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Blackjack house edge and table rules
Two blackjack tables can look identical and have very different odds. A few rules printed on the felt decide most of it, and knowing them is the easiest edge you'll ever get.
How each rule changes the edge
| Rule | Effect on house edge |
|---|---|
| Blackjack pays 6:5 instead of 3:2 | about +1.4% |
| Dealer hits soft 17 (H17) | about +0.2% |
| No doubling after split | about +0.14% |
| Doubling on 10 and 11 only | about +0.18% |
| Late surrender allowed | about −0.08% |
| 8 decks instead of 6 | about +0.03% |
Approximate figures for perfect basic strategy, based on commonly published rule-effect tables. Effects add up roughly.
Spot a good table
- Check the payout first. If blackjack pays 6:5, find another table. It costs more than every other rule combined.
- Look for "dealer stands on all 17s" (S17).
- Double after split and late surrender are both small bonuses.
- For counters, avoid continuous shuffling machines and look for deep penetration (more of the shoe dealt before the shuffle).
What the house edge means for you
A 0.5% edge means that, on average, you lose 50p for every £100 you bet. Over a short session luck dominates: you can easily be up or down far more than that. The trainer's bankroll lab shows the typical range of results for your bet size and session length.
Frequently asked questions
What is the house edge in blackjack?
With perfect basic strategy in a good 6-deck game (3:2 payout, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split), the house edge is roughly 0.4% to 0.5%. Worse rules push it up, and a 6:5 payout can take it to around 2%.
Why is 6:5 blackjack bad?
A blackjack paying 6:5 returns 6 for every 5 bet instead of 7.5 for every 5 at 3:2. Blackjacks come about once every 21 hands, so this adds roughly 1.4% to the house edge.