How to understand the house edge in blackjack
When it comes to blackjack, one of the features that appeal to many players is the low house edge. We’ve previously covered the importance of finding the blackjack games that have the lowest house edge, but even that’s not always necessary. The truth is that even a game of blackjack that comes with the least player-friendly rules ever will still have a lower house edge than any other casino game. Read more about understanding blackjack house edge.
That being said, the house edge in blackjack still matters. There may be some players who don’t pay a great deal of attention to this, but we’d suggest that they probably should. Why? Well, the lower the house edge of the game the longer you play and the more likely it is that you’ll hit a winning session. If that sounds like something that you’d like, then read on so that you know all that there is to know about the house edge in blackjack.
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Understanding Blackjack House Edge – What is the house edge?
The house edge is something that applies to all casino games, not just blackjack. In essence, it is about the mathematical advantage that a casino has in a game. This is based over time rather than just during one game. The house edge matters to the casino, as this is where its profits come from. It’s equally important to players as it shows them the likelihood of winning.
When it comes to calculating the house edge, casinos are estimating what they will win from players over time. The casinos understand that there will be variations, with ups and downs along the way. However, they rely on the fact that the house edge holds true over the course of many games, running into the millions.
When it comes to players, the house edge gives them an insight into the game that they’re playing. On a simple level, it tells the player if the game is good, bad, or even horrendous!. If players are faced with a game that has a high house edge this means that the chances of winning over time aren’t great. Conversely, a low house edge means that there is an increased chance of winning. This means that players get to keep playing for longer and there’s a better chance of them hitting a winning streak.
You may wonder why casinos even feature games that have a low house edge. It’s easy to think that these are the games that are likely to bring casinos the least in terms of profits. The reality is that this isn’t always the case. There are games such as baccarat with a low house edge. The thing is, this low house edge encourages players to bet more. They are more willing to risk higher amounts on each game so the casinos actually make more. Games, such as poker, that have a higher house edge see players betting more cautiously and there tend to be fewer high rollers.
Understanding Blackjack House Edge – The best blackjack house edge
One of the things that experienced blackjack players have seen in recent times is the fact that blackjack rules have been changing. These changes have been creeping in over a number of years and they all seem to have one aim: to increase the house edge. As you wander around a casino there’s a good chance that you’ll find several versions of blackjack that have different rules and a house edge that comes in at different levels.
If you venture into high limits rooms, generally you’ll find that these feature the versions of blackjack that have the lowest house edge. It tends to be in high-traffic areas that you come across versions that have the highest house edge. As you explore the rest of the casino, you’ll find numerous games that fall somewhere in between.
As a rule of thumb, blackjack games with the lowest limits come with the highest house edge. By taking a look at the Vegas Strip, you can find $10 limits and these will only pay 6:5 for a natural blackjack. This should be a 3:2 payout and this change significantly impacts the game.
Different blackjack games and their house edge
We want you to get the best out of your blackjack game. What makes a game more enjoyable is playing where there are player-friendly rules and a low-house edge. These are some of the things that you’ll need to consider:
The payout for a natural blackjack
This is what has the biggest impact on the house edge. There was once a time when all you’d ever find was a 3:2 payout. Over time, it has become more and more common to see 6:5 being offered. This 6:5 increases the house edge more than any other rule is capable of doing. The takeaway? Always seek games that pay 3:2.
The number of decks
As the more cards that are in play increase, so does the house edge. It’s always best to seek games of blackjack that are using the fewest decks so that the house edge stays low. Something else to consider here is that the fewer decks there are, the easier it is to card count.
Splitting pairs
You’ll find that some casinos are quite limiting when it comes to their rules on splitting as they don’t want you to bring the house edge down. The rules that you want are the ones that allow you to split on any two cards, allow you to double after splitting, and let you resplit aces.
Dealer hits/stands on 17
It’s common to find blackjack games where the dealer hits on soft 17. This is bad news for players as it increases the house edge. You may struggle to find a casino where the dealer stands on 17, but if you can then it’s well worth playing at.
Surrender
This isn’t a rule that you can take advantage of at every casino, but where you can it’s another that will lower the house edge. Basic blackjack strategy can be used to let gamblers know exactly when they should surrender.
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