Understanding Payouts in Online Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular online casino games as it’s very easy to pick up and play. There is one key goal in blackjack: beat the dealer’s hand without going bust (making a hand with a value larger than 21). While blackjack may be a simple game, knowing how blackjack payouts work can help the player make more informed decisions in online blackjack. Here’s a closer look at how blackjack payouts work.

Payouts of 1:1 for Regular Wins

Most winning hands in blackjack are simply hand totals that beat the dealer’s final hand.
When the player lands a regular win, they receive an even-money return, also known as a 1:1 payout.

For example, if a player places a $10 wager that wins, the player will receive $20 in total. This total is made up of two portions: the player’s original $10 wager and the $10 payout for winning.

Payout for Pushes

A push, also more commonly known as a draw or tie in other games, is when the player and dealer have equal-value hands. If a push occurs, the player’s wager is returned.

3:2 Payout Explained

A natural 21, also known as a blackjack, typically pays 3:2.

For example, if a player places a $10 wager, they receive $25 in total for a winning blackjack hand. Just like any other payout, this is made up of two portions: the player’s original $10 wager and the $15 they receive for winning.

6:5 Payout Explained

When playing blackjack online, players may notice that some blackjack titles pay 6:5 for a natural blackjack win, and not 3:2. This rule adds about 1.4% to the house edge, making games with a 3:2 payout a better choice if these payout odds are available.

Insurance and Even Money Bets

Even if a player is familiar with the online blackjack basics and blackjack terminology, they might still be confused by insurance and even money side bets. An insurance bet and an even money bet are similar, but there are some differences between these two wagers.

The player can place an insurance bet if the dealer’s first card is an ace. This insurance bet is half the value of the player’s current bet. If the player places an insurance bet and the dealer reveals their second card and it’s blackjack, the player will receive a payout of 2:1.

The player can place an even-money bet if the player has blackjack and the dealer’s first card is an ace. If the player places an even-money side bet and the dealer receives their second card and it’s blackjack, the player will receive a payout of 1:1.

Players familiar with blackjack strategies should note that these side bets may or may not be available, depending on the variant.”

Other Blackjack Side Bets

There are many other blackjack side bets that players can wager on, once again depending on the game. Here’s a quick look at some of the most common side bets and their payouts:

21+3

This is a side bet that players make on forming sure hands based on the player’s two cards and the dealer’s upcard. The winning combinations are:

• Flush: Three cards of the same suit. Typically pays out 5:1.
• Straight: Three cards in sequential order. Typically pays out 10:1.
• Straight flush: Three cards of the same suit and in sequential order. Typically pays out 20:1.
• Three of a kind: The cards of the same rank. Typically pays out 30:1.
• Suited three of a kind: Three cards of the same rank and suit. Typically pays out 100:1.

However, the payout odds for these wagers may vary, depending on the blackjack title that offers them.

Perfect Pairs

This is a side bet based on the first cards dealt to players by the dealer. The player can win if they form the following combinations:

• Mixed pair: Two cards of the same rank with different colours. Pays 6:1.
• Coloured pair: Two cards of the same rank and colour: Pays 12:1.
• Perfect pair: Two cards of the same rank and suit. Pays 35:1.

As with the 21+3 side bet, the payout odds for this wager may differ depending on the blackjack game the player chooses.

Lucky Ladies

A side bet in which the player wagers on whether their starting hand will be worth a total of 20. The payout varies depending on the combination of cards:

• Unsuited 20: Different rank and suit. Pays 4:1.
• Suited 20: Same suit but different card ranks. Pays 20:1.
• Matched 20: Same suit and same rank. pays 25:1.
• Two queens of hearts: Pays 200:1.
• Two queens of hearts when the dealer has blackjack: Pays 1,000:1.

A Summary of Blackjack Payouts

As a part of a solid blackjack strategy, it’s important to remember the payout odds for these wagers. Here is a blackjack payout table that summarizes the main blackjack bets, side bets, and their payouts.