Match the Dealer Blackjack Calculator: When Your Cards Match

Match the Dealer is a blackjack side bet where you win if either of your first two cards matches the dealer's upcard in rank. Suited matches pay more. Our calculator reveals the true odds and why deck count dramatically affects this bet.

What Is Match the Dealer?

Match the Dealer is a side bet where you wager that one or both of your initial cards will match the dealer's upcard rank. A suited match (same rank and suit) pays more than an unsuited match. Two matches multiply payouts.

Quick Answer: Match the Dealer = bet your cards match dealer's upcard rank. Unsuited match: 4:1. Suited match: 11:1. Both match suited: 34:1. Match probability: ~6% per card. House edge: 3-4% (good pay tables). Deck count matters significantly. Entertainment side bet.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Match the Dealer Calculator →

Calculate match probabilities and expected value.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Number of Decks: Casino setup

2. Enter Pay Table: Your casino's structure

3. View Match Probability: Rank matching odds

4. Calculate Suited Odds: Same suit bonus

5. See House Edge: True cost

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Decks Used	Shoe size	6 decks
Unsuited Match Pay	Different suit	4:1
Suited Match Pay	Same suit	11:1
Both Suited Pay	Double match	34:1
Match Probability	Any match	~11%
House Edge	True cost	3.1%

How Matching Works

Single Card Match

One of your cards matches:

Your hand: 7♠ K♦
Dealer upcard: 7♣

Result: UNSUITED MATCH
(Your 7♠ matches dealer's 7♣)

Payout: 4:1
Different suits

Suited Match

Match with same suit:

Your hand: 9♥ J♣
Dealer upcard: 9♥

Result: SUITED MATCH!
(Your 9♥ matches dealer's 9♥)

Payout: 11:1
Same rank AND suit

Double Match

Both cards match:

Your hand: 5♠ 5♦
Dealer upcard: 5♣

Result: DOUBLE UNSUITED MATCH
(Both 5s match dealer's 5)

Payout: 8:1 (4:1 × 2)
Rare occurrence

Double Suited Match

The jackpot scenario:

Your hand: K♥ K♥
Dealer upcard: K♥

Result: DOUBLE SUITED MATCH!
(Both match rank AND suit)

Payout: 34:1
Requires multi-deck
Extremely rare

Probability Analysis

Single Match Odds

Probability of one card matching:

After seeing dealer upcard:
Remaining matching cards varies by decks

6-deck example:
23 remaining same-rank cards
309 remaining total cards
~7.4% per card position

Combined ~14% for either card
Minus overlap for doubles

Suited Match Odds

Suited match probability:

Must match rank AND suit
Fewer qualifying cards

6-deck example:
5 remaining same-suit, same-rank
309 remaining cards
~1.6% per card position

Deck Count Impact

More decks = more matches:

Single deck:
3 matching cards remain
~6% match rate

8 decks:
31 matching cards remain
~7.5% match rate

Multi-deck favors the bet
But still house edge

Pay Table Variations

Common Structures

Standard pay table:

Unsuited match: 4:1
Suited match: 11:1
Two unsuited matches: 8:1
One suited + one unsuited: 15:1
Two suited matches: 34:1

Edge: ~3.1%

Liberal Pay Tables

Better payouts:

Unsuited match: 4:1
Suited match: 12:1
Two unsuited: 10:1
Mixed: 18:1
Two suited: 40:1

Edge: ~2.5%
Check your casino

Tight Pay Tables

Worse payouts:

Unsuited match: 3:1
Suited match: 10:1
Others reduced

Edge: ~5-6%
Avoid these

House Edge Analysis

Edge by Deck Count

House edge varies:

2 decks: ~4.2%
4 decks: ~3.5%
6 decks: ~3.1%
8 decks: ~2.9%

More decks = lower edge
Opposite of main game!

Why Decks Matter

Edge mechanism:

More decks = more matching cards
More matches = more player wins
Lower house edge

But still negative EV
Can't overcome edge
Just minimized

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Single Unsuited Match

Common win:

Side bet: $5
Your hand: Q♦ 7♣
Dealer upcard: Q♠

Result: UNSUITED MATCH

Payout: $5 × 4 = $20

Most common winning result
~10% of winning bets

Example 2: Suited Match

Better payout:

Side bet: $5
Your hand: 8♣ K♠
Dealer upcard: 8♣

Result: SUITED MATCH!

Payout: $5 × 11 = $55

~2% of hands
Solid win when hit

Example 3: Double Suited

Jackpot scenario:

Side bet: $5
Your hand: 4♠ 4♠
Dealer upcard: 4♠

Result: DOUBLE SUITED MATCH!

Payout: $5 × 34 = $170

Extremely rare
Requires 6-8 deck shoe
Multi-deck only possible

Example 4: No Match

Typical result:

Side bet: $5
Your hand: J♥ 3♦
Dealer upcard: 9♣

Result: NO MATCH

Lose: $5

~85% of hands
Expected most often

Strategy Considerations

No Player Decisions

Pure luck bet:

Can't influence outcome
Cards dealt randomly
No skill element

Decision: Play or don't
Amount to bet
That's all

Deck Count Selection

If choosing tables:

8 decks: 2.9% edge (best)
6 decks: 3.1% edge
4 decks: 3.5% edge
2 decks: 4.2% edge (worst)

Opposite of main game preference
Side bet favors more decks

Bankroll Impact

Adding side bet:

Main bet: $25
Side bet: $5
100 hands played

Main game: ~$12.50 expected loss
Side bet: ~$15.50 expected loss

Nearly doubles losses!
Consider carefully

Common Mistakes

1. Ignoring Deck Count

Mistake: Playing any table Problem: 2-deck has 4.2% edge Fix: Prefer 6-8 deck if playing

2. Large Side Bets

Mistake: Matching main bet size Problem: High expected loss Fix: Small entertainment bets

3. Chasing Double Suited

Mistake: Playing for 34:1 Problem: Extremely rare Fix: Enjoy if it happens

4. Not Checking Pay Tables

Mistake: Assuming standard pays Problem: Tight tables exist Fix: Verify payouts first

Frequently Asked Questions

How often will I match?

About 11-14% of hands depending on deck count. Most matches are unsuited (lower payout).

Do more decks help?

Yes! Unlike main blackjack, Match the Dealer has lower house edge with more decks because more matching cards exist.

What's the best pay table?

Look for 4:1/12:1/40:1 structure with ~2.5% edge. Avoid 3:1/10:1 tight tables.

Is Match the Dealer better than Perfect Pairs?

Similar edge range (3-4%). Match the Dealer slightly more frequent wins. Personal preference.

Can both cards match?

Yes! If you have a pair and dealer shows same rank, both match. Pays multiplied.

Does Match the Dealer affect blackjack play?

No. Completely separate bet. Play main hand optimally regardless.

Pro Tips

• More decks = better: 2.9% with 8 vs 4.2% with 2

• Check pay tables: Varies significantly

• Small side bets: Entertainment expense

• ~11% match rate: Expect many losses

• Suited is rare: Don't chase it

Related Calculators

• Blackjack Odds Calculator - Main game
• Perfect Pairs Calculator - Similar bet
• 21+3 Calculator - Another side bet
• House Edge Calculator - Compare games
• Expected Value Calculator - Bet analysis

Conclusion

Match the Dealer offers a simple premise—do your cards match the dealer's upcard?—with house edges from 2.5-5% depending on pay tables and deck count. Our calculator reveals why more decks actually help this bet and how to evaluate whether it fits your entertainment budget.

Calculate Match the Dealer Odds Now →

Your 9♣ matching the dealer's 9♣ pays 11:1 as a suited match. Our calculator shows the true probability and why 8-deck games offer better odds for this side bet.