Natural (Blackjack)

A natural, often just called "blackjack," is a two-card hand that totals 21. That means an Ace plus any 10, Jack, Queen, or King. It's the best possible hand and it typically pays 3:2, so a $10 bet returns $25 ($10 stake + $15 profit).

Watch the payout ratio carefully. Some casinos have quietly switched their blackjack tables from 3:2 to 6:5 payout on naturals. That change sounds small but it nearly triples the house edge, from about 0.5% to 1.4% or higher. A 6:5 blackjack table is a significantly worse deal than a 3:2 one. If you see "Blackjack pays 6:5" printed on the felt, find a different table.

If both you and the dealer have a natural, the hand pushes (ties) and you get your bet back. Dealer naturals are why insurance exists as a bet, though as covered in the insurance entry, the math doesn't support taking it.