Single Deck Blackjack Odds

  • Appendices
  • Miscellaneous
  • External Links

Bally’s doesn’t have Spanish 21. So, it’s just a regular 6-deck blackjack. I also have make another correction: Fitz, Horseshoe, and Sam’s Town doesn’t allow doubling after splitting for the single deck. This one rule alone will bring the house edge from 0.15% all the way up to 1.45%. Considering the fact that you can still keep the house edge at around 0.5% with both six and eight deck blackjack, it’s sometimes not even worth the effort to search for single deck games. It is a single deck that pays 3:2 on a blackjack. Players can double down on any two cards and the dealer hits soft 17. The minimum bet is usually $10. Be careful in this game as the pit bosses will sweat large action or bet spreads. El Cortez also has $10 double deck and six-deck games for $10. These tables allow double down before and after splitting.

On This Page

Introduction

Common questions for novice players: What is single deck blackjack? Is it better to play single deck blackjack versus multi-deck variations? To use the basic strategy, look up your hand along the left vertical edge and the dealer's up card along the top. In both cases, an A stands for ace. From top to bottom are the hard totals, soft totals, and splittable hands. For specific tips, we present two charts depending on whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17.

Other basic strategy rules:
  • Never take insurance or 'even money.' The house edge on insurance is 5.9%, based on one deck.
  • If there is no row for splitting (fives and tens), then look up your hand as a hard total (10 or 20).
  • If you can't split because of a limit on re-splitting, then look up your hand as a hard total, except aces. In the extremely unlikely event you have a pair of aces you can't re-split and drawing to split aces is allowed, then double against a 5 or 6, otherwise hit.

Internal Links

Blackjack main page.

Blackjack Appendix 3A lists exceptions to the single deck, dealer stands on soft 17, basic strategy based on the exact composition of the player's hand.

Blackjack Appendix 3C lists exceptions to the single deck, dealer hits on soft 17, basic strategy based on the exact composition of the player's hand.

Boss Media Appendix 1 has a composition dependent basic strategy for single-deck, dealer stands on soft 17, blackjack.


Written by:Michael Shackleford

Free Single Deck Blackjack

How to play blackjack

Understanding the odds offered in any game of blackjack starts with understanding the basics of blackjack gameplay.

Is Single Deck Blackjack Better Odds

Standard 52-card decks are used. Non-face cards have the value of the number printed on them, while jacks, kings and queens are all worth 10, and aces are worth one or 11.

Odds Of Winning Single Deck Blackjack

The game has a relatively simple goal: You take cards aiming to get as closeto 21 as you can without going over. Then, you can win in one of two ways: Either the dealer busts by going over 21, or you beat the dealer’s hand. You can also push and will get your bet back if you tie the dealer.

At the start of a game, you and the other players at the table place a bet.

Then, you, the other players at the table and the dealer each receive two cards to start. You and the other players act on your hands before the dealer and can take one of several actions depending on the cards you are dealt. If you hit and go over 21, you lose, regardless of what happens later with the dealer’s hand.

Blackjack Single Deck

You make these decisions with only one of the dealer’s cards visible. There is no decision if you get dealt an aceand a card worth 10. It means you’ve hit blackjack and get paid 3:2 or 6:5 on your bet, depending on the specific rules of the game and whether the dealer also has blackjack. If the dealer also has blackjack, you’ll likely push depending on the specific rules of the game.

Deck

The actions available to you include:

  • Standing: Anytime you’re happy with your hand, you can stand. You’ll get no more cards and will get paid 1:1 if either the dealer goes bust or you beat the dealer’s hand.
  • Hitting: As long as you’re under 21, you can hit and draw cards to get closer to 21. You can continue hitting until you decide to stand or bust by going over 21.
  • Doubling down: You can double down after the first two cards are dealt, depending on the value of your hand and the rules of the game. You double your bet and you’ll get just one more card to go up against the dealer with.
  • Splitting: If you’re dealt a pair you can split the two cards into two separatehands. You double your bet and the dealer will give each hand a second card, allowing you to play each one separately. Depending on the cards and the rules of the game, you may even be able to double down after splitting or split again.
  • Surrendering: Depending on the rules of the game, you may be able to surrender, or give up your hand. You’ll get half your betback. It’s statistically proven to be a good play when you’ve got 16 against a dealer’s nine, 10 or ace, or 15 against a 10 or ace.
  • Buying insurance: If the dealer is showing an ace, you have the option of buying insurance. It costs half of your original bet size and pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack, making the hand a push for you. If the dealer doesn’t have blackjack, you lose what you paid for insurance and the hand continues. The house edge on insurance is a whopping 6.7%.