Blacjack Switch

K

Kasi

Well-Known Member
sagefr0g said:
i know a joint that's got what they call blackjack switch.
i'm not sure, it's either six or eight decks. i don't think they use a csm but not sure.
rules h17
player plays two hands with identical bet on each
player has choice of keeping hands as they are or switching the second card of each hand
splits and doubles are allowed (when switching or not switching)
switched ace/ten counts as a 21
blackjacks only pay even money :mad:
if dealer hits a hard 22 then all remaining bets are pushed.

is this the same game everyone is talking about?:confused::whip:
Click to expand...
Basically, yes. But I have the feeling the BJS game in Vegas is not the same as what it was on the internet.

If Geoff drops in, he could probably explain it better.

As i recall, I think a switched A,10 was a "BJ" and got paid even if the dealer got a 22.

I don't think the dealer checked his hole card immediately so doubles and splits would be lost in the event he had a BJ.

No re-splitting and one-card only to split Aces.

How any rule changes may effect BS and when to switch or not, I have no idea. Some BS decisions are very close. I think the Vegas rules could effect a 100 or more switching decisions compared to Playtech rules. But not that big of a deal I think.

Anyone can go to http://www.blackjackswitch.com (Archive copy) and go from there.

I guess using the EV's on the Wiz website could give the correct switch decision.

I swear the EV's listed there today are not the ones he used to have so maybe Playtech has changed its own rules by now.
 
G

Geoff Hall

Well-Known Member
Catchup

Kasi said:
Basically, yes. But I have the feeling the BJS game in Vegas is not the same as what it was on the internet.

If Geoff drops in, he could probably explain it better.

As i recall, I think a switched A,10 was a "BJ" and got paid even if the dealer got a 22.

I don't think the dealer checked his hole card immediately so doubles and splits would be lost in the event he had a BJ.

No re-splitting and one-card only to split Aces.

How any rule changes may effect BS and when to switch or not, I have no idea. Some BS decisions are very close. I think the Vegas rules could effect a 100 or more switching decisions compared to Playtech rules. But not that big of a deal I think.

Anyone can go to http://www.blackjackswitch.com (Archive copy) and go from there.

I guess using the EV's on the Wiz website could give the correct switch decision.

I swear the EV's listed there today are not the ones he used to have so maybe Playtech has changed its own rules by now.
Click to expand...
Hi and 'Festive Wishes' to all during this holiday period. Only got back from 6 weeks in US in early December so this was the first time I've read the new posts since August. Will try and answer some of the points raised.

Firstly, the main change to the rules is the 'switched BJ = 21'. This was installed after counters had hit the game on 'The Strip'. Basically, it puts the house edge at 0.59% and this will increase with 'switch' errors. The only casino that still offers the low-edge 0.16% game is Casino Royale and they deal from CSM's.

However, despite the 0.59% starting edge, the game was hit at Harrah's, Lake Tahoe and also at Bill's on The Strip. Harrah's removed the game, due to low hold%, and Bill's now have CSM's.

There was some work done on the variance of the 2 hands but it's so long ago I can't remember the figures, however, 1.16 seems to ring a bell.

Ontario offers a good game because they stand on 'Soft 17'. This takes 0.39% off the house edge. Isle Of Capri, Kansas City pay 'Blackjacks' automatically so this gives a house edge of around 0.3%. I think that 'Red Hawk' offer a good game but haven't checked it out since I trained there as it only went 'live' just before Christmas.

It's possible, if the game continues to spread, that eventually casinos may compete with each other by offering more favorable rules. Most are playing safe and new installations are being done with 'Switch BJ = 21'. With just 39 tables out there (and 7 more on the way) it may be a while before it becomes a 'must-have' game (Keeping my fingers crossed :) ).

New installations next year in Indiana, California, St.Louis and Detroit. Hopefully more on the way as a result.

Finally, Kasi, thank you again for your really kind comments. Incidentally, 'Yes' I have done it on my own and 'No' I'm not a millionaire (yet ?) :(

All the best to everyone on here for 2009.

Geoff
 
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