Check the rules before you sit
| Rule | Effect on the house edge |
|---|---|
| Blackjack pays 6:5 | +1.39 points |
| Dealer hits soft 17 | +0.22 points |
| No double after split | +0.11 points |
| Late surrender allowed | -0.08 points |
The payout matters most. On GH₵5,000 of total bets, a 6:5 table costs about GH₵70 more in expected losses than a 3:2 table.
Core plays
- Always split aces and eights.
- Never split tens or fives.
- Stand on hard 17 or more.
- Hit hard 12 to 16 against a dealer 7 or higher; stand against 2 to 6, except hit 12 against 2 or 3.
- Double 11 against every dealer card except, on some rule sets, an ace.
- Do not take insurance.
Live and RNG tables
The same chart applies to both. RNG blackjack reshuffles every hand and plays faster, so the same stake costs more per hour. Live tables have fixed minimums and a slower pace, and some new formats such as Infinite Blackjack change side rules; check the info panel.
Counting cards online
Card counting does not work usefully online. RNG games reshuffle every hand, and live tables use continuous shufflers or cut deep into the shoe.
Bankroll and bonuses
Set a session budget and a unit of 1% to 2% of it. Most welcome offers count blackjack at 10% to 20% toward wagering or exclude it; at 10%, a 40x requirement is effectively 400x. Read the terms before you claim.