Where to start
Learn basic strategy first. The strategy chart shows every move, and the trainer drills it until you stop checking. Played well, a 3:2 shoe game costs you about 0.4%.
Then check the table
| Rule | Effect on house edge |
|---|---|
| 6:5 instead of 3:2 blackjack | +1.39% |
| Dealer hits soft 17 | +0.22% |
| No doubling after a split | +0.14% |
| Late surrender | −0.08% |
The house edge calculator puts your table's full rule set in one number and turns it into pounds per hour. Counting comes last: it's legal, slow, and only pays on top of perfect basic strategy.