European Blackjack

Hi guys, long time lurker. Have been reading the site since 2012. Lots of great articles and learning.

I have a question regarding European blackjack in for two casinos in the Philippines that offer some interesting rules. Was wondering if the house edge could be calculated and/or how basic strategy changes are taken into consideration. Have searched the blackjack areas the wizard has posted in, but it seems that whilst the areas are covered it isn’t exactly the same.

Casino 1
European dealer one hole card blackjack
6 decks continuous shuffler
Dealer stands on soft 17
Doubles permitted only on 9-11
Player may surrender against everything but an Ace
Can split hands up to 3 times
Double after split permitted
No re-splitting or hitting aces
5 card Charlie wins automatically but only pays 1-2 (50% of original wager)

Casino 2

European dealer one hole card blackjack
6 decks continuous shuffler
Dealer stands on soft 17
Doubles permitted on any two cards
Player may surrender against everything but an Ace
Can split hands up to 3 times
Double after split permitted
No re-splitting aces permitted
No hitting of split aces permitted

Special payouts
7-7-7 same suit 2:1
7-7-7 mixed suits 3:2
6-7-8 same suit 2:1
6-7-8 mixed suits 3:2

So long story short, I’ve seen areas covered for special payouts and 5 card Charlie’s, but I assume the maths was directed to even payouts to 5 card Charlie’s.

Cheers!

Wow. Half for Charlie? That’s a new one on me.

I have no idea how to calculate it but I have a question: can you hit on a Charlie and get back to full pay?

IE. Does a winning 6 card hand get paid even money?

Quote: Backslash

No re-splitting or hitting aces

So you have to stand (or double?) any hand that's A-x? That's a big problem.

So if you hit a four-card 14 and pull a seven, you only get paid 1/2? It doesn't happen often, but that would not make me happy.

Yeah so if you bet $10, they will pay $15. The hand ends there and you take it. So obviously a good spot to consider it could be having a 5 card 17 against a 10.

So to answer your question, I am not 100% sure, but I have to say yes and assume suppose you had a 5 or 6 card 20 against a 6 you can ignore the half payout and just go for the full the payout by refusing the Charlie rule.

There is so much curiosity is in the mathematics and the perfect way of playing.

I’m sure there would be times that taking the 50% Charlie is the best course of action against certain hole cards, sometimes it’s more prudent to hit, and sometimes it’s more prudent to reject the Charlie and go for the full payout.

Cheers!

Sorry my mistake, no hitting resplit aces. Will correct original post

So in this case you can take 50% outright, and get paid, or you can wait for the dealer to play out their hand. If you wait for the dealer to play out the hand you can be paid in full if they don’t also have 21, which in that case would be a push.

But if you take the Charlie you get paid immediately.

Actually hasn’t happened to me either. Most scenarios involve me having a pretty bad 5 card like 16 against a 10 and me running away with the 50% winnings