Is the House Edge in Blackjack Scheming?

Blackjack for centuries has been one of the most popular casino games among players around the world. The aim in Blackjack is to get closer to 21 than the dealer without exceeding the value. Even though Blackjack is a relatively simple game, it involves a good deal of skill.

When it comes to improving your chances of winning at the game, there are dozens of Blackjack systems out there: Martingale, Parlay, Labouchere and more. Some of these strategies work, while others can cause players to go bust. But do they have any impact on Blackjack house edge? Read on to know more about it.

What is Blackjack house edge?

In casino gambling, the house edge is the statistical advantage the casino has over the player. This advantage results in an assured percentage return to the casino over time and for players an assured percentage loss of what they bet. When it comes to Blackjack, the house edge percentage is around 0.5%. This is determined by players effectively using basic Blackjack strategy but will alter based on how well it’s executed.

Can you reduce the house edge in Blackjack?

Blackjack house edge can be reduced by using the basic strategy. Whether basic or advanced, knowing which decisions to make at the right time will help you in improving your chances of winning. For experienced players who use more advanced strategies, the house edge can be reduced even further. Likewise, if a player is implementing an incorrect strategy or playing without any system, the house edge can rise to 2%.

Blackjack rule variations

There are various basic and complex rules in Blackjack that influence the house edge. They include:

Hit or stand on soft 17

A soft 17 is one that includes an Ace valued at 11 and can be valued at 17 or 7. 17 is the standard value that the croupier would normally be forced to stand on. The house edge tends to be higher when the croupier has to hit on soft 17 rather than stand on that value.

Most casinos have the soft 17 rule in place, so make sure to go through the rules thoroughly before playing. Also, don’t try to use a single rule difference as a yardstick for the entire game.

The number of decks

The standard number of decks used at most online casinos these days is 8. Basically, the lesser the decks used, the more advantageous it is for the players. If less than 8 decks are used, the casino will make up for it by offering less favourable rules.

If a casino offers a Blackjack game with fewer decks and some disadvantageous rules, then the house edge can be significantly lower than other casinos. As such, make the most of such games, as casinos occasionally release these games for a limited period of time.

Resplitting rules

Rules for splitting can be either simple or complex based on the casino, but the more liberal they are, the more advantageous it is for the player. Often, split hands in Blackjack that aren’t Aces can only be hit, and not doubled down on. If the player has the ability to double down on split hands, then the house edge reduces slightly.

Being able to split Aces is quite important for players, as some variations of Blackjack might count Ace and 10-point card hands as splits after a natural, paying them at a more favourable odds for a Blackjack. If the player can hit hands-on split Aces, the house edge reduces by 0.13%. If the Aces can be resplit, then the house edge of the game reduces by 0.03%.

Other rule changes in Blackjack

The rules in the game of Blackjack can be changed in a number of ways, but the previously mentioned ones are the most common. Many Blackjack games can add unusual twists than can greatly change the nature of the game. For example, players are dealt two cards and can switch the second card dealt with each hand in Blackjack Switch. Of course, the rule is advantageous to the player, but it’s countered by rules such as dealer push on 22.