| Updated: September 25, 2025Blackjack is one of the most beloved casino games, largely because it is simple yet skill and strategy-oriented. Throughout its history, the game has changed and evolved across the globe, and today only a small percentage of casinos offer the traditional blackjack rules that were established long ago on the Las Vegas Strip.
Most land-based and online casinos have introduced subtle changes to the standard rules, and these deviations are not necessarily unfavorable to players. On the contrary, some of these novelties increase the players’ advantage and were introduced to attract new patrons or to make the game of 21 more engaging. Before we discuss the most common deviations from the traditional Vegas game, we should clarify the standard rules of American blackjack.
Rules that Favor Players and Reduce the House Edge
As already mentioned, certain changes to the standard rules can reduce the house edge and, consequently, increase the player’s expected return. However, with thousands of possible rule combinations, we do not need to consider each one individually because most blackjack variations include both favorable and unfavorable rules. Still, it is important to distinguish between good and bad blackjack games, which is why we have listed some of the rules that are most advantageous to the player.
Single and Double-Deck Games
Dealer Stands on Soft 17 Early Surrender Unlimited Resplitting Hitting on Split Aces Doubling on Any Number of Cards Six-Card CharlieSingle and Double-Deck Games
Typically, blackjack variations that use one or two decks of cards offer a lower house edge. If we keep all standard rules as explained above but replace the 8-deck shoe with a single 52-card deck, we will have a game with a negative house advantage. With only this rule changed, the RTP would be roughly 100.18% (a house edge of -0.18%); however, casinos usually alter other rules to avoid games with a positive expected value. As a result, most single-deck blackjack variations, which are frankly quite rare, still offer a house edge of at least 0.17%.
Some games are played with two decks and, when paired with the liberal Vegas Rules, they yield a house edge of about 0.18%. For the same reasons mentioned above, such games usually end up with a house advantage of around 0.46%. This example clearly shows the importance of rule variations in blackjack – while a double-deck game still favors the casino, the single-deck rule shifts the odds in favor of the player.
Dealer Stands on Soft 17
Dealers cannot make their own decisions during the game; they must follow the house rules. They must always Hit on hands totaling 16 or less and, when their cards total 17, they are required to Stand, i.e., stop drawing cards. Although this is the traditional rule, it has now become almost obsolete and is found mostly in online casinos. Many modern variations instead require the dealer to draw a card when holding a soft 17, such as Ace-6.
When the dealer Stands on such a hand, it benefits the player – the dealer has no chance to improve to a stronger total like 20 or 21. The Stand on Soft 17 rule lowers the house edge by roughly 0.22%.
Early Surrender
Surrender is an interesting rule that is usually not offered in the traditional version of blackjack played on the Vegas Strip. In games that allow it, players can “surrender,” forfeiting half of their bet if the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace or any 10-value card. Typically, the dealer first checks the hole card for blackjack and then the player is given the option to surrender, giving up half of the stake in exchange for not playing out the current round.
This is known as Late Surrender, whereas some games also offer Early Surrender. In those titles, the option is available before the dealer peeks for blackjack or in European-style no-hole-card games. The Early Surrender variation is more favorable to players, but it is found in only a limited number of games.
Unlimited Resplitting
Splitting is available when the first two cards dealt to the player have the same value. However, many variations of this rule exist, and the most favorable one allows unlimited resplitting. While most games permit one or up to three splits per round, certain blackjack versions let players resplit pairs as many times as they wish. Of course, getting three or more pairs within the same round is extremely unlikely (though it is possible), which is why the effect of this rule change is not very significant.
Hitting on Split Aces
Most casinos tend to be very conservative with players’ split Aces, and the reason is simple – splitting a pair of Aces gives players plenty of opportunities to win. Under the standard rules, only one card is dealt to each split Ace, which means players cannot Hit, Double, or resplit the two new hands. After the two hands receive a second card, they automatically Stand.
Certain variations of blackjack, however, allow players to draw additional cards to split Aces or to Double Down if they believe they have a good chance against the dealer. Furthermore, some versions of the game permit resplitting of Aces, although such a rule is very rare and applies to a relatively unlikely scenario. The resplitting Aces rule reduces the house edge by only 0.03%, but allowing players to Hit on split Aces is far more significant, cutting the casino’s built-in advantage by 0.13%.
Doubling on Any Number of Cards
Usually, players can Double Down only on the first two cards they receive. However, some online games and certain casinos allow Doubling on any number of cards, a rule that is estimated to reduce the house edge by roughly 0.23%. Still, this variation is rare and typically goes hand in hand with several rules that favor the house, not the player.
For instance, imagine the player’s initial cards are 2-3. He decides to Hit and receives a 6 for a total of 11. Doubling here is the recommended move, yet only a small percentage of blackjack variations permit it. Players should also look for games where they can Double Down after splitting, a rule that contributes to a further 0.13% reduction of the house edge.
Six-Card Charlie
Under the so-called Charlie rule, players automatically win against any dealer hand if they manage to collect a specific number of cards without busting. Originally, the rule granted an automatic win with 5 cards, but casinos later began removing it from their games. Today, many online blackjack games and land-based casinos allow players to win with 8, 9, or 10 cards.
Some blackjack variations feature a Six-Card Charlie, in which a hand such as Ace-2-4-2-5-4 (for a total of 18) would win automatically. This rule reduces the house edge by 0.16%, whereas the Five-Card Charlie has a much more profound effect, decreasing the casino’s advantage by 1.46%. The Seven-Card Charlie cuts it by only 0.01%. When relying on the Charlie rule to make a profit, however, players should know that it works best when 6 or 8 decks of cards are in use.
Blackjack Rules Unfavorable to Players
The vast majority of blackjack variations are negative-expected-value games, which means that even with perfect strategy, players can expect to lose some of their wagers over time unless they base their tactics on card counting. Even the most liberal games of 21 include at least one or two unfavorable rules to maintain a house edge between 0% and 1%. Below, players will find some of the most commonly encountered blackjack rules that increase the house edge.
Multiple Decks Dealer Hits Soft 17 Reno Rule Blackjack Short Pays Only 1 Split Allowed No Hole CardMultiple Decks
Most blackjack variations are played with six or eight standard decks of cards. The more decks in use, the higher the house edge. This is why players are always advised to seek out games dealt from single- or double-deck shoes. Blackjack variations with eight decks are the least desirable, and reducing the number of decks lowers the house advantage by approximately the following amounts – six decks by 0.02%, five decks by 0.03%, four decks by 0.06%, two decks by 0.19%, and a single deck by 0.48%.
Dealer Hits Soft 17
This rule can be seen on most blackjack tables around the world – unlike the standard game where the dealer must Stand on all 17s, many blackjack variations today require the dealer to Hit on soft 17. As explained above, this version of the rule favors the house, not the player. Because it is widely adopted by casinos, patrons often have no choice but to play Hit Soft 17 games. Compared with the standard Vegas Rules, this requirement increases the house edge by an additional 0.22%.
Reno Rule
The Reno Rule, named after the popular gambling town in Nevada, restricts Doubling to hard totals of 9, 10, or 11. Many European-style blackjack variations also feature this rule. It prevents players from capitalizing on various potentially profitable situations, thereby increasing the casino’s mathematical advantage.
If the Double Down option is available only on hard hands of 10 or 11, the house edge rises by a further 0.18%. When it is allowed on hard 9, 10, and 11, players should add 0.09% to the house edge.
Blackjack Short Pays
The worst rule variation found in land-based casinos today is the reduced payout for a blackjack. Traditionally, the game pays 1.5 times the wager when players receive a natural blackjack. This is expressed on the table as a 3:2 payout, but an increasing number of casinos now pay less – 6:5, for instance, which means you are paid only $12 on a $10 bet.
Some variations offer a 7:5 payout for blackjack, which increases the house edge by 0.45%. The short-paying 6:5 blackjack raises it even more – by 1.39%, and the worst payout, 1:1, hikes the edge by 2.27%. Usually, such games come with some attractive aspects, such as the use of a single deck of cards.
Only 1 Split Allowed
Players should avoid games that allow only one split per round, as this variation of the standard rules increases the casino’s advantage by 0.10%. This may sound insignificant, but when combined with other unfavorable rules, it can be devastating to a player’s bankroll.
No Hole Card
There are many blackjack variations that are played without a hole card. In these games, the dealer draws a single card at the beginning and waits until players finish their turns to draw a second card. Therefore, the dealer cannot peek for blackjack and there is no Late Surrender. European-style blackjack is a no-hole-card game, and this aspect alone results in a 0.11% higher house edge.
In the standard American variety of blackjack, the dealer checks the hole card for blackjack, and if he has one, he immediately wins the round. In such games, players lose only their original bets rather than any additional wagers placed for splitting or doubling down. This is why hole cards are preferred by experienced players.
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The Effect of Rules in Blackjack Variations
Almost every change to the traditional rules of blackjack results in a different expected return. More importantly, such changes also alter the optimal strategy for the particular game, which is why players should always formulate a tactic based on the specific set of rules they are playing. The importance and effect of rule changes become evident when we compare the different variations of blackjack. Note that there are more than a hundred versions of blackjack offered by online and brick-and-mortar casinos, while the combinations of different rules and payouts exceed 6,000.
European Blackjack Atlantic City BlackjackEuropean Blackjack
Most gambling sites, as well as the majority of casinos across Europe, offer a version of blackjack that differs significantly from the Vegas Rules. It may be played with 4, 6, or 8 decks of cards, and the dealer typically stands on all 17s. Up to three splits are allowed, and players can Double after a split. In addition, players may Double only on hard hands totaling 9, 10, or 11.
As we can see, the rules in this game are less liberal, and with six decks the house edge is 0.62%. It is also a no-hole-card game, which is arguably one of the worst rules in this variation – players lose all bets (the original mandatory wager plus any additional bets placed for splitting or doubling) against a dealer blackjack. This affects the strategy for this variation, and players are advised not to Split or Double against a dealer’s Ace or 10-value card. When holding a pair of Aces against a dealer 10, however, players should still Split.
Atlantic City Blackjack
This variation of blackjack is very similar to the traditional game – it uses 8 decks of cards and the American dealing style, so it is clearly a hole-card game. The dealer stands on all 17s. Players are allowed to Double Down on any two cards and split pairs up to three times per round. Doubling on split hands is also permitted, but all standard restrictions for split Aces apply.
The most interesting rules here are that players are allowed to split unlike 10-value cards and to opt for Late Surrender. With Late Surrender, players can give up half their bet after the dealer checks for blackjack and confirms he does not have one. Still, the dealer’s upcard could be strong enough for the player to choose to surrender. The house edge remains quite low at around 0.35%, which is why this particular variation is popular among blackjack players.
Blackjack Strategies to Avoid
Many casino patrons, especially those who are new to blackjack, follow questionable tactics such as playing the dealer’s way or structuring their bets around a famous progressive system. Such strategies are not helpful and should be avoided, as they can seriously damage a player’s overall performance at the blackjack table. Patrons should steer clear of any systems promoted as “tricks” or “guaranteed success.” In reality, there is no guarantee you will always win in blackjack, even if you are a skilled card counter.
Play Blackjack the Dealer Way Never Risk Busting Progressive SystemsPlay Blackjack the Dealer Way
Some players believe that the best way to beat the casino and eliminate its advantage is to play blackjack the way the dealer does. They always draw to 16, stand on all 17s, and ignore actions such as splitting, doubling, or surrendering because the dealer is not allowed to use them.
However, there are many situations in which players have a higher chance of winning if they split a pair, for example. By sticking to the dealer’s restricted moves, they simply cannot take advantage of the good hands they receive or any favorable rules in play. It is not the house rules governing the dealer’s actions that give him the edge but the fact that the dealer acts last. This tactic actually increases the house edge significantly – from about 4% to nearly 5.50% if the player even stands on soft totals of 17.
Never Risk Busting
When they are new to blackjack, many players prefer to “play it safe” by always standing on hard totals of 12 or more. While this may seem logical, it is one of the worst “strategies” a player can employ. If you never draw to a hand that could bust, you are not taking full advantage of the options available in the game. Moreover, this “safe” style of play results in a house edge of at least 3.91% even under the most favorable rules.
Progressive Systems
Another method that is ineffective at best and often extremely risky is employing a progressive betting system. Such systems are popular among some gamblers, who claim they can increase their odds by adjusting the bet size based on the outcome of the previous round. Systems such as the Martingale, the Paroli, or the D’Alembert simply increase and decrease the size of the wager rather than offering advice on how to play a particular hand.
The idea behind the Martingale, for example, is to recoup previous losses by doubling the bet after each losing round. These systems, of course, cannot change the odds and have been proven many times to be ineffective at helping players beat the dealer. Their only potential benefit is helping patrons manage their spending, and even that is true only with systems that are far more conservative and safer than the Martingale.