House Edge: Charitable Gaming

I believe the house edge in a regular game of blackjack is about .28%.

In our charitable games (fundraising) the house takes all ties. Plus the dealer must hit a soft 17. What would you calculate that makes the house edge to be?

Thanks.

RUN the other way

Quote: AxelWolf

RUN the other way

Yeah, but aren't you really there to support the charity, in a fun way?


The Wizard has a page with rule variations:
https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/rule-variations/
The chart is ranked by the % effect of each rule. "Player looses 17-21 ties" is ranked at the bottom at -8.8%!

But check to see if there are any favorable rules that take some of the sting out.

It is a fundraiser - no one expects too much of a game.

According to the Wizard's table, the difference in edge is just under 9% (since his calculations assume certain rules, 8.86% is probably overprecise). Compared to that, H17 is nothing - you might as well stand. (The player can probably shave off a bit of that by adjusting their strategy, though, but I doubt anyone will.)

EDIT: Damn ninjas.

FWIW I deal charity games all the time. You may be better off doing a tourney for prizes, setting up a very loose game. Players have lots of fun, you get sponsors for the tables and prizes, and no need to worry about the cops.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Yeah, but aren't you really there to support the charity, in a fun way?
.

Last time I gave to charity was when I gave a homeless
guy a 5oz tumbler of pure vodka on Fremont St. He indeed
thought that was fun.

I agree with AZ; it's much more fun to buy in for scrip and then have a live auction for prizes using the scrip. Under those circumstances, you can afford a very favorable game where everybody wins more often and has more fun.

When I used to run casino events for charity in the UK the rules were fairly strict and games had to be played according to the rules. What we did was allow a buy in for chips, people gambled and any chips at the end got converted to raffle tickets. Thus it made little difference what the HE was for any game. I once had some fun with player 16s and showed the next card in the shoe (which according to the rules had to be drawn next whatever decision the player made). Before we knew the strict rules, we also once played a version of Baccarat where each player had their own hand and the banker then made a decision - also the player was given a chance to take a 3rd card even if the dealer had 8 or 9 (and vice versa) - so it was rather like Blackjack. (I guess the HE is pretty near 0, so don't expect to see it at a store near you!)

The only time I was at a charity event in the US, they had 3 as the bar at craps but other bets (I assume) were the same. I can't remember the Blackjack - but my personal opinion is people should have fun when playing and offering "dealer wins ties" needs some bonus (such as 21s or 5-cards win) to make up for it.

I agree with AZ. Yes it's charity, yes it's money that I would have just given away anyways, but the very concept of losing on ties makes my blood curdle. This is not what you asked though so if it works, keep it going, a HE of 10% is probably very profitable for you guys.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Yeah, but aren't you really there to support the charity, in a fun way?


The Wizard has a page with rule variations:
https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/rule-variations/
The chart is ranked by the % effect of each rule. "Player looses 17-21 ties" is ranked at the bottom at -8.8%!

But check to see if there are any favorable rules that take some of the sting out.

Then why care about the house Edge? Makes no sense

It sounds like this is from the perspective of the organizer.

Play the rummage game in Henderson near The Fiesta Casino.