Let’s not argue this fact, blackjack is the most popular casino game. Of all time! Slots? Slots are many, blackjack is only one. That’s the difference. What made it so popular, and relevant to this day, after centuries in existence is that it can be played by both people playing for the first time and experts alike. Both will share the same passion for the game. While the game is more than fun, winning in blackjack is a different story. If you’re not playing carefully you will lose more often than not.
Losing is no fun, we will have to agree on that one too, right? Do you know why you will lose hands in blackjack? It is a little thing called the blackjack house edge. It is a concept that is as old as the first ever casino. It is the tide that affects the player’s chances of winning, and creates the much needed profit for the casino. Now that you are aware of it, it can’t surprise you, right? Wrong! You need to explore the concept of house edge in online blackjack together with us through this article, and learn how your chances of winning are affected by it. You will need this knowledge the next time you start playing blackjack on Stake.
What Is the House Edge in Blackjack?
House edge is a casino term. This advantage is, as we said, a mathematical formula, and it is there at all times. It is what helps the casino industry to keep on growing. As far as blackjack goes, the house edge is not to be underestimated, but it also is not all that scary. It is a percentage of each bet that will go to the casino over time. So, house edge is not a short term solution for casinos. It is a long game, and the main reasons why the house always wins. So, let’s say that the house has an 1% house edge on $100 wager in the long run. It expects to and that $1 no matter what in the long run, and that’s how it’s going to play out.
House edge in blackjack is what makes the game so popular, as there are more than a few factors in play when it comes to the game of 21 and the house edge. The first one, and the most important one if you ask us are the rules of the game. Next you have the mathematical advantage that comes through the number of decks used during a single shuffle. Lastly, there is part of it determined by the player’s skill and strategy applied. In general terms, house edge in blackjack ranges from the 0.5% to 2%.
Considering that there are more than a few variations of blackjack played across the online casinos you will find tables with a higher house edge percentage than we suggested. If you want to have a higher hand over the house when playing blackjack you need to understand how house edge works, and what it is at its core. It is all about making informed decisions when playing when you know that there are certain situations when the house has a clear advantage. When these situations arise it is vital that you can decide whether to hit, stand, double down, or spill the hand you were dealt.
How Does House Advantage in Blackjack Work?
Here, the matters will get a bit murky. We say this because depending on the casino you pick, there will be more than one variation of blackjack. The rules vary from version to version and it affects the house edge as we said. Remember this when you try to hit blackjack on Stake today. Different rules can either the increase and decrease house edge. What’s also important to remember is that house edge is always there.
The first thing you need to take into consideration is the number of decks in play. Why is this important? Well, the blackjack tables that only use one deck have lower house edges. With each deck added the house edge will be increased by some 0.25%. The house edge increases with the added decks, as even the rookie blackjack players can track the cards easier when there’s less of them in play. Of course, there are no official rules that are preventing card counting, yet we have all seen the movies, and if you don’t get caught by the casino authorities, it’s no good.
While you might believe that this is easy to do at an online casino, the math is still stacked against you, and it is not an easy task unless you’re a math genius. The next fact that affects the odds of both the player and a casino is the rule that is not favouring the house, the dealer needs to pull another card on a soft 17. To further the aspects that affect the house edge, let’s talk a bit about the fact a player can double down if the right cards are dealt, and also he can split the hand, which is a known technique that reduces the house edge by another 0.15%.
Little details as these are what make blackjack so amazing in terms of all casino games. Yet, that is not everything. It gives the players a 3-to-2 payout in most online casinos. So, while usually the winning hand in blackjack will double your wager, hitting a straight blackjack will pay you $150 on $100 wagered. While a 3-to-2 payout is almost the industry’s standard, you will find casinos that only offer 6-to-5 payout which also has a say in how the house edge is perceived. Players need to know this type of casino’s intricacies in order to look out for themselves even when playing honest games such as blackjack.
How to Decrease the House Edge in Blackjack
It is good to know that there are ways to decrease the house edge in a casino when you play blackjack. Of course, we are not talking about massive unknown numbers. The percentage you can cut is close to 0.5%. While it appears to be not much, in the long run, shaving the house edge by this percentage might make the difference between winning and losing. While this is on the low end of profit margins as far as any casino game goes, you can at least profit. Yet, do not get fooled that it is an easy task. It is not. There are plenty of ways to play this game, without just waiting for the luck to smile upon you. In addition to learning any of the advanced blackjack strategies such as the Martingale System, Fibonacci System, or Labouchere System, you need to perfect the basics. We are talking about knowing when to stand, split, or double down which are the elementary steps in blackjack. Knowing these steps can increase your chances of winning too.
When you get into blackjack a bit deeper, you will quickly get in touch with the insurance bets. When a dealer is having blackjack you already lose. The odds of him having 21 from the first two cards put the odds against you. Placing an insurance bet could turn around and bite you straight to the face. Avoid this bet, and at the end of the day you are gambling against the dealer, so do not waste time and money on ensuring his chances of having a blackjack even if the first card drawn is an Ace.
Also, not all casinos, or tables are the same when it comes to blackjack. You will easily find those that are favouring the player even if slightly so. The best examples of a table that is not fully turned against the player are those that have the dealer draw another hand on soft 17. Furthermore, there are tables that allow players to double down even after splitting their hand. In situations like these you could be in a lot of advantage vs. the house, so why not look to do yourself those favors before the first hand is drawn. Lastly, you can even find tables that allow you to double down on certain hands that are not even in the category of those that you should double down, and it adds an additional layer of excitement to the game while lowering the house edge in the process.
t is a strategy that requires players to count cards that have already been at the table, to determine the next cards that are about to hit next. While a viable strategy, especially with a limited number of decks, it is not a skill you can easily learn. Even if you become an expert in it, there are casinos that will ask you to leave their premises, or our online account will be suspended if caught, despite not being illegal. If you want to know more about it, while being entertained while learning, please take a look at the following Hollywood flicks: 21, Rain Man, The Card Counter, Holly Rollers, and Croupier.
House Edge in Blackjack Variants
As we pointed out a few times already, there are a few types of blackjack available in casinos, and they can all vary in terms of the house edge. Rules and regulations of the blackjack game are usually found at the casino guide or directly on the table. Before playing, players need to get acquainted with these rules in order not to be unpleasantly surprised when they lose or not win enough. The attention is more than required, as rules are what affects the house edge. Many standard variations of blackjack will always give the player a 1% house edge if only playing with basic knowledge and available basic strategies of the game. This is good news, as the house edge is often below the 1% mark.
Most online casinos we have today, have their tables designed in a way that more than a couple of side bets are available straight from the get go. While side bets may look appealing, players need to approach them with care. Side bets have a massive winning potential, but also carry a lot of risk. If you place a side bet at every hand, in the long run those bets will start working in the casino favour. So, if you look to play and win with as little risk taken as possible stay away from side bets. As far as interesting blackjack variations go, the Red/Black variant is rather interesting. If the first card is a two, and it is of the same colour as the player’s bet, the house edge can rise to almost 4%.
Conclusion
Blackjack is not a game of luck or a chance. As such, it can be learned, and you can get better at it through time spent playing. For those who want to become savvy blackjack players, learning a thing or two, or everything there is about the house edge is vital. This mathematical concept is the fundamental stone in the casino’s existence, and it is an advantage the house has over players. With blackjack, this advantage can be altered, and the game is designed in a way that the players do have a chance against the house. Learning as much as you can about the house edge and how you can decrease it in blackjack is the first step to a successful gambling session the next time you hit the tables.
