BLACKJACK ODDS EXPLAINED

Blackjack is one of the simplest table games available at any online casino – or is it? Take a look at any table or online game, and you’ll probably see lots of different side bets and chances to win. But what are some typical blackjack odds – and what is the chance of leaving the table with some winnings?

There are a few things that can change blackjack odds. For example, the style of game, side bets, house edge and strategy can all affect your chances of winning. Below, we’ll take a look at everything you really need to know about blackjack’s odds and how you can work them to your favor.

How do odds work in blackjack?

Blackjack is one of the fairest and most lucrative table games you’ll play at the casino. However, the odds of winning at blackjack will change as the game progresses.

When playing blackjack, you need to consider your chances of getting certain cards and hands, not just your chances of winning outright. There are also the odds of what hands the dealer will make!

Many blackjack players choose to measure odds on the chance of going bust. This means that instead of looking at winning opportunities, they consider how likely it is that they will lose!

As you keep drawing cards in blackjack, your chance of going bust increases. That’s because you’re always getting closer to the magic number of 21. For example, the odds or probability of you going bust by hitting a card on a total of 11 or less is zero.

However, that jumps to 31% when you make 12 in your hand. It leaps massively to 56% when you make 14! If you’re at the point where you have a hand making 20, you have a 92% chance of going bust.

Dealers hand affects blackjack odds

The probability and odds of the game change again when we consider the dealer. Depending on the card they draw, and whether they stand or hit on a hand of 17, their probability of going bust may be as high as 44%.

Therefore, while you may have a low hand with a low probability of going bust, you need to consider your dealer’s hand! Some players may choose to stand on a hard 12, for example, as there’s more chance of them winning based on what might be in the dealer’s hand.

Odds and probabilities in blackjack can get quite complex. It’s why there are so many popular blackjack strategies out there! There are also side bets in some games of blackjack – these can increase your payouts to as much as 25:1!

Do also consider the type of blackjack game you’re playing. Believe it or not, the simplest game of blackjack also tends to have the best odds! The house edge on single-deck games of blackjack is the lowest.

This means that there’s less chance of the casino, or dealer, cleaning up. Atlantic City Blackjack also has a low house edge, and offers you the chance to split on high-value cards.

What is the probability of getting blackjack?

The probability of getting blackjack in a single hand is around 4.83%. That’s pretty low, and it equates to roughly one blackjack for every 20 hands, based on a single deck.

Of course, there are factors that can change this probability for better or worse. For example, as you remove cards from the deck, your chances of scoring 21 in a single hand can go up or down.

If you’re yet to see a picture card or an ace in your hand, your chances of scoring a straight 21 will change depending on how many cards you have left.


This changes even more when you add more decks into play! Online games normally use a single deck of a standard 52 cards, but there are some that use many more. 

That said, increasing the number of decks in play doesn’t reduce your chance of hitting blackjack as much as you might expect. For example, even with six decks in play, you still have a chance of getting blackjack at around 4.735%.

When you start getting into blackjack, you’ll realize that aiming for a straight 21 isn’t always the aim of the game. It’s all about outguessing the dealer, and trying to reduce that all-important house edge.

Blackjack house edge

The house edge in blackjack determines how likely it is that a dealer, or the casino, will win each game. The house edge at each blackjack table will vary, but casinos normally fix it in place. Players can actually reduce the house edge during play by using certain strategies!

The house edge for blackjack games may be as small as 1.3% and as much as 28%. However, you can reduce this to less than 1% if you’re smart about your choices. In most blackjack games, you’re likely to see a house edge of around 8%.

HOW TO REDUCE House Edge in Blackjack

One of the easiest ways to reduce the house edge is probably the most painstaking. It’s a really good idea to learn the rules and odds of the games in detail before making any broad decisions. 

Try looking up an odds table while you play blackjack online. Once you draw a hand, check the odds on your dealer going bust depending on their card on display. It’s simply then a case of making a mathematical decision. 

Even if you may not want to go bust, if the math says stand or hit, it’s worth following the probability. After all, this is more reliable than gut instinct!

If you want to reduce the house edge even further, it’s worth keeping the game as simple as you can. While side bets and extra insurance make blackjack more interesting in varying ways, it can complicate the math. 

When accepting insurance on a bet, for example, the house edge can leap even higher. While this may pay you 2:1, there’s still more chance of you winning if you avoid taking any extra bets or features to overcomplicate the game.

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Author: Darcie

Title: Resorts Live Project Manager Length with RC: 4 months Favorite Casino Game: Jersey Devil Background in iGaming: Primary background is in live streaming. Introduced to iGaming through ResortsLIVE. Location: Based in New Jersey at the Resorts Casino HQ

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