This article will go over all the significant factors connected to the house edge on blackjack games. Specifically, you can read about how the house edge works and its effects on your gaming experience. Furthermore, we’ll also expand on the best blackjack titles with the lowest house edge and the rules that govern the odds.
Best Low House Edge Blackjack Games in 2022
If you want to skip the explanations and discover the best low house edge blackjack games, then see our list below. We have chosen games from premium software providers suitable for all kinds of players. These titles have been tried and tested by the online gambling scene and stand as some of the best options out there.
As you can see, these picks are the best you can do in terms of the house edge in blackjack. Few other casino games can rival blackjack in this way, allowing you to enjoy some of the most favourable odds. Of course, these are not the only variations out there. The best blackjack casino sites will provide you with plenty of options, so make sure you explore what’s available to you.
Blackjack House Edge Explained
The house edge is a relatively simple concept that most novice players don’t consider, but veteran ones heavily research. The house edge, also called the house advantage, is the method by which the casino makes a profit on gambling games. It is present in all different kinds of casino games, including blackjack and other table games.
The house edge represents the statistical advantage of the casino over the players. Specifically, it deals with the odds and payout ratios in wagers. There is a discrepancy between the odds of winning and the payout ratio. In the case of the blackjack house edge, it signifies the degree to which the game favours the casino.
Blackjack House Edge in Action
House edge values are calculated in percentages, and they indicate the total share of all bets kept by the casino as profit. The typical blackjack game’s house edge usually falls in the 0.5% to 1.00% range. This number shows how much of the total money turnover stays in the hands of the house over a long enough time period.
Let’s expand on this idea. Imagine a game where £100 is wagered and £100 is paid out as winnings to players. That game would have a 0% house advantage. Now, imagine that the casino shifted the odds slightly so when players wager £100, only £99 is paid out as winnings. As a result, £1 is kept as profit by the house, and the game would have a 1% house advantage.
Effective vs Theoretical Blackjack House Edge
This is a simplified take on the blackjack house edge question, but it perfectly symbolises how the casino makes its money. It is important to remember that the house edge values are only theoretical. Additionally, in order to calculate the blackjack house edge, basic strategy is employed, which assumes perfect gameplay. As a result, the house advantage values are only accurate for cases where an infinite amount of money is wagered on an infinite number of hands, played optimally.
Of course, this is impossible in real life, and each game’s effective house edge is different from its theoretical values. However, the more bets are placed, and more hands are played, the more the numbers come to resemble their theoretical counterparts. As you can imagine, a casino can play hundreds of thousands of hands per month.
In the long run, the house edge always kicks into effect. This is why the casinos have no problem paying lucky players vast sums of money, as they know that they will make it all back over time. This also indicates the difference in the players’ and the casinos’ way of making a profit. For the former, it’s a matter of luck, while for the latter, it’s a statistical guarantee.
Blackjack House Edge Rules & Moves
The house edge in blackjack is determined by the specific set of rules implemented by the casino. Tables come in different varieties, depending on the blackjack rules implemented by the casino. In the world of online blackjack, rules are chosen by the software providers that develop these games.
As a result, you will have access to a large number of real money blackjack games, each with varying house edge levels. Here is a brief rundown of all blackjack rules that affect the house edge:
- Blackjack Payout Ratio
- Surrender
- Split & Resplit Options
- Double Down Options
- Number of Decks in Play
Each of these will have some effect on the blackjack house edge, with some more impactful than others. Below, we have outlined some of the key blackjack house edge rules which you should look out for in order to play at optimal odds:
| ✅ Favourable Rules | ❎ Rules to Avoid |
|---|---|
| 1-6 Decks | 6:5 Blackjack Payout |
| 3:2 Blackjack Payout | 1:1 Blackjack Payout |
| Double Down After Split | 7 – 8 Decks |
| Hit on Split Aces | No Double Down After Splitting |
| Up to 4 Resplits | No Hitting on Split Aces |
| Late Surrender | Dealer Stands on Soft 17 |
| Dealer Hits on Soft 17 | – |
Each of the favourable rules will bring down the house edge and improve the game’s overall odds. It is important to remember that each blackjack variation utilises a different set of rules. We advise following a blackjack basic strategy whenever possible. Where it concerns the blackjack house dge, basic strategy will allow you to maximise your odds of winning and avoid common blackjack mistakes, provided that you stick close to it.
Reducing the House Edge on Blackjack Games
Blackjack in land-based casinos is, without a doubt, a player favourite. The retail version of the game benefits from the same low house edge values and uses physical cards. This has led to players counting cards, trying to maximise their odds at making a profit. Given the right circumstances, skilful players can even turn the blackjack odds in their favour.
Card counting in blackjack is a worthwhile strategy, even if somewhat difficult to pull off. By tracking the types of cards in the shoe, you can increase your bet size when the odds are optimal. Of course, casinos have caught onto this and introduced measures to combat it.
First, they increased the number of decks in the shoe. The modern blackjack table usually uses between six and eight decks. Some venues have also implemented a policy where the shoe is reshuffled when half the shoe is played. This makes it more difficult for card counters to employ their strategies. If all else fails, the management can always close a table or even remove a card counter from the venue.
So, what about online blackjack? Well, RNG blackjack games do not use cards in the same manner as land-based establishments. Blackjack variations feature anywhere between one and eight decks. The cards are reshuffled after every hand. This means that no cards are removed from the shoe after each hand. You always play with the maximum number of cards on each hand.
As far as live blackjack is concerned, it doesn’t use RNG but physical cards. Even at the best live blackjack casinos, you will see the dealers shuffling the shoe when half the cards are used up. This limits your ability to count cards, but it is not impossible.
Popular Questions
If you still have questions about the house edge in blackjack, please refer to the FAQ section below. We have listed the most common questions by players, along with quick and easy-to-understand answers. We aim to make this overview as informative as possible, which is why we include only relevant details.