One commonality between in-person blackjack and blackjack online is the possibility of being dealt a natural blackjack. Although natural blackjacks are a product of random chance, they’re the undisputed best hand in the game. And unlike normal hands, natural blackjack payouts follow special rules that vary from casino to casino.
Brush up on blackjack terminology with this guide and learn what a natural blackjack refers to, as well as the odds and payouts of landing a natural blackjack, so you can improve your knowledge of how to play online blackjack.
The Goal of Blackjack
The aim of blackjack is to build a hand as close to 21 as possible without going over. Every round of play in a game of blackjack begins with each player and the dealer being dealt two cards. A blackjack hand is valued according to simple rules: each card is valued at its pip count, except face cards (valued at 10) and aces (valued at either 1 or 11). Players need to use basic blackjack strategy to reduce the house edge and improve their odds of winning.
Natural Blackjack Definition
What is a natural blackjack? The most powerful hand in this game of chance is an immediate 21. This is only possible on the first deal with a combo of 10 or a face card, plus an ace. When dealt a hand of 21 off the hop, this is referred to as a “natural blackjack.” Other interchangeable terms that get commonly used include “blackjack,” “21,” or “natural.”
Natural blackjacks technically qualify as soft hands by virtue of including an ace valued at 11, but rather than asking players to continue playing the hands, casinos instead grant an immediate win and payout for being dealt a natural. This eliminates the need for any ace-based blackjack strategies.
Dealer Natural Blackjack
As with any player blackjack hand, the dealer can also be dealt a natural blackjack, regardless of whether you’re playing live dealer blackjack or any other version of blackjack online. When the dealer’s up card is a 10, ace, or face card, they peek at their hole card to check for a natural blackjack.
If the dealer does have a natural, they flip their hole card face up, and every player who doesn’t have a natural themselves loses the hand and forfeits their bet. In the rare case a player also has a natural, they tie with the dealer, and their bet is returned.
What Are the Odds of a Natural Blackjack?
The odds of a player or the dealer achieving a natural blackjack are fairly low and are around 4.8%. This equates to 1 in 21 hands being a natural blackjack, though these are theoretical odds and will vary during actual play.
Contrary to most odds where rare occurrences pay more, natural blackjack odds and payouts are both fairly low. This is because a natural blackjack’s power comes from instantly winning a hand and not having to risk the bet when hands are compared, rather than from a huge payday.
What is the Payout for a Natural Blackjack?
A natural pays a little more than a standard blackjack bet. Normally, winning hands are paid 1:1, doubling the bet. There are two common payouts for naturals: 3:2 or 6:5.
Natural Blackjack 3 to 2 Payouts
The 3:2 odds are the traditional payout for natural blackjacks and are considered the default payout. In this case, a winning player receives their initial bet back, plus an additional 50% of the wager.
For example, a $10 wager with a 3:2 payout for a blackjack would pay $15.
Natural Blackjack 6 to 5 Payouts
The 6:5 odds have become a common alternative payout for natural blackjacks in some blackjack variants as a way for casinos to pay less money to lucky players. Winning players receive their initial bet back, plus an additional 20% of the wager.
For example, a $10 wager with a 6:5 payout for a blackjack would pay $12.
Understanding the difference between different versions of the game so you can pick the right blackjack variant is key to ensuring you make the most of your wins, including natural blackjack payouts.
Insurance Side Bets and Natural Blackjacks
Insurance is the most common blackjack side bet. But what does it insure against? Natural blackjacks.
Losing a hand to a dealer blackjack before even getting to play can really sting. That’s where insurance comes in. Players are protected for up to half of the initial bet if they place an Insurance wager. Insurance pays 2:1 if the dealer has a natural, which makes it one of the highest payouts in the game.
However, the low odds of a dealer natural and the increased cost of insurance make it a bankroll drain most of the time. Insurance has a house edge of around 7.5%, which is much worse for players than classic blackjack.
How do Natural Blackjacks Compare to Other Blackjack Winning Hands?
Natural blackjacks are certainly less common than typical blackjack hands, but in exchange, they pay slightly better. Even still, with the speed of blackjack gameplay, most wins will come from consistent, optimised play using blackjack strategy over the course of several hands, with naturals playing a minor role, if any.
The major difference between most hands and naturals is that normal blackjack gameplay comes down to comparing hands with the dealer. Players can affect the outcome of their own hand by hitting or standing strategically, but they can’t affect the dealer’s hand. Even the strongest hand can be matched or beaten by the dealer.
On the other hand, a natural can’t lose. In the worst-case scenario where the dealer also has a natural, players are still refunded their bet. The lack of risk with guaranteed payout makes naturals more powerful than other winning hands, and one of the most iconic hands among online casino table games.
