What is a Five Card Trick in Blackjack?
Blackjack is one of the most iconic casino games in the UK, but it’s important to know how it works before playing. This certainly applies to the ‘5 card trick’ or the ‘5 card Charlie’ as it’s also known. This is a special rule where players automatically win if they draw five cards without going bust.
This is obviously an appealing feature for players because it gives them a chance to win the hand, but despite this, the 5 card trick is often left out of standard casino blackjack. This is because it tilts the odds in the player’s favour too much and reduces the house edge overall.
What is the blackjack 5 card trick?
Blackjack’s 5 card trick is simple to understand for even the newest players. It sees players winning the hand automatically if they draw five cards without going over 21. It’s worth knowing that some variations on this rule include six or seven card draws but with different payouts.
While it might be one of the most talked-about blackjack special rules, it’s not something you see too much at casinos. It’s normally associated more with casual play and less with the professional casino sector.
Why casinos don’t offer the 5 card trick
From the casinos’ point of view, there are some very good reasons why they shy away from 5 card Charlie blackjack. Here are some of the most important:
- Increases the player’s odds of winning too much.
- Negatively impacts the game’s house edge significantly.
- Slows down overall gameplay.
- Rare in regulated online blackjack for fairness and balance.
Where you might see the 5 card trick
The most obvious examples are home games with friends and old-school land-based blackjack tables in more casual settings. These more casual types of games have more flexibility in terms of blackjack rules and more scope for the 5 card Charlie to be included.
This special rule can also be found in particular novelty or unregulated blackjack variants. This is because unregulated or novelty blackjack games are freer to include whatever rules they like. Be careful to never play unregulated games at unregulated casinos though!
Blackjack variations at LeoVegas
Although standard casinos give the blackjack 5 card trick a wide berth, LeoVegas still has some popular variants of this game to try, as below:
- Classic Blackjack – as the name suggests, Classic Blackjack sees you trying to beat the dealer using traditional blackjack house rules.
- Exclusive Blackjack – these types of games feature LeoVegas blackjack branded tables and standard blackjack rules online.
- Speed Blackjack – Speed Blackjack delivers faster rounds and an intense gaming experience.
- Blackjack Party – social and casual live tables at LeoVegas that bring that authentic Blackjack Party into your home.
Strategy impact of the 5 card trick
If you catch a casual blackjack game one day and come across the 5 card trick, it’s worth knowing how it can affect your decision-making.
The most obvious point is how it encourages more hits on low totals. This is due to players feeling that they have a good chance of taking five cards without going bust and winning the hand automatically.
The other major impact it has is the influence on splitting and doubling strategies. Players who get dealt a pair of fives, for example, would probably choose not to split if they’re aiming for a 5 card Charlie, as this initial hand is a good foundation to achieve it.
Other blackjack side rules and variations
Blackjack is a deep casino game with numerous rule variations and side bets. The 5 card trick is one, but what other less common ones regularly show up?
- Perfect pairs – a side bet that allows players to win if they are dealt two of the same cards of the same suit.
- 21+3 – another less common side bet that allows players to make a separate bet on their first two cards and the dealer’s up card.
- Spanish 21 – a special type of blackjack with a ‘Match the Dealer’ side bet. This sees players betting that one or more of their cards match the dealer’s up card.
Why play blackjack at LeoVegas?
LeoVegas has a wide choice of blackjack games – from classic blackjack to speed blackjack and more! Our games lobby also includes live dealer and RNG versions of this casino title. As a mobile-friendly, licensed and secure platform, we are a safe place to try out this popular casino game.