PA blackjack rules
Quote: jket25Hi, I've been searching on the internet trying to find out the current blackjack rules in PA casinos , like the Meadows/Rivers. I've heard that casinos edge is as low as .4% here. Does anyone know their rules to this day?
They are talking about changing the rules but aren't they always?
Statewide rules are S17, late surrender and, of course, blackjack pays 3 to 2. If you play 6 decks rather than 8, the house edge will be lower than .4%.
Quote: 1BBThey are talking about changing the rules but aren't they always?
Statewide rules are S17, late surrender and, of course, blackjack pays 3 to 2. If you play 6 decks rather than 8, the house edge will be lower than .4%.
Rivers uses 8 decks (at least they used to), they use mostly CSMs. The Meadows uses 6 decks and they are only half CSM. You can almost always find a shoe game for $5 or $10.
Quote: 1BBThey are talking about changing the rules but aren't they always?
Statewide rules are S17, late surrender and, of course, blackjack pays 3 to 2. If you play 6 decks rather than 8, the house edge will be lower than .4%.
I hope they don't change the rules , studies I've read show that their income increases with these player friendly rules, sure it lets the player win more, but the amount of players that these rules attract is enough to over compensate for their hit on player friendly rules. I am moving to PA for work in 2 months , I'm excited to to play w/ my new skills and knowledge.
Quote: jket25I hope they don't change the rules , studies I've read show that their income increases with these player friendly rules, sure it lets the player win more, but the amount of players that these rules attract is enough to over compensate for their hit on player friendly rules. I am moving to PA for work in 2 months , I'm excited to to play w/ my new skills and knowledge.
They have been talking about changing these for a few years now. When table games first came here 4 years ago the rules that were adapted had a 3 year limit. Last year they were allowed to change the rules and about half of the PA casinos wanted to change them to basically AC rules. The other half of the casinos fought it and wanted to keep them the same because they say it helps bring in people from other states. Last year they made the current rules permanent. I am not sure what it would take to change them now but I think it would be a pretty tough process or at least one that would take some time and possibly require a vote.
Quote: GWAEThey have been talking about changing these for a few years now. When table games first came here 4 years ago the rules that were adapted had a 3 year limit. Last year they were allowed to change the rules and about half of the PA casinos wanted to change them to basically AC rules. The other half of the casinos fought it and wanted to keep them the same because they say it helps bring in people from other states. Last year they made the current rules permanent. I am not sure what it would take to change them now but I think it would be a pretty tough process or at least one that would take some time and possibly require a vote.
One thing to keep in mind is that the "house edge" in blackjack assumes optimal play. So it might sound like going from H17 to S17 and changing the HE from 0.5% to a 0.3% would mean that the house would win 40% less per hand, but, actually, if most players play terribly (as they do in most jurisdictions) it's more likely that you are dropping the effective HE from something like 1.5% to 1.3%, so the house's per-hand win would only drop by 13% per hand.
Furthermore, most players play until they run out of money, so decreasing the edge per hand just means that they can play longer, not that they actually lose less. If your tables are completely full (so players who want seats can't find them) this might lead to a loss in revenue, but, if they are not completely full, it should have no real effect. In fact, it might lead to increased revenues because (1) I think that players are more likely to keep coming back if their budget for the night actually lasts all night, and (2) during slower times, many players will sit down if there are 1-2 other players at the table, but will not sit at an empty table.
I think that the old saying "you can shear a sheep many times, but skin him only once" applies here. At the very least, it is certainly not true that doubling the house edge will double the casino's revenue.
I've seen many elderly Asian women Surr 12 v 7.
Quote: 21formeIt amazes me that more casinos don't offer Surrender. I agree with the above poster. While in theory, Surr is advantageous for the player, I don't think I've ever seen a non-AP surrender properly. The rule generates significant extra income for casinos that have it.
I've seen many elderly Asian women Surr 12 v 7.
Completely agree. I get to play in PA fairly regularly (and perhaps more so now that our friends have moved there), I've seen some very poor surrenders, 12 v 7, 4 v 8, 6 v 7, and its sometimes worse when folks have some bigger bets out (no they are not counting) to save themselves from losing it all.
