Odds, Probability & Bankroll

Blackjack house edge

The blackjack house edge is the casino's long-run statistical advantage on a player's initial bet, expressed as a percentage of each wager the casino expects to keep.

Typical range (basic strategy): 0.5% to 1%⁵
Six-deck standard rules: Approximately 0.60%³
Single deck (basic strategy): 0.48%⁴
Double deck (basic strategy): 0.19%⁴
Formula: Expected player loss divided by initial bet¹²

Key points

The house edge in blackjack comes mainly from the player acting first and losing when both bust.⁵
Rule variations — number of decks, dealer stands on soft 17, doubling and surrender options — change the edge significantly.⁴
With basic strategy, a typical six-deck game gives the casino about 0.60%, well under 1%.³
The edge is a long-run average; short sessions can swing far from the expected loss.

How rule changes affect the house edge

Each rule change shifts the edge from a baseline six-deck game. Negative numbers favour the player.
Rule change	Effect on edge
Single deck	-0.48%
Double deck	-0.19%
Early surrender vs ten	-0.24%
Double on any number of cards	-0.23%

Common questions

What is the house edge in blackjack with basic strategy?

With basic strategy, the house edge typically falls between 0.5% and 1%.⁵ For a standard six-deck game with typical rules, it is about 0.60%.³ The exact figure depends on the specific rule set in use.

Where this term is used

Not the same as

House edge baccarat vs blackjack — a comparison of two different games, not a single term
Blackjack house edge percentage — the numerical expression of the edge, not the concept itself
House edge craps vs blackjack — a comparison showing how edge is defined differently per game

Odds & probability House edge baccarat vs blackjack Compares the house edge in baccarat and blackjack under their respective rules. Odds & probability Blackjack house edge percentage Focuses on the numerical percentage itself rather than the underlying concept. Odds & probability House edge craps vs blackjack Explains how house edge is calculated differently in craps and blackjack. Odds & probability House edge General definition of the casino's statistical advantage across all games. Odds & probability Baccarat house edge The casino's advantage on baccarat bets such as banker, player and tie. Odds & probability Craps house edge The casino's advantage on various craps bets, often stated per bet resolved.

Sources

House Edge of Casino Games Compared wizardofodds.com Provides the definition of house edge as expected loss divided by initial bet and a comparison of game edges.
Gambling Glossary wizardofodds.com Defines house edge and gives the formula used on this page.
player error factors in blackjack wizardofodds.com States the 0.60% figure for a six-deck standard game.
Blackjack wizardofodds.com Lists rule effects on the house edge, including single deck and double deck values.
Blackjack en.wikipedia.org Supports the typical 0.5%–1% range and explains that the edge comes from the player acting first.

Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.

Written and maintained by Ellis Warrender, writer and maintainer.

Last updated 28 July 2026. Spotted an error? Tell me and it gets fixed and logged on the corrections page.