Blackjack Switch

Have just been reading about BJ Switch and was wondering how much the house edge would change, if it would, when the casino uses an automatic shuffler. Also, if there are any variations where the casino only deals themselves one card at the initial deal. If there are, how does that affect the edge?

There is a version of BJ Switch where the house does not take a hole card, called "Russian Rules" of BJ Switch. The Russian Rules version also has dealer stand on S17, and allows surrender against an ace. The house edge with Russian Rules is 0.20%.

With what I assume are "American/U.K./Las Vegas" rules where it is played heavily in casinos, the house edge is 0.58% with 6 decks in a shoe, and 0.60% with 8 decks in a shoe. Since the house edge is calculated from a shoe deal where the shoe deal is weighted at a "0 true count" on average, then the CSM ("Continuous Shuffler Machine") - which is naturally weighted to a zero count that behaves like an infinite deck, and which a large shoe of a 0 count does also, then I assume that the house edge would be on par with the large shoe deals, about 0.60%. Most CSM shuffle machines use 6 decks.

1. Does Mike or Stacy or another math master want to chime in?
2. the link to the WOO math page is Blackjack Switch

In the UK they stand on soft 17 but take no hole card, doubles/splits lose the lot. From what I've seen: switched Blackjacks count as 21, sometimes BJ vs A can take Even Money, sometimes dealt BJs can't be switched. There's no concept of surrender on any Blackjack games in UK. I'm not sure about split Aces re-splitting, but most casinos now allow it on normal BJ, so probably would. Everybody allows re-splitting and DDAS (except split Aces get one card each or can re-split). It's been a while since I played but I suspect it's six decks from a shoe.

As an aside the law was changed to allow casinos to hit soft 17s provided it was clearly displayed. Personally I've never seen a casino do it, probably because everyone would go elsewhere. I have seen "only doubling on 9-11" (the old rule) occasionally, because it's not so obvious - though personally I should have thought it was better for the casino to allow any double, since more people do crazy things than they lose on allowing soft doubles.

Quote: MikeChch

Have just been reading about BJ Switch and was wondering how much the house edge would change, if it would, when the casino uses an automatic shuffler. Also, if there are any variations where the casino only deals themselves one card at the initial deal. If there are, how does that affect the edge?

The CSM's don't really make any difference to the EV - a slight benefit for the player but it is slight.

One card to the dealer (ENHC) is played in the UK. The effect is around -0.1% to the house for this rule. However, the casinos stand on Soft 17 in the UK so that helps out and gives back 0.39% to the player.

Overall the UK house edge is 0.28% dropping to 0.19% if they allow you to take even money on Blackjacks verses a dealer Ace.

Switch

Is this the normal game in the UK or is Wiz's info not updated.

Six decks (this chart is also accurate for 4 or 8 decks)
Dealer stands on soft 17
Player may only double on hard totals of 9-11
Player may double after a split
No-peek (player loses total bet, including after doubling or splitting, if dealer has blackjack)

The house edge under this rules is 0.62%.


And not hitting soft 17 I believe is only 0.22 %

Just asking, not arguing!

I'm guessing the most representative rules would allow any 2-card double, resplit incl Aces. I'm not sure about 4-decks or 6 - some casinos use shoes and others use machines, I'll try and check next time I see it.