Blackjack House Edge Calculator
Calculate the house edge based on specific table rules
Formula:
House Edge = Base Edge + Rule AdjustmentsTable Rules
Configure the blackjack rules
House Edge Analysis
Expected cost based on these rules
House Edge
0.860%
Player Return: 99.140%
Per Hand
-$0
Per Hour
-$22
4-Hour Session
-$86
Rule Impact Breakdown
Base (6 deck)+0.53%
Dealer H17+0.22%
Double After Split-0.13%
Late Surrender-0.08%
Common Rule Sets
Compare different casino rules
Quick Answer
Key concepts at a glance
Blackjack house edge ranges from 0.28% to over 2% depending on rules. Best rules: Single deck, 3:2 blackjack, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split, late surrender = ~0.28%. Worst common rules: 8 decks, 6:5 blackjack, H17 = ~2%. At $25/hand for 100 hands/hour, a 0.5% edge costs $12.50/hour vs $50/hour at 2% edge.
Key Facts About House Edge
Important factors that affect your odds
- 6:5 blackjack payout adds 1.39% to house edge vs 3:2 payout
- Dealer hitting soft 17 (H17) adds ~0.22% house edge
- Each additional deck adds about 0.02% house edge (1 to 8 decks)
- Double after split (DAS) reduces house edge by ~0.13%
- Late surrender reduces house edge by ~0.08%
- Resplitting aces reduces house edge by ~0.08%
- At $100/hand, 0.5% edge = $0.50 expected loss per hand
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about blackjack house edge
What is the house edge in blackjack?
The house edge is the mathematical advantage the casino has over the player, expressed as a percentage. A 0.5% house edge means for every $100 wagered, you expect to lose $0.50 on average. Blackjack has one of the lowest house edges of any casino game when played with basic strategy.
Why does 6:5 blackjack increase the house edge so much?
Traditional 3:2 blackjack pays $15 on a $10 bet for a natural blackjack. 6:5 pays only $12. This difference adds 1.39% to the house edge - massive in blackjack terms. A 6:5 game with otherwise good rules has worse odds than a mediocre 3:2 game.
What are the best blackjack rules to look for?
Ideal rules: 3:2 blackjack payout, dealer stands on soft 17 (S17), double on any two cards, double after split (DAS), late surrender, fewer decks (single or double deck ideal), resplit aces. Avoid: 6:5 payout, continuous shuffling machines, no surrender, no DAS.
How does the number of decks affect house edge?
More decks slightly increase house edge: Single deck has the lowest edge (about 0.17% less than 8 decks). However, single deck games often have worse rules (6:5 payouts, no DAS) that more than offset this advantage. A 6-deck 3:2 game with good rules beats a single deck 6:5 game.
Does card counting eliminate the house edge?
Card counting can give skilled players a small advantage (0.5-1.5% typically), but it requires significant skill, discipline, and a large bankroll to withstand variance. Casinos also use countermeasures. For most players, the goal should be finding the lowest house edge games and playing perfect basic strategy.
How this works
Calculations follow the published mathematics of the game — combinatorics for cards, probability theory for dice, and expected-value accounting for wagers. Results are verified against independent references (primarily Wizard of Odds). No calculation here is an opinion or recommendation; it is arithmetic applied to the rules of the game.
What this tool can’t do
When to consult a professional
This tool computes probability and expected value. It is not a betting system and cannot predict the outcome of any individual wager. If gambling is causing problems for you or someone you know, call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.
Sources
- [1]Wizard of Odds — Michael Shackleford, ASAIndustrywizardofodds.comAccessed Apr 21, 2026
Actuary; widely cited casino-game probability reference. Used for house-edge and EV verification.
- [2]National Council on Problem GamblingOfficial sourcencpgambling.orgAccessed Apr 21, 2026
Responsible-gambling guidance and 1-800-GAMBLER helpline.
Joseph OrdunaFounder & Software Engineer
Full-stack software engineer specializing in embedded systems, web architecture, and AI/ML. Founder of Practical Web Tools. Built the gesture-controlled drone IP acquired by KD Interactive (Aura Drone, sold on Amazon).