Blackjack vs roulette
Blackjack is five times cheaper per pound staked, if you follow basic strategy.
By Ryan Jessop. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Blackjack: around 0.5%.
- Roulette: 2.70% on a single-zero wheel.
- Cheaper per pound staked: blackjack.
- Cheaper per hour at typical stakes: blackjack.
AnswerBlackjack is five times cheaper per pound staked, if you follow basic strategy. Roulette asks nothing of you.
Side by side
| Line | Blackjack | Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| House edge | Around 0.5% | 2.70% on a single-zero wheel |
| RTP | 99.5% | 97.30% |
| Skill | Yes | No |
| Rounds an hour | About 60 | About 40 |
| Volatility | Low | Low to high, by bet |
| Best bet | A 3 to 2 table, played with basic strategy | Even-money bets on a French wheel |
| Avoid | Insurance, side bets and 6 to 5 tables | Anything on a double-zero wheel |
| Bonus contribution | 0% to 20% | 0% to 20% |
An hour of each
| Game | Stake | Rounds | Staked | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackjack | £1 | 60 | £60 | £0.3 |
| Roulette | £1 | 40 | £40 | £1.08 |
Typical stakes and pace. A long-run average.
£100 staked
On blackjack, £100 of stakes costs £0.5 on average. On roulette, £2.7.
In practice
An hour at £1 makes it concrete: sixty hands of blackjack with basic strategy cost about 30p on average; forty spins of single-zero roulette cost about £1.08. Without a strategy chart the blackjack figure rises to about £1.20 and the two games cost much the same. So the choice is really whether you will follow the chart.
How they feel
You and the dealer each try to get closer to 21 without going over. It is the one common casino game where your decisions change the price.
A ball, a wheel and a table of bets. Which wheel you play matters far more than how you bet.
Verdict
Choose blackjack if
you enjoy decisions and will follow a chart.
Choose roulette if
you want simplicity and a choice of bets.
Full guides
Blackjack and Roulette. Any pair: comparison tool.
More comparisons: Roulette vs baccarat, Blackjack vs baccarat and Craps vs roulette.
Elsewhere on the site: Best live casino games, RTP explained, Roulette bets and odds, How to play craps and Live blackjack UK.
House edges and RTPs are standard published figures for common rules, and are long-run averages. Offer terms dated 5 October 2026. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
Frequently asked questions
Is blackjack or roulette better?
Blackjack is five times cheaper per pound staked, if you follow basic strategy.
Which has the lower house edge?
Blackjack.
Which is cheaper per hour?
Blackjack, at typical stakes.
Which needs skill?
Blackjack.