Blackjack is a pretty straightforward game. The rules are simple, and anyone can learn to master them in no time. However, it does come in multiple variations when it comes to certain rules, and players should know how to take advantage of them. We have already touched upon the Blackjack Charlie rules in our previous article. Last time, we talked about the 6 Card Charlie rule, and in this article, we will talk about the Blackjack 5 Card Charlie rule.
If you remember, Blackjack Charlie rules in general refer to a hand or hands that manage to get a certain number of cards without busting. With blackjack games featuring this rule, the hand of the dealer is irrelevant. Since this rule is extremely advantageous for the players, you might have a bit of a hard time finding this variant at online casinos, however, the task is not impossible.
5 Card Charlie
5 Card Charlie is a special blackjack rule that states that if a player reaches 5 card hand without busting, they win. The rule also provides a 1.46% house edge. Obviously, the name of the rule determines the cards needed to win, and you can also come across 6 Card and 7 Card Charlie. The odds of 5 Card Charlie occurring are once in fifty hands.
As we have mentioned, this rule can be pretty beneficial to players, so you will not find this rule in many casinos, especially land-based ones. However, the rise of online casinos brought a lot of innovation to the classic card game. These innovations also include the Charlie rules, with the 5 Card Charlie rule appearing in some online blackjack games. Online blackjack with 5 Card Charlie offers a slightly smaller house edge, which translates to better RTP.
5 Card Charlie Strategy
There are no special strategies you can apply with 5 Card Charlie, you can still rely on the basic blackjack strategies in order to win. However, there are always certain techniques you can apply to improve your odds with this variant. Just remember, they will not ensure your win in every round, but players will have a greater chance of scoring.
First, do not expect to get five cards right away. The odds of 5 Card Charlie happening are once every 50 rounds, so you should not make significant changes to your gameplay. That is unless you are still under 21 and close to having five cards. If you are not, just play it like a regular blackjack game.
In 5 Card Charlie blackjack, hitting and standing decisions play a decisive role in the outcome of the round. If the following happens, here are some tips to increase your chances of winning.
You should Hit if:
- Your hand is soft 17 or lower
- You have four cards worth up to soft 21
- Your hand has a 7 or higher card. No aces, and your hand is worth between 12 and 16.
You should Stand if:
- You have a hard 17 or higher
- Your cards have a value of 2 to 6, and your hand is worth at least 13 unless you already have four of them.
When to Double Down:
- If you have four cards, double down on hard 10 or hard 11.
- If you have four cards, double down on soft 15 to 18 if all your cards have low value.
Despite all of these tips, you cannot predict whether you will have the winning hand or not. That is why casino games are games of chance, after all.
Final Word
Out of all the blackjack rules out there, the 5 Card Charlie rule is definitely one of the best. Because of this, there are not many casinos that will offer the rule. If they do have ever, they do not shy away from attaching a few bad rules to the blackjack games in order to even out the playing field.
Sometimes, at certain online casinos, the blackjack table using the 5 Card Charlie rule is the best table available. However, some players still prefer another available table, then playing at a table with a lower return and higher house edge. Remember, when you play blackjack, you should look for the 5 Card Charlie rule, but also make sure to check out other rules. That way, you can determine whether this table is truly the best one and if it is worth playing.