Blackjack where dealer play directly against players.

Every blackjack game I have ever played at regular and online casinos the dealer follows a set formula (basically hitting until 17 or busting then depending on table may hit or stand on soft 17).
But I am curious if there is any black jack game where the dealer can specifically play against the players.

For example lets say the dealer has a 4 faceup. The first player stands with 13 and the second stands with 12 and the third stands with 14. And then the dealer turns over and ace getting a soft 15. He stands since he beats all players and takes everyone's money.

Is there any version like this where the dealer has discretion to play to win instead of hitting to 17? Obviously this would be horrible for the players but it would be an interesting and competitive variant?

It would get way too complex with multiple players. Dealer has a 6 showing, Player 1 doubles his 11 for a 21, Player 2 stands on 14, Players 3 stands on 20. Dealer flips over a 10 for 16. Does he risk hitting to try to recoup the double down from Player 1? Ensure the win over Player 2? Add more players and see how complex it would get then.

Quote: Gandler

Every blackjack game I have ever played at regular and online casinos the dealer follows a set formula (basically hitting until 17 or busting then depending on table may hit or stand on soft 17).
But I am curious if there is any black jack game where the dealer can specifically play against the players.

For example lets say the dealer has a 4 faceup. The first player stands with 13 and the second stands with 12 and the third stands with 14. And then the dealer turns over and ace getting a soft 15. He stands since he beats all players and takes everyone's money.

Is there any version like this where the dealer has discretion to play to win instead of hitting to 17? Obviously this would be horrible for the players but it would be an interesting and competitive variant?

Extreme 21 is like this except it is always 1 on 1.

Quote: miplet

Extreme 21 is like this except it is always 1 on 1.

Thanks I have never heard of that before.

Quote: Gandler

...there is any black jack game where the dealer can specifically play against the players...

I came across a pontoon game on a ferry once (£1 per go), essentially five card tricks counted and the dealer had flexibility to play any soft hand of 17+ (i.e. hit or stay). Sadly "Double Down" was face up (it's much more interesting if it isn't!) but there was one occasion when she'd ignored my 21 and stood on 17 and another where she hit 3-card s18.

btw Many years ago I heard from an old dealer that Punto Banco used to be that the bank could play anyway it wanted and thus it needed very skilled people to be able to work out, in close situations, whether to hit or stand based on players' cards/decisions and the money wagered. I guess playing small would have an advantage as the house would ignore your bet and play to win the larger ones. Sadly the rules are now fixed.

In that case, the casino should hire the counters as the dealers to play by the index.

There are variations of home BJ games that you can do. (but no casino games)
Dealer rotates. Everyone puts the same amount as bet.
Everyone is dealt 2 cards face down and only they know, and only the hit cards are shown.
Only if you go over 21 you say.
Winner wins the pot (or if many split the pot).
A raise round can be added after receiving the first 2 cards.

Quote: AceTwo

There are variations of home BJ games that you can do. (but no casino games)
Dealer rotates. Everyone puts the same amount as bet.
Everyone is dealt 2 cards face down and only they know, and only the hit cards are shown.
Only if you go over 21 you say.
Winner wins the pot (or if many split the pot).
A raise round can be added after receiving the first 2 cards.

Sounds a bit like poker-room blackjack of some kind. Kind of another of my harebrained ideas.

So instead of a traditional BJ setup, you have a single deck, 6-8 players or so, and no actual dealer position. Everyone puts in an ante bet and the deal begins.
Everyone gets 2 cards face-down. At this point, players may fold, call, or raise, much like poker.
After the betting round, players may hit or stand. Not sure about splitting, but I imagine it would involve buying in for a second hand and would only make sense if you have two aces. Doubling down wouldn't make sense, since you can just raise your bet.
Then another round of betting, followed by hit/stand, etc, etc. until all remaining players elect to stand and all check.
Whoever has the best hand wins, with ties splitting the pot.
In this case, revealing a blackjack would wait until the end in order to drive up the pot.