Bahama Bonus Blackjack

Proving once again that there is nothing new under the sun, ShuffleMaster's clone of Spanish 21, called Bahama Bonus Blackjack, is starting to pop up here in Washington.

Here's a link to the official rules, but it appears to me that the only differences between it and Spanish 21 is that you only get one card on split aces, and the Super Bonus only ever pays $1000, never $5000. Am I missing anything else?

Even Players Edge 21 has the mechanic of a player's suited-pair 20 beating a dealer blackjack, even if no casinos actually use that rule.

Quote: Deucekies

Proving once again that there is nothing new under the sun, ShuffleMaster's clone of Spanish 21, called Bahama Bonus Blackjack, is starting to pop up here in Washington.

Here's a link to the official rules, but it appears to me that the only differences between it and Spanish 21 is that you only get one card on split aces, and the Super Bonus only ever pays $1000, never $5000. Am I missing anything else?

Even Players Edge 21 has the mechanic of a player's suited-pair 20 beating a dealer blackjack, even if no casinos actually use that rule.

Yep, your analysis is spot on. One small unfavorable rule change on split aces, but this is Spanish 21.

Quote: Deucekies

...it appears to me that the only differences between it and Spanish 21 is that you only get one card on split aces, and the Super Bonus only ever pays $1000, never $5000. Am I missing anything else?...

I think all player 21's win with Spanish 21, even against a dealer BJ, right?

https://wizardofodds.com/games/spanish-21/


" Player 21 beats a Dealer 21 (but not a Dealer Blackjack)." According to the link you posted
Here's a link to the official rules,

Update (about 1148 pm Pac Time)

I may have made a mistake with this reply, as I was thinking about "Australian Pontoon", with Spanish 21 I am not sure if the dealer peeks for BJ or not?

It's really odd to see Shuffle Master copy a full game. They are usually the victim, because the copying company (Galaxy) will charge much less, and doesn't have the price integrity of Shufflemaster. Side bets are a different story.

What purpose does a casino see in using Bahama Bonus without the name brand of Spanish 21 and the almost assuredly higher price than Spanish 21? There has to be something more to it. Is there a progressive attached? I feel like we must be missing something.

Quote: SM777

It's really odd to see Shuffle Master copy a full game. They are usually the victim, because the copying company (Galaxy) will charge much less, and doesn't have the price integrity of Shufflemaster. Side bets are a different story.

What purpose does a casino see in using Bahama Bonus without the name brand of Spanish 21 and the almost assuredly higher price than Spanish 21? There has to be something more to it. Is there a progressive attached? I feel like we must be missing something.

I would guess it's vendor-driven.

If they ask for a game (such as Spanish 21), and have a master contract with SHFL to provide all table games, then I can see SHFL providing a clone so the casino can offer it.

Short of that, idk.

Quote: SM777

Is there a progressive attached? I feel like we must be missing something.

Yes, if you click the approved rules link, the third version is a progressive version with Nexus Command.

A suited pair is the lowest pay event, up to a same color 4 of a kind for the 100%.

I wonder if the 678 bonuses will be paid on split pairs? The way the rules are written, it does not prohibit that.

Also, what does the wording about the $50 envy bonus mean when it says the bonus will be multiplied by the wager? Does that mean if I bet $100 and another player gets the $1000 bonus, I will receive $5000?

Dog Hand

Bahama Bonus Blackjack has replaced Players Edge 21 at all Maverick Gaming properties in WA state, which is most of them.

According to Wizard's Spanish 21 site, no draw to split aces adds 0.29% to the house edge, raising it from 0.42% to 0.71%.

To answer some of the above questions, the "Super Bonus" is always $1000, and the envy is always $50. My understanding is that it is $50 per player, but it's possible some casinos will pay two envies to a player betting on two spots.

The 678, 777, and 5+ card 21 bonuses are indeed paid after splitting, but not doubling. This has long been the standard in WA state.

As for why the casino would opt for Bahama Bonus, my understanding is that it is in fact less expensive than Players Edge 21.

What is the right Basic Strategy table to use with Bahama Bonus?

Quote: craigrow

What is the right Basic Strategy table to use with Bahama Bonus?
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Use the Spanish 21 strategy based on the number of decks in the shoe.