Blackjack games: rules that change the house edge
Decks, the dealer’s soft-17 rule and the blackjack payout move the return more than any side bet.
Rules to check in any blackjack game
Blackjack returns more than almost any other casino game when it is played with basic strategy on good rules, around 99.5%. The rule set matters more than the name on the table.
- Blackjack payout: 3:2 is standard; 6:5 adds about 1.4 percentage points to the house edge.
- Dealer on soft 17: standing is better for the player than hitting.
- Doubling and splitting: double on any two cards and after a split is the favourable version.
- Surrender, where offered, is worth a little when used correctly.
Game pages for individual blackjack titles will be added as we verify each studio’s published rules and return. Until then, the guides below explain how to read any version.