they have honed over time, are the most likely to succeed.