3:2 Vs 6:5 Blackjack | Which One Is Better
Francisc Csiki
Adina Minculescu6:5 and 3:2 blackjack are the two most popular variants currently featured in online casinos. CasinoAlpha will analyse them and tell you which one is better.
6:5 and 3:2 Blackjack Rules Explained
The two game versions that gained popularity on UK blackjack sites differ by the payout gamblers receive when they win with blackjacks, i.e., a hand totalling 21.
Important
Payouts for blackjacks are among the most important rules of Blackjack, together with the conditions for the dealer on hitting or standing on a soft 17.
Beating the dealer’s hand with cards that sum up to less than the 21 maximum results in a 1:1 payout. This means that the paid amount matches your initial bet. In the less likely event of getting cards that sum up exactly to 21, you get a slightly higher payout.
More than informing you regarding the money you receive in this situation, the two rule variations directly play into another theoretical aspect of these table games.
Payout rules affect the house edge
The payout ratio for blackjacks will influence the theoretical house edge of the game you play. In other words, it will change the average amount the casino is expected to keep from the players in the long run.
3:2 vs 6:5 blackjack based on house edge
The notion that Blackjack pays 3 to 2 is often considered the standard. It generates a 0.411% house edge.
The newer version that starts being favoured by gambling operators, 6:5 blackjack, increases the house edge up to 1.770% with the same rules.
The rules for the standard version
We have used the following specifications for the rules unrelated to payouts. The game uses eight decks. You can double on any two cards. It has late surrender, allows no resplits, and the dealer stands on soft 17s and peeks for blackjacks. There is no Charlie bonus.
What it means for your funds
What the house edges indicate is that, in a 3:2 blackjack game, the casino is expected to keep 0.411% out of your total wagered funds. If you bet a total of £100, the casino will (theoretically) profit by £0.411. In 6:5 blackjack, the operator will expectedly keep £1.77 from the same sum.
Payout rules influence the house edge independent of others
Regardless of other rules, the rules for blackjack’s payouts have an independent effect on the house edge. 3:2 blackjack is considered standard, and thus the rule adds 0%. The 6:5 rule has a net increase of 1.359% for the house advantage.
House advantage effects range per rule type
| Rule type | Effect range | Best case | Worst case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of decks | -0.547% to 0% | One deck | Eight decks |
| Doubling | +0.093% to +0.175% | Double on any 2 cards | Double on hard 10-11 |
| Surrender | -0.558% to +0.077% | Full early surrender | No surrender |
| Resplits | -0.055% to 0% | Resplit up to 4 hands | No resplits |
| Double after split | 0% (standard) | – | – |
| Hit split aces | 0.19% | – | – |
| Resplit aces | -0.125% to -0.105% | – | – |
| Dealer soft 17 | 0% to +0.199% | Dealer stands on s17 | Dealer hits on s17 |
| Dealer peeks | 0% to +0.109% | Dealer peeks for BJ | Dealer does not peek |
| Blackjack’s payouts | -2.268% to +2.268% | Blackjacks pay 2:1 | Blackjacks pay 1:1 |
| Charlie bonus | -0.01% to 0% | 7-card Charlie | No Charlie bonus |
| Can’t split 4s, 5s & 10s | +0.003% | – | – |
Important
- The house edge we present is only relevant when using the basic strategy.
- Beyond the basic strategy, applying composition dependent exceptions lowers the house advantage by 0.002%
3:2 Blackjack Provides Better Odds for Players
When considering your chances of success or minimal losses, the 3:2 blackjack versions are statistically better.
These have the better house edge ( sometimes presented as its reverse, the return to player rate) and thus provide better chances to keep your balance, at least.
Tips
The only better options in matters of payouts are 2:1 payout versions. These game types have a negative house edge of -1.857% with our previously established rules. Thus, you would effectively win money to the detriment of the casino.
Always check for 3:2 blackjack
Thus, the nature of your table games and their house advantage becomes an additional criterion of choice for your platforms.
When covering UK casino bonuses, we stress the fact that table games are often excluded from promotional play. There’s a better scenario where operators allow players to play these games but lower their wagering contribution to less than 100%. This restriction will mean that only a fraction of the total of your wagered money will contribute to the bonus rollover.
Be aware
- Table games frequently have wagering contribution percentages ranging from 10% to 20%.
- No deposit bonuses on sign up may exclude these games entirely. Read the terms and the specifications we provide before opting in.
A lower contribution will mean more expenses during turnover. Thus, the funds you can recover by playing become important in the long run.
Casinos Prefer 6:5 Blackjack
The best UK online casinos, on the other hand, started prioritising 6:5 blackjack. The market trend is solely explainable by this version’s perks for the operator.
The 6:5 blackjack payout rule is detrimental to the player. Operators will try to balance it out by adding other preferential regulations that would lower the house advantage. However, these efforts are doomed to fail due to one fact.
The payout rule has the most significant effect on blackjack’s theoretical house advantage.
The second most effective rule variation revolves around the blackjack surrender option. To make a long story short, early surrender for all cards provides the highest decrease in casino advantage.
Another mistake
One common misconception around 6:5 payouts is that they are larger than those from 3:2 blackjack.
This comes from the apparent difference between the numbers expressing the payouts. However, both rules are expressed in the form of ratios. Once you simplify them, you can see how you get fewer funds for blackjacks.
3:2 vs 6:5 blackjack payouts simplified
| Alternate expressions | 6:5 | 3:2 | Non-blackjack win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simplified ratio | 1.2:1 | 1.5:1 | 1:1 |
| Payouts for £1 | £1.2 | £1.5 | £1 |
| Payouts for £5 | £6 | £7.5 | £5 |
| Payouts for £10 | £12 | £15 | £10 |
| Payouts for £50 | £60 | £75 | £50 |
3:2 vs 6:5 blackjack payouts by bet size
The linear increase of the differences in payout for higher bets is explainable by the way 3:2 and 6:5 blackjack payouts work. The funds you receive always depend on the wager you have placed. For each £1, you get £1.2 in 6:5 blackjack and £1.5 in 3:2 blackjack.
The discrepancy between the two payouts amounts to 0.3 times your bet. For £1, this only amounts to £0.3 less for 6:5 blackjack. In the case of £10, the difference grows to £3, while, for a whopping (and inadvisable) £100, 3:2 blackjack games would make £30 more for a 21 hand.
3:2 vs 6:5 Blackjack – 3:2 Blackjack Wins
Casinos will try to do anything to hide this essential and verifiable fact: 3:2 blackjack is simply better for the player.
No other rules ad conditions take such a toll on the operator’s advantage against the participating players. You really have no reason to choose the 6:5 blackjack versions.
Unfortunately, there may be situations where you have no other choice. Given the current developments around brick-and-mortar casinos, this could soon be a reality for physical gambling venues. Live casino sites can afford to host considerably more game rooms, so they will probably always have 3:2 blackjack options.
Nonetheless, specific approaches can help with both game types, regardless of the payout.
What applies to both
- Learn the blackjack’s odds and basic strategy charts to increase your chances. These will apply to both types.
- Read UK casino reviews before registering with any platform. Pay extra attention to the table game titles featured on it.
- Always check for welcome bonuses and if playing table games with these promotional funds is possible.
- Pay attention to other rules that can give you an edge. The number of decks in play is essential. Hence, learn about double deck blackjack.
- Blackjack insurance bets are generally useless, giving you no advantage. Learn why and try to avoid it.
- Try to learn betting systems like the blackjack Martingale strategy. Use them only once you understand their limitations.
- Control your betting and keep playing responsibly and consciously. The most important game is played beyond the felt table.
What do you prefer 3:2 or 6:5 Blackjack?
Tell us which one you’ve tried in Blackjack by leaving a comment in the section below.