Single Deck Blackjack

Single Deck Blackjack is a variation of blackjack played with one deck of 52 cards. This blackjack variant features a very low house edge, and as such, many online casinos do not offer it.

But don’t worry! We have compiled a list of the top online casinos to play this classic variation of blackjack. All these sites offer fair rules in all their Single Deck Blackjack online games.

Play for real money using the Single Deck Blackjack basic strategy at our recommended online casinos. We will show you everything about playing this game, from the rules to the odds of winning!

Best Single Deck Blackjack USA Online Casinos

What Is Single Deck Blackjack?

Single Deck Blackjack Basic Strategy

Having a good basic strategy is a way to limit your risks and win when playing blackjack. It’s called a basic strategy because it is simple; it deals with knowing when to hit, stand, split, and double down.

For this reason, it is vital for you to adopt a solid strategy while playing single-deck blackjack because every single card you play has a significant impact on the deck’s remaining cards.

A simple move can as well make or mar your final hand.

This Single Deck Blackjack basic strategy will help knock out some little percentages from the house edge. Memorize it and apply it when playing the game.

• Stand when your hand is 12-16 when the dealer has 2-6
• Hit when your hand is 12-16 when the dealer has 7-Ace
• Always split pairs of Aces and 8s
• Double 11 versus the dealer’s 2-10
• Hit or double Aces-6
• Hit hard totals 5 through 7 against any dealer upcard
• Double down on 11 against any dealer upcard
• Split a pair of 7s against dealer upcards 2- 8
• Double down on soft 13 through soft 16, included, against a dealer with a 4, 5, or 6
• Double down on soft 17 against dealer face-up cards 2- 6 included
• Double down on soft 18 against the dealer’s 3 through 6
• Stand on hard 16 against the dealer’s 2 through 6, hit against the dealer’s 7 through 9, and surrender against the dealer’s ten or ace (if surrender is unavailable, you hit)

Download or Print Your Own Single Deck Blackjack Strategy Card (PDF)

The basic blackjack strategy will help you achieve optimal play. We condensed this strategy into a colorful chart that would make it easier for you to memorize and remember.

However, that is not the only thing you need to know to win while playing this single-deck game. Below, we listed some quick and effective tips that would aid your gameplay and increase your chances of winning.

Single Deck Blackjack Odds Of Winning

In each situation, knowing the chances you find yourself at possibly winning while playing blackjack is essential. This information would help you make the right decisions and maximize your bets.

Naturally, when your hand value totals 17, you don’t want to hit or get another card. However, here are hand values and chances of bursting if you take another card.

Hand Values	Odds Of Going Bust
20	92%
19	85%
18	77%
17	69%
16	62%
15	58%
14	56%
13	39%
12	31%

Single Deck Blackjack House Edge

Of all blackjack variations, Single Deck Blackjack has the lowest house edge of 0.15%. The main reason why this blackjack variant’s house edge is low is because of its single deck.

To ensure that they have some advantage, casinos often feature several rules to go along with their blackjack gameplay. These primary rules include dealer hits soft 17, no surrender allowed, and a 6:5 blackjack payout. All these rules further increase the house edge.

Single Deck Blackjack Payouts

Single Deck Blackjack In Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the most popular destination for tourists who come to enjoy the city’s entertainment and gambling.

A Single Deck Blackjack game pays 3:2 or 6:5 at most casinos. Tables with 3:2 blackjack payouts have become a rarity in Las Vegas these days. However, there are a few locations left that offer this profitable version.

Where to play Single Deck Blackjack in Vegas?

While you can still find single-deck blackjack in Las Vegas, the elusive 3:2 payout is only available in the following casinos. 

Silverton

This spot, south of the Las Vegas strip off the highway, is well-known to locals. They currently have one table that is single-deck, 3:2 blackjack. Doubling down is allowed on 10 and 11 only before splitting and not after. The dealer hits on soft 17, and bet limits are $10 to $1000.

El Cortez

The historic El Cortez is just a short block away from the bustling Fremont Street Experience, and they have multiple single-deck tables. You can double down on any two cards here, just not after splitting, and the dealer hits on soft 17. The minimum bet is $5 but may increase to $10 during peak hours, such as evenings and weekends.

Single Deck Blackjack Rules

Basic Rules

This version of blackjack shares similar rules with traditional blackjack which include;

• Uses only one deck of 52 decks
• Decks are shuffled at the beginning of every hand
• Face cards are worth 10. Aces 1 or 11
• If you are dealt an Ace & 10, you will get a natural Blackjack
• The player can either hit, stand, split or double down
• Aces can be split, and the player receives only one card per Ace
• Aces cannot be re-split

House Rule Variations

Casinos often alter some rules to make the house edge more favorable to them. The rules may vary from one casino to another. They include:

• Blackjack pays 6:5, while some pay 3:2
• The player may double down on only 9, 10, and 11
• No late surrender (surrender is not an option at some online casinos)
• The dealer hits on soft 17s
• The player may not double down after splitting pairs
• The player may only split once

Is Single Deck Blackjack Better Than Multiple Deck Blackjack?

The most evident difference between Single Deck Blackjack and the Multi-Deck variation is the number of decks used. While a Single Deck mainly uses one deck, several Multi-Deck Blackjack variants offer from 3 to 8 Decks. However, there are other differences, like house edge, strategy, and payout.

Here are some unique factors that distinguish Single Deck Blackjack from Multi-Deck Blackjack:

• The most important perk to playing this classic game of blackjack is that it comes with the lowest blackjack house edge of 0.15%.
• Having such a low house edge, you have greater chances of making more money.
• Couple this advantage with a good basic blackjack strategy, and you will find yourself winning in no time.

• Online casinos often offer stringent and unfavorable rules. All in a bid to increase the house edge to favor the casino. (that’s why we recommend casinos that have fair house rules.)
• The common version of Single Deck Blackjack at most casinos features a 6:5 payout, unlike the 3:2 payout known with common Multi-Deck games. Even though a 6:5 payout is not very rewarding, you have better chances of winning. This may offset the lower blackjack payout by having you win more often.

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