Many casinos are paying 6:5 on hands that are “natural” blackjacks. This is an abhoration from the perspective of any regular blackjack player, and it should be something you consider very seriously before stepping into the casino.

Historically, casino dealers have paid 3/2 for a natural blackjack (that is any 10/Ace combo). The 3:2 ratio is a valuable bonus, and it is used to bring players to join the game, and also keep them there. Not only is it exciting to receive a natural blackjack, it is very lucrative.

Lets understand the financial power of the different ratios. When you are dealt blackjack, and the dealer doesn’t get a blackjack (dealer loses, not push), then at a 3:2 paying table, you win 150% of your bet. Compare that to a 6/5 table where you are paid only 120% of your bet. Thats a 30% difference, and it can add up quickly depending on the size of your bet.

The casinos are increasingly threatened by players who are mastering the game. This is great! Nonetheless, they are resorting to changing the game in ways that reduce your player advantage. This is NOT GOOD AT ALL.

One way the house reduces any advantage to the player is to reduce the payout on blackjack. Think of the effects on your pocketbook:

With a blackjack and a $5 bet, you’ll be paid $7.50.

With a $5 bet on a 6/5 table, you will be paid six dollars. You lose $1.50 in payout that you deserved.

If you have a hundred dollar bet at a table paying 3:3, you’re payout will be $150.

A $100 bet on a 6:5 table pays $120 for a blackjack (a $30 disadvantage – starting to be somewhat significant).

Get a blackjack on a 3/2 table with and win $750 for a $500 bet.

A $500 bet on a 6:5 table pays $600 (a $150 disadvantage)…

Extrapolate this to higher limit tables, and you can see why this is a problem.

When you don’t receive a full payout for a natural blackjack, which is should be your automatic right at the casino, then you’re starting off with a disadvantage. The amount by which your payout is weakened could amount to multiple hands at the table minimum and that could carry you through a losing set of hands. Alternatively, it could make a big part of your profit for the night. The casinos are robbing players when they pay 6:5.

Fairly often you’ll find the 6/5 tables at one or two deck games. But many local casino’s are paying out 6:5 on low limit tables too. They even have the audacity to pull this at 6 and 8 deck games using continuous shufflers. What a scam!?!

A good rule of thumb is to read the felt before you sit down. It is your onus to know what you are getting into. You’ll only be disappointed later when you only get a 20% cap for your blackjack. Make sure the table reads “dealer pays 3:2 on blackjack”. There is a movement upon us regular players to avoid these tables and these casinos. Without consumer action there will be no change.

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