Blackjack is a widely played casino game that involves a balance of chance and decision-making. While winning streaks are often the focus, losing streaks are just as common and can happen to any player.
Understanding the odds of consecutive losses can help players manage expectations and make more informed decisions. In this article, we’ll explain how to calculate the chances of losing multiple hands in a row and provide a few examples to illustrate how these probabilities work in practice. Read on to learn more.
How To Determine The Odds of Blackjack Losing Streaks?
Losing streaks can happen, even to experienced blackjack players. Whether you're playing blackjack online or in a land-based casino, streaks, both winning and losing, are possible.
The key thing to remember is that streaks are unpredictable. You can't forecast when they’ll happen or how long they’ll last.
As with all casino games, blackjack has a built-in advantage for the house, which means the casino is expected to win over time. However, this does not guarantee that losses will always follow a pattern.
Let’s take a look at some approximate odds of winning and losing in blackjack when using basic strategy, excluding ties:
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Winning: 46.4%
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Losing: 53.6%%
The actual odds in blackjack may vary depending on the rules of the game, the number of decks, and the exact strategy used.
To determine the odds of losing several hands in a row, we use the percentage chance of losing (roughly 53.6% or 0.536) and multiply it by itself for each consecutive loss. Let's work through some examples.
Blackjack Losing Streak Examples
What Are The Odds of Losing 6 Blackjack Hands in a Row?
To calculate the odds of losing 6 hands in a row, we multiply the odds of losing by itself 6 times:
0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 = 0.0237
To work this out as a percentage, simply multiply this figure by 100.
0.0237 x 100 = 2.37
Therefore, the odds of losing 6 blackjack hands in a row is 2.37%.
What Are The Odds of Losing 7 Blackjack Hands in a Row?
Let's work out the odds of losing 7 blackjack hands in a row. The sum is as follows:
0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 = 0.0127
To work out the percentage, multiply this figure by 100.
0.0127 x 100 = 1.27
This means the odds of losing 7 blackjack hands in a row is 1.27%.
What Are The Odds of Losing 10 Blackjack Hands in a Row?
To work out the odds of losing 10 blackjack hands in a row, follow the same formula as above.
0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 x 0.536 = 0.0019
To work out the percentage, multiply this figure by 100.
0.0019 x 100 = 0.19
The odds of losing 10 blackjack hands in a row is 0.19%.
How Many Blackjack Hands In a Row Can You Lose?
As you can see from the above examples, the odds of losing consecutively decrease with each additional hand. However, you can never fully predict how long a losing streak will last, and there’s no definitive answer to how many hands you might lose in a row.
While winning streaks are possible, over time, due to the house edge, players are more likely to experience a gradual loss rather than recover from a losing streak.
If you find yourself in the middle of a losing streak, the best thing to do is take a break or step away from the table. Continuing to play during a losing streak can quickly deplete your bankroll. By taking a break, you can refresh your mind, reassess your approach, or even enjoy a different game when you are ready and focused.
Remember: never chase losses and always gamble responsibly. Play within your means, and only bet money you are comfortable losing.
**All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.