Blackjack Variants with Lowest House Edge

If you're a fan of casino and casino games in general, you certainly know what the house edge is. For those who haven't heard the term, house edge is essentially the 'edge' a casino has over the player or its average profit from player bets. The fact that casinos hold this edge over players shouldn't surprise you - it has been going since the invention of gambling dens.

The house edge varies from game to game - in general, blackjack has the lowest while slots and keno have the highest house edge. The higher the edge, the bigger the odds for the game and the greater the prize. This is why people play these games more often, as they have better chances of hitting the jackpot, although this also means spending more money.

The good news is that the house edge can be lowered by using certain strategies and following certain tips that can help you end the night with at least some of the casino's money in your pocket.

Blackjack Variants

Blackjack is hands down the most popular game in casinos. It even holds a special place in pop-culture and is the favorite game of many celebrities. The game is played with one or more card decks which directly affect the house edge.

Besides classic blackjack, the card game has numerous other variations, including Spanish 21, pontoon, Vegas Strip, European, Vegas Downtown, Multi-Hand Blackjack, etc. All of these games have different rules and are played with either a single or several decks.

Single deck blackjack has the lowest house edge of all (usually somewhere around 0.3%). but depending on the casino’s rules for the game, the house edge can increase or decrease.

House Edge of the Most Popular Blackjack Variants

Classic blackjack always has a house edge of less than 1%. The variations of the game differ, however, and the lower the edge, the better your chances of winning. The lowest house edge of all blackjack variants is the Blackjack Switch which stands at 0.17%.

European blackjack has a house edge of 0.39%, while the Atlantic City Blackjack variant is even lower, standing at 0.35%. Spanish 21, which is very popular among blackjack fans, has an edge of 0.38%, while Pontoon shares the house edge of European blackjack (0.39%).

Next on the list is Perfect Pairs with a house edge of 0.42%, while Multi-Hand blackjack has a house edge of 0.63%. The variant with the highest casino house edge is Super Fun 21, which stands at 1.30%.

What Should You Choose?

The variable nature of the house edge for different blackjack variants confuses many players, especially newbies. In general, you should go for the lower house edge and single-deck blackjack variations as you're more likely to win on them. Check the RTP when playing at online casinos - it should give you a clear idea of what to expect.

On the other hand, blackjack games with a high house edge offer a greater prize, but they can burn through your money pretty quickly. It's safe to go for the lower percentage and stay in the game for longer than spend all your money on a few hands without any chances of winning. Well, unless you're a high roller and bankroll management means nothing to you.