Zero House Edge – Truth or Myth

House Edge Definition and The Factors Determining It

In blackjack, as well as in any other gambling game, the house edge is a statistical advantage expressed in percentages incorporated into the very game. The house always has an advantage over the player, due to the fact that the house wins every time the player busts, regardless of the dealer’s hand. If the player goes over 21 and the dealer busts subsequently, the house still wins.

Blackjack house edge is determined by a couple of factors. If for example, the blackjack variant employs the S17 rule, where the dealer must stand on soft 17 hand, the house edge will be decreased by 0.2%, favouring the player.  The other factor that can negatively affect the house edge is the number of decks –  with the lower number, the odds of the player drawing an Ace are significantly improved, while the chances of the push position between the player and the dealer are slimmer.

Zero House Edge

The only thing better than the low house edge is no house edge at all. This actually means that both the player and the dealer have an equal chance of winning the hand, since the factors placing the house into an advantageous position can be avoided, with the help of some extra knowledge, skill and optimal strategy. Luckily for all of us, the strategy is easy to learn and once you master and employ it, you will discover a whole new dimension of the game of blackjack.

Zero Edge Blackjack

Let us make this perfectly clear – the only way you are going to reduce the edge or eliminate it altogether is to truly master the strategy. Otherwise, the house will always have the upper hand  – pun intended.

Zero Edge Blackjack Strategy – Rules and Chart

• Aces always have a value of 1, unless paired with 7 – 9; if so, they should be counted as 11. (Ace and 6 will be counted as 7, while Ace and 8 is to be regarded as 19).
• Points total refers to all the cards that the player holds  – the next move the player will take is co-dependant on the total value. For easier understanding, refer to the chart below:

Once you memorize the strategy chart, you will find its value to be unmeasurable. As mentioned, depending on the level of your skill, you will be able to either decrease the edge or do away with it completely, as you progress in using this technique.