Blackjack Payouts – What Does Blackjack Pay?

Standard Blackjack Payouts

The 3:2 vs. 6:5 Payout – Why It Matters

The payout on a natural blackjack is the single most impactful rule variation in the game. Standard blackjack pays 3:2 – you earn $1.50 for every $1 wagered. Many casinos now offer only 6:5, meaning $1.20 per $1 wagered.

Here is what that means across 100 hands at a $25 bet, assuming approximately 4.8% natural blackjacks:

That is approximately a $36 difference per 100 hands at a $25 table – purely from the payout rule. Switching from 3:2 to 6:5 adds approximately 1.4% to the house edge. In a game where basic strategy brings the house edge below 0.5%, a 6:5 table flips the math significantly against the player.

The bottom line: Always play at a 3:2 table. If you cannot find one, walk away. The 6:5 rule is one of the most player-unfavorable changes in casino history.

Even Money on Blackjack

When you hold a natural blackjack and the dealer’s up card is an Ace, you may be offered “even money” – an immediate 1:1 payout rather than risking a push if the dealer also has blackjack.

Mathematically, taking even money is equivalent to taking insurance on your blackjack. The standard recommendation is to decline even money. Over many hands, declining is slightly more profitable even though it occasionally results in a push.

Double Down Payouts

When you double down, you double your original bet and receive exactly one more card. A win pays 1:1 on the total doubled amount.

Example: You bet $20, double down to $40, and win. You receive $40 in winnings, for a total return of $80. Net profit: $40 versus the $20 you would have won without doubling.

The value of doubling comes from putting more money in play in favorable situations, not from an elevated payout ratio.

Split Payouts

Each hand from a split pays at standard 1:1 odds. Important exception: if you split Aces and receive a 10-value card, the result is typically paid at 1:1 rather than 3:2, because it is considered a “21 from a split” rather than a natural blackjack. This is standard at most casinos.

Surrender Payouts

Surrender returns exactly half of your original bet.

Example: You bet $30 and surrender. You receive $15 back and lose $15.

The value of surrender is not in its payout but in its expected value relative to playing the hand out. When the probability of losing the full bet exceeds 50%, surrendering at a 50% loss is mathematically superior. See our When to Surrender guide.

Insurance Payout

Insurance pays 2:1 on a bet of up to half your original wager. The math:

For insurance to break even over time, the dealer would need blackjack one-third of the time when showing an Ace. The actual probability is about 30.8% – below the break-even threshold. Insurance is a consistently losing proposition for most players. See our full Insurance guide.

Side Bet Payouts

Side bets carry a much higher house edge than the main game, typically 3% to 14%. They are entertaining but expensive over time. See our Side Bets guide for a full analysis.

How Payouts Affect the House Edge

The 3:2 payout rule alone is worth more to the player than any other single rule variation. For a comprehensive look at how all rules interact, see our Blackjack House Edge guide.

Next Steps

Now that you understand payouts and why the 3:2 rule matters so much, the next building block is learning to play your hand optimally every time. Start with the Basic Strategy overview, or continue through the basics with our Blackjack Glossary and How to Play guide.