What this solves
"Blackjack has a low house edge" is a 1990s fact. The 2026 Strip runs mostly 6:5 blackjack (1.52% house edge) and at least one zero-edge variant as a marketing lure — but the rule modifications stack. This calculator takes a base game, applies your rule mods, and gives you the true house edge plus expected loss per $100 wagered.
Use it before you sit. The visible rule plaque at the table is half the story — the other half is whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, whether you can double after split, whether surrender is offered.
The calculator
Pick a game variant
Rule modifications
Base house edge
Adjusted house edge
Expected loss / $100 wagered
Per $1,000
Bankroll hit
Player comp cycle
How to read the result
- Base edge is the theoretical house edge with standard rules. Some games (6:5 BJ) already have a poor base; others (single-deck 3:2) start very low.
- Rule modifications stack. A 6:5 BJ table with H17 and no surrender is over 2% — about 5× worse than a 3:2 single-deck table.
- Expected loss per $100 wagered is the number to compare across games. $1.52 per $100 (6:5 BJ) is roughly 4× the cost of $0.43 per $100 (3:2 multi-deck).
- Bankroll hit probability is a coarse estimate using gambler's ruin math. A 5% edge game will halve your bankroll faster than a 1% edge game given equal bet sizing.
- Comp cycle shows what the casino thinks you "should" lose — which is what they comp against. The actual comp receipt is usually 20–30% of this theo figure.
Limitations
- House edge figures assume optimal basic strategy. Most players do not play optimal strategy, especially at tables with rule modifications they haven't studied. Real player edge loss can be 2–4× the theoretical edge.
- Rule modifications are not exhaustive. This list covers the most common variants; specific Strip tables may have additional rules (e.g., Five-Card Charlie, suited blackjack bonuses) that can shift the edge by another 0.10–0.30%.
- The "side bet adds 5%" is an average — popular side bets like Perfect Pairs run 5–11% house edge; 21+3 runs 6–13%. Side bets are a place the math collapses fast.
- Pai Gow poker edge assumes the player follows the house way (the dealer's set). Most players set their hands worse than the house, increasing their real edge to 2.5–4%.
- This calculator does not model continuous-shuffle machines (CSM), shuffle tracking, or hole-carding strategies. Those are exploitation tactics outside the scope of standard comparison.
FAQ
Why is 6:5 blackjack so much worse than 3:2?
The blackjacks pay 6:5 instead of 3:2. On a $25 hand, a 3:2 blackjack pays $37.50; a 6:5 blackjack pays $30. The seven-and-a-half-dollar difference on every 21 is roughly 1.4% of your action — that's the entire gap.
Does doubling after split (DAS) really matter?
Yes — about 0.14% in the player's favor. On $50,000 of action per session, that's $70. Some Strip tables post "No DAS" on the felt; if you're counting, leave.
Is craps really lower than roulette?
Pass line craps is 1.41%. American roulette is 5.26%. But craps proposition bets (any seven, hardways, hop bets) run 5–16% — same territory as roulette. Stick to the line bets.
What about those "no-commission" baccarat tables?
The banker bet pays 1:1 instead of 0.95:1, but the house keeps the bet when banker wins with a total of 6 (push). The result is 1.46% edge — slightly worse than regular banker (1.06%), but psychologically feels like a free ride. Read the felt carefully.
Sources
- Wizard of Odds house edge calculator, 2026 reference data
- Wizard of Vegas blackjack rule modifications table
- Stanford Wong — "Professional Blackjack" (rule impact methodology)
- Nevada Gaming Control Board game rule disclosures, 2024–2026