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Blackjack rules and the house edge
Two blackjack tables can look identical and yet one can cost three times as much as the other. It all comes down to a few lines of rules.
The starting point
With 8 decks, the dealer standing on 17, double after split allowed and basic strategy played perfectly, the house edge is around 0.4 to 0.5%. Each rule below moves it up or down.
What each rule does
| Rule | Effect on the house edge |
|---|---|
| Blackjack pays 6:5 instead of 3:2 | +1.39% |
| Blackjack pays 1:1 | +2.27% |
| Dealer hits soft 17 (H17) | +0.22% |
| No double after split | +0.14% |
| Double on 10 and 11 only | +0.18% |
| No dealer hole card (European rule) | +0.11% |
| Late surrender allowed | −0.07% |
| Resplitting Aces allowed | −0.08% |
| 6 decks instead of 8 | −0.02% |
| Single deck instead of 8 | −0.48% |
Approximate values relative to 8 decks, dealer stands on 17, double after split allowed. Source: simulations published by Wizard of Odds.
The rule that matters most: 3:2 or 6:5
A natural blackjack should pay 3 to 2: €15 for a €10 bet. Some tables pay 6 to 5: €12 for €10. It looks minor, but this one rule nearly triples the house edge. Avoid 6:5 tables, whatever the other rules.
S17 or H17
On the felt you'll often read "Dealer stands on all 17s" (S17, good for you) or "Dealer hits soft 17" (H17). With H17 the dealer improves soft 17s more often. A few strategy decisions change too (notably 11 vs Ace and some soft hands).
Hole card or European rule
Under American rules, the dealer checks for blackjack before you act. Under the European rule (common at live tables), the dealer only takes a second card at the end: if you split or doubled and the dealer makes blackjack, you can lose more than your initial bet. That's why you don't double 11 against a 10 or Ace under this rule.
Picking a table in 30 seconds
- Blackjack pays 3:2 (essential).
- Dealer stands on all 17s (S17).
- Double on any two cards and after splitting.
- Surrender allowed: a bonus.
- Table minimums that fit your budget.
RNG or live?
Rules matter in both. The difference: in RNG (software) games the cards are reshuffled every hand, so counting is useless. At live tables with a real shoe, the remaining cards vary, but many tables reshuffle early.
Frequently asked questions
What is the house edge in blackjack?
About 0.4 to 0.5% with good rules and perfect basic strategy. It exceeds 2% for a player who improvises, and rises sharply at 6:5 tables.
Why avoid tables where blackjack pays 6:5?
That rule adds about 1.4% to the house edge — nearly three times the cost of a good 3:2 table.
Does the number of decks matter much?
Very little between 6 and 8 decks (about 0.02%). The gap only becomes noticeable with 1 or 2 decks.