Blackjack is a table casino game that, on the surface, is incredibly simple. It features only two cards per hand and wins can be achieved in mere seconds with the goal being to achieve a hand value closest to 21 without going over. However, delving into the strategies for Blackjack and maximising your tactics can reveal how devilishly complex it can be as a game.
Reading through the complex strategies and different ratios and percentages can be a little intimidating but we have you covered here at MrQ. This handy guide will take you through everything you need to know about the numbers behind Blackjack including House edge, Player odds, and the best odds of winning consistently against the dealer. Put your calculators away and leave the odds number crunching to us!
New to the Blackjack game and want more info on the basic steps. Check out our how to play guide and become a pro in less than 10 minutes.
House Edge
House edge is the percentage advantage that the dealing venue has over the player. House edge dictates the average return to the venue over a long period of time-based on all money wagered in a long period of play. The best comparison to house edge is the return-to-player (RTP) of a slot where the remaining percentage not paid to the player is collected by the venue.
As an example for House Edge: If a game has a house edge of 2%, then for every £100 bet the average intake by the venue would be £2 based on long periods of play.
Blackjack has the lowest house edge with just 0.5% advantage for the house over the player. Similarly, online Blackjack games have some of the highest RTP percentages available online with many in the 99%+ category.
Blackjack House Odds and Bust Probability
Now that we understand House Edge, it’s time to draw some cards. Before we even look at our hands, there is a strategy we can employ against the Dealer to give an indication of their rate of success. The ultimate goal is for the dealer to go bust as this means an instant win for us. It might sound like pure luck but, with a little calculation, we can predict the average bust rate based on the first dealer card visible to the player known as the up card. Here's a little cheat sheet to help you remember:
Up card- The first visible card drawn face up
Bust-out- A hand value that exceeds the value of 21
| Dealer Up Card | Bust Rates |
|---|---|
| 2 | 35.30% |
| 3 | 37.56% |
| 4 | 40.28% |
| 5 | 42.89% |
| 6 | 42.08% |
| 7 | 25.99% |
| 8 | 23.86% |
| 9 | 23.34% |
| 10 | 21.43% |
| A | 11.65% |
Blackjack Player Odds and Bust Probability
Similar to how we tackled the dealer’s hand, we can employ the same strategy to our own hand to calculate our success rate. The biggest difference is we know our two-card hand already. Unlike the dealer, we want to have the lowest chance of going bust on a hit. Here’s another little table to maximise your two-card hand:
Hit- Adds an additional card to the value
| Player Hand Value | Overall Odds of getting a Bust from a Hit |
|---|---|
| 11 and under | 0% |
| 12 | 31% |
| 13 | 39% |
| 14 | 56% |
| 15 | 58% |
| 16 | 62% |
| 17 | 69% |
| 18 | 77% |
| 19 | 85% |
| 20 | 92% |
| 21 | 100% |
Odds of Winning Blackjack
All of these numbers come down to one important question- how often can I expect to win in Blackjack? When it comes to showtime, here are the odds for each outcome to play out:
| Player Odds of Winning | Dealer Odds of Winning | Draw Odds (Tied game) |
|---|---|---|
| 42.22% | 49.10% | 8.48% |
These odds are based on a standard round of Blackjack for the casual player. Equipping yourself with advanced winning strategies and doing your reading can tip the scales a little more in the player’s favour. While the dealer does maintain an advantage, Blackjack has one of the lowest house advantages of any table casino game. Sharpen up and optimise your Blackjack play by checking out our Blackjack Charts and become the master strategist.
Another important detail to keep in mind is that, just like all of the best casino and slots games, there is always the factor of random chance that can play into every hand. The percentages given are based on long periods of play using optimal basic strategies to win. It all comes down to the luck of the draw so maybe keep that lucky charm handy for when you hit the tables.
Top Blackjack Games online
Looking to put your new knowledge to the test? Here are some of the premier Blackjack games available on MrQ to help make you the master of the table:
Live Blackjack- The quintessential live Blackjack experience with as little as £1 stakes per game. Featuring a live dealer and all of your favourite side bets, this is the perfect game to get yourself familiar with how Blackjack works and put those new strategies into practice.
Live Infinite Blackjack- If you’ve got bravado when it comes to Blackjack then this might be the variation for you. This exciting version adds new side bets including Dealer bust bets and hot 3 card combination bets. Infinite Blackjack is a great chance if you feel like taking the training wheels off and getting stuck into some proper juicy Blackjack action.
Multihand Vegas Strip Blackjack- Is Blackjack your middle name? Try out the ultimate experience with up to 5 hands active at once all locked against the single hand of the dealer. For every hand that beats the dealer, you are paid back an individual bet for each. If the dealer busts, then you win all bets. Manage your hands and flex your master strategies to win up to £600 on every game.
FAQ
Does Blackjack have good odds?
Blackjack has one of the best winning odds of any table casino game. This is due to the low house edge of as low as 0.5% as the dealer relies on the same level of luck and skill as the player and has the same likelihood to go bust.
Is Blackjack a game of skill or luck?
Blackjack is a skill-based game as it requires player decisions on increasing hand values and weighing up strategies against the dealer. Blackjack does contain plenty of luck but the use of player choice makes it a game of skill.
What are the odds of winning Blackjack?
The odds for a player winning in a game of Blackjack is 42.22%. The chances of a dealer win is slightly higher at 49.1% with the remaining 8.48% being for the odds of a tie.
Is Blackjack the same as 21?
21 and Blackjack are the same. 21 refers to the maximum potential card value in Blackjack as the 21 card combination is known as Blackjack.
Where can I play Blackjack online?
You can play all of the top Blackjack games, including the selection of live Blackjack games from Evolution, now on MrQ. Sign up today for 20 free spins and play real money casino games.
