Playtech Cashback Blackjack
September 8th, 2024 at 7:31:33 AM
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The new Playtech Cashback Blackjack is a normal blackjack game with side bets and an option to surrender your hand for a dynamically adjusted cashback amount at any point where there is still a player decision pending. It is available as an online live-dealer game. The help screen does not mention how Playtech calculates the cashback offer. I immediately assumed that this was a sucker option. I played a few hands to test how fair the cashback offers were once you surrender a hand. It seems they give a 3% haircut to all cashback offers relative to the true EV of the situation.
This 3% haircut is not as bad as the house edge on the side bets, but it is on top of the house edge for the main game.
Just say no.
| Board | Cashback | Actual EV |
|---|---|---|
| A9 vs 2 | $1.59 | $1.64 |
| 245 vs 3 | $1.23 | $1.27 |
| 26 vs 3 | $0.87 | $0.89 |
| 86 vs 9 | $0.55 | $0.57 |
This 3% haircut is not as bad as the house edge on the side bets, but it is on top of the house edge for the main game.
Just say no.
Gambling is a math contest where the score is tracked in dollars. Try not to get a negative score.
