Ways to Decrease the House Edge in Blackjack

Alex Evans

Casino expert

 Updated:
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Keen to start scoring more wins in blackjack? Grasping the concept of the house edge is the first step. Our guide will introduce you to the fundamental principles of the house edge and offer advice on how to diminish it.

House Edge: An Overview

The phrase 'the house always wins' isn't just for show. It's based on the mathematical reality that in any casino environment, the house naturally holds an advantage over its players, ensuring profitability in the long run.

The house edge is essentially the percentage that reveals how much of your each wager is meant for the casino.

Take, for example, online slots, which typically feature a house edge between 1% and 10%. If a game sports a 6% house edge, it implies that 6% of your bet, on average, goes to the casino.

How to Calculate the House Edge

While some games come with a fixed house advantage, others may see the edge fluctuate during play. Online, nearly every game outlines its house edge and payout ratio.

In most games, you can check the house edge via the settings menu, allowing you to see how it shifts with different wagers without needing intricate calculations.

The simplest way to figure out the casino's earnings from your bet is to refer to each game's house edge. You can then project your winnings based on wagering amounts like C$100.

Suppose a game shows a house edge of, say, 3% or 5%. This means out of every C$100 you gamble, the house pockets C$3 or C$5, respectively.

Blackjack House Edge: The Basics

Blackjack is both a game of fortune and strategy. You're challenging the dealer, aiming for the better hand, ideally closing in on 21. At most casinos, the typical blackjack house edge hovers around 2%, or even less.

However, the blackjack edge isn't constant and may vary depending on the variant you play. Some versions come with a heftier house edge, while in others it's less.

Notably, the casino dealer in blackjack can tweak the house edge by selectively removing certain cards from play. Below is a table illustrating the house edge alterations when specific cards are withdrawn.

House Edge in Blackjack: When Specific Cards are Excluded

Card Value House Edge

2

-0.40%

3

-0.43%

4

-0.52%

5

-0.67%

6

-0.45%

7

-0.30%

8

-0.01%

9

+0.15%

10

+0.51%

A

+0.59%

Guide to Calculating the Blackjack House Edge

Accurately computing the blackjack house edge is a task for the skillful. Various elements influence this calculation— the number of decks or whether the player hits or stands can change the house’s advantage.

With dedicated practice, you can develop the knack to make rough predictions based on these elements. Alternatively, you can expedite the learning process using an online house edge calculator to assess the advantage or disadvantage for each hand and bet.

There’s a host of popular online blackjack versions you might encounter. Here's a rundown of some top choices alongside their payout rates:

  • Infinite Blackjack – 99.47% RTP (0.53% house edge)
  • Lightning Blackjack – Offers an RTP of 99.56%, translating to a house edge of 0.44%
  • Speed Blackjack – 99.29% RTP (0.71% house edge)
  • Power Blackjack – 98.80% RTP (1.20% house edge)
  • Free Bet Blackjack – 98.45% RTP (1.55% house edge)

Steps to Lessen the Blackjack House Edge

Given the skill aspect in blackjack, adopting strategic plays can significantly tilt the odds in your favor, reducing the house edge. Below, we elaborate on how different bets can shrink the house edge.

Blackjack Split

To minimize the house's edge when splitting pairs, grasping the basics of when it's wise to split and when to refrain is crucial. Generally, it's advisable not to split fours, fives, and tens.

Correctly splitting pairs indeed reduces the house edge, albeit slightly. The effect is heightened when you can split multiple times (ideally up to four, an uncommon scenario), potentially reducing the edge by about 0.05%.

Blackjack Double Down

Doubling down—placing an extra wager equal to your initial bet after receiving two cards—reflects your confidence in having a strong hand. This maneuver can also be employed after pair splitting, typically decreasing the house edge by around 0.15%.

Single Deck Blackjack

In simple terms, the more decks in use, the greater the disadvantage to the player. So, if you're delving into online blackjack and are new to the game, opting for a single-deck variant is wise, as it nearly nullifies the house edge. Single-deck blackjack usually presents a house edge of about 0.20%.

Better Not Make Insurance Bets

Insurance bets, especially in multi-deck blackjack, automatically elevate the house edge. Hence, if you're already inclined towards insurance bets, sticking to single-deck blackjack is beneficial. Insurance bets in single-deck games can push the house advantage to a range of 3%–6%.

Play Blackjack Online

Playing online blackjack isn't a surefire way to decrease the house edge, but it certainly enlightens you on enhancing your game and curbing the house's advantage.

How to Calculate the Expected Losses

For estimating potential losses at the tables, it helps to be well-acquainted with the game's betting norms and strategies. best online casinos for blackjack The term ‘expected loss’ can be misleading since it connotes an average potential loss, rather than a guaranteed one. You'll need to refine your instant calculation abilities to approximately estimate your anticipated losses.

Fortunately, online calculators allow these estimates by taking into account multiple factors essential for predicting losses. Key considerations include:

The particular blackjack variant and its inherent house edge

  • Average time spent playing
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  • Number of hands you play per hour
  • How much money you wager per hand