How blackjack actually works

Blackjack is the only beatable game on the floor. With perfect basic strategy, the house edge drops to about 0.5% — meaning you lose 50 cents per $100 wagered on average. The key insight: you act first. If you bust, you lose immediately regardless of what the dealer does. That's the house's only real edge. Everything in basic strategy is about minimizing that bust risk while still winning when you can. Dealer plays by fixed rules: hit until 17, then stop. You can play smart — that's the whole edge.