What's the House Edge in Crown Casino's 'Blackjack Plus'?

Hi all,

First time posting after I cam across Blackjack Plus at Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia.

Blackjack in Australia usually has a very low house edge (no hole card is the main reason for this), but I came across 'Blackjack Plus' which seems to have a few rules changes in favour of the player.

Anyhow, the main differences to the rules appear to primarily favourable to the player, but I've no idea how to calculate the change to the house edge.

Official rules found here:

Main differences from normal 'Crown Blackjack' are:

Player wins on 21 regardless of Dealer's card.
Player wins on any 5 card hand totalling 21 or less
Player can double up on any 2 or 3 card hand
If Dealer hits 22 and Player is less than 21, it's a standoff (neither win nor lose...US use a different term, right?).

Eight decks used and blackjack pays 3 to 2.

So....What's the edge using basic strategy?

The house edge is somewhere between 5% and 5.5% depending on whether or not the dealer hits soft 17, and that's assuming perfect play with the entire shoe being reshuffled after each hand, both of which are unlikely.

The push-on-22 rule is the one that damages the game, because its effect on the house edge significantly outweighs the effects of the player-friendly rules. A better name for the game would be "Blackjack Minus".

Interesting odds here. I just hoped that things would be well, as well as making it happen and make all things good and well in the long run. Thanks for the insights that you have given!
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Quote: shielsy

If Dealer hits 22 and Player is less than 21, it's a standoff (neither win nor lose...US use a different term, right?).

I think you mean if the Dealer's hand reaches the value of 22 rather than "if dealer hits" which would mean if dealer takes another card.

Rather than "standoff" we often use the term "push" which is probably a bit less confrontational sounding than "standoff".

The term "push" may appear to be more pleasant and the rule itself may appear to be innocuous but appearances are deceptive.

I recently visited a casino that had two separate Blackjack Pits... one was 6:5 and hit soft 17, the other was 3:2, did not hit 17 and did not allow any midshoe entry. The two separate rule sets were clearly indicated by major signage and minor signage at each table.

I wonder if your Crown Casino should be improving its signage?

Sorry to wake up a three-year-old thread but I saw this game in New Zealand so of course had to analyze it. Fortunately, it is similar to Blackjack Challenge, which I saw in Sydney, that I also just analyzed.

Please see my new page on Blackjack Plus. As my loyal guinea pigs, I welcome all questions, comments, and especially corrections.

Thanks a lot Wizard

I will be at Crown next week but will definitely stick to the regular BJ tables which are unfortunately hard to find nowadays. If anyone is planning a trip, they are mainly down the hotel end near the Atrium Bar which is actually quite a nice atmosphere to have a bet. There are also a few tables in the Maple Room: it's higher limit with free drinks the last time I visited with no requirement for entry except some good cash. The table minimums are AUD 30-40 depending on the day but is becoming less and less in USD by the day too!

Crown has H17 unless you're in a very high limit room but I do prefer the ambience at Crown compared to my local (Star in Sydney) that has S17 rules.

Cheers,

U235

Quote: Uranium235

Thanks a lot Wizard

I will be at Crown next week but will definitely stick to the regular BJ tables which are unfortunately hard to find nowadays.

You're welcome. As long as you're there, can you tell me what the Blackjack Plus rules are down there. In particular:

1. What happens if the player splits/doubles and the dealer gets a blackjack. They may tell you "the player loses his original bet only," but what about any busted bets from splitting?

2. Can the player double on soft totals?

3. How many hands can the player re-split to? What about aces?

Thanks!

Mike

No problems; I will drop past a quiet table and have a chat with them.

Quote: Wizard

You're welcome. As long as you're there, can you tell me what the Blackjack Plus rules are down there. In particular:

1. What happens if the player splits/doubles and the dealer gets a blackjack. They may tell you "the player loses his original bet only," but what about any busted bets from splitting?

2. Can the player double on soft totals?

3. How many hands can the player re-split to? What about aces?

Thanks!

Mike

Ok folks I've just done some investigative journalism on the gaming floor and the good folks tell me the following rules in place for Blackjack Plus:
Blackjack pays 3/2
OBBO rule is in place (i.e. if the dealer gets blackjack, they will only take your original bet and leave any remaining bets from splits and doubles. However, if you split and bust, you lose that cash regardless)
Double on any two or three cards
Split twice (i.e. Up to three hands) but only once with aces
No surrender
Stand on any 17 including soft.

Glorious weather here today in Melbourne

Cheers

The game known as Blackjack Plus comes in three variants. The difference is in blackjack payouts: 3-2, 6-5, or even money.
In New Zealand, the rules are same for all three variants: dealer hits soft 17; pushes all bets on total of 22; blackjack, a total of 21 and five-card charlie pay out immediately (regardless of dealer's card); split up to twice (create three hands), split aces receive one card only; double down on any two cards; no surrender.
Also, player with a blackjack can't place an insurance bet (insurance still pays 2-1).

Any other questions about this variant, just ask!

"Blackjack in Australia usually has a very low house edge (no hole card is the main reason for this),"

Actually, Australian no hole card rules do not decrease the house edge.