How Do You Increase House Edge in Blackjack?

Blackjack is a popular card game that involves strategy and a bit of luck. House edge is the advantage that the casino has over the player.

In other words, it’s the percentage of each bet that the casino expects to win over time. The higher the house edge, the more money the casino will make in the long run. There are several ways to increase house edge in blackjack, and we’ll discuss some of them below.

1. Paying 6:5 on blackjack
One way that casinos increase house edge is by paying 6:5 on blackjack instead of 3:2. This means that if you bet $10 and get a blackjack, you’ll only win $12 instead of $15.

This may not seem like a big difference, but it adds up over time. The house edge for 6:5 blackjack is around 1.4%, while the house edge for 3:2 blackjack is around 0.5%. Therefore, when playing at a table with a payout of 6:5 on blackjack, you’re essentially giving away your money to the casino.

2. Having fewer decks
Another way that casinos increase house edge in blackjack is by using fewer decks.

When there are fewer decks in play, it becomes easier for the dealer to keep track of which cards have been dealt and which ones remain in the shoe. This gives them an advantage over players who are trying to count cards or follow basic strategy.

3. Allowing late surrender
Late surrender is when a player can give up their hand and forfeit half their bet after seeing the dealer’s up-card but before any additional cards are dealt to their hand. While this may seem like an advantageous option for players, it actually increases house edge for two reasons:

– It allows players to reduce their losses when they have weak hands.
– It reduces tension among players and encourages them to play longer.

4. Allowing continuous shuffling
Continuous shuffling machines (CSMs) are devices that automatically shuffle the cards after each hand is played.

This means that there’s no need for the dealer to stop the game to shuffle the deck. While CSMs may seem like a convenient option for players, they actually increase house edge because:

– They make it difficult for players to count cards.
– They increase the number of hands played per hour, which increases how much money the casino makes.

5. Offering side bets
Side bets are additional wagers that players can make on top of their regular blackjack bet.

These bets often have high payouts but also high house edges. Some common side bets include:

– Perfect pairs: Betting on whether your first two cards will be a pair.
– 21+3: Betting on whether your first two cards and the dealer’s up-card will form a poker hand.
– Insurance: Betting that the dealer has blackjack when they have an ace as their up-card.

While these bets may seem tempting, they actually decrease your chances of winning and increase house edge in blackjack.

In conclusion, there are several ways that casinos can increase house edge in blackjack. These include paying 6:5 on blackjack, having fewer decks, allowing late surrender, using continuous shuffling machines, and offering side bets. As a player, it’s important to be aware of these factors so you can make informed decisions about where and how to play blackjack.

Remember to always read the rules and pay attention to table minimums and maximums before sitting down at a table. Good luck at the tables!