Games / Blackjack
Blackjack
Beat the dealer's hand without going over 21. The best mainstream casino game for informed players.
Time saverHouse edge about 0.5%. About 0.5% with basic strategy on good rules. 6:5 payouts add roughly 1.4%.. Skill level: High.
What it costs per hour
| Bet size | Decisions / hour | Edge | Expected cost / hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2 | 70 | 0.5% | $1 |
| $5 | 70 | 0.5% | $2 |
| $10 | 70 | 0.5% | $4 |
| $25 | 70 | 0.5% | $9 |
Averages only. A single session can be far better or worse.
How to play
- Get as close to 21 as possible without busting.
- Face cards count 10. Aces count 1 or 11.
- Hit, stand, double, split, or surrender based on your hand and the dealer's upcard.
Best bets
- 3:2 blackjack payout tables only.
- Learn basic strategy: it cuts the edge from about 2% to about 0.5%.
- Late surrender and dealer-stands-on-soft-17 rules help you.
Avoid
- Insurance and even money offers.
- 6:5 payout tables.
- Side bets, which usually carry 5% to 10% edge.
For experienced players
Pro tips
- Always split aces and eights. Never split tens.
- Card counting works in some live settings but is useless on continuously shuffled or RNG tables.
- Casinos can refuse play from counters in many places.
Educational content. Gambling involves risk. 18+.