Blackjack Payouts: 3:2 vs 6:5
The blackjack payout chart
A natural blackjack pays 3:2, a regular win pays 1:1, and insurance pays 2:1. Here is what each outcome returns on a $10 bet:
| Outcome | Payout | Returns on $10 |
|---|---|---|
| Natural blackjack (3:2 table) | 3:2 | $15 profit |
| Natural blackjack (6:5 table) | 6:5 | $12 profit |
| Regular win | 1:1 | $10 profit |
| Insurance (dealer has blackjack) | 2:1 | $10 on a $5 bet |
| Push (tie) | — | Bet returned |
| Loss / bust | — | Bet lost |
Why 3:2 beats 6:5
The payout on a natural is the most valuable rule at the table because blackjacks are common — you will be dealt one roughly once every 21 hands. Cutting the payout from 3:2 to 6:5 looks small on a single hand ($12 instead of $15), but across many hands it adds up fast.
The impact on the house edge:
- 3:2 game: house edge around 0.5% with basic strategy.
- 6:5 game: house edge jumps to roughly 1.9% — almost four times worse.
No strategy adjustment can recover that difference. The payout is fixed against you, so the only correct response to a 6:5 table is to find a 3:2 one instead. See our 3:2 Blackjack and 6:5 Blackjack pages for a side-by-side look.
A quick table checklist
Before betting real money at any blackjack table, confirm:
- Blackjack pays 3:2 (printed on the felt) — not 6:5.
- The dealer stands on soft 17 where possible (better than hitting it).
- You can double after split and the table uses fewer decks.
Everything on this site is free play, so you can learn the payouts and strategy with zero risk before any of this matters. Try a few hands on our blackjack games.