This post about which blackjack games have the best odds has been completely revised and rewritten for 2023. I don’t know who wrote the previous version of the post, but I’m hoping that this version answers your questions about the best odds blackjack games accurately and clearly.
If you can find a single deck blackjack game with the following rules variations in place, you’ll be playing the blackjack game with the best odds. Most casinos don’t offer this because the house edge is only 0.15%, making this as close to a break-even game as you’ll find in the casino. (I’ll explain more about the house edge later in this post.)
Look for these rules variations:
- Dealer hits soft 17.
- Payout for a blackjack is 3 to 2.
- You’re allowed to resplit after splitting.
In the rest of this post, I’ll explain the house edge in blackjack and how a lower house edge means better odds for you, the player. I’ll also offer some other blackjack variations with great odds for when you can’t find a generous single deck blackjack game like this one.
How Does the House Edge in Blackjack Work
The house edge in blackjack is the mathematical advantage that the casino has over the player. It’s a percentage that represents the expected long-term profit that the casino will make from a player’s wagers. The lower the house edge, the better the odds are for the player. (For more definitions of blackjack terms, read this post.)
If a game has a house edge of 1%, for example, the casino expects to win $1 every time you bet $100. But that’s a long term average, and in the short run, anything can (and often does) happen.
The house edge in blackjack is determined by the rules of the game and the strategy used by the player. A standard game of blackjack has a house edge of between 0.15% to 1% when you use basic strategy. This is because you make decisions based on the cards you’re dealt, and by following the optimal strategy, you can reduce the house edge.
When you see a house edge quoted for a specific blackjack game, that number ALWAYS assumes you’re playing with perfect basic strategy. Any deviations you make from basic strategy increase the house edge.
Some variations of blackjack have a higher house edge than others. Games using multiple decks of cards, or games where the dealer hits on a soft 17, have a higher house edge than traditional blackjack. Side bets, like insurance, have a separate and higher house edge, sometimes as high as 10%+.
The house edge is a long-term expectation, and in any given session, you can win or lose. Over time, though, the casino will always make a profit due to the house edge. This is why it’s important for players to choose games with a lower house edge and to use optimal strategy to minimize the advantage of the house.
What Is Single Deck Blackjack and Why Is the House Edge So Low?
Single deck blackjack is a variation of the traditional blackjack game that is played with one deck of cards. It’s usually the most favorable version of the game for the player; the house edge is much lower compared to other variations of the game.
The house edge is so low in single deck blackjack because fewer cards are in play. In a game of blackjack with multiple decks, the casino’s advantage increases because the odds of certain cards. With a single deck, the house’s advantage decreases.
Another reason the house edge is low in single deck blackjack is that the player has more information about the cards that have been played. In a multiple deck game, you have a less complete picture of the cards that have been played, which makes it harder to make informed decisions. With a single deck, the player can keep track of the cards that have been played, which gives them an advantage.
Not all single deck blackjack games are the same. Some casinos may have different rules that affect the odds of the game. For example, some casinos may allow the dealer to hit on a soft 17, which increases the house edge. Many single deck games offer a reduced payout for a blackjack, 6 to 5 instead of the traditional 3 to 2, which makes that single deck game worse for the player than a multideck game with a better payout..
How Does Basic Strategy Factor into Blackjack Odds?
If you’re not using basic strategy when making your blackjack decisions, you can ignore the house edge numbers you’ve been quoted. These numbers always assume you’re making the optimal decision on every hand. Players who deviate from basic strategy usually face a house edge of between 2% and 4% instead of the sub-1% numbers that you read about.
Basic strategy is important when dealing with blackjack odds and the house edge because it helps to reduce the house’s advantage. Basic strategy is the mathematically optimal way to play every hand based on the player’s hand and the dealer’s upcard. By following basic strategy, you can make decisions that will give them the best chance of winning in the long run.
Basic strategy tells you when to hit, when to stand, when to split, and when to double down. By following this strategy, you can reduce the house edge and increase your chances of winning. Basic strategy also takes into account the number of decks being used and the specific rules of the game.
Basic strategy, by definition, also helps you avoid common blackjack mistakes. Many players make mistakes by playing their hand based on intuition or emotion, rather than following basic strategy. This always leads to losing more hands and increasing the house edge.
What Is the House Edge for Atlantic City Blackjack?
Atlantic City Blackjack is a variation of the traditional blackjack game that is played in Atlantic City casinos. It follows the standard rules of blackjack.
The main difference between Atlantic City Blackjack and other variations of the game is that Atlantic City Blackjack is usually played with eight decks of cards. This is more than the traditional single deck or 2 decks used in other variations. Also, the dealer stands on a soft 17 (a hand with an ace and a 6), which is also different from traditional blackjack where the dealer hit on a soft 17.
The additional decks increase the house edge. but the standing on 17 rule decreases the house edge. Different versions of Atlantic City Blackjack vary depending on the specific rules of the game. The house edge for Atlantic City Blackjack when played with 8 decks and the dealer standing on a soft 17 is around 0.36% — which is only slightly higher than single deck blackjack with its house edge of around 0.15%.
What Is the Difference Between Vegas Strip Blackjack and Downtown Vegas Blackjack?
Vegas Strip Blackjack and Downtown Vegas Blackjack are both variations of the traditional blackjack game that are played in Las Vegas casinos. However, there are some key differences between the two:
Vegas Strip Blackjack is typically played with more decks of cards and the dealer hits on a soft 17. This means the dealer is required to take another card if they have a soft 17 hand. The house edge for Vegas Strip Blackjack is between 0.35% to 0.46%.
Downtown Vegas Blackjack, on the other hand, is usually played with one or two decks of cards and the dealer still hits on a soft 17. This means the dealer is required to take another card if they have a soft 17 hand. The house edge for Downtown Vegas Blackjack is around 0.34%.
The main difference between Vegas Strip Blackjack and Downtown Vegas Blackjack is the number of decks used in the game. The Vegas Strip version is usually played with up to eight decks of cards while the Downtown Vegas version is usually played with two decks.
Which Blackjack Rules Variations Are Worst for the Player?
Several blackjack rules variations are bad for the player.
The number of decks in use is one of the biggest variations. Games that use more decks of cards have a higher house edge than single-deck games.
Another bad rule for the player is when the dealer hits on a soft 17. This increases the house edge by 0.22%
Any game with an optional side bet is tricky. Side bets in blackjack invariably have a higher house edge, so you should just skip the side bets.
How Does Counting Cards Affect Blackjack Odds?
Counting cards keeps track of the cards that have been already played. A counter does this in a general way rather than tracking specific cards. The goal is to raise the size of your bets when the deck has a higher ratio of aces and 10s than usual. With more aces and 10s in the deck, your probability of getting that 3 to 2 payout for a blackjack increases.
Card counters also adjust their basic strategy decisions based on the count. For example, if the count is high enough, insurance becomes a positive expectation bet.
By combining the bet sizing and strategy deviations, a good card counter can flip the house edge and play with a mathematical advantage over the casino. But that advantage is still a long-term expectation; in any individual session, anything can happen. Card counters go broke all the time when they don’t have a big enough bankroll.
Card counting is legal, but casinos will bar you from their blackjack tables if they catch you counting. Some casinos will even ban you from the premises, and trespassing IS illegal. Casinos also have other countermeasures to prevent card counting, like shuffling more often.
Counting cards takes a lot of practice and discipline. Some counting systems are more complex than others. Additionally, counting cards does not guarantee a player will win every hand — far from it, in fact.
Conclusion
Single deck blackjack and games that follow traditional rules offer the best odds for the player. Basic strategy is essential for reducing the house edge and avoiding common mistakes. Some rules variations increase the house edge, which means they’re better for the casino than the player. It’s good to know one from the other. Counting cards can get you an advantage, but it’s frowned upon by casinos.
