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Live Blackjack: house edge and cost per hour
Blackjack · live dealer
House edge0.5%About 0.5% with correct basic strategy under common rules (several decks, blackjack pays 3:2, dealer stands on all 17s).
Pace60 / hourAssumption, editable
Cost of an hour at $10.00$3.00Expected, not a prediction
Live blackjack streams a real dealer, real cards and a shared shoe to your screen. You play against the dealer, not the other seats, and decisions such as hit, stand, double and split are yours. It is the live game where skill moves the cost the most.
About 0.5% with correct basic strategy under common rules (several decks, blackjack pays 3:2, dealer stands on all 17s). The edge is higher if you play by feel or the table pays 6:5.
A typical seat sees roughly 50 to 70 hands an hour, depending on how many players are at the table. Edit this number in the calculator to match your table.
Bets and payouts
| Bet | How it works | Cost note |
|---|---|---|
| Main bet | Beat the dealer's hand without going over 21 | Blackjack pays 3:2 at standard tables |
| Side bets (e.g. Perfect Pairs, 21+3) | Optional extra bets on your first cards | Usually a much higher house edge than the main hand |
Pros
- Lowest house edge among common live games when you use basic strategy
- Your decisions change the cost per hour
- Easy rules to learn, with free strategy charts
Cons
- Edge rises quickly with bad habits or 6:5 payouts
- Side bets are expensive
- Seats can fill up at peak hours
Tips
- Check that blackjack pays 3:2, not 6:5.
- Keep a basic-strategy chart next to you; it is allowed and costs nothing.
- Skip the side bets if you care about the hourly cost.