Blackjack is one of the most recognisable casino games, and the payout shown on the table makes a real difference to how it plays. Two you will see most often are 3:2 and 6:5. They look similar on the felt, but they do not treat the same winning hands equally.
Choosing between them affects how much a player keeps over time, which is why casinos and websites offer both. Understanding the trade-offs helps you judge value rather than just picking the first open seat.
This blog post explains what the 3:2 and 6:5 payouts mean, how they change the house edge, why casinos use 6:5, and what that means for player returns. Read on to learn more.
What Do 3:2 and 6:5 Blackjack Payouts Mean?
The terms 3:2 and 6:5 describe the typical payout for a natural blackjack, which is an Ace plus a ten-value card on the first two cards.
With a 3:2 payout, the win for a £10 stake is £15, plus the original £10 returned. With a 6:5 payout, the win for a £10 stake is £12, plus the stake returned. That £3 difference only applies when a natural blackjack appears, but it matters because that hand is the highest-paying regular outcome in the game.
All other standard results, such as beating the dealer with 20 against 18 or the hand ending in a push, are usually the same across both versions. Table layouts show the payout clearly, so it is worth a quick look before sitting down.
Once the payout terms are clear, the next step is seeing how they shift the maths behind the game.
How Does the House Edge Change Between 3:2 and 6:5?
The house edge is the built-in advantage the casino holds across many hands. It does not decide a single result, but it does describe the average return over time.
Switching a table from 3:2 to 6:5 increases that edge by roughly 1.3 percentage points, all else being equal. To put numbers on it, many common 3:2 rule sets sit around a 0.5 percent edge. Change only the natural blackjack payout to 6:5, and the same game often moves closer to 1.8 percent. On £100 wagered, that is the difference between an average shortfall of about £0.50 and about £1.80.
Small percentages sound harmless, yet they accumulate with volume. Players who pay attention to this single line on the felt are simply keeping more of their stakes in play across a session.
So, if 3:2 is usually better value, why do so many venues still offer 6:5?
Why Do Some Casinos Offer 6:5 Blackjack?
Casinos use 6:5 because it lifts their margin without changing the core experience too much. Paying less for the top regular hand shifts more money their way over time.
It also allows more tables to run with lower minimums or in busier areas, which helps manage demand. You might see 6:5 paired with features that look appealing at first glance, such as single-deck signage or eye-catching side bets. Those extras can be entertaining, but the reduced blackjack payout often outweighs any perceived benefit to a player’s return.
Some say 6:5 is simpler to calculate on common bet sizes. In practice, dealers and digital tables handle the arithmetic, so the main difference a player feels is in the totals paid back.
Understanding why 6:5 exists sets up the key question: how much does it change what a player might take home from the same stake?
Blackjack Payouts: Impact on Player Winnings
Natural blackjacks do not appear every hand, but they are not rare either. In typical multi-deck games, they arrive roughly once every 20 hands on average. That is where the payout gap between 3:2 and 6:5 steadily shows up.
Take a £10 stake. A natural blackjack pays £15 at 3:2 and £12 at 6:5, a £3 difference each time. Across 100 hands, you might expect around five natural blackjacks. That is about £15 less paid back at 6:5 for the same play. Increase the stake to £25 and the difference becomes £7.50 per natural blackjack, or roughly £37.50 across those same 100 hands.
All the usual outcomes like standard wins, pushes and dealer blackjacks behave as normal in either version, so the natural blackjack payout is the lever that moves overall value. Over a session, that lever matters more than it first appears.
Is 3:2 Blackjack Always the Better Choice?
If you're aiming to get the best value from your blackjack experience, a 3:2 payout is generally the more favourable option. This is because it typically pays more when you hit a blackjack—the hand with the premium payout. However, there’s more to a table than just that headline ratio. Rules can vary between casinos and tables, and these small differences can affect the overall odds.
For example, the number of decks in play, whether the dealer stands on soft 17, whether you’re allowed to double after splitting, surrender options, and how many times you can re-split Aces—all of these factors influence the maths behind the game. A well-structured 3:2 table with player-friendly rules may be especially rewarding, while some 6:5 tables might be slightly better than others depending on the specifics.
That said, practical considerations can also come into play. A 6:5 table might have a lower minimum bet or be easier to find a seat at during peak times. You might prefer a quieter atmosphere, or perhaps enjoy the energy of a busier table. If your main goal is to try to maximise returns over time, 3:2 is often preferable. But if you’re focused on staying within a set budget or simply playing in a more relaxed environment, it may be worth considering those factors, even if the payout is a little lower.
Whichever table you decide to sit at, it’s wise to set your spending limit beforehand and stick to it. If you choose to play, always keep responsible gambling practices in mind, and never wager more than you are willing to lose.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.