BlackJack

Blackjack is a table game, typically found at casinos, where the goal is to get 21 Blackjack without going over 21.

How to Play Blackjack

Blackjack Strategy

Top 10 Blackjack Tips

Here are our top 10 blackjack tips. These expert blackjack tips will ensure you get the best odds when playing blackjack.

  1. Count cards and bet based on the Count (optional)
  2. Know how many Aces are left in the deck. Aces increase your chances of getting blackjack. If you have access to a side-bet that favors blackjack. Take the side-bet when the deck is rich in aces and tens for a slightly risky, but high short term return.(optional)
  3. Never take side-bets (unless the count favors a side-bet)
  4. Assume the dealer has a 10
  5. Stand on 12 or higher if dealer is showing 6 or lower
  6. Hit on 12 or higher if dealer is showing 7 or higher
  7. Don’t split things that start with a “f” (fours, fives, faces) or 10s
  8. Always split Aces and 8s
  9. Always double down on 11
  10. Never double down on 8 or lower, or 13 or higher

Following the above rules you will increase your odds of winning substantially.

If haven’t learned at least basic card counting strategy and/or basic blackjack strategy, you should keep in mind the Casino will still have the edge and statistically you will lose money over time.

Simply following rules 3 – 10 to play better than the average BJ player and bring your edge pretty darn close to 50%.

You’ll break some of the rules when using perfect strategy and have mastered the count, but for now simply following the above will bring down a potential house edge of around 4% – 1% or less.

House Edge Percentage Chart Casino Games

Get the house edge (house advantage) of common casino games like Roulette, craps, blackjack, and slots.

Summary Tables for House Advantage

The two tables from the University of Las Vegas Center for Gaming Research below show the house advantages for many of the popular casino games. The first table is a summary of the popular games and the second gives a more detailed breakdown.

House Advantages for Popular Casino Games

Game

House Advantage

Roulette (double-zero)

5.3%

Craps (pass/come)

1.4%

Craps (pass/come with double odds)

0.6%

Blackjack – average player

2.0%

Blackjack – 6 decks, basic strategy*

0.5%

Blackjack – single deck, basic strategy*

0.0%

Baccarat (no tie bets)

1.2%

Caribbean Stud*

5.2%

Let It Ride*

3.5%

Three Card Poker*

3.4%

Pai Gow Poker (ante/play)*

2.5%

Slots

5% – 10%

Video Poker*

0.5% – 3%

Keno (average)

27.0%

*optimal strategy

 

House Advantages for Major Casino Wagers

Game

Bet

HA*

Baccarat

Banker (5% commission)

1.06%

Baccarat

Player

1.24%

Big Six Wheel

Average

19.84%

Blackjack

Card-Counting

-1.00%

Blackjack

Basic Strategy

0.50%

Blackjack

Average player

2.00%

Blackjack

Poor Player

4.00%

Caribbean Stud

Ante

5.22%

Casino War

Basic Bet

2.88%

Craps

Any Craps

11.11%

Craps

Any Seven

16.67%

Craps

Big 6, Big 8

9.09%

Craps

Buy (any)

4.76%

Craps

C&E

11.11%

Craps

don’t pass/Don’t Come

1.36%

Craps

don’t pass/Don’t Come w/1X Odds

0.68%

Craps

don’t pass/Don’t Come w/2X Odds

0.45%

Craps

don’t pass/Don’t Come w/3X Odds

0.34%

Craps

don’t pass/Don’t Come w/5X Odds

0.23%

Craps

don’t pass/Don’t Come w/10X Odds

0.12%

Craps

Don’t Place 4 or 10

3.03%

Craps

Don’t Place 5 or 9

2.50%

Craps

Don’t Place 6 or 8

1.82%

Craps

Field (2 and 12 pay double)

5.56%

Craps

Field (2 or 12 pays triple)

2.78%

Craps

Hard 4, Hard 10

11.11%

Craps

Hard 6, Hard 8

9.09%

Craps

Hop Bet – easy (14-1)

16.67%

Craps

Hop Bet – easy (15-1)

11.11%

Craps

Hop Bet – hard (29-1)

16.67%

Craps

Hop Bet – hard (30-1)

13.89%

Craps

Horn Bet (30-1 & 15-1)

12.50%

Craps

Horn High – any (29-1 & 14-1)

16.67%

Craps

Horn High 2, Horn High 12 (30-1 & 15-1)

12.78%

Craps

Horn High 3, Horn High 11 (30-1 & 15-1)

12.22%

Craps

Lay 4 or 10

2.44%

Craps

Lay 5 or 9

3.23%

Craps

Lay 6 or 8

4.00%

Craps

Pass/Come

1.41%

Craps

Pass/Come w/1X Odds

0.85%

Craps

Pass/Come w/2X Odds

0.61%

Craps

Pass/Come w/3X Odds

0.47%

Craps

Pass/Come w/5X Odds

0.33%

Craps

Pass/Come w/10X Odds

0.18%

Craps

Place 4 or 10

6.67%

Craps

Place 5 or 9

4.00%

Craps

Place 6 or 8

1.52%

Craps

Three, Eleven (14-1)

16.67%

Craps

Three, Eleven (15-1)

11.11%

Craps

Two, Twelve (29-1)

16.67%

Craps

Two, Twelve (30-1)

13.89%

Keno

Typical

27.00%

Let It Ride

Base bet

3.51%

Pai Gow

Poker Skilled player (non-banker)

2.54%

Pai Gow Poker

Average player (non-banker)

2.84%

Red Dog

Basic bet (six decks)

2.80%

Roulette

Single-zero

2.70%

Roulette

Double-zero (except five-number)

5.26%

Roulette

Double-zero, five-number bet

7.89%

Sic Bo

Big/Small

2.78%

Sic Bo

One of a Kind

7.87%

Sic Bo

7, 14

9.72%

Sic Bo

8, 13

12.50%

Sic Bo

10, 11

12.50%

Sic Bo

Any three of a kind

13.89%

Sic Bo

5, 16

13.89%

Sic Bo

4, 17

15.28%

Sic Bo

Three of a kind

16.20%

Sic Bo

Two-dice combination

16.67%

Sic Bo

6, 15

16.67%

Sic Bo

Two of a kind

18.52%

Sic Bo

9, 12

18.98%

Slots

Dollar Slots (good)

4.00%

Slots

Quarter Slots (good)

5.00%

Slots

Dollar Slots (average)

6.00%

Slots

Quarter Slots (average)

8.00%

Sports Betting

Bet $11 to Win $10

4.55%

Three Card Poker

Pair Plus

2.32%

Three Card Poker

Ante

3.37%

Video Poker

Selected Machines

-0.50%

*House Advantages under typical conditions, expressed “per hand” and including ties, where appropriate. Optimal strategy assumed unless otherwise noted.

Note: This summary is the intellectual property of Robert Hannum and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.