Rules that change the edge
- Natural payout. 3:2 is standard; 6:5 adds about 1.4 percent to the house edge and should be avoided.
- Dealer on soft 17. Standing is better for the player by about 0.2 percent than hitting.
- Double after split. Allowed is better by about 0.14 percent.
- Surrender. Late surrender saves about 0.08 percent.
- Number of decks. Fewer decks are better; single deck versus eight decks is worth about 0.5 percent.
- Dealer peek. In European no-peek rules the player can lose double and split bets to a dealer blackjack.
The rules are listed in the help panel of every table. A table with 3:2, stand on soft 17, double after split and late surrender gives an edge near 0.4 percent with basic strategy.
Basic strategy in words
Always split aces and eights; never split tens or fives. Double on eleven against anything but an ace, on ten against two through nine, on nine against three through six. Stand on hard seventeen or more. On hard twelve to sixteen, stand when the dealer shows two through six and hit when the dealer shows seven or higher, with the exception of twelve against two or three, where you hit. Hit soft seventeen or less; stand on soft nineteen or more; with soft eighteen, stand against two, seven and eight, double against three through six, hit against nine, ten and ace. Never take insurance.
- Print or memorise a full chart; the summary above covers the common hands.
- Practise in demo mode until each decision takes no thought.
- Ignore other players' choices at a live table; they do not change your odds.
Side bets and variants
Perfect Pairs, 21+3, Bust It and Hot 3 are side bets with house edges between 3 and 10 percent; they are entertainment, not strategy. Infinite Blackjack seats any number of players on one hand with a shared dealer; decisions are individual and the pace is steady. Free Bet Blackjack gives free doubles on 9, 10 and 11 and free splits on pairs except tens, with the dealer pushing all bets on 22 to pay for it; the edge is about 1 percent. Power Blackjack and Lightning Blackjack add multipliers at a higher base edge.
Live tables and bankroll
Standard live tables seat seven players and fill up in the evening; bet behind lets you wager on another player's hand. Minimums start around 5 USD, Infinite Blackjack around 1 USD, VIP tables far higher. A session bankroll of at least fifty times the bet absorbs normal variance. Blackjack is counted at a low rate or excluded from bonus wagering (bonus page). Software versions are in the table games guide; the full list of studios in the live dealer section.
Blackjack variants compared
| Variant | Where | Natural payout | House edge with basic strategy | Typical minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic eight-deck | RNG and live | 3:2 | 0.5–0.6% | 0.5 USD RNG, 5 USD live |
| Single deck | RNG | 3:2 | 0.2–0.4% | 0.5 USD |
| European no-peek | RNG and live | 3:2 | 0.6–0.7% | 1 USD |
| Infinite Blackjack | Live | 3:2 | 0.5–0.6% | 1 USD |
| Free Bet Blackjack | Live | 3:2 | About 1% | 1 USD |
| Lightning / Power Blackjack | Live | 3:2 with fee or multipliers | 1–1.5% | 1 USD |
| Any table paying 6:5 | Avoid | 6:5 | 1.9%+ | n/a |
Common questions
Does card counting work online?
Not on RNG tables, where the deck is reshuffled every hand, and not usefully on live tables, where shoes are cut deep and shuffled often.
Should I take insurance?
Never. Insurance carries an edge of about 7 percent against the player.
Can I play blackjack with bonus money?
It is usually counted at a low rate or excluded. Check the contribution table before playing.
What is bet behind?
On a full live table you can bet on another seated player's hand and follow their decisions.