How a round works
You bet and receive two cards; the dealer shows one. Options: Hit, Stand, Double, Split, Surrender. The dealer must draw to 17. A natural blackjack (Ace + ten-value) pays 3:2.
Blackjack — Rules, Basic Strategy and How It Compares to Poker
Blackjack has the lowest house edge in the casino — about 0.5% with perfect basic strategy. But one difference matters most: in blackjack you play the house, in poker you play other players. Here are the rules, the decision chart, and what it means for long-term results.
- Goal: get closer to 21 than the dealer without busting
- Values: 2-10 face value · J/Q/K = 10 · Ace = 1 or 11
- House edge with basic strategy ~0.5%, without it 2-3%
- In poker the only "house edge" is rake — profit comes from weaker players
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Basic strategy essentials
Always split A-A and 8-8; never split 10-10 or 5-5. Double 11 against almost anything, and 10 against 2-9. Stand on 12-16 when the dealer shows 2-6; hit against 7-A. Soft 17 (A+6): always hit or double, never stand.
Insurance and side bets
Insurance pays 2:1 but the true probability is ~30.8% — roughly a 7% house edge. Side bets (Perfect Pairs, 21+3) carry 3-10%. Both are the fastest way to lose.
Does card counting work?
Mathematically yes (Hi-Lo gives 0.5-1.5%), practically rarely: continuous shufflers, 6-8 decks and bet limits kill it — and online the deck is shuffled after every hand.
Blackjack vs poker — the decisive difference
In blackjack the opponent is the house and the math is fixed: perfect play still loses slowly. In poker the opponent is a person, so your edge comes from being better. See poker vs casino.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the blackjack house edge?
About 0.5% with perfect basic strategy, 2-3% without.
Should I take insurance?
No — it carries roughly a 7% house edge.
When do I split?
Always A-A and 8-8, never 10-10 or 5-5.
Is card counting legal?
It is not a crime, but casinos may refuse service. Online it does not work.
Blackjack or poker?
Blackjack for quick entertainment, poker for long-term edge against players.