Why Does the House Always Win in Blackjack?

Virtually all punters from around the world will have heard the saying 'The house always wins' at some point. While it's sometimes used as a metaphor, the statement is true and over time, casinos do win more than they lose. This applies to all of the games across their catalogue; however, in this article, we will be focusing on Blackjack, including both regular and live variations. 

Before diving into this article, it's important to remember that the house always win.

Now, the reason that the casino wins over time is due to something known as the 'House Edge'. In short, it's the statistical advantage that the house has over all players, hence the name.  

In Blackjack, the house edge is a bit different from other casino games. While it's still based on the probability of success for each hand, the player's skill level can increase their chances of success. This is not the case with slots and other luck-based games such as online roulette. There are lots of other factors that contribute towards the house edge, too, covered later in this article. 

Now, when it comes to actually calculating the house edge in Blackjack, it can be rather confusing. Luckily, this has already been worked out in the past, with standard variations having an average house edge of approximately 2.00%.  

When playing standard online blackjack games, this house edge is checked by governing bodies, through third-party companies, on a regular basis to ensure that everything is fair for punters. This is achieved by taking the total amount wagered and comparing it to what was awarded to players throughout the specified period of time. 

Players might think that in Blackjack, their hand either wins or loses, but of course, this is not the case, as a 'push' is also possible. However, even if it wasn't possible to draw in a round of Blackjack, the house would still have an advantage, due to the following factors: 

One of the main reasons for a house edge being present is the dealer's advantage. In Blackjack, the dealer has a slight advantage because they always play their hand after the players have played theirs.  

This means that it's possible for the player to lose their hand before the dealer acts, but the dealer cannot win before the dealer has their turn. Even if the player hits to 21, or even gets a blackjack, there's a chance that the dealer can draw, or even beat them. 

It's worth mentioning that the dealer has no choice when it comes to their turn, either. All of their actions are specified within the rules of the game and thus, them acting last does not influence their decision-making process in any way. 

Another factor that contributes to the house advantage in Blackjack is the game rules or the variation of Blackjack that you decide to play. While the rules vary from one casino to another, some common ones significantly affect the house edge.  

For instance, if the dealer hits on a soft 17, the house edge increases. On the other hand, if the game allows the player to double after splitting, the house edge decreases. So, understanding the game rules and their impact can help you strategise better. 

Naturally, when players know the house edge of any blackjack variation, they then look for ways to minimise it. Here are a few strategies that players can implement into their game to do exactly that! 

This strategy is all about making the best decision for each hand, like when to hit, stand, split, or double down. Basic strategy isn't just a guess, it's been calculated by simulating millions of different blackjack hands in order to find the optimal decision in each situation. Following this strategy can significantly reduce the blackjack house edge if players follow it perfectly. 

In conclusion, the house always wins in Blackjack due to an advantage being built into each game. This mainly stems from the factor that players have to act before the dealer; however, the decisions made by those at the table, alongside the rules of each game can also have a huge impact. 

For anyone who wants to decrease this house edge as much as possible, learning basic strategy could be the easiest way of doing so. It's a simple chart that many people can memorise in less than a week.

Regardless of the strategy and type of Blackjack you decide to play, be sure to always set limits for a session, as staying safe when placing bets is crucially important. When playing Blackjack online, why not use our range of responsible gambling tools? These include deposit limits, player breaks, and betting limits, alongside many other features!