Blackjack Odds & House Edge Explained for Dummies
Blackjack odds destroy the myth that the virtual casino (house) always wins. They depend on the variation one is recreating and the type of bets they place. Everyone who wants to play the game with a better understanding of how to beat it, this guide explains that. We cover the odds of winning in blackjack, bust chances and house edge.
What are Blackjack Odds?
The concept of blackjack odds grasps several aspects. Simply put, these are our percentage chances of winning a round, losing it or hitting a tie. They are calculated based on the cards an individual holds and the dealer’s initial card, which is placed face up. Both are crucial pieces of information for punters in deciding how to play blackjack hands as correctly as possible.
Important Terms to Know
- Winning Odds. This refers to a measure of the chances of a positive outcome for a player. Or, in other words, that the player’s cards will beat those of the dealer.
- House Edge. It indicates the income that the gambling operator expects to receive from every game. When one plays smart, this percentage (the black jack odds advantage in the house’s favour) can be reduced to as low as 0.5%.
- Probabilities. Unlike odds, probabilities indicate the likelihood of emerging victorious in the round.
- RTP. The term defines the prospective payback over time, which may reach 99.5% by taking savvy decisions.
- Busting Odds. This term means the chances of losing the game, i.e. getting a hand value exceeding 21.
The stronger your knowledge of the odds and probability in blackjack, the more reasonable your next move.
Odds of Winning Blackjack: Our Quick Insights
It should be emphasised that the odds of winning blackjack are never fixed. Variation rules, involved number of decks and the applied blackjack strategy are among the key factors defining the chances. However, average values for a standard game are known and highlighted below:
- Player – 42.22%.
- House (casino operator) – 49.10%.
- Tie (push) – 8.48%.
The dealer's up card sets the tone for the entire round, as it gives worthwhile information. This is what has the highest impact on the player’s further decisions. Moves done, in turn, have a drastic impact on both blackjack winning odds and busting chances. Let’s delve into more detail.
Player Odds And Busting Chance
Since the key game goal is not to go over 21, players must know the probability of it based on the current hand.
| Hand Value | Your Winning Odds | Your Busting Chance |
|---|---|---|
| less than 11 | 50% | 0% |
| 12 | 30% | 31% |
| 13 | 35% | 39% |
| 14 | 42% | 56% |
| 15 | 50% | 58% |
| 16 | 60% | 62% |
| 17 | 70% | 69% |
| 18 | 77% | 77% |
| 19 | 86% | 85% |
| 20 | 92% | 92% |
| 21 | 100% | 100% |
Note: These blackjack odds are approximate and work for the classic game with the mathematically optimal strategy applied.
House Odds and Busting Chance
The standard dealer odds of winning here are around 49%. Before making your own decision, it’s crucial to assess the current state of affairs from the dealer’s side. Our simple blackjack odds chart should come in handy:
| Dealer Hand Value | Busting Chance |
|---|---|
| 21 (10 and the Ace) | 4.82% |
| 21 (3+ cards) | 7.36% |
| 20 | 17.58% |
| 19 | 13.48% |
| 18 | 13.81% |
| 17 | 14.58% |
| 16 | 28.36% |
We advise focusing on which croupier’s card is up: the lower its value, the higher your chances of success.
Blackjack Side Bet Odds Explained
Since standard gameplay often bores experienced punters, software developers add an extra level of excitement to their products. We are talking about side bets in blackjack, which refer to separate wagers made on top of the initial stake. Additional betting options may not only diversify fun but also boost one’s winning odds and even payout size. However, they carry higher risks and hence come with a greater online casino advantage. Here’s a quick overview of odds with popular side bets:
- 21+3. A three-card poker rule applies here, and the combination consists of two player cards and the dealer’s up card. The odds vary between 100:1 and 5:1.
- Perfect pair. In this case, the dealt cards do not matter. This wager wins when the player has a qualifying combination: coloured, mixed or ideal pair. Blackjack payouts start at 5:1 for the weakest pair and reach 25:1 for the perfect one (e.g. 9♥︎9♥︎ or 7♣︎7♣︎).
- Insurance. Here, the odds are 2:1 if the dealer has a true Blackjack. This extra bet is possible when the Ace is up. Watch out as the house edge jumps to 7% when blackjack insurance is in place.
Although side bets allow players to boost potential payouts, the drawback is the growing advantage of the casino. Sometimes, it may reach 11%.
Blackjack Variations With The Best Odds
Another way a UK player can boost their own winning chances is to properly select the game type. The results of our research on the blackjack house edge are gathered in the table below.
| Blackjack Type | Description | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| American | The dealer gets 2 cards at the beginning and can check the hole card at once if the up card is an Ace or 10. | 0.61% |
| European | Here, the croupier gets 1 card and is allowed to check the hole card after the player makes their bet. | 0.39% |
| Spanish | This one uses a Spanish deck with no 10-value cards. If both the player and the dealer have 21, the player always wins. | 0.4% |
Summary & Tips to Maximise Blackjack Odds of Winning
The casino advantage seems to be a constant value, but certain actions can help reduce it and boost the prospective payout. Here are our suggestions:
- Select a more favourable game variation. Spend time mastering the nuances of existing variants and choose the one with the most advantageous rules. E.g. the fewer decks are used, the lower the house edge.
- Stick to a basic strategy. It tells accurate moves in any situation (for every hand one can get dealt) versus the croupier’s upcard. All decisions are based on mathematical calculations.
- Master card counting. This strategy is possible at live tables only. Find out more about the nuances of the card counting system and apply this knowledge to boost your blackjack payouts.
- Avoid risky side bets as a beginner. As already mentioned above, any additional betting option works against a player in terms of house edge. Such wagers increase the HE percentage from 0.5% up to 5%, 7% and even higher.
- Practice in free demo mode. Verified users have access to trial game versions in most safe online casinos. Rookies can use them to get comfortable with elementary strategy and build some skills before they put real money at risk.
And finally, be wise in managing your bankroll. To avoid excessive expenses, set a limit for the next session and stop playing once it is reached. Act responsibly!
Top Gambling Sites to Test Blackjack Odds
#Ad 18+. BeGambleAware. New players only. Min deposit £10. Min. refund bonus £10. Wagering on bonus 60x. The Bonus based on 1st deposit lost. 77 FS on Book of Dead. Max bet with bonus £5. EcoPayz, Skrill & Neteller excluded. Full T&Cs apply
#Ad 18+. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware. New customers only. Min deposit £10 (first) and £20 (2nd and 3rd). Three executive days of depositing is needed for max value. Max winning £500. FS on Starburst and other titles.
#Ad 18+. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware. First deposit only, min £10. Code: SWIFT. Max. Bonus £50. Max amount of FS is 50. Game: Book of Dead, Spin Value: £0.10. WR of 30x Deposit + Bonus amount and 60x Free Spin winnings within 30 days. Max bet is 10% (min £0.10) of the free spin winnings and bonus amount or £5.
FAQ
🧨 Is online blackjack rigged?
No, if one plays on a reputable gambling site with a UK licence and positive feedback. In this case, no falsification is possible. Top casino operators shake hands with trusted software providers who use fair algorithms for RNG games.
🧨 What is the house edge in blackjack?
This value represents the income of the casino from players’ bets over time. The average house edge is at 0.5%.
🧨 What are the odds of winning blackjack?
This value is around 42.22%. Such odds apply to any standard single-deck game where an individual follows basic strategy.
🧨 What blackjack variation has the lowest house edge?
American blackjack remains the most profitable one. Its house edge is around 0.39% with a payout ratio of 3:2.
🧨 What’s the best strategy to improve blackjack odds?
To turn the odds in your favour, always pay attention to the dealer’s visible card and learn to count cards. Avoid insurance and other side wagers as a beginner. Sticking to proper table selection (with player-friendly regulations) is also beneficial.
