Check the rules before you play
| Rule | What you want | Effect on the house edge |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack payout | 3:2, never 6:5 | 6:5 adds about 1.4 points |
| Dealer on soft 17 | Stands (S17) | Hitting adds about 0.2 points |
| Double after split | Allowed | Not allowed adds about 0.15 points |
| Late surrender | Available | Saves about 0.07 points |
| Number of decks | Fewer is better | One deck against eight is worth about 0.5 points |
Aim for tables where the combined edge after basic strategy stays under about 0.5%. At online tables the rules are in the help or information screen.
How to use basic strategy
- Open the rules screen and confirm 3:2, the soft 17 rule and the number of decks.
- Use a strategy chart that matches those rules; charts differ slightly for S17 and H17 games.
- Keep the chart beside you. Online, nobody minds.
- Never take insurance: it is a side bet with a high edge unless you are counting cards.
- Bet the same amount each hand unless you have a reason backed by maths.
Plays people get wrong
- Stand on hard 12 against a dealer 4, 5 or 6; hit against 2 and 3.
- Always split aces and eights; never split tens or fives.
- Double 11 against every dealer card except an ace in most multi-deck games.
Card counting and online play
RNG blackjack shuffles before every hand, so counting is useless there. Live tables deal from a shoe, but casinos shuffle early, cap bet spreads and can close accounts that vary stakes sharply. Treat counting as a theory, not a plan.
Bankroll and bonuses
Even at 0.5%, swings are large. A cautious bankroll is 200 times your usual stake: €1,000 for €5 hands. Blackjack often counts at 10% or less towards bonus wagering, so a bonus with 35x wagering would take 350 times the bonus in blackjack bets to clear.
Our hub for new blackjack casinos lists where to play, and the table games tips cover etiquette at live tables.