Blackjack rules

	What you should be looking for is a blackjack game in which you can double-down on any two cards

For most casino gamblers, there reall is only one game to play – blackjack. With a house edge of around 0.5% it allows players the best chance of coming out ahead, particularly if you throw in a bit of card counting. However, not all blackjack games are alike. Depending on the rules adopted by the casino, the house edge can vary from almost 0% to as high as 2% and above. In a land-based casino, you’re stuck with the rules of the house, but online you can, and should, shop around to find the variation that suits you. Here, then, are the key pointers to look out for.

How many decks is the casino using?

This is a crucial factor. In simple terms, the higher the number of decks, the lower the value to the player. However, the difference in value between four and six decks is fairly small, and only a one- or two-deck game presents appreciably better value. In a perfect world, all casinos would use a single deck, as this usually cuts the house edge to around 0.25%. However, most casinos, particularly the online variety, use six decks. This isn’t the end of the story, though: depending on the rules, it’s possible for the six-deck game to be better value than its single-deck cousin.

So what makes a big difference?

The big no-no is if a dealer hits on soft 17 – that is A-6. If the dealer is allowed to take another card, it increases the house edge by 0.3%. Even worse, although much less common, is a rule whereby a player loses tied hands of 17 and above. This adds a massive 8% to the house edge, while even losing just tied 17s adds more than 2%. Avoid casinos that have this rule at all costs!

Pay attention to the rules regarding doubling-down

This can make a huge difference to the house’s advantage. Doubling-down is when you double your bet in return for a single extra card. What you should be looking for is a game in which you can double-down on any two cards, such as the European Blackjack option on Virgin Games. Some casinos will only offer the chance to double-down on cards with a total value of 9-11 or, even worse, 10-11. Let’s see what effect this has on a six-deck game:

Double-down on 10-11 – house edge only 0.75%
Double-down on 9-11 – house edge only 0.67%
Double-down on any card – house edge 0.58%

Splitting and re-splitting

The next most important rule to look at is the ability to split cards of the same value. If you’re dealt a pair of 10s, basic strategy (see right) says you should never split, but it can be the best option for many other pairs. However, what if you split a pair of 8s only to be dealt another 8 on your first card? Here, you should split again, but this isn’t an option under many casino rules. This is the effect it has on your chances of winning (for six decks where you can double-down on any card):

Split to two hands – house edge 0.58%
Split to three hands – house edge 0.55%
Split to four hands – house edge 0.548%

The other rule to consider is the ability to double-down after splitting. This takes the house edge in the examples above down to 0.46, 0.41 and 0.40 respectively. With a single deck, this has an even more dramatic effect, with the house edge falling to 0.17%, 0.03% and -0.11%. If you can find a casino stupid enough to offer single-deck blackjack with double-down on any card and re-split to four hands, please tell us about it.

What does the house pay for blackjack?

This is a much simpler rule to understand. The normal payout rate for blackjack is 3/2. In other words, if you bet £20, you’ll be paid £30 if you have blackjack and the dealer doesn’t. There are three other payout rates for blackjack, and they have a dramatic effect on the house edge. If blackjack pays 6/5, this increases the house edge by around 1.4%. If blackjack pays evens, the house edge goes up by 2.3%! On the other hand, if you’re lucky enough to find blackjack payout rates of 2/1, the house edge goes down by 2.3%. Don’t expect to come across this variety too often, though; when you do, expect to have every other rule stacked against you.

Anything else?

One other player benefit is if the house pays out on hands consisting of five cards. These are sometimes known as ‘five-card charlies’, and will decrease the house edge by around 1.5%. There are also six-card charlies, which take the house edge down by about 0.15%.

So what’s the perfect blackjack game?

A single-deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17 and blackjack pays 3/2, giving you a house edge of less than 0.3%. If your casino only has a multi-deck game, ensure it lets you re-split to four hands and double-down on any card, such as Virgin’s European Blackjack. This takes the house edge down as low as 0.4%. Know the rules, and improve your edge. If you don’t, you’re losing before you even start.