How to reduce the casino house edge in Blackjack

If you learn how to play the game of online Blackjack, then you will, without a doubt, understand how this game is easy to master and incredibly bountiful to your bankroll. Knowing how the house edge can impact your bankroll, on the other hand, is another story. Recognising its significance and how to lower it, can improve both your online gambling experience and increase your winnings.

One of the first steps in becoming a blackjack pro is the ability to lower the house edge. Although there are casino games, where the house edge has an upper hand, such as is the case in online slots, in Blackjack you have some form of control. If you want to learn more on how to calculate the house edge and how can lower it in Blackjack, you are at the right place.

What is the house edge?

The house edge is a mathematical percentage that the casino has over the player over a specific period. It varies from one casino games to the next. If you place a bet of £100 and the house edge is a mere 5%, it means the casino is likely to earn £5 from you. It does not mean you cannot win money or that you can’t make a profit, but chances are the house will.

Simply put, the casino is in business to make a profit. It has to get it from somewhere. Now, when it comes to the game of Blackjack, the house edge can be 1% or lower, provided you have a basic blackjack strategy in place.

The house edge increases stem from the fact that the dealer has a card which is facedown. You, thus, have to assume the possible combinations that the dealer might have. When you bust and the dealer wins, it also adds to the house advantage.

It is of utmost importance that you have a basic blackjack strategy in place as well as knowing the odds of Blackjack. Once you have mastered these, it should become less of an issue.

The odds in Blackjack

Learning the blackjack odds might be a little more complicated than learning the odds of other games provided at casinos. There is an element of randomness when it comes to various combinations. There are still some ways you can determine the odds when it comes to drawing specific cards.

The probability of drawing any blackjack card stands at 7.69%, based on the fact that there are 13 possible options which you can draw out.

Now since there are 10s, Kings, Queens and Jacks which all have a value of 10, the odds of drawing a card that has a value of 10, stands at 4 in 13. The chances of that happening stand at a massive 30.7%. You can further reduce the house edge by knowing more or less, the odds of drawing specific cards.

If you had to draw a ten and a Queen, you know reasonably well, that the chances of drawing another card with a value of 10 are reduced.

How to reduce the house advantage in Blackjack

Luckily for us, there are plenty of ways you can deduce the house edge in the game of Blackjack. As already mentioned, having a good blackjack strategy in place is key in learning how to make the right decisions.

The basic blackjack strategy only has a few rules in place that are presented in a chart. Known as the blackjack strategy chart, it informs you of the best possible decision based on your total hand value and the dealer’s upcard. This strategy chart can deduce the house advantage to as little as 0.5%. If you want to lower the house edge further and boost your bankroll, using the strategy chart is the best place to start.

Besides the Blackjack Strategy Chart, there are other methods for you to deduce the house edge in Blackjack even further. Some strategies are based on your hand value and any possible actions that you could make based on it.

Alternatively, if you are going to play Blackjack, play the live dealer version and not the software ones. You should be able to card-count somewhat with the live version, and live dealer games cannot be rigged. Granted that all casino games use a Random Number Generator and cannot be rigged, you should still aim to play live Blackjack since it offers the authentic live experience.

Secondly, never take any insurance bet. The insurance bet crops up when the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. You have the chance to place a bet on it. If the dealer has a Blackjack, the house pays, but if he doesn’t, then it won’t. It’s a terrible way for the casino to increase the house edge.

The chances of the dealer having a blackjack are usually minimal, which is why the insurance bet is never worth it.

Last but not least, always claim a UK live blackjack bonus since this will give you a bigger bankroll. Having a bigger bankroll amounts to bigger and better chances of you striking it big.