What Is Rummy in Blackjack? Key Points to Know
There are two meanings of the word “rummy” in blackjack. It can refer to a specific game variation or a side bet commonly seen in some classic variations. If you play blackjack at BetUS, you may come across these terms, so let’s take a closer look and see what they mean.
What is Rummy in Blackjack?
If you google “What is rummy in blackjack?”, you will most likely encounter discussions of a side bet. We’ll get to that shortly, but it’s worth looking at the reasonably uncommon game of rummy blackjack.
What is Rummy Blackjack?
Rummy blackjack is commonly found in countries with strict gambling regulations. There are some differences with regard to the rules and value of cards, including no extra payouts for blackjack, early surrenders, and aces that are always worth 11. You are unlikely to encounter this game in the United States, though. Here, a rummy in blackjack nearly always references a side bet.
What is Rummy Side Bet in Blackjack?
The rummy side bet tasks players with making a rummy hand from their two cards and the dealer’s upcard.
A rummy hand consisting of three consecutive or matching cards is called a meld. You can also create a flush.
Examples of winning rummy side bets in blackjack include:
- Player’s Cards: 5h, 8h; Dealer’s Card: 9h
- Player’s Cards: Ac, 3c; Dealer’s Card: 5c
- Player’s Cards: 5h, 6c; Dealer’s Card: 7s
- Player’s Cards: 9h, 9c; Dealer’s Card: 9d
- Player’s Cards: Kh, Kc; Dealer’s Card: Kd
Let’s suppose, for instance, that the dealer’s upcard is the 5 of diamonds, and there are six players at the table, all of whom have placed the rummy side bet.
- Player’s Cards = 5 of clubs and 5 of spades
- Player’s Cards = 6 of hearts and 7 of spades
- Player’s Cards = 8 of diamonds and 10 of diamonds
- Player’s Cards = 2 of diamonds and 3 of hearts
- Player’s Cards = 2 of clubs and A of clubs
- Player’s Cards = K of diamonds and Q of spades
In this case, the first three players would win the bet with a three-of-a-kind, straight, and flush, respectively. The other three would fall short.
What is the Payout For a Rummy Side Bet in Blackjack?
The payout often varies depending on the type of rummy “meld” that you have:
- 4:1 for a flush
- 4:1 for a straight
- 9:1 for a three-of-a-kind
What About the Main Hand?
As with other side bets, the rummy side bet in blackjack does not influence the main hand. It is possible to win the rummy bet and lose the main hand. You could lose the rummy and still go on to win the hand.
You could even land a blackjack and win the rummy hand, such as if the dealer’s upcard is a queen or all three cards are the same suit.
What is the House Edge for the Rummy in Blackjack?
The house edge in blackjack is one of the lowest of any casino game, but it increases when you add side bets to the mix. The rummy wager is no different. It has a house edge of around 4%, much higher than the edge of around 0.5% to 1% found in most classic blackjack variations.
Still, it’s an optional bet, and if you don’t take it, you won’t increase the house edge and can continue playing the game as usual. There’s also no harm in placing the occasional rummy wager when the time feels right.
Is it Worth Betting on the Rummy Side Bet?
An expert blackjack player will tell you it’s never worth making a side bet. These wagers come with relatively high house edges compared to the main game. As noted above, however, it can be wagered occasionally and dismissed the rest of the time.
You can play it more if you’re having a particularly lucky session. After all, while 4% is very high compared to the sub-1% seen in the main game, it’s still relatively low and is on par with many slot games while being lower than popular casino games like American Roulette.
The choice is yours, and the great thing about the rummy side bet, and all side bets in general, is that they are optional, and you can enjoy the game with or without them.
Summary: What is Rummy Bet in Blackjack?
The rummy side bet gives players an extra chance to win, and it does so by incorporating a feature from one of the most popular card games and one that most players will be familiar with.
Give it a go the next time you play blackjack, and if you want to learn more about this game, check out our detailed guide on blackjack.
Blackjack Common Queries
What is the rummy side bet in blackjack?
The rummy side bet brings elements of the game of rummy into blackjack. It focuses on the player’s two cards and the dealer’s upcard. Players must make a “meld” from these three cards.
How does the rummy side bet work in blackjack?
It pays for hands that form “melds”, the term used in rummy games to reference three-of-a-kind, flushes, and consecutive cards.
What are the payout odds for the rummy side bet in blackjack?
The payouts for scoring a rummy during a game of blackjack vary from 4:1 to 9:1.
Is 21+3 the same as rummy?
The 21+3 side bet is more common than the rummy side bet in blackjack. It works in much the same way, too. As with rummy, 21+3 pays for hands formed from the player’s two cards and the dealer’s upcards. The difference is that it incorporates more variables and potentially higher payouts, including significant returns for straight flushes and three-of-a-kind matches of the same value, rank, and suit (only possible with multiple decks).
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