Quick Takeaways
- The biggest rule to check first is the blackjack payout: 3:2 is best; 6:5 is costly.
- Next, check whether the dealer stands on soft 17 (S17) or hits soft 17 (H17).
- Then look at decks, doubling rules, splitting limits, and surrender options. Small changes add up.
If you want the full blackjack foundation first (rules, scoring, dealer rules, payouts, and a table checklist), start with The Complete Guide to Blackjack. This article gives you a simple, practical checklist for spotting better online blackjack rules quickly.
Start With the Rule That Matters Most: 3:2 vs 6:5
This is the fastest “good table vs bad table” filter.
What It Means
A natural blackjack is an Ace + a 10-value card as your first two cards.
- 3:2 payout means a $100 bet wins $150
- 6:5 payout means a $100 bet wins $120
That gap looks small until you realize blackjack happens often enough that it becomes a steady drain.
If you only remember one rule check, make it this:
Prefer 3:2. Avoid 6:5 when you can.
If you want the full breakdown of why this matters, see Understanding 3:2 vs 6:5 Blackjack Payouts.
Check the Soft 17 Rule: S17 vs H17
This rule affects how the dealer plays certain totals.
- S17 (Dealer Stands on Soft 17) is generally more player-friendly
- H17 (Dealer Hits Soft 17) is generally worse for players
Why it matters: soft 17 gives the dealer a chance to improve without the same bust risk, which shifts edge toward the house.
If you want a clear explanation of soft totals and dealer behavior, see Understanding Dealer Rules: Hit, Stand & Soft Totals.
Look at the Number of Decks (And Don’t Overthink It)
Online blackjack commonly uses:
- 6 decks
- 8 decks
In general:
- fewer decks are slightly better for players
- more decks slightly increase the house edge
But don’t let decks distract you from bigger issues like 6:5 payouts.
If you want the clean comparison, see The Difference Between 6-Deck and 8-Deck Blackjack Games.
Check Doubling Rules (They Matter More Than Most People Think)
Doubling is one of the few moments where blackjack lets you press a strong advantage.
Look for:
- Double on any two cards (more flexible)
- vs Double only on 9–11 (more restrictive)
Also check:
- DAS (Double After Split)
This is a big upgrade because splitting can create strong doubling spots.
If you want the logic behind doubling, see The Math Behind Doubling Down in Blackjack.
Check Splitting Rules (Especially Aces)
Splitting is another high-impact area.
Look for:
- how many times you can split (one split vs resplitting allowed)
- whether you can resplit Aces
- whether you get only one card on split Aces (common restriction)
- whether you can hit split Aces afterward (usually not allowed)
More flexibility is generally better for the player.
If you want a complete pair breakdown, see When to Split Pairs: A Complete Strategy Breakdown.
Check for Surrender (If Offered)
Surrender lets you give up half your bet and end the hand immediately in a few tough spots.
There are two types:
- Late surrender (more common)
- Early surrender (rare, more player-friendly)
Not all online tables offer surrender. If they do, it’s often a small plus.
You’ll go deeper on this later in the series in Understanding Surrender Options in Blackjack (Early vs Late).
Watch for Rule Wording That Signals “House-Favored”
Some tables look normal but hide the damage in rule text.
Be cautious if you see:
- “Blackjack pays 6:5”
- “Dealer hits soft 17”
- “No DAS” (can’t double after splitting)
- “Double only on 10–11” (very restrictive)
- low maximum splits or harsh Ace split limitations
These aren’t automatic deal-breakers individually, but stack enough of them together and your table becomes expensive.
Live Dealer vs RNG Tables: What to Check
Live Dealer Blackjack
- Real dealer, real shoe
- Shuffles and cut cards are visible
- Pace can be slower (often better for decision quality)
RNG Blackjack
- Faster hands
- Easier to rush decisions
- Rules can vary widely (some are great, some are terrible)
If you tend to play fast and make mistakes, the “best rules” won’t help much. A table you can play correctly often beats a table you rush through.
Don’t Let Side Bets Distract You
Many online tables advertise side bets heavily. They can look fun, but they usually have a higher house edge than the main game.
A simple rule:
- pick a player-friendly main table first
- only then decide if you want side bets for entertainment
If you just read it, this connects directly: insurance is one of the most common “bad value” side bets in blackjack.
Why Insurance Is a Bad Bet (Most of the Time).
A Fast “Good Table” Checklist You Can Use Every Time
Before you sit down, scan for:
- Blackjack payout: 3:2
- Dealer rule: S17 preferred
- Decks: fewer is slightly better
- Doubling: any two cards preferred
- DAS allowed
- Splitting: resplits allowed (reasonable limits)
- Surrender available (nice bonus)
- Avoid stacked house-favored rules (6:5 + H17 + restrictive doubling)
You don’t need a perfect table. You just want to avoid the worst rule combos.
Mini FAQ: Favorable Blackjack Rules Online
1) What’s the Most Important Blackjack Rule to Check?
The blackjack payout. Prefer 3:2 and avoid 6:5 when possible.
2) Is H17 Always a Dealbreaker?
Not always, but it’s less player-friendly than S17. If you have a choice, prefer S17.
3) Are Fewer Decks Always Better?
Slightly, yes. But payout and soft 17 rules matter more.
4) Do Side Bets Make Blackjack Worse?
They usually add extra house edge. Stick to the main game if you want the best odds.
5) Should Beginners Focus More on Rules or Strategy?
Both matter, but a good rule set makes it easier for strategy to hold up over time.
Where To Go Next
Now that you know how to spot favorable rules, the next step is understanding how deck count changes the game more specifically—especially the differences between 6-deck and 8-deck tables.
Continue with The Difference Between 6-Deck and 8-Deck Blackjack Games.
