Blackjack edges

Played at a Casino where they had a double deck game where Blackjack payed 6:5 but they had a rule where if you busted on a 23,24 or 25 and the dealer busted with a higher total than you, then you get your money back. Have 2 questions:

1. 6 to 5 games obviously greatly negate the counters edge but at what would your spread have to range for the counter to have an advantage or even with an insanely large spread can you not overcome the 6 to 5 rule (roughly a 1.25% disadvantage right?). Also is it possible to do on 6 deck or only 2deck

2. This 23-35 money back on a higher dealer bust gives you how much more in expected value.

Thanks for the info

Don't know how much the 23-25 busting thing, edge wise, but it'll change the strategy. I'd imagine you'd be hitting much more frequently.

You can overcome the 6:5 HE....but you'll need a big spread. IMO, not worth it. However, it might be playable with the bust-return bet rule.

Quote: JamesDean3

Played at a Casino where they had a double deck game where Blackjack payed 6:5 but they had a rule where if you busted on a 23,24 or 25 and the dealer busted with a higher total than you, then you get your money back. Have 2 questions:

1. 6 to 5 games obviously greatly negate the counters edge but at what would your spread have to range for the counter to have an advantage or even with an insanely large spread can you not overcome the 6 to 5 rule (roughly a 1.25% disadvantage right?). Also is it possible to do on 6 deck or only 2deck

2. This 23-35 money back on a higher dealer bust gives you how much more in expected value.

Thanks for the info

Seems messy, kludgy. a strange messy mechanism trying to balance out the 6:5 rip-off mechanism. A real treat.....I'm thinking if they can pay 6:5 with that, then they can play 7:5 without that.

What happens on a double- I would be salivating at the double opportunities in this

Regular double down rules. how would you adjust your strategy?

Quote: JamesDean3

Regular double down rules. how would you adjust your strategy?

I believe what he was saying was "If I double on 12, and bust to 22, but the dealer busts higher, is my bet and double returned to me?"

This is also the first thing that came to my mind... *redacted*

To beat the 6:5 game you do need a higher spread, but not just because it's 6:5. The reason you need a higher spread is because you'll be betting bigger MUCH less frequently since you'll have to wait to like TC +4 to get rid of the 2% HE. The only time you can bet more is TC +4 or higher, which isn't nearly as frequent as TC +2, +3, obviously. Since you're betting bigger less of the time, your bigger bets need to be more to make up for it. This will jack up your variance and the volatility of the game, so I'd expect you'd need a larger than normal bankroll too... but yes, it is possible. Then you can get kicked out for spreading $10 - $300, so really not worth your time.

The extra busting rule definitely intrigues me though. PM me where you found this and I'll give you my opinion on the strategy. =)

Bust to 22 not eligible.

Quote: standbymyman

Bust to 22 not eligible.

Do you have/know any of the other actual rules? i.e. Double Down on 13, bust w/ 23, dealer bust with higher than 23, do you get your bet & double back? If you in the area I would gladly exchange some info/etc for reliable rules/information.

Can you even make such doubles? Or is it a double 10-11 only game?

On my phone...not going to try to make it to WoO to look this up & then return here to link it. But, this sounds a LOT like one of the California BJ games. Hollywood BJ or California BJ or something. I'm 95% sure there's a writeup over there.