Blackjack is one of the best games to play in a casino. The house edge can be as little as 0.2%. However, it can also be as high as 9%.
With this type of range in house advantages, it is important to know the best blackjack rules for players. This includes if blackjack pays 3/2, the number of decks used, whether players can double down on anything, double down after splitting, split pairs more than once, re-split aces, surrender, and if the dealer hits or stands on soft 17.
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Blackjack pays 3/2
The most important rule at the blackjack table is if blackjack pays 3/2. This means that a $10 bet wins $15 on a blackjack. This is the traditional blackjack payout. Some casinos, especially in Maryland, Ohio, and Nevada, pay 6/5 on blackjack. This increases the house edge by about 1.4%.
The number of decks dealt
There are five types of decks dealt at blackjack tables. Most are six or eight decks. Double-deck is another common format. There are few single-deck blackjack games left. Most pay 6/5 now.
Four-deck blackjack games are nearly non-existent these days. For example, only one casino in Las Vegas deals a four-deck blackjack game, and it is at a truck stop. Those tables pay 6/5.
The fewer decks used, the better it is for the player. That is why single-deck blackjack games usually pay 6/5. The list below shows how the house edge decreases for each number of decks used at a blackjack table that is smaller than eight, assuming the same rules apply to all games.
- Six decks: 0.02%
- Four decks: 0.06%
- Two decks: 0.20%
- One deck: 0.48%
Double down rules
Double down rules can greatly affect the house edge. Most blackjack games permit players to double down on any two cards before and after splitting. Some casinos do not permit doubling down after splitting. Others may restrict double down to only 9, 10, and 11, or just 10 and 11. The rule changes can affect the house edge by as much as 0.2%.
In Las Vegas, Poker Palace allows players to double down on two or three cards. This is also available in some blackjack variants like Spanish 21, Most Liberal 21, and Super Fun 21.
Splitting pairs
Most casinos permit blackjack players to split pairs up to four hands. Some casinos only allow pairs to be re-split to three hands.
There are a few exceptions to this. Aces are often restricted.
In Pennsylvania, the split rules are the only ones the casino may change beyond the number of decks dealt. Many Pennsylvania casinos only permit players to split one time. In Las Vegas, the Mirage double-deck blackjack game also has this rule. It adds about 0.1% to the house edge.
Re-split aces
While pairs may usually be split into four hands, aces are special. Most of the time, aces may only be split once and not hit or doubled, except in variants like Spanish 21, Super Fun 21, and Most Liberal 21.
In some cases, especially in six-deck and eight-deck games, aces may be split into up to four hands. A few double-deck blackjack games also permit this, especially in Mississippi and Nevada. Re-split aces takes about 0.07% off the house edge spending on the game.
Surrender
Surrender allows the player to forfeit half of a blackjack bet and fold. This should only be done when dealt a 15, 16, and sometimes 17, against a large dealer door card. Surrender is only available at six and eight-deck blackjack games. You will never find it at single-deck or double-deck tables. Surrender removes about 0.07% from the house advantage.
Six Card Charlie
A Charlie is a hand that has not busted. Some blackjack games pay the player immediately if they have a six-card Charlie. Most video blackjack games have this rule due to the limitation of the screen size. It is rare in live blackjack games. While this removes around 0.15% from the house advantage, it is not worth playing most video blackjack games just for this feature. The payout is usually even money or 6/5.
