House Edge in Blackjack
The house edge is the mathematical advantage the casino has over players. In blackjack, it represents the percentage of each bet the casino expects to keep over time.
Where the House Edge Comes From
The casino's primary advantage: players act first.
If you bust (exceed 21), you lose immediately. It doesn't matter if the dealer would have busted too. This single rule creates the house edge.
Typical House Edge in Blackjack
| Player Skill | Approximate House Edge |
|---|---|
| Poor play (guessing) | 2-4% |
| Average play | 1-2% |
| Basic strategy | 0.4-0.6% |
| Card counting | Player advantage possible |
What Affects the House Edge
Rules That Increase House Edge:
- Dealer hits on soft 17 (H17) — adds ~0.2%
- 6:5 blackjack payout (vs 3:2) — adds ~1.4%
- No surrender — adds ~0.1%
- No double after split — adds ~0.1%
Rules That Decrease House Edge:
- Dealer stands on soft 17 (S17)
- 3:2 blackjack payout
- Surrender available
- Double after split allowed
- Fewer decks in the shoe
Why House Edge Matters
Over 1,000 hands at $10 per hand:
- 2% house edge: Expected loss of $200
- 0.5% house edge: Expected loss of $50
Basic strategy doesn't eliminate the house edge, but it minimizes it—making blackjack one of the best games for players.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term
In any single session, anything can happen. You might win big or lose big regardless of strategy. But over thousands of hands, the house edge determines your expected results.
Playing smart means accepting the long-term math while enjoying short-term variance.