How much money can you make playing Blackjack?
A blackjack payout is the percentage of money you’ll get back on your winning bet. Since the house edge gives casinos an advantage you don’t want to help them to more profit by playing poor payouts! That slight difference in winnings is huge at the end of the session. So what’s the advice toward payouts?
Well, first of all, Blackjack is essentially a 1:1 game. Meaning if you bet $10, and you win the hand, you win $20 (your original bet, plus a like amount.) That said, there are different payouts if you have Blackjack (an ace, plus a ten-value card)
Take a look at the next blackjack table you see at the casino or online, and you’ll usually see posted odds for Blackjack (the hand, not the overall game). They are usually 3 to 2 or 6 to 5. And despite the higher numbers, 6 to 5 odds are worse. You’ll get less money back on Blackjack (again, the hand, not the overall game – ok, we’ll stop pointing that out now) at the 6 to 5 table than you will at the 3 to 2 table.
The 3 to 2 table pays you three units for every two you bet. Bet $100.00 and the table pays $150.00 if you get Blackjack (see, we promised.) The 6 to 5 table pays you six units for every five. Bet $100.00 and that table pays you $120.00, which is $30.00 less. If you have ten blackjack hands during the evening, you’ve lost $300.00 by playing at the 6 to 5 table. Money that could have gone toward a penthouse suite with those chilled chocolate covered strawberries we all love so much.
Normally 6 to 5 payouts are done as a defense against card counters, and to entice people who think they’re card counters. Since single-deck games are easier to count, tables have to compensate with tighter payouts. Of course, these tables work great for the casino. As your eyes glance at the table you see two things: Large numbers on the payout and the words “Single Deck”. There’s a psychological association with bigger being better so “6 to 5” just feels better. Single deck says “That’s easier than the six deck shoes”. Combine those two together and you have a full table.
Not all casinos move to the tighter payouts, even though blackjack is one of the few games where it’s possible to overcome the house edge or reduce it to a very small percentage. However, blackjack is a draw to get people into the casinos. So most casinos are ok with having a game that’s less of a sure thing because people in the casino will play other games, order drinks, stay in their hotels, and eat at the buffets. It’s still a sure bet for the casino.
So if you can, try to play a blackjack table with 3 to 2 odds. If it’s single deck then you have a great table to sit at, and will likely have a great time. Good luck!
