How to Make Money Playing Blackjack

Last Updated August 30, 2025 11:27 am PDT
2 handed blackjack with dealer on table

Wondering how to make money playing blackjack? Success starts with understanding how the game really works. This knowledge is your best tool for reducing mistakes and improving your chances of winning. Remember, blackjack isn’t just about skill; it’s about making the right move for the situation.

Can you make a living playing blackjack? Sure, it’s possible. But for every winner, there are many who walk away with losses. The game can deliver huge payouts, but ignoring the risks can be costly. 

If you really want to become a profitable blackjack player, this guide will walk you through the best practices so you can play smarter and walk away a winner. 

Can You Make Money at Blackjack Online?

Can you make money playing online blackjack? Yes, absolutely! But only if you use the best blackjack tips and tricks to influence your results. Still, the house always has an edge. Online blackjack can be profitable, but it takes more than just showing up and placing bets.

At land-based casinos, many players try to tip the odds in their favor by counting cards. But that’s not an option online, since digital games shuffle decks automatically. The good news is that most of the top online casinos offer generous welcome bonuses, which can give you a boost and help offset the house edge.

Additionally, the top blackjack sites provide access to more game variations and better software. For online casino players, that means third-party verified random number generators (RNGs) and games that can’t be rigged to rip you off.

The key is choosing the right online casino — one that offers more blackjack variations, rewarding promotions and better software. If you want to make money playing blackjack online, consider signing up at a great site like Bovada.

BovadaThe Best Site to Play Blackjack Online

Bovada stands out as the top choice for online blackjack, offering an impressive lineup with more than a dozen types of blackjack available. Whether you prefer classic versions or unique variants, there’s always a table waiting.

New players can take advantage of Bovada’s massive 125% welcome bonus worth up to $3,750. This generous offer gives your bankroll a big boost from the start, putting extra chips on the table and increasing your chances of walking away with a profit.

On top of that, their rewards program makes every hand count. Every dollar wagered on blackjack earns you points, which you can later convert into real cash rewards, making Bovada a great choice for anyone looking to make money playing blackjack.

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How Do You Consistently Win at Blackjack?

“Can I make money playing blackjack?” is a question many beginners ask—and the short answer is yes, but only if you take the right approach. We already know that limiting your chances of losses is the best way to go. When you ask experienced players, “Is blackjack profitable?”, that’s likely the first thing they will tell you.

Unlike other casino games, the blackjack house edge isn’t fixed and can be lowered with smart decisions. By making the right moves, players can cut losses and occasionally gain an advantage. But the reality is harsh, as most blackjack players lose money eventually.

Why? Casinos actively defend against advantage play, limiting opportunities for card counters or skilled strategists. Unlike poker, where skill alone can drive profits, blackjack is built to keep the house slightly ahead.

So, how do you consistently win at blackjack? The best way forward is to use a blackjack guide to improve your odds. You can also practice with free blackjack games to sharpen your skills. With a little preparation, you can put yourself in a much better position to consistently win at blackjack.

Blackjack vs. Other Casino Games

Every casino game comes with a built-in mathematical advantage for the house, known as the house edge. It represents the average percentage of each bet the casino expects to keep over time. For example, a 1% house edge means the casino wins an average of $1 for every $100 wagered.

Blackjack, however, is different from most casino games. Unlike roulette or slots, blackjack’s odds change as the cards are dealt. Keeping this important detail in mind, players can gain an edge over the dealer from time to time.

By taking advantage of strong opening hands, or raising bets when the deck is rich in high cards, players can shift the odds in their favor. There are countless casino games to choose from, but none makes it this easy to gain an edge on the house.

This is why blackjack stands out compared to other casino games; while most games keep the advantage firmly with the dealer, blackjack gives sharp players the chance to gain an edge.

Does Blackjack Strategy Help to Win Hands?

Ask any experienced player how to make money playing blackjack, and they’ll tell you to “play by the book.” It may sound simple, but it’s the best way to remove guesswork and win more hands. Blackjack has a limited number of scenarios, so learning the correct move for each one is easier than most people think.

Here are some essential tips every beginner should know:

Icon of blackjack

Stand on Hard 17 – A total of 17 without an Ace counted as 11 should always stand.

Hit on Soft 17 or Lower – With an Ace + 6, take another card. The Ace can drop to 1, minimizing bust risk.

Stand on 13–16 vs. Dealer 2–6 – Force the dealer into riskier draws when they show a weak card. Hit if they show 7 or higher.

Always Split 8s – A pair of 8s equals 16, one of the weakest totals. Splitting gives you a fresh start.

Never Split 10s – A total of 20 is strong; keep it rather than breaking it up.

At the end of the day, playing by the book takes the guesswork out of the game. It’s the single best way to boost your chances of winning more hands and protecting your bankroll.

Can You Count Cards in Blackjack?

If you’ve looked into making money at blackjack, you’ve probably heard about card counting. It’s a system where players track the ratio of high cards to low cards left in the deck and adjust their bets accordingly.

Card counting doesn’t work in online blackjack. That’s because most digital games use random number generators (RNGs) or automatically reshuffle after each hand, wiping out any potential advantage. Even in live dealer games, multiple decks and frequent shuffles make it nearly impossible to keep a reliable count.

In land-based casinos, though, card counting is possible. The most common method is the Hi-Lo system, where low cards (2–6) count as +1 and high cards (10–Ace) as -1. When the count is positive, skilled players raise their bets to capitalize on the stronger odds of hitting blackjack. Just remember—casinos keep a close eye on card counters, so use this skill wisely.

How to Make $100 a Day Playing Blackjack

You may not hit $100 in profit every single day, but if you play smart and stick to the right approach, you could average that kind of daily return over time. The key is treating blackjack like a game of calculated moves, not dumb luck.

Most standard blackjack games with common rules (like 6 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, 3:2 payout for blackjack) carry a house edge of about 0.5% when you use basic strategy. Here’s how different betting levels could work out in practice:

Hands per DayBet SizeHouse EdgeSuggested BankrollChance of Reaching $100
300$100.5%$500+Low (needs big luck)
300$250.5%$1,250+Moderate (variance can push +$100)
300$500.5%$2,500+Higher (swings of $100+ common)
300$1000.5%$5,000+Highest (can win $100+ but also lose heavily)

The table shows why consistently hitting $100 a day is tough. Even with perfect play, the house edge works against you. That said, strong bankroll management and variance can create days where you come out ahead.

The most realistic path? Treat $100 as an achievable average over time, not a guaranteed daily profit.

More Advice to Profit from Playing Blackjack

If you’re still wondering how to make money playing blackjack, the answer is simple: play smart, use basic tips, and don’t expect any shortcuts. 

Counting cards like Rain Man might sound fun, but it doesn’t work online and land-based casinos are quick to shut that down. Instead, focus on learning the correct approach to every possible scenario.

Blackjack should be enjoyable, so keep it fun by using good judgment and adapting to the game you’re playing. Want a solid place to start? Bovada is one of the best online casinos for blackjack. Sign up, grab your welcome bonus, and enjoy every hand of blackjack along the way!

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Kevin
Roberts
Content Editor
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Kevin Roberts, previously published under the pseudonym Noah Davis, is one of the more diverse writers at GamblingSites.com. Like many of his colleagues, he's a huge fan of both football and basketball. But he also writes about box office records, TV show prop bets, DFS, and all kinds of other subjects. When it comes to the NFL, Kevin's favorite team is the Green Bay Packers. He enjoys cheering them on with his wife and daughter.
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  1. Premium Riviera July 22, 2019 at 3:44 am

    Thanks for this valuable information.

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