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Six Card Charlie Blackjack Guide

Six Card Charlie Blackjack Guide

Blackjack is one of the most well-known casino card games out there. Casino-goers flock to Blackjack tables because the game is easy to learn, fast-paced, and fun. Whether you’re looking to play Blackjack for the first time or you’re searching for an exciting variation of the traditional game of 21, Six Card Charlie Blackjack is a great option for you. In this Six Card Charlie Guide, we will go over the Six Card Charlie rule and gameplay. Then, you will learn about strategies and get some answers to frequently asked questions about this rule in the Blackjack game (where applicable).

Six Card Charlie Guide: Beat the Dealer With Six Cards

The basic goal of Blackjack is to get as close to 21 without busting, or going over 21, which is an automatic loss and forfeits your entire bet. The Six Card Charlie Blackjack rule refers to a hand that contains six cards without busting. In many blackjack games, if a player achieves a Six Card Charlie, it automatically wins regardless of the dealer’s hand.

While there may be other players at the Blackjack table, your only goal in Six Card Charlie Blackjack is to beat the dealer with six cards in your hand.

At the beginning of each round, the dealer hands out two cards to each player, both face-up. Then, the dealer takes two cards for themselves, one face-up and one face-down. The face-up card is called the upcard and the face-down one is called the hole card.

If the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, they will offer insurance. Insurance is a side bet offered to players that allows them to place a bet, usually half the value of their initial bet, to protect them in case the dealer has 10 as the face-down card, completing a Blackjack. Once any insurance bets are placed, the dealer checks for Blackjack. If Blackjack exists, any players who don’t have natural Blackjack forfeit their bets. Any player who placed a side bet on insurance is paid out 2:1 on their insurance bet. Other players may have a Blackjack push, which means they neither lose nor gain money from the hand.

If the dealer’s upcard is 10, they check for a Blackjack, but no insurance is offered. If the dealer has Blackjack, those who also have it push their bets. Everyone else forfeits their bet. If, when the dealer checks for Blackjack, 21 does not exist, the game continues.

Hitting, Standing, Doubling Down, or Splitting

You must choose from four options when it is your turn to play:

  • If you wish to receive another card from the dealer, ask to “Hit”.
  • If you are happy with your hand, ask to “Stand”.
  • If you’re confident that adding one more card gives you a good chance of winning against the dealer, ask to “Double Down”. When you go this route, you place another equal bet on the table in exchange for one card from the dealer.
  • If you have pairs, you can ask to “Split” your hand, which treats each card in it as a separate hand, so you can “Hit” or “Stand” individually to increase your chances of winning.

 

In addition to this standard gameplay, Six Card Charlie Blackjack features an additional way to win. If you can get 21 or fewer after receiving six cards from the dealer, it is an automatic win. When this happens, you are paid out 1:1. You do not have to hit 21 in six cards to win this way, you simply have to avoid busting. While this outcome is possible, it is not common; Six Card Charlie hands-only occurs once every 400 hands.

Game Rules

Six Card Charlie Blackjack is similar to standard casino games of Blackjack with a few exceptions. Luckily, the list of rules is short and easy to remember. Here is an all-inclusive overview of Six Card Charlie Blackjack:

  • Six-card hands that don’t bust are automatic winners
  • Six Card Charlie payout is usually identical to the payout for a natural blackjack
  • Dealer stands on soft 17
  • Double down is allowed on 9, 10, or 11
  • Splitting is only allowed once per hand
  • Splitting is forbidden on 4s, 5s, and 10s
  • The game is played with eight decks of 52 cards each

 

Each card in Six Card Charlie Blackjack is valued differently:

  • Ace is worth 11 or 1, depending on the other cards in the hand
  • J, Q, and K are worth 10
  • All remaining cards are valued according to their number

Six Card Charlie Guide: Playing Strategies

Even though a Six Card Charlie hand can pay out a huge amount, it’s not wise to focus on getting that hand since it’s so rare. Instead, you should keep in mind that it is always a possibility, but focus your efforts on solid gameplay strategies that can help you win without a six-card combination.

Here is a list of the best Six Card Charlie Blackjack strategies that you can use to win as often as possible:

Hard Hand Strategy

A hard hand in any Blackjack variant exists when there are no Aces present in a hand. These hands are called “hard” because it is generally considered more difficult to get a winning hand.

In Six Card Charlie Blackjack, consider these hard hand strategies as a general rule of thumb:

  • If your hard total is 5-8, hit
  • The Hard total is 17-21? stand
  • A hard total is 13-16 versus the dealer’s -6, stand; otherwise, hit
  • If the hard total is 10-11, hit

Soft Hand Strategy

A soft hand in Six Card Charlie Blackjack contains at least one Ace in the hand. Since Aces can be counted as 1 or 11, it gives players more flexibility to make decisions with a reduced risk of going bust.

When you have a soft hand, consider these strategies to win:

  • If your hand soft total is 13-17, hit
  • For a soft total hand of 18 versus a dealer’s -8, stand; otherwise, hit
  • Soft total is 19-21, stand

Split Hands Six Card Charlie Blackjack Strategy

When you are dealt pairs in Six Card Charlie Blackjack, you can choose to split them into two separate hands to get a better chance at winning. Since this Blackjack variation is played by European Blackjack rules, you cannot split pairs of 4s, 5s, or 10s.

You should split your hand in these situations:

  • The hand contains pairs of Aces and the dealer’s upcard is not an Ace
  • A hand contains pairs of 6s versus dealer’s -6
  • If your hands contain pairs of 8s, you should always split
  • Hand contains pairs of 2s, 3s, or 7s versus dealer’s 7 or less
  • A hand contains pairs of 9s versus dealer’s -6, 8, or 9

Double Down Strategy

Making sound decisions when it comes to Doubling Down in Six Card Charlie Blackjack has the potential to result in large amounts of winnings. On the other hand, Doubling Down in the wrong situations could lose you just as much.

The best time to double down in Six Card Charlie blackjack is when:

  • The hard total is 11
  • Hard total is 10 versus the dealer’s 4-6
  • The hard total is 9 versus the dealer’s 5 or 6

Six Card Charlie Guide: Tips for Success

Even though the rules and gameplay of Six Card Charlie Blackjack are simple, it takes time to develop a strategy that works for you to consistently win. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make the process easier for you. Check out our top 5 tips to winning Six Card Charlie Blackjack consistently.

Stick to A Budget

If you don’t have a budget and stick to it, you could find yourself spending too much money at the Blackjack table. The game is fast-paced and exciting, which could tempt you to keep spending money that you may not have. Set a budget and stick to it to maximize your positive experience.

Focus on Patience

It can be easy to get impatient while playing Six Card Charlie Blackjack games. This is especially true when you are on a losing streak. Remember: winning streaks are just as common, so if you can remain patient, your luck is likely to change. There’s also no shame in walking away if you’re not having fun.

Practice Your Strategy

The best Six Card CharlieBblackjack strategies are not mastered overnight. You should stay dedicated to improving your gameplay and practice your strategy as you go. Eventually, you will become a pro at Blackjack games. Find your best Blackjack variant to get some practice, by reading multiple online casino reviews, as they usually provide the game’s details you need to make your choice.

Our online casino guides should be your first option for learning how to master your Blackjack games.

Play Six Card Charlie Blackjack Online

If you’re looking for some real-world experience, playing Six Card Charlie Blackjack online is a wonderful solution for you. The rules and strategies are all the same, and you don’t even have to leave your couch to get in on the winnings. Remember, if you want to know more about Vegas Aces Casino, check our daily casino news.

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Six Card Charlie Guide FAQs

How much does a Six Card Charlie hand pay?

In Six Card Charlie blackjack, if you don’t go over 21 in six cards, the payout is identical to that of a natural blackjack; typically, that is 3.

What is the difference between a soft hand and a hard hand in Six Card Charlie blackjack?

Soft hands in Six Card Charlie blackjack contain at least one Ace while hard hands do not.

When can you split your hand in Six Card Charlie blackjack?

You can split any hand with pairs other than pairs of 4, 5, or 10.

Is it a good idea to bet on insurance in Six Card Charlie blackjack?

Side bets are generally in favor of casinos, so many people believe that they are a waste of money. However, insurance bets can soften the blow when a dealer gets natural blackjack, so it’s never a bad idea.

What are the odds in Six Card Charlie blackjack?

Six card Charlie blackjack features a 0.16% house edge.