Las Vegas casinos and online operators are always refining rules and side bets to protect the house edge on blackjack. The smart player must push back with better rules, sharper strategy, and fewer sucker bets. In recent years, a prominent statistician summarized practical ways the odds in blackjack can shift toward the player’s favor.

The Wizard of Odds

January 15, 2026 · Counting Edge Editorial

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Michael Shackleford knows a thing or two about blackjack. He is more than just a fan and student of the game. Shackleford is also a mathematician who created a website about gambling called The Wizard of Odds. Shackleford’s interest in gambling has roots in academia. Shackleford previously served as an adjunct professor at UNLV. He taught casino math to gaming majors who ultimately pursue careers in the gambling industry.

In his capacity as a professor, Michael Shackleford devoted his life to studying all of the casino table games. He meticulously studied their odds and how those odds could be affected by styles of play. One could say that Shackleford truly is the Wizard of Odds. In a recent interview with the Las Vegas Sun, Shackleford addressed the ways players can increase odds at blackjack and other table games.

The professor believes that players have a tendency to blame other players when they lose, especially the player on third base. He contends that this is improper and players should instead focus on five ways they can increase their odds.

Stay Away From 6-5 Blackjack

For years the standard has been to pay a player 3-2 on a blackjack. Today, some live casinos and online casinos are changing this and paying players 6-5 on a blackjack. Shackleford believes playing this game can greatly reduce the advantage a player has in the game. The odds for a blackjack are posted on the table for all players to see. Before sitting down to play, the player should make sure that the game offers 3-2 on a blackjack. Most of the online casinos recommended by Counting Edge pay 3-2 on blackjack.

Insurance is Always a Bad Bet

Shackleford insists that taking insurance at the blackjack table is always a bad bet. The gimmick behind these bets is that they are there to help the player minimize losses. The truth is that insurance is nothing more than a glorified side bet. Side bets are regularly used by casinos to increase the odds for the house.

Counting Edge has always recommended players avoid taking insurance. The exception to this could be when a player has a knowledge of card counting. In that instance it may be profitable sometimes for the player to make this side bet.

Use Surrender if Available

There aren’t too many live or online casinos anymore which offer surrender. This player option allows you to forfeit half of your original bet after you have seen the dealer’s up card. Shackleford believes that there are times when surrender should always be used to the player’s advantage. One of these times is when the player holds a 16 against the dealer’s 10. The reason for this should be apparent. Players should always assume that a dealer has a 10 in the hole and use that assumption to guide how they act on their hand.

A 16 is a very bad hand for the player. To stand on it is pointless and to hit the hand is a very big risk. Surrender of this hand is the best option. Of course, the trick is finding a casino which offers surrender. Not many do. But if you do your due diligence you will be able to find a casino which offers the bet.

Take Advantage of Soft Doubles

If you are a Counting Edge reader then you are familiar with the concept of hard and soft hands. A soft hand is one that cannot be busted by taking a card. What some players don’t realize is that they should be doubling some of these hands when the dealer is weak. Shackleford states that players should double a soft 13-18 against a dealer 4-6. What makes this piece of advice difficult, though, is that there are a few exceptions. One of these is to avoid doubling a soft 13 against a dealer 4.

There are many strategy charts available which detail the best times to make these doubles. You will need to find a live or online casino which permits doubling down on any two cards. That is the key to implementing this strategy. Most casinos today allow you to double any two original cards.

Side Bets Are Sucker Bets

Shackleford concludes by stating that all side bets are sucker bets. Some of these bets can increase the odds for the house up to 20%. Players should adopt a general rule of staying away from these side bets. A side bet most often appears in a new variation of blackjack, so players can stay away from side bets by sticking to standard blackjack.

Putting the edge checklist together

Before you click deal, confirm 3:2 naturals, dealer peek or no-hole-card quirks, double-after-split, and re-split rules. Pair Shackleford’s list with a printable basic strategy card and treat live blackjack sessions like audits—note any rule sticker changes so you do not autopilot into a worse game next visit.

FAQs: improving blackjack odds

Does avoiding 6:5 really matter that much?

Yes—it is one of the largest single-rule drags on your expectation at low limits.

When is insurance ever correct?

Almost never for basic strategy players; only specialized counts justify it—see our insurance explainer.

Do soft doubles matter online?

They matter everywhere the rules allow them; they trim losses against weak dealer up cards.

Frequently asked questions

Why avoid 6:5 blackjack?

6:5 payouts on naturals sharply increase the house edge compared with traditional 3:2 games.

Should I ever take insurance?

Basic strategy says no; advanced counters may take it only when the composition of the remaining shoe justifies it.

Are side bets ever worth it?

They carry a much higher house edge than the main game; treat them as entertainment, not strategy.

You might be ready to put these strategies into practice by creating your own online casino account. It takes only a few minutes to sign up and you can bet from your computer, smartphone, or tablet. You will also score a nice welcome bonus when you make your first deposit. To play real money blackjack use our online blackjack reviews hub to pick a room with transparent bonus math.

Related topics

These guides explore related ideas:

• The Best Casino Loyalty Programs
• Differences Between Live Blackjack & Online Blackjack
• 5 Simple Online Blackjack Strategies
• 3 Tips For Online Blackjack Money Management
• The Best Starting Hands In Online Blackjack

Use what you read here as a study guide, then validate ideas at low stakes with clear session limits.