Quick Takeaways
- 3:2 is the traditional, player-friendly payout for a natural blackjack.
- 6:5 pays less on blackjacks and is generally worse for players.
- If you want better long-run odds, avoid 6:5 tables when you can.
If you want the full blackjack foundation (rules, scoring, dealer rules, and table selection basics), start with The Complete Guide to Blackjack. This article focuses on one specific rule that can quietly decide whether a table is worth playing: 3:2 vs 6:5 payouts.
What Does “Blackjack Pays 3:2” Mean?
First, a quick definition:
A natural blackjack is when your first two cards are:
- an Ace, and
- a 10-value card (10, J, Q, or K)
A 3:2 payout means you win 1.5× your bet when you hit a natural blackjack.
Simple Example (3:2)
If you bet $100:
- you win $150 (profit)
- plus you get your $100 bet back
So you receive $250 total.
This payout is one reason blackjack can be a strong game when rules are decent and you play solid strategy.
What Does “Blackjack Pays 6:5” Mean?
A 6:5 payout means you win only 1.2× your bet when you hit a natural blackjack.
Simple Example (6:5)
If you bet $100:
- you win $120 (profit)
- plus you get your $100 bet back
So you receive $220 total.
Compared to 3:2, you’re getting $30 less on the exact same blackjack.
Why 6:5 Is a Bigger Deal Than It Looks
A lot of players see “$30 less” and think:
“That’s not a huge difference.”
But blackjack isn’t about one hand. It’s about how rules affect your results over many hands.
Here’s what makes 6:5 painful:
- Blackjacks happen often enough that the reduced payout shows up regularly
- You can play perfectly and still lose value simply because the table pays less
- Over long sessions, that “small” change becomes a steady leak
In other words: 6:5 doesn’t make you lose every time. It just makes you win less when you should win more.
3:2 vs 6:5 in Plain English
If you want a one-line summary:
- 3:2 rewards your best hand properly.
- 6:5 underpays your best hand, raising the table’s cost.
That’s why so many blackjack players treat 6:5 as a “red flag” rule.
Why Casinos Use 6:5 Payouts
Casinos (especially online and high-traffic live tables) like 6:5 because:
- it increases the house advantage without changing how the game feels
- many casual players don’t notice the payout difference
- it’s easy to market as “blackjack” even though the economics are worse
Sometimes you’ll see 6:5 on:
- lower-limit tables
- “beginner-friendly” tables
- fast or highly promoted tables
That’s why you should always check the payout line in the rules panel before you start.
How to Spot 3:2 vs 6:5 Fast Online
Most online casinos show this in one of these places:
- Table info / rules panel
- A small line near the table name
- A rules pop-up inside the game UI
Look for wording like:
- “Blackjack pays 3:2”
- “Blackjack pays 6:5”
If you want a full table scanning checklist (payout, soft 17, decks, doubling, splitting, surrender), use How to Spot Favorable Blackjack Rules at Online Casinos.
Common Misunderstanding: “But I’m Winning on This 6:5 Table”
You can win on a 6:5 table in the short term.
The issue is long-run value:
- you’re being paid less on one of the most important win conditions in the game
- so your results are worse over time than they would be on 3:2, all else equal
A good way to think about it:
6:5 doesn’t stop you from winning. It lowers your ceiling.
Does 6:5 Change Basic Strategy?
Basic strategy is still the foundation. You still:
- hit/stand/double/split based on the situation
- make decisions to reduce the house edge
But the key point is:
Even perfect decisions can’t fully fix a bad payout.
Strategy helps you play the table well.
Rule quality determines whether the table is worth playing in the first place.
What If a 6:5 Table Has “Better” Other Rules?
Sometimes you might see a table where:
- the payout is 6:5
- but other rules look decent
In most cases, the payout still matters enough that you should:
- treat 6:5 as a major negative
- look for a 3:2 alternative first
If your casino only offers 6:5 at your preferred stakes, consider:
- lowering stakes on a 3:2 table
- playing fewer hands with better rules
- prioritizing tables that don’t underpay blackjacks
“Even Money” and Why It’s Related
When you have blackjack and the dealer shows an Ace, some tables offer even money.
Even money is basically you saying:
“I’ll take a guaranteed 1:1 payout right now instead of risking a push if the dealer also has blackjack.”
It can feel comforting, but it’s closely tied to the same concept:
you’re trading long-run value for short-run certainty.
If you want the simplest rule: focus on choosing good tables first (3:2), then play clean and consistent.
A Simple Table-Selection Rule You Can Use Every Time
If you don’t want to overthink it, use this:
- If it’s 3:2, keep reading the rules.
- If it’s 6:5, look for another table.
It’s one of the easiest ways to avoid an expensive blackjack setup.
Mini FAQ: 3:2 vs 6:5 Blackjack Payouts
1) Is 3:2 Always Better Than 6:5?
Yes. It pays more for a natural blackjack, which improves your long-run results.
2) Why Do So Many Casinos Offer 6:5?
Because it increases the casino’s advantage and many players don’t notice the payout difference.
3) Can I Still Win on a 6:5 Table?
Yes in the short run. The problem is that the table pays less on blackjacks over time.
4) Is 6:5 Common Online?
It can be, especially on heavily promoted or lower-limit tables. Always check the rules panel.
5) What Rule Should I Check First in Blackjack?
The payout. Prefer 3:2 before you worry about decks or anything else.
Where to Go Next
Now that you understand why payouts matter, the next step is clearing up the biggest myths and misunderstandings players carry into blackjack—because misconceptions lead to bad decisions fast.
Continue with Common Blackjack Misconceptions Debunked.
