How Much Does House Edge Change by Table Rules?
Short Answer
Table rules can swing the house edge by over 2 percentage points. The most impactful factors are blackjack payout (6:5 vs 3:2 adds ~1.4% house edge), number of decks (each additional deck adds ~0.02-0.06%), and dealer soft 17 rule (hitting adds ~0.22%). A "good" table with 3:2 payout, single deck, and dealer stands on soft 17 can have a house edge under 0.3%. A "bad" table with 6:5 payout and unfavorable rules can exceed 2%.
By The Numbers
House Edge Impact by Rule
| Rule Variation | House Edge Change |
|---|---|
| 6:5 Blackjack (vs 3:2) | +1.39% |
| 8 Decks (vs 1 Deck) | +0.48% |
| Dealer Hits Soft 17 | +0.22% |
| No Double After Split | +0.14% |
| No Resplit Aces | +0.07% |
| No Surrender | +0.08% |
| Double on 9-11 Only (vs Any 2) | +0.09% |
Best Case Table
- • Single deck, 3:2 payout
- • Dealer stands soft 17
- • DAS, Resplit, Surrender allowed
- House Edge: ~0.25%
Worst Case Table
- • 8 deck, 6:5 payout
- • Dealer hits soft 17
- • No DAS, No Surrender
- House Edge: ~2.0%+
Detailed Explanation
6:5 vs 3:2 Payout: This is the single biggest factor. A natural blackjack occurs roughly 4.8% of the time. With 3:2, you win $15 per $10 bet; with 6:5, only $12. Over thousands of hands, this 1.39% difference compounds significantly.
Number of Decks: Fewer decks mean higher probability of natural blackjack for both player and dealer, but the player benefits more due to the 3:2 payout. Single deck also makes card counting more effective (in physical casinos).
Dealer Soft 17: When dealer must hit soft 17, they have more chances to improve the hand. While they might bust more often, the probability of ending with 18-21 increases enough to favor the house.
Practical Impact: On a $100 bet, the difference between a 0.5% and 2% house edge is $1.50 expected loss per hand. Over 100 hands, that's $150 vs $200 expected loss.
Limitations & Context
- •Casinos rarely advertise all rules clearly
- •Low house edge tables often have higher minimums
- •Online games may have hidden rule variations
- •Even optimal rules don't eliminate house edge
- •Rule calculations assume perfect basic strategy