Double Attack Blackjack

[Scooter]

Does anybody know anything about Double Attack Blackjack? I saw it for the first time at Trump in Indiana. I haven't seen or heard of it anywhere else. Though I am sure they designed it to be unbeatable, I would still like to probe the possibilities. None of the software programs I have can run simulations on it, and my programming skills are not up to writing a new program myself.

Much like Spanish 21, there are no tens in the deck. Blackjack pays even money. But where I think there might be some advantage is in the Double Attack part. At the start of the round, the dealer deals one up card to himself. At this point the player has the option of doubling his bet before the player cards are dealt. The rest plays out much like Spanish 21.

This has to be very advantageous to the house as no one yet knows the optimal play for this decision. Yet I suspect that this decision is very susceptible to the count.

Any information or software suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Automatic Monkey]

Bad game

The only time you would want to double that bet is when the probability of a dealer bust is >50%. With all the pip 10's removed, do you realize how high the count would have to be for that to be true? Plus 1:1 BJ? Sounds like a game to steer clear of.

 

[Andy Noone]

Double Attack BJ countable

Here's my basic strategy for Double Attack Blackjack:
Double attack (double the original bet) against 2,3,4,5,6,7, and 8!. Hard standing numbers for dealer's card: 2(15), 3(15), 4(14), 5(14), 6(14), 7(17), 8(17), 9(17), X(17), A(18). Soft standing numbers: 2(18), 3(18), 4(18), 5(18), 6(18), 7(18), 8(18), 9(19), X(19), and A(19). Surrender hard 17's (2 or more card 17's) against dealer's A. After doubling down or splitting aces, surrender 16 vs 8, 9, X, and A; and surrender 17 vs A. Double down 11 vs 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, and X. Double down 10 vs 2,3,4,5,6,7, and 8. Double down 9 vs 6. Double down soft 18 vs 5 and 6. Double down soft 17 vs 5 and 6. Double down soft 16 vs 6. Split 2's (3,4,5,6,7); 3's (3,4,5,6,7,8); 6's (5,6); 7's (2,3,4,5,6,7); 9's (4,5,6,8,9); 8's (all); A's (all).

Try this simple count A, 9, X (-1); 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (+1); and 7 and 8 (0). You'll be double attacking about 7/12 of the time, so it's better to base the EV on this higher amount (7/12 x 2 bets + 5/12 x 1 bet) than on the original bet. Here's how (I believe) the EV depends on the true count (TC): -0.5%(TC=0), 0.2%(TC=1), 0.9%(TC=2), 1.6%(TC=3), 2.3%(TC=4), 3.0%(TC=5). Here are some strategy variations that depend on the TC:
double attack (vs 2):0, sur.16 (vs A and X):2, 11(vs A):1, 11(vs X):0, 11(vs 9):0, 10(vs 8):0, 10(vs 9):2, 9(vs 6):0, 9(vs 5):2, 2's(vs 2 and 8):1, A's(vs 9 and A):-1, 9's(vs 2):3, 9's(vs 3):1, 9's(vs 4):0, 6's(vs 4):1, 15(vs 2):0, 14(vs 2):3, 14(vs 3):1, 14(vs 4):0, 14(vs 6):-1, 13(vs 5):1, 13(vs 6):2

 

[Ohio_Jones]

Basic Count *LINK*

I'm sure these games are played with 6 or 8 decks. As AM has already stated you would have to start with -24 or -28. Happy hunting for that positive shoe.