Blackjack Payouts – What Does Blackjack Pay?
Understanding how blackjack pays out is more important than most new players realize and the experts here at LegalOnlineBlackjack.com are gonna make sure you understand things perfectly. The payout structure directly affects the house edge and, over time, how much money you can expect to win or lose. The difference between a 3:2 and a 6:5 payout on a natural blackjack might sound minor, but it represents a significant difference in expected return that compounds over hundreds and thousands of hands.
This page covers all standard blackjack payouts, explains the math, and walks through why the blackjack payout ratio is one of the first things you should check before sitting down. For broader context on the game's rules, visit our Blackjack Basics page. You can also find historical background at Wikipedia's blackjack article.
Standard Blackjack Payouts
| Outcome | Payout | Example ($20 bet) |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Blackjack (3:2 table) | 3 to 2 | Win $30 |
| Natural Blackjack (6:5 table) | 6 to 5 | Win $24 |
| Standard win (beating dealer) | 1 to 1 (even money) | Win $20 |
| Push (tie with dealer) | Bet returned | Win $0 / no loss |
| Dealer busts, player does not | 1 to 1 (even money) | Win $20 |
| Insurance bet wins | 2 to 1 | Win $20 on a $10 insurance bet |
| Player busts | Loss | Lose $20 |
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:
| Payout Rule | Blackjacks per 100 Hands | Payout per Blackjack ($25 bet) | Total Blackjack Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:2 | ~4.8 | $37.50 | ~$180 |
| 6:5 | ~4.8 | $30.00 | ~$144 |
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:
- You bet $20 main hand, $10 insurance.
- Dealer has blackjack: you lose $20 main bet, win $20 from insurance (2:1 on $10). Net result: break even.
- Dealer does not have blackjack: you lose the $10 insurance bet and play the main hand normally.
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 Bet | Win Condition | Typical Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect Pairs | First two cards form a pair | Mixed pair: 5:1 / Colored pair: 10:1 / Perfect pair: 30:1 |
| 21+3 | Player's two cards + dealer up card form a poker hand | Flush: 5:1 / Straight: 10:1 / Three of a kind: 30:1 / Straight flush: 40:1 / Suited trips: 100:1 |
| Insurance | Dealer has blackjack | 2:1 |
| Lucky Ladies | First two cards total 20 | Suited 20: 10:1 / Matched 20: 25:1 / Queens of hearts + dealer blackjack: 1000:1 |
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
| Rule | Effect on House Edge |
|---|---|
| Blackjack pays 3:2 (standard) | Baseline |
| Blackjack pays 6:5 | +1.4% (worse for player) |
| Blackjack pays 1:1 (even money only) | +2.3% (very bad — rare) |
| Dealer stands on all 17s | Baseline (player-favorable) |
| Dealer hits soft 17 | +0.2% (worse for player) |
| Surrender allowed | −0.07% to −0.09% (player-favorable) |
| Double after split allowed | −0.14% (player-favorable) |
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.