Blackjack is a game of strategy that has been played for centuries. Its popularity has risen in recent years due to the advent of online casinos. In order to attract players and keep them coming back, some live casinos have started to change the rules of the game. A major change that they have made is to switch the payout odds for a blackjack. Instead of the standard 3/2, a blackjack pays 6-5 in this variation of the game. This may seem like a minor change, but it has a huge impact on the odds of winning.
The house edge of a blackjack game is determined by the house rules and the payout odds for a winning hand. The house edge for a standard game is 1.39%, but if the game is changed to 6-5, the house edge rises to 2.1%. This is a significant increase and is a big reason why you should avoid playing this version of the game.
If you are an experienced blackjack player, you will have noticed that some live casino games advertise that a blackjack pays 6-5 rather than the standard 3-2. These games are often advertised as single-deck and can be found in some of the best Las Vegas casinos. They are also popular in Atlantic City and are a staple at some smaller casino properties. The idea behind these changes is that they will bring in more money for the casino. They are a clear attempt to increase profits at the expense of the player, and they should be avoided at all costs.
One of the biggest problems with these blackjack games is that they are much harder to beat for card counters. Using traditional methods of counting cards, it is easy to get the house edge down to around 1%, but with the 6-5 rule in play, it becomes significantly harder to do. Some card counters have tried to compensate for this problem by working together as a team. This is known as the “Big Player” technique and was used by the MIT Blackjack Team. This involves two or more people acting as spotters and making minimum table bets. When the count is positive, they send a signal to the Big Player, who then sits down at the table and begins betting large amounts of money.
If you are a blackjack fanatic, be sure to avoid any blackjack tables that pay 6-5. This will not only decrease your chances of winning, but it will also increase the house edge over a long period of time. Instead, find a game where the payout for a blackjack is 3-2 or better yet, try another casino game with a lower house edge such as craps. The difference between a 3-2 blackjack game and a 6-5 game is substantial and can make or break your bankroll. Fortunately, most blackjack tables will clearly indicate whether they pay 6-5 or not. This information can usually be found either on a placard in the corner of the table or printed directly on the felt.