Simply put, house edge means the percentage of a player’s bet that the casino gets as profit on average. The size of the house edge dictates how much a player will get in a winning hand. Instead of winning 100% of his bet, the house edge is deducted.

For example, if the house edge is 2.5%, the casino gets that percent for every winning hand that the player gets. So instead of winning 100% of his bet, he only gets 97.5%. Thus, on average, a player loses 2.5% for every $100 bet he makes. Emphasis on “average” as one player may bet $100 and lose all of it while another bets $100 and wins $200 on top of his original bet.

Seasoned blackjack players look for blackjack variants with the lowest house edge so he can win the most or lose the least, depending on the outcome of his hand.

Low House Edge

 

Blackjack has the lowest house edge among casino games as this game is not won purely on luck but involves skills and application of strategies. The rule of thumb in blackjack house edge is that the fewer cards that are used, the lower the house edge. Thus, a single deck of blackjack game will have a lower payout for a natural “blackjack” to provide the casino some edge over the winning player. The table below shows the house edge that corresponds to the number of decks being played in a standard blackjack game that pays 3:2, and where the dealer stands on soft 17.

Number of Decks House Edge

Single Deck -0.03%
Two Decks +0.25%
Four Decks +0.38%
Six Decks +0.42%
Eight Decks +0.44%

The following are blackjack variants with the lowest house edge. The house edge percentage depends on the number of cards played.

Vegas Strip Blackjack – This version’s house edge is 0.35% when the dealer stands on soft 17 and if four decks of cards are in play. Players should double down on any hand and after splitting a hand.

Classic Blackjack – With a deck of cards in play and the dealer stands on a soft 17, the house edge of this version is a low 0.13%. Player should double down on 9 and 11 but should not do so after splitting a hand.

Spanish Blackjack – This version has a house edge of 0.38% when eight decks of cards are used and if the dealer hits a soft 17. This is a peek game and players should double down on any hand and after splitting a hand.

Atlantic City Blackjack – When eight decks of cards are in play and the dealer stands on soft 17, the house edge is 0.36%. Again, this is a peek game and players must double down on any hand and after splitting a hand.

Pontoon Blackjack- This version has a house edge of 0.39% when eight decks of cards are used in the play and the dealer stands on a soft 17. This is another peek game. Players must buy on any hand and do the same after splitting a hand.

Play these variants for the lowest house edge percentages thereby bettering your chances of bringing down the house!