Blackjack: The 6/5 Trap

It is a new trend among casinos and blackjack establishment that severely hampers a blackjack player's chances. It is designed to take money from you and tilt the odds even further in the house's favor. It is exactly that - no more, no less.

In previous years, a 3-to-2 return was natural and expected from casinos and blackjack tables. On a natural twenty one, you would take fifty percent of the bet with you - fair odds for something that has such a small chance of happening. In fact, those odds were created from long ago, for the simple reason that if they didn't have that scheme, blackjack wouldn't be worth it or be as alluring to the luck attracted. In the last few years however, the formula began changing. Casinos all around began to realize that most of their players didn't quite understand the basics of the game and were just there casually. They didn't need that allure anymore - and so, 6/5 blackjack was born and anything born out of lowered standards deserves or is a warning signal in itself.

Essentially, it returns much less to the player and makes the game a lot less appealing to both casual and expert players. Now, instead of playing fifteen on a bet of ten, the house only pays twelve. Over an hour, it makes a tremendous difference. In less than one hand, it already shifts the numbers significantly in the house's favor, a clear warning sign to anyone who knows the odds.

Single deck 6/5 blackjack preys on newbies and the only partially informed so be warned when you see it. Most people automatically assume that less decks mean better odds for the player - which, if this rule had not been implemented, would be true. Card counters know this well, as if they know which cards have been dealt with one deck, they can more accurately read the odds of the current hand. To stack the odds back into the home court, casinos began adding decks to cut down on the advantage that counters have.

Don't fall for it. Pay attention to your surroundings and take this warning to heart. If you see the numbers 6/5 and blackjack, step away and look for a game that's actually fair. Whatever advantages you can get from various card counting systems, this effectively negates and cripples in, often at the cost of your money. If you just figured out the trick, it is time to stop and look for a table that doesn't mug you.