Blackjack Odds & Payouts Explained
Last reviewed: June 2026
The payout on a blackjack natural is the single most important number on the table. A 3:2 payout with basic strategy yields a house edge of roughly 0.5%. Switch to a 6:5 table and that edge climbs to roughly 1.4% — nearly three times worse — before you play a single hand differently. Understanding what every payout means is the fastest way to choose the right table.
For the full math behind optimal decisions, see Blackjack Basic Strategy. For a head-to-head comparison of the two payout structures, see 3:2 vs. 6:5 Blackjack. You can also test hands in our free Blackjack simulator.
Standard payout table
| Event | Payout | Example ($100 bet) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural 21 — 3:2 table | 3:2 | +$150 returned, $250 total | Standard; seek these out |
| Natural 21 — 6:5 table | 6:5 | +$120 returned, $220 total | Trap — costs ~$30 per blackjack |
| Win (non-natural) | 1:1 (even money) | +$100 | Standard |
| Push (tie) | 0 | $0 won or lost | Standard |
| Insurance | 2:1 | +$200 on a $100 insurance wager | Trap — see below |
| Surrender (where offered) | Return half wager | +$50 of original $100 back | Standard; reduce losses on bad hands |
The 3:2 vs. 6:5 gap
A natural blackjack (an Ace plus any ten-value card dealt on the first two cards) arrives roughly 4.83% of hands. On a $100 bet:
- 3:2 table: you win $150. Net result per blackjack: +$150.
- 6:5 table: you win $120. Net result per blackjack: +$120.
That $30 difference per blackjack does not sound catastrophic on any single hand. Spread across a session, it is. Over 100 naturals at $100 per bet — roughly 2,000 hands — you collect $3,000 less on a 6:5 table than on a 3:2 table, purely from the payout difference on naturals. Combined with all other hands, basic strategy holds the house edge to ~0.5% on 3:2 and ~1.4% on 6:5.
To put it another way: the gap between a 3:2 table and a 6:5 table is larger than the gap between playing perfect basic strategy and playing by gut instinct. Picking the right table matters more than memorizing the strategy chart — though you should do both.
How to spot a 6:5 table: look for small-print signage that reads “Blackjack pays 6 to 5” or “6:5 Blackjack.” Ask the dealer before sitting down: “What does a blackjack pay?” If the answer is not “three to two,” walk away.
Insurance: the side bet hiding in plain sight
When the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, the dealer offers insurance — a side wager of up to half your original bet that pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack.
The math makes this a clear trap:
- Probability the dealer has blackjack given an Ace upcard: approximately 30.77% (four of the thirteen possible ranks are tens).
- Fair odds would be roughly 2.25:1 (about 69.23 chances of losing for every 30.77 of winning).
- The casino pays only 2:1.
- House edge on insurance: ~5.88%.
In practice the insurance loss compounds with the result of your main bet. The simple rule: never take insurance. The only exception is card counters who can verify a ten-rich deck — well outside the scope of standard play. For a deeper look, see Blackjack Insurance & Side Bets.
Side bets (21+3, Perfect Pairs, Bust Bonus)
Every blackjack table variant advertises side bets promising large multipliers. All of them carry edges far above the main game:
- 21+3: your two cards plus the dealer upcard form a poker combination. Pays up to 100:1 on suited trips. House edge typically 8–10%.
- Perfect Pairs: your two initial cards are a pair. Pays 5:1 to 25:1 depending on suit match. House edge typically 3–5%.
- Bust Bonus / Lucky Ladies / others: structured around dealer bust or specific hand totals. House edge typically 7–10%.
Treat side bets as separate entertainment, not as part of a blackjack strategy. Their edges are closer to roulette or keno than to optimal blackjack.
What the house edge actually means per session
| Game condition | House edge (basic strategy) | Expected loss per $1,000 wagered |
|---|---|---|
| 3:2 blackjack | ~0.5% | ~$5 |
| 6:5 blackjack | ~1.4% | ~$14 |
| No strategy (guessing) | ~2.0% | ~$20 |
| Insurance side bet | ~5.9% | ~$59 |
| Typical side bet | 5–10% | $50–$100 |
The 3:2 main game with basic strategy is among the lowest house-edge options in any casino. Layering in the 6:5 trap or insurance quietly multiplies your expected cost while leaving the surface experience identical.
Finding the right table
- Ask before sitting. “What does a blackjack pay?” is a one-second question that can save significant money.
- Check online casinos. Online blackjack rooms typically default to 3:2 because they compete for informed players. Check the rules panel before each session.
- Avoid high-foot-traffic casino floors in tourist-heavy areas. They disproportionately offer 6:5 to capture casual players. Locals-oriented and downtown casinos are more likely to still offer 3:2.
- Learn basic strategy. A 3:2 table with proper play is one of the best bets in any casino. Without strategy, you give back most of the payout advantage.
Frequently asked
Is a 6:5 blackjack table ever worth playing? Almost never. Even with perfect basic strategy, the 6:5 table runs at 1.4% edge — nearly three times the 0.5% edge on a 3:2 table. Unless a 3:2 table is genuinely unavailable and you want to play regardless, skip it.
Can insurance ever make sense? Only for card counters who have confirmed a very ten-rich remaining deck. For everyone else, insurance carries a ~5.88% house edge and should be declined every time.
Do side bets pay off in the long run? No. Occasional big payouts create memorable wins, but expected return on all standard blackjack side bets is negative, with edges of 3–10%. Budget them as entertainment if you want them — not as part of your blackjack strategy.
Where can I practice reading blackjack payouts before playing? Our free Blackjack trainer lets you practice decisions with real payout math applied — no money required.
Sources & further reading
- Wizard of Odds — Blackjack House Edge — complete edge tables by rule set and deck count
- Wizard of Odds — Insurance Bet — detailed insurance probability breakdown
- Casino.org — Blackjack Payout Changes — history of the 6:5 shift post-2008
Educational explanation only. No real-money gambling happens on LearnTheOdds.
Responsible gambling: Play for entertainment, not income — the math favors the house over time. Set limits, never chase losses, and if it stops being fun, take a break. 21+. Need help? Call 1-800-MY-RESET (1800myreset.org).