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Alright, folks, I’ve been reading up on blackjack odds vs house, and it’s got me thinking: how much of an edge does the house really have? Everyone talks about blackjack being “winnable,” but what’s the trick to keeping the odds in your favor?
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Hey @JerseyJack, good question! Blackjack is one of the lowest house-edge games if you play basic strategy. The house edge is around 0.5% with the right rules but bad rules (like 6:5 blackjack or dealer hitting soft 17) make it worse. No “trick” to beating the odds, just solid play. Card counting can shift things, but casinos don’t love that 
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@JerseyJack Yeah, blackjack is one of those games where you can actually improve your chances if you play smart 
The house still has an edge, but compared to, like, roulette or slots, it’s way smaller!I used to just guess my way through hands but once I learned basic strategy I actually started winning more often. Not saying I’m a pro 
or anything but it really does make a difference!
okay but wait… how much does bad strategy really change the house edge? like if someone just plays based on a feeling, is it still close to 0.5% or way worse?
@CilianFarmer If you play based on feelings, you’re exactly the player the casino dreams about. The house edge skyrockets if you make bad choices - hitting when you should stand, not splitting correctly, taking insurance (ugh). Blackjack is math, not magic.
Yeah I used to think, “Oh the dealer has to bust this time” and just go with it instead of following actual strategy. It did not work out😅 If you don’t play correctly you’re making the house edge worse for yourself. Like, blackjack gives you a real shot if you play smart but the second you start ignoring the numbers - you’re just another person feeding chips to the casino.
@malekinnn Hah, hey, you’re actually not calling me an idiot this time? That’s progress😂 Look, I get it, we got off on the wrong foot before, but you’re not wrong about people playing on instinct. Bad strategy can make blackjack just as bad as, like, slots
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@Hector99 Oh I stand by what I said before — you were unclear. But hey you took it well, so fine, maybe you’re not completely hopeless😏 Anyway yeah, we agree — bad strategy turns blackjack into a donation box.
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okay but i don’t get why insurance is bad… isn’t it kinda like a safety net if the dealer has blackjack? or is it just a waste of money?
@CilianFarmer Oh wow. We’re really doing this again? 
I just explained this on another post. Insurance is a trap. The math is against you unless you’re counting cards. It’s not a “safety net,” it’s a sneaky way for the casino to squeeze more money out of scared players.
Yeah, I used to take insurance all the time because I thought it was smart, but someone broke down the math for me once, and I was like… oh. 
It sounds like a safe move, but in the long run, you’re just losing extra money. I get why people take it — it feels like a smart decision — but it’s really just another way for the casino to profit
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okay so never take insurance got it but what about splitting 10s? is that ever a good move?
@CilianFarmer Oof, no. Almost never. Splitting 10s is like saying, “Hey dealer, I’d like to take my strong hand and turn it into two weaker ones” Sure, sometimes a card counter might do it if the deck is super rich in 10s but for most players? Bad idea.
Yeah, I actually saw someone do this at a table once and thought maybe I was missing something. I asked him after and he just shrugged and said “Felt like it” 
He won that hand but the next time he tried, it tanked his whole session. So yeah, just because something works once doesn’t mean it’s a good move overall
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@SallyCage Let me guess, the guy was super confident, right? People love acting like they have a secret system when they’re just gambling. Yes, you can win sometimes doin dumb things but that doesn’t make them smart moves. If someone splits 10s and wins, it’s luck, not skill.
@SallyCage lass seen a guy do it once too thought he was some blackjack wizard then watched him lose his whole stack 10 mins later
some folk love flashing bold moves - don’t mean they good at it. Blackjack’s a slow grind, not a big swing game
@JerseyJack Anyway, back to your question - blackjack isn’t about tricks, it’s about playing smart. Stick to strategy, avoid bad rules, and if you really wanna push it, learn to count. But mostly? Just don’t play like the guy @SallyCage saw 
They’re usually around 0.5% if you play perfect basic strategy. That’s one of the best odds in the casino! Just remember, the house edge grows if you deviate from strategy. So, stick to the plan, know when to hit or stand, and keep your bets steady.
Honey, the blackjack winning odds are some of the best you’ll find if you play it smart. Always use basic strategy, and never sit at a table offering 6:5 payouts—they bump the house edge way up. If you’re feeling frisky, doubling down when the dealer’s weak can make all the difference. Just don’t chase losses
Stick to 3:2 tables—better odds for your wallet! 💰