Basic Strategy for Weird Variant

Hi guys,

I noticed on an online site a terrible version of blackjack. Dealer wins all pushes and in return you get 4 to 1 on suited blackjacks. They do offer even money when dealer shows an ace. I’m curious what basic strategy would be on a terrible game like this. It says RTP is 93.47%

Does a player five-card hand (not exceeding 21) pay 2 to 1 ?

I don’t believe so. Split only once. Stand on 17

Fo you get 3 to 2 on non-suited naturals, or 1 to 1?

3 to 2

Quote: dory364

Hi guys,

I noticed on an online site a terrible version of blackjack. Dealer wins all pushes and in return you get 4 to 1 on suited blackjacks. They do offer even money when dealer shows an ace. I’m curious what basic strategy would be on a terrible game like this. It says RTP is 93.47%
link to original post

dory364,

Stanford Wong's Professional Blackjack, Table 49, gives Basic Strategy for Dealer Wins Ties. After the table Wong writes:

Quote:

There are several prominent differences from generic basic strategy when ties lose. You double down less, split less, and surrender more. You are less likely to hit a stiff, except that seventeen against an ace should be hit if it cannot be surrendered. Try to deal this game rather than play it, because winning ties gives the dealer 8.8%.

The last line made me chuckle.

As for the 4:1 on suited BJs, since one-fourth of BJs are suited, and BJs appear about every 21 rounds (the actual frequency depends on the number of decks), on average you'll set a suited BJ once per 84 rounds. Each one gives you an "extra" 2.5 bets (over the usual 1.5 you get for a regular BJ), so this rule is worth +2.5/84 = +0.0298, or nearly 3% for the player.

Thus, these two rules combined change the RTP by 3% - 8.8% = -5.8%.

Hope this helps!

Dog Hand

This work is very academic! With accurate citation and reasonable numbers.

Yep, that setup’s brutal. Feels like no matter what you do, the dealer ends up winning