How Rare Is a Blackjack?

A blackjack, also called a natural, is an instant win and pays 3 to 2 odds. It occurs when the player’s first two cards are an ace and a ten-value card.

While blackjacks are relatively rare, they’re still one of the most desirable outcomes in a game of blackjack.

There are a few factors that affect how often blackjacks occur. The first is the number of decks being used. A single deck game will produce more blackjacks than a six-deck game because there are fewer ten-value cards in circulation. The second factor is the house rules.

Some casinos use continuous shuffling machines (CSMs), which shuffle the cards after every hand. This makes it harder for players to count cards and predict when a blackjack is likely to occur.

Despite these factors, there are still some ways to increase your chances of hitting a blackjack. One is to play at a table with liberal rules, such as allowing players to re-split aces or doubling down on any two cards.

Another is to play at a single deck table with a CSM in use. While the latter option may be hard to find, it offers the best chance of hitting a blackjack.

So how rare is a blackjack? It depends on the game you’re playing, but in general, they’re not as common as you might think. However, with a little luck and some smart strategy, you can increase your chances of hitting one of these desirable hands.