Understand how different blackjack rules affect the house edge. Learn which rule variations give you the best odds and how to minimize the casino's advantage.
Reduce the house edge to its minimum with perfect basic strategy
Start Strategy Training| Rule Variation | House Edge Change |
|---|---|
| Basic Strategy (6 deck, S17, DAS) | 0.40% |
| Dealer hits soft 17 | +0.22% |
| Blackjack pays 6:5 instead of 3:2 | +1.39% |
| No double after split | +0.14% |
| No surrender allowed | +0.08% |
| Single deck | -0.48% |
The house edge is calculated by analyzing all possible outcomes of the game and determining the average percentage the casino wins over time. Here's what affects it:
Fewer decks = lower house edge. Single deck is best for players, 8-deck shoes are worst.
Dealer standing on soft 17 is better for players than hitting soft 17.
More options (surrender, double after split) reduce the house edge.
Using mathematically perfect basic strategy can reduce the house edge to under 0.5% in favorable games. Without basic strategy, the house edge can be 2-4%.
In a standard 6-deck game with favorable rules, perfect basic strategy gives the house only a 0.40% edge. This means for every $100 you bet, you can expect to lose only 40 cents on average.
The best way to achieve the lowest possible house edge is to master basic strategy. Our trainer helps you learn the mathematically optimal decision for every situation.