Blackjack payouts, pushes and insurance explained

Blackjack has no running score. Every hand settles on its own, so the important question is what a result pays. This guide uses the ruleset on our Blackjack rules page.

Settlement table

Bet 10 units. Profit is what you win on top of getting your stake back.

Result	Profit	Returned to you
You bust	−10	0
Dealer busts, you do not	+10	20
Your total beats the dealer’s	+10	20
Dealer’s total beats yours	−10	0
Equal totals (push)	0	10
Your natural, dealer has none	+15	25
Late surrender	−5	5

3:2 versus 6:5

“3:2” means 3 units of profit for every 2 bet, so a natural on 10 units wins 15. A “6:5” table pays 6 for every 5 bet, so the same natural wins only 12. That is a real change in the rules, not a different way of writing 3:2. Check the placard before you play.

What counts as a natural

Only an ace plus a 10-value card as your first two cards is a natural. A 21 made with three or more cards is an ordinary 21. A 21 made after splitting is also an ordinary 21 and pays even money.

If both you and the dealer have a natural, the hand is a push.

Doubles and splits

A double doubles your bet, so a winning double on an original 10-unit bet earns 20 units of profit. After a split, each hand carries its own bet and settles separately. You can win one and lose the other.

Insurance

When the dealer’s upcard is an ace, insurance is offered. It is a side bet of up to half your original bet that the dealer has a natural. It commonly pays 2:1.

Example: you bet 10 and take insurance for 5.

• Dealer has a natural: insurance pays 10. You lose your 10-unit main bet, so you finish level.
• Dealer has no natural: you lose the 5 insurance stake and play your hand on.

Insurance settles separately from your main hand. It is generally not a good bet, and basic strategy declines it.

Home games

Without money, agree what the chips are worth, whether insurance is used and how many deals make a session. Do this before the first card.