Why does the dealer always win? This is a question I often hear from players who have lost at the blackjack tables, or even when using a mobile blackjack site.
Of course, it isn’t true – the dealer doesn’t really win every time.
Sometimes the player wins, sometimes the dealer wins, and sometimes you break even. You would have to be very, very unlucky to lose at blackjack every time, and the odds are very much against it.
What is true, however, is that when you add up the amounts that a player will win or lose, the house will inevitably make a profit over time. Casinos wouldn’t offer a game if it wasn’t profitable for them after all.
The reason for this is that blackjack, like all casino games, has a house edge.
However, the house edge is actually very small in blackjack, and with a few simple tips, you can turn the tables in your favor.
How do Casinos Make a Profit from Blackjack?
The casino always wins in blackjack because of the house edge. The house edge is the percentage of each bet that the casino expects to keep over the long run. For example, if the house edge is 1%, the casino will keep an average of 1% of each bet you make.
Blackjack actually has the lowest house edge of any standard casino game. Plus, it’s the only game in which you, the player, can influence (or even defeat) the house edge by the decisions you make.
What Factors Affect the House Edge?
In standard blackjack, the house edge will vary depending on the version being played and the table rules such as:
- The number of decks being used
- Whether blackjack pays 5/4 or 3/2
- Whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17
- Which totals the player can double down on
- How many times the player can re-split
- Whether the player can hit or re-split split Aces
Depending on how many of these rules are in the player’s favor, the blackjack house edge is usually about 0.5% – depending on the decisions you make as a player.
This means that for every $100 you bet, you can expect to lose about 50 cents over the long run. While this may not seem like much, it adds up quickly from the casino’s point of view, when players turn over millions of dollars daily at the blackjack tables.
How to Reduce the House Edge with Basic Strategy
The first step to reducing the house edge in blackjack is to learn basic strategy. Basic strategy is a set of rules that tells you the mathematically correct way to play every hand.
For example, it will tell you when to hit, stand, double down, or split. If you follow basic strategy, you can cut the house edge down to 0.5% or even less, depending on the table rules.
There are many different basic strategy charts available online, so find one that you understand and memorize it. This is the best way to instantly reduce the house edge and give yourself a better chance of winning at blackjack.
By following these simple tips, you can turn the tables in your favor and put yourself in a much better position to win at blackjack – or at least to lose less than anyone else over time!
How to Beat the House Edge
If you’re serious about reducing the house edge in blackjack, you should also learn how to count cards. Card counting is a technique that allows you to keep track of the high cards and low cards that have been dealt. This information can help you make better decisions about when to hit, stand, double down, and split.
There are many card counting systems you can try, some of which are suitable for beginners, others that should only be used by more experienced players.
While card counting is legal, casinos don’t like it and they will ask you to stop if they catch you doing it. They may also ban you from playing blackjack altogether. If you’re caught card counting, it’s best to just walk away and find another casino.
The Bottom Line – Does the Dealer Always Win?
So, while it can seem like the dealer always wins in blackjack, in actual fact, that is just a perception that players get after they’ve had a losing run.
In reality, players do win sometimes, but over time the house edge ensures that the casino will win more than it loses. All casino games have a built-in profit margin for the casino, although in blackjack this is lower than in most other games.
However, you can reduce this edge by playing at a table with favorable rules and by learning basic strategy. If you’re really serious about winning, you can also learn how to count cards, which is the only surefire way to beat the casino in the long run.
Last Updated on October 8, 2022
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