Why blackjack is different from most casino games
Most casino games have a fixed house edge regardless of how you play. Blackjack is one of the few exceptions: the decisions you make at the table affect the house edge directly. Correct basic strategy reduces the house edge to 0.5% or lower (depending on the rule variant). Poor decisions can push that number to 2–4%.
This does not make blackjack profitable. The house still has an edge. It means the cost per pound played is much lower than most alternatives if you play correctly.
The objective and basic rules
The goal is to beat the dealer's hand without going over 21. Both you and the dealer are dealt two cards. Face cards (J, Q, K) count as 10. Aces count as 1 or 11 (whichever helps the hand). Number cards count at face value.
The dealer acts after all players. The dealer must hit until reaching 17 or above (some variants: hit on soft 17, which slightly increases house edge). Players bust first — if you go over 21, you lose regardless of what the dealer does.
Player decisions
- Hit: Take another card
- Stand: Keep your current total
- Double down: Double your bet and receive exactly one more card. Best used on totals of 10 or 11 against a weak dealer card.
- Split: If you have two cards of equal value, split them into two separate hands with equal bets. Pairs of Aces and 8s should almost always be split. Never split 10s or 5s.
- Surrender: Give up half your bet to fold the hand. Not offered at all tables. Useful against dealer Ace when you hold a 16.
What basic strategy is
Basic strategy is the mathematically optimal decision for every possible hand combination, based on your total and the dealer's visible card. It was calculated by running millions of simulated hands across all possible outcomes.
Following basic strategy does not guarantee winning. It minimises expected losses over time. Every deviation from it increases the house's expected return.
Basic strategy charts are freely available and legal to use at online casinos. Print one or open one in a separate tab. Using it is not cheating — it is just playing correctly.
Rule variations that change the house edge
Blackjack rules vary significantly across operators and tables. These are the most important variations:
- Blackjack pays 3:2 vs 6:5: 6:5 tables add ~1.4% to the house edge. Avoid them.
- Number of decks: Single deck blackjack has the lowest house edge; 8-deck shoes are more common online.
- Dealer hits soft 17: Adds ~0.2% to house edge compared to stand on soft 17.
- Double down restrictions: Some tables restrict doubling to 10 or 11 only. Adds ~0.2% house edge.
Check the table rules before sitting down. The difference between a well-rules and poorly-rules table can be 2% in house edge.
Blackjack and bonuses
Blackjack typically contributes only 10–20% toward bonus wagering requirements — some operators exclude it entirely. If you are playing with a bonus, check the contribution rate first. Playing blackjack to clear a 30x wagering requirement with a 10% contribution rate means you need to place 300x the bonus amount in blackjack bets. The math rarely works in your favour.