Natural (gambling)

A natural is a term in several gambling games; in each case it refers to one or two specific good outcomes, usually for the player, and often involves achieving a particular score in the shortest and fastest manner possible.^[1]

Examples

At blackjack, the best possible hand for the player is to reach a score of 21 with exactly two cards, which necessarily involves an Ace and a ten-valued card (such as a 10, a Jack, a Queen, or a King). This hand, which usually defeats any other hand of 21 and carries a higher payout of winnings, is referred to as a "blackjack" or a "natural".^[2][3] A natural in blackjack pays 3:2, however in recent years some casinos have changed the payout ratio to 6:5 for a larger house edge.^[4]

At craps, a natural is a roll of two dice with a score of 7 or 11 on the come out roll. This will lead to a win for the players who wagered money on the Pass or Come bet, but a loss for players betting Don't Pass or Don't Come.^[5]

At punto banco, a natural is a two-card hand totaling 8 or 9, for either the player or the banker. Natural 9 beats natural 8.^[6]

References

1. Mark Bollman (13 June 2014). Basic Gambling Mathematics: The Numbers Behind The Neon. CRC Press. pp. 216–. ISBN 978-1-4822-0893-1.
2. Thorp, Beat the Dealer, 1st edition, New York 1962.
3. Beat Multiple Deck Blackjack. Cardoza Publishing. pp. 13–. ISBN 978-1-58042-421-9.
4. William N. Thompson Ph.D. (10 February 2015). Gambling in America: An Encyclopedia of History, Issues, and Society, 2nd Edition. ABC-CLIO. pp. 25–. ISBN 978-1-61069-980-8.
5. Craps A Smart Shooters Guide. Cardoza Publishing. pp. 25–. ISBN 978-1-58042-576-6.
6. "How To Gamble: Baccarat". VEGAS.com. Retrieved 2016-03-29.