Blackjack win paying $0.25 extra in PA Sands

So the tables games in PA are up and they are surprisingly fair, if a bit crowded.

Here are the rules:

$10-$25 Minimum (although good luck finding a seat on a $10 table)
Stands on S17
DAS Allowed
Split to Three Hands
Late Surrender Allowed
No RS or DD on Split Aces
8 Deck Shoe dealt down to about 2 Decks

Anyway, the interesting thing is that they are paying out blackjack wins on any bet that ends in a 5 with a $2.50 chip. If you then bet that $2.50 chip and win Blackjack, they pay you $4. The Wizard states that this is a .38% House Advantage game (realistic results).

My question is if you play $27.50 or $12.50 a hand to gain this $0.25 payout on Blackjack, what effect does that have on the House? I imagine if one is playing $12.50 a hand the advantage will be greater due to a higher return per bet, but until they open more tables its not going to be a realistic option.

That rule is true not just at the Sands, but at almost all casinos. Few casinos have quarters on the BJ table.

So, yeah, if you bet the $2.50 chip and get a BJ, they'll pay $4, and 3:2 on the remainder.

But there's a catch: You can't ask for two $2.50 chips for a $5.

The only way to get the $2.50 chip is to bet an odd amount, and get a BJ. Only THEN can you bet it.

If you get it then bet $12.50 and get a normal 1:1 win, they will give you $15, and take the $2.50 chip.

So to gain this 25¢ edge, you need to get a BJ on the ONE hand you play it on.


Quite frankly, the value is minimal.

The Connecticut casinos have the same rule except you can ask for $2.50 chips anytime you want and you can bet them at will. This works even better for surrender, because when surrendering say a $12.50 bet instead of bumping you up to $6.50 which is correct, many times you will get back $7.00. It may have to do with the dealers trying to match chip colors rather than doing the math.

Quote: benbakdoff

The Connecticut casinos have the same rule except you can ask for $2.50 chips anytime you want and you can bet them at will. This works even better for surrender, because when surrendering say a $12.50 bet instead of bumping you up to $6.50 which is correct, many times you will get back $7.00. It may have to do with the dealers trying to match chip colors rather than doing the math.

That's true here in MN, too. Players can ask for $2.50 chips at any time. They're also given on BJ and on surrenders. Also, the incorrect rounding on surrender is very common. I notice it most on a bet of $52.50, which surrenders to $27 (one green, two whites) instead of $26.50 (4 red, one pink, 4 white).

You can ask for pinks?

The couple times I tried, I was told no.

I forget where that was. I'll have to try again....

Quote: DJTeddyBear

You can ask for pinks?

The couple times I tried, I was told no.

I forget where that was. I'll have to try again....

All day long. Some people use them to play match the dealer as well.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

You can ask for pinks?

The couple times I tried, I was told no.

I forget where that was. I'll have to try again....

Guess you've never played the famed "Pink Chip" Limit Hold Em game in the Trop Poker Room ($7.50-$15), blinds 5 and 7.50, only pink chips allowed! You can leave with racks of them, or buy a rack if you are entering the game...

Hmm interesting. I haven't tried asking for pink chips, but most of the tables at the PA Sands currently have a 25 dollar limit and betting 27.50 probably won't affect the house odds much. I do wonder what the improvement would be though if someone is in a 12.50 game?