Blackjack is known for its fairly simple rules, but there are a few variations that can be worth paying attention to. An example of this is the rare 5-card Charlie rule, which allows you to win a hand if you draw five cards without busting, regardless of the dealer’s total.
This article explains how the Five-Card Charlie rule works, why it’s beneficial, and how it can change your approach to the game.
What Is the Five-Card Charlie Rule in Blackjack?
The Five-Card Charlie rule states that if a player draws five cards without busting, they automatically win the hand. This rule applies even if the dealer has a higher total.
Players must stay under 21 while collecting five cards, which means getting to 21 or closer than the dealer isn’t the only way to win.
How Does the Rule Work in Practice?
In practice, the rule works when the player has 5 cards in their hand that total less than 21. It’s a rare scenario though, as you need to draw low value cards for this to work. Five 4s would mean a total of 20 – so realistically you need to be drawing cards of 5 or less for this to work in practice.
| Cards Drawn | Total Hand Value |
|---|---|
| 8 (Initial Hand) | 8 |
| + 3 | 11 |
| + 4 | 15 |
| + 3 | 18 |
| + 2 | 20 |
Why Is the Five-Card Charlie Rule Beneficial for Players?
The Five-Card Charlie rule is beneficial to players as it means another route to winning the bet. It’s also advantageous for when you have terrible hands with low value cards – as if you continue to draw low value cards then you can win – even when the dealer might have a hand of 20 or something else strong.
How Does It Affect the House Edge?
The Five-Card Charlie rule improves the house edge, by up to 1.46%. Online casinos that use the Five-Card Charlie rule will normally have another way to offset this advantage though, like only paying out at 6:5.
When Should You Use the Five-Card Charlie Strategy?
Use the Five-Card Charlie strategy instead of surrendering when your total is low and the dealer has a strong hand. Instead of surrendering or standing on a weak hand, you have the knowledge that you can keep plucking out low value cards and still beat the dealer.
Where Can You Find Blackjack Games with the Five-Card Charlie Rule?
Blackjack Games with the Five-Card Charlie Rule are rare with online casinos, but there are several that offer it. Our list of recommended blackjack sites to play with include a few of them.
What Other Blackjack Rule Variations Are Worth Knowing?
Different rule variations affect the house edge, such as payout amounts, dealer rules and more. The lower the house edge, the better. It’s in your advantage to learn it. Learn about the different blackjack rules in our guide to beating the house.
When learning blackjack, we propose you read the following guides.
- Beginners guide to blackjack
- How to lower the house edge and why it matters
- Probabilities in blackjack explained
- Soft hands explained
- Basic strategy
How Does the Six-Card and Seven-Card Charlie Rule Differ?
The Six-Card and Seven-Card Charlie rules work the same as the Five-Card rule explained in this guide, but require you to draw six or seven cards in order to win. This means fewer chances and therefore a low house edge impact with these rules.
How Does the 3:2 vs. 6:5 Payout Structure Affect Your Game?
A 3:2 payout structure is more beneficial and profitable compared to a 6:5. A 3:2 payout would mean you win $15 for every $10 bet, compared to $12 in a 5:5 payout table. Always aim for the 3:2 paying tables.
