Stupid Blackjack Play?

I would assume this is a terrible play, but would like to know how bad. Player playing Blackjack with Dealer hit S17, double any two cards, split to 4 hands, BJ 3-2, no surrender. Player also playing "Push Your Luck (Tie bet) side bet that pays 10-1 on a tie.

Anytime the player gets a blackjack he doesn't want 3-2 payout. He went to go for the tie.

He wants to either Stand if he can and just have 21.
Or
Double if he can and take one card.
Or
Hit if he can and hopefully hit to 17-21 (or bust).

This must be bad not taking the 3-2 right?


ZCore13

If both the player and dealer have Blackjack, the result is a push (tie): neither the player nor the bank wins and the bet is returned to the player.

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Is it technically possible to hit 21 in blackjack?
Yes, you can hit 21. If you're in a game where the cards are dealt face down, the dealer doesn't know what you've got and will do as you ask. If the cards are dealt face up you won't get the chance, because as soon as you show 21 the dealer will move on to the player on your left.
https://www.quora.com/Is-it-technically-possible-to-hit-21-in-blackjack

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The side bet wager may be no more than half your bet on the main game. If you split pairs, you must make additional bets on both the main game and the side bet. If you double down, you may not double the side bet.

That makes Push Your Luck a good addition to the game. Getting the most out of it requires adapting basic strategy to account for tie possibilities. For example, without the tie bet, you'd split 6s against dealer up cards from 2 through 6. With a Push Your Luck bet, the better strategy is to split 6s only against a dealer 6.
https://www.atlanticcityweekly.com/blogs/gaming_guru/the-skinny-on-blackjack/article_16c1d79b-3846-55c3-9893-d63439462188.html

It may or may not be a stupid play...... but it is stupid TO play! Since you are already playing a -EV base game, by needing to change strategy you are increasing the -EV on the base game. I detest games where you have to play against your own best interests....

Quote: ChumpChange

...The side bet wager may be no more than half your bet on the main game...

If the player does bet 1/2 of his main bet on the side, I find that calling a blackjack a regular 21 vs dealer's 2, 3, or 4 would be better than being paid 3 to 2 on his main bet and losing his side bet. My infinite-deck EV's are 1.038, 1.023, and 1.007 vs 2, 3, and 4, respectively. (These numbers are greater than the sum of 3/2 bet for the main and - 1/2 bet for the side, which equals 1.)

If the player was allowed to bet big on the side and did, he should always call his blackjacks regular 21. (And he wouldn't hit because busting would make him lose the big side bet. Also, he wouldn't double down because his less-than-17's would lose big on the side, too.)

Quote: ChesterDog

If the player does bet 1/2 of his main bet on the side, I find that calling a blackjack a regular 21 vs dealer's 2, 3, or 4 would be better than being paid 3 to 2 on his main bet and losing his side bet. My infinite-deck EV's are 1.038, 1.023, and 1.007 vs 2, 3, and 4, respectively. (These numbers are greater than the sum of 3/2 bet for the main and - 1/2 bet for the side, which equals 1.)

If the player was allowed to bet big on the side and did, he should always call his blackjacks regular 21. (And he wouldn't hit because busting would make him lose the big side bet. Also, he wouldn't double down because his less-than-17's would lose big on the side, too.)

And then obviously even better with a Dealer 5 or 6. So it would be a good move by the player if only done on Dealer bust cards.


ZCore13

Quote: Zcore13

And then obviously even better with a Dealer 5 or 6. So it would be a good move by the player if only done on Dealer bust cards.


ZCore13

No. I think the dealer is less likely to make a 21 with a 5 or 6 up card than with a 2, 3 or 4.

Quote: unJon

No. I think the dealer is less likely to make a 21 with a 5 or 6 up card than with a 2, 3 or 4.

Ah yes, the complete opposite of busting. Got it. Thanks.


ZCore13

Quote: ChesterDog

If the player does bet 1/2 of his main bet on the side, I find that calling a blackjack a regular 21 vs dealer's 2, 3, or 4 would be better than being paid 3 to 2 on his main bet and losing his side bet. My infinite-deck EV's are 1.038, 1.023, and 1.007 vs 2, 3, and 4, respectively. (These numbers are greater than the sum of 3/2 bet for the main and - 1/2 bet for the side, which equals 1.)

If the player was allowed to bet big on the side and did, he should always call his blackjacks regular 21. (And he wouldn't hit because busting would make him lose the big side bet. Also, he wouldn't double down because his less-than-17's would lose big on the side, too.)

I also agree with you