Blackjack house edge under stated rules
Basic-strategy edges for common 3:2 tables, and why payouts and rule sheets change cost.
Written and reviewed by RTP Ledger EditorialMethodologyLast reviewed
Published Last materially updated
Blackjack house edge is the long-run cost of a rule set under a stated strategy. RTP Ledger publishes textbook edges for common 3:2 games with basic strategy. Live tables can change decks, payouts, doubles, splits and dealer soft-17 rules. Recheck the table before you treat a figure as current.
Ledger blackjack reference
These rows come from the shared table-game reference used across RTP Ledger. They are not operator-specific audits of one casino shoe.
| Variant | House edge | Equivalent RTP | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single deck, basic strategy, 3:2 | 0.15% | 99.85% | Rules matter hugely: 6:5 payouts and more decks push this well above 1%. |
| Multi-deck, basic strategy, 3:2 | 0.50% | 99.50% | The common floor figure; deviations from basic strategy cost far more than the edge. |
Rules that move the edge
- Blackjack pays 3:2 on the reference rows. A 6:5 payout raises the house edge sharply.
- More decks usually raise the edge versus a favourable single-deck set.
- Dealer hits soft 17, limited doubles, and restricted re-splits all add cost.
- Side bets are separate markets. Do not apply main-game edges to them.
Convert any edge with RTP versus house edge. Compare other low table costs such as baccarat and video poker paytables.
Live and RNG blackjack
Streamed dealer games still use a fixed rule sheet. RNG blackjack can change shoe depth or offer side features. Read the help panel for payout and double rules. Do not assume a lobby label matches another site's math.
Blackjack house edge FAQ
What is a typical blackjack house edge?
On common multi-deck tables with 3:2 blackjack and basic strategy, the published ledger figure is about 0.5% house edge (≈99.5% RTP). Exact rules still move the published edge.
Does 6:5 blackjack change the house edge?
Yes. Paying blackjack at 6:5 instead of 3:2 raises the house edge by well over one percentage point on typical multi-deck games. Confirm the payout printed on the felt or help screen.
Does basic strategy remove the house edge?
No. Basic strategy minimises the edge for stated rules. It does not create a player advantage on standard casino blackjack.
Rule sheets vary by operator. Recalculate when payouts or doubles change. Gambling can cause losses.
