How to Calculate Blackjack Payouts
To calculate a blackjack payout, you need two things: the size of your bet and the payout ratio shown at the table. First calculate your net profit, then add the original bet that is returned to you. For example, a $20 bet paid at 3:2 earns $30 in profit, so you receive $50 in total.
Total returned = original bet + net profit.
| Outcome | Bet | Net profit or loss | Total returned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular win, 1:1 | $20 | +$20 | $40 |
| Blackjack, 3:2 | $20 | +$30 | $50 |
| Blackjack, 6:5 | $20 | +$24 | $44 |
| Push (tie) | $20 | $0 | $20 |
| Loss | $20 | −$20 | $0 |
Regular wins and natural blackjacks
A regular winning hand pays 1:1. A natural blackjack—an ace and a ten-value card as your first two cards—may pay 3:2 or 6:5, depending on the table. On a $20 bet, 3:2 pays $30 in profit, while 6:5 pays $24. Check the table rules before you play; the difference is $6 for each winning natural blackjack at that bet size.
Double down
When you double down, you add a second bet, typically equal to your first. Suppose you start with $20 and add another $20. If the hand wins at 1:1, your $40 total stake earns $40 in profit and you receive $80 in total. If it loses, you lose both bets.
Split hands
Splitting requires an additional bet, and each resulting hand is settled separately. If you bet $20 on each hand, win one at 1:1, and lose the other, you receive $40 from the winning hand. That equals your combined $40 stake, so your net result is zero. An ace and a ten-value card in a split hand count as 21, but generally do not receive the natural-blackjack bonus.
Insurance
If the dealer shows an ace, insurance is a separate bet of up to half your original wager. With a $20 main bet, you can place $10 on insurance. If the dealer has blackjack, insurance pays 2:1: it earns $20 in profit and returns the $10 insurance stake. If your main hand loses, that $20 profit offsets the $20 main-bet loss. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the insurance bet loses and your main hand is settled separately.
Pushes and surrender
A push returns your bet with no profit. If surrender is available under the table rules, you forfeit half your original wager: surrendering a $20 hand returns $10. Optional side bets have their own pay tables and should be calculated separately.
Quick check: A payout ratio describes your profit relative to the wager. To find how much money you receive from a winning bet, add the returned original wager to that profit. Always use the rules posted for the particular game.