Blackjack Rules in Alberta & Advantage bets
August 4th, 2012 at 10:57:26 PM
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Wizard,
Great site. I'm a frequent visitor and find myself constantly reviewing your site as it has so much valuable information. I have a few questions I could not find the answer to:
1. In Alberta, we have a rule where the dealer does not get a hole card. If the dealer has a blackjack, the player loses the original bet only. As such, the dealer does not collect any doubles / splits if they have a blackjack. I am thinking that this is to the casino's disadvantage in that they are wasting time dealing cards to the player, waiting for splits / doubles, , waiting for each player to act when the end result would not really matter if they have a blackjack. Why not peek for a blackjack early, and collect all losing bets right off? Can you think of any reason a casino would have this rule in place? Is there a casino advantage when it comes to not peeking for blackjacks, and yet only collecting the player's original bet if they have a blackjack?
2. Another rule we have in Alberta is in order for a player to surrender a bet, it must be done before any cards are dealt. Would you have any ideas why they would have this rule? Would a player have any advantage if they are last to act and have seen the cards dealt to the other players? I would say no, but would check with you and see what your thoughts are.
3. I was playing one night, when the player beside me does not believe in doubling bets. He agreed that I could use my own money to double, and he would give me the double bet, plus any winnings if it won. What is the "player's edge" when it comes to doubling? I remember you saying that doubling down are typically favorable to the player, but do you have any numbers to show exactly how advantageous it is for the player?
I'd also like to say a big thanks for putting your website together. I have not been able to find anything even close to the quality of your website.
Great site. I'm a frequent visitor and find myself constantly reviewing your site as it has so much valuable information. I have a few questions I could not find the answer to:
1. In Alberta, we have a rule where the dealer does not get a hole card. If the dealer has a blackjack, the player loses the original bet only. As such, the dealer does not collect any doubles / splits if they have a blackjack. I am thinking that this is to the casino's disadvantage in that they are wasting time dealing cards to the player, waiting for splits / doubles, , waiting for each player to act when the end result would not really matter if they have a blackjack. Why not peek for a blackjack early, and collect all losing bets right off? Can you think of any reason a casino would have this rule in place? Is there a casino advantage when it comes to not peeking for blackjacks, and yet only collecting the player's original bet if they have a blackjack?
2. Another rule we have in Alberta is in order for a player to surrender a bet, it must be done before any cards are dealt. Would you have any ideas why they would have this rule? Would a player have any advantage if they are last to act and have seen the cards dealt to the other players? I would say no, but would check with you and see what your thoughts are.
3. I was playing one night, when the player beside me does not believe in doubling bets. He agreed that I could use my own money to double, and he would give me the double bet, plus any winnings if it won. What is the "player's edge" when it comes to doubling? I remember you saying that doubling down are typically favorable to the player, but do you have any numbers to show exactly how advantageous it is for the player?
I'd also like to say a big thanks for putting your website together. I have not been able to find anything even close to the quality of your website.
August 5th, 2012 at 9:20:39 AM
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1. It is equivalent to having a hole card, but you are correct it wastes some of the casino time. The reason is to protect the casino from hole-carding.
2. Late surrender before any hit cards are taken is a little odd. Technically a player could gain a small advantage by waiting for cards before surrendering, but i see it as marginal at best. I guess it's just a off procedure.
3. Always double for another player whenever you get a chance. They are giving up a huge edge, and giving it to you. Check the doubling table here for the edge on each doubling play:
https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/appendix/1/
2. Late surrender before any hit cards are taken is a little odd. Technically a player could gain a small advantage by waiting for cards before surrendering, but i see it as marginal at best. I guess it's just a off procedure.
3. Always double for another player whenever you get a chance. They are giving up a huge edge, and giving it to you. Check the doubling table here for the edge on each doubling play:
https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/appendix/1/
Wisdom is the quality that keeps you out of situations where you would otherwise need it
August 5th, 2012 at 9:50:19 AM
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Regarding the third question: As you don't give up the initial bet when the hand loses, there are more hands to double down than basic strategy would suggest. Of course all to the expense of the other player...
August 11th, 2012 at 6:46:33 PM
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Quote: samgobigsWizard,
1. In Alberta, we have a rule where the dealer does not get a hole card.
Greetings, I believe others have answered well the hole card question (its a casino protection measure, and for a small casino it is probably cost effective). Now for my question for you! Where in AB do you play? I visit AB once in while (usually in the small town of Medicine Hat) and I am curious as to the 'conditions' up there. IIRC there is only one small casino in the hat, "Casino by Vanshaw" or something close to that. Ever been?
"Mathematical expectation has nothing to do with results." (Sklansky, Theory of Poker).
August 12th, 2012 at 3:34:18 AM
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With respect to number 3, doesn't that mean the other player was limited to one additional card during all hands you doubled for him? I can't believe he would do that. Throwing away the money from doubling is one thing, but throwing away the money from just not being able to play it how you would have if you were alone at the table is quite another.
