INkyatari
INkyatari
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February 14th, 2012 at 4:32:14 PM permalink
As a low roller, It's hard for me in the Chicago area. Either I have to stroll on over to the Indiana casinos, or play some of the worst games in Illinois. And sadly, 6:5 is permeating every casino in the Illinois side of the Chicago market, and not on single deck games either, (I havent found any in the Chicago market,) but on 6 and 8 deck games at $5 and $10 minimums. I've also been reading report after report coming out of Vegas and AC where 6:5 is being forced on the patrons. Let's face it, casino greed has doomed 3:2 to the dustbin of history. Unfortunately I don't think there's anything we can do. As the Hollywood Casino in Joliet mentioned on their Facebook page where I called their 6:5 a ripoff " Our $5 blackjack tables are a big hit with our guests." As long as the ploppies play it, it's going to be the next permeation of blackjack.

As for the future of blackjack, I don't see 11:10 ever coming along. I think enough of a stink was made about 6:5 for it to ever happen. Rather, the casinos are going to start charging commissions on the game, or some other bastardization of the rules. I see ten deck continuous shuffle with no doubling or splitting allowed coming down the pike.

3:2 is dead. Long live 3:2!
FleaStiff
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February 14th, 2012 at 4:48:14 PM permalink
Maybe in Chicago it is.
Even in Hard Rock Florida there are two pits. The low limit 6;5 pit which is clearly marked and the 3:2 pit which is clearly marked and is no mid shoe entry. Yes, the 6:5 pit is popular. So are the party pits that feature variously clad girls in the other Seminole casinos. Players seem to realize they are paying for the "scenery".
NicksGamingStuff
NicksGamingStuff
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February 14th, 2012 at 4:59:32 PM permalink
All the games at Fitz are 3:2
rebelaccountant
rebelaccountant
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February 14th, 2012 at 5:03:54 PM permalink
If we had any decent "talent" down in Tunica, I might even be willing to play some of that Party Pit 6:5 BS just for the view. I guess the Southern Belles just don't want to work in the middle of nowhere.....
Hotty Toddy!!!
Wizard
Administrator
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February 14th, 2012 at 5:05:06 PM permalink
Quote: NicksGamingStuff

All the games at Fitz are 3:2



The last time I was there you were working a 6-5 table, which I refused to play.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
SOOPOO
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February 14th, 2012 at 5:11:47 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

The last time I was there you were working a 6-5 table, which I refused to play.



So Nick was paying 3:2 on a 6:5 table?
NicksGamingStuff
NicksGamingStuff
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February 14th, 2012 at 5:17:43 PM permalink
No they changed it a couple weeks ago, now everything is 3:2. They also took out their good Spanish 21 game, Blackjack Switch, and Power Blackjack. Now they only have shoe or pitch.
ikilledjerrylogan
ikilledjerrylogan
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February 14th, 2012 at 6:02:54 PM permalink
Quote: NicksGamingStuff

They also took out their good Spanish 21 game.



:'( I guess it's better that I found out like this instead of going there and trying to find it. RIP.
midwestgb
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February 14th, 2012 at 6:33:21 PM permalink
Interesting. Here in K.C., a fifth full line casino (on the KS side, finally) just opened up. It is a Hollywood/Penn National property co-owned with the state. Anyway, they are offering 3/2 games with $10 mins. It is the standard here. You can even still find $5 games here on weekdays at 3/2. Waiting for the other shoe to drop, though...
Tiltpoul
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February 14th, 2012 at 6:54:18 PM permalink
Quote: INkyatari

As a low roller, It's hard for me in the Chicago area. Either I have to stroll on over to the Indiana casinos, or play some of the worst games in Illinois. And sadly, 6:5 is permeating every casino in the Illinois side of the Chicago market, and not on single deck games either, (I havent found any in the Chicago market,) but on 6 and 8 deck games at $5 and $10 minimums. I've also been reading report after report coming out of Vegas and AC where 6:5 is being forced on the patrons. Let's face it, casino greed has doomed 3:2 to the dustbin of history. Unfortunately I don't think there's anything we can do. As the Hollywood Casino in Joliet mentioned on their Facebook page where I called their 6:5 a ripoff " Our $5 blackjack tables are a big hit with our guests." As long as the ploppies play it, it's going to be the next permeation of blackjack.



I used to play in the Chicago area a lot; it's sad to hear 6:5 is becoming a norm on the Illinois side. It doesn't surprise me; table minimums are too high for general public, and "Reservation BJ" at Hollywood Aurora never really took off except during the busiest of hours. The casinos can't offer lower minimums at lower house edges since the taxes are too high. At least $5 players don't have to drive all the way to Indiana now...

Saddest part is the Chicago area had some of the best BJ games in the country... Harrah's Joliet used to offer 6-deck, S17, RSA Allowed, no Surrender with good penetration. The dealers were efficient and the hotel was nice. Alas, as the economy drops, they have to figure out a way to get their money.

Quote: midwestgb

Interesting. Here in K.C., a fifth full line casino (on the KS side, finally) just opened up. It is a Hollywood/Penn National property co-owned with the state. Anyway, they are offering 3/2 games with $10 mins. It is the standard here. You can even still find $5 games here on weekdays at 3/2. Waiting for the other shoe to drop, though...



I'm sure the Hollywood looks just like all the other new Hollywoods.... but how is the casino? I used to live in KC, and I would think that property will do well. How's Argosy holding up too?
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
midwestgb
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February 14th, 2012 at 7:12:33 PM permalink
Quote: Tiltpoul



I'm sure the Hollywood looks just like all the other new Hollywoods.... but how is the casino? I used to live in KC, and I would think that property will do well. How's Argosy holding up too?




The new casino is nice, gorgeous in fact. I have found their VP to be excellent by K.C. standards. The dealers currently are pretty raw, though they did bring in reasonably experienced supervisory staff from the surrounding competition. Argosy is its sister establishment and they have created a joint player club card for these two properties.

Argosy is holding up fine. They recarpeted in the past six months... And it remains in very good hands. I am a fan of the place; the dealers there are extraordinarily friendly and professional IMO. Just don't hope to conquer their slots... ;-)
AcesAndEights
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February 15th, 2012 at 12:28:55 PM permalink
Quote: INkyatari

3:2 is dead. Long live 3:2!

I don't understand the title of this thread. Usually the phrase "X is dead; long live X!" has two parts...the first part about how X is dwindling, less significant, etc.; and the second part where X is resurgent for some reason.

Your post doesn't have the second part, which I agree is sad :(
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boymimbo
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February 15th, 2012 at 1:01:12 PM permalink
Niagara Falls, Ontario is all 3:2
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thefish2010
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February 15th, 2012 at 1:24:13 PM permalink
Quote: INkyatari

As a low roller, It's hard for me in the Chicago area. Either I have to stroll on over to the Indiana casinos, or play some of the worst games in Illinois. And sadly, 6:5 is permeating every casino in the Illinois side of the Chicago market, and not on single deck games either, (I havent found any in the Chicago market,) but on 6 and 8 deck games at $5 and $10 minimums. I've also been reading report after report coming out of Vegas and AC where 6:5 is being forced on the patrons. Let's face it, casino greed has doomed 3:2 to the dustbin of history. Unfortunately I don't think there's anything we can do. As the Hollywood Casino in Joliet mentioned on their Facebook page where I called their 6:5 a ripoff " Our $5 blackjack tables are a big hit with our guests." As long as the ploppies play it, it's going to be the next permeation of blackjack.

As for the future of blackjack, I don't see 11:10 ever coming along. I think enough of a stink was made about 6:5 for it to ever happen. Rather, the casinos are going to start charging commissions on the game, or some other bastardization of the rules. I see ten deck continuous shuffle with no doubling or splitting allowed coming down the pike.

3:2 is dead. Long live 3:2!



Although it varies somewhat depending on the other rules, 6:5 increases the house advantage by roughly 5x on a typical blackjack game. People don't realize how big of a difference it makes - a $10 bet on 6:5 will net the same profit to the casino that a $50 bet on 3:2 does. If you are a basic strategy player and 3:2 is available at, for example, $25 minimums, your theoretical loss will be considerably less playing $25 at 3:2 than it would be playing $10 at 6:5 (although admittedly you will have higher variance). If you are a counter looking for an edge, then 6:5 isn't even an option, and you just need to save a bigger bankroll to head to the higher limit games that have 3:2.

6:5 isn't really blackjack. It raises the house advantage to the point where it falls into the category of carnival game. There truly is no point in playing it.
Tiltpoul
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February 15th, 2012 at 1:37:47 PM permalink
Quote: thefish2010

6:5 isn't really blackjack. It raises the house advantage to the point where it falls into the category of carnival game. There truly is no point in playing it.



While I agree that 6:5 isn't really blackjack, it raises the house edge to somewhere around 1.5%. With counting, you could theoretically bring this edge down to 1%, but then what's the point? However, most carnival games have a HE of AT LEAST 2.5% if not more, so to call it a carnival game is still a bit of a misnomer. While I don't like the trend at all, eventually it's what all casinos will be offering, and 3:2 will be as rare as the better Pairs Plus table on 3-card. If people stop playing 6:5 BJ (which is the only way to eliminate the trend) the casinos will just minimize the number of BJ tables. It's already happening in the Midwest. Ameristar CB eliminated about 6 tables, and didn't add any new BJ tables.
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
Paigowdan
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February 15th, 2012 at 1:38:28 PM permalink
I would not be surprised if "2-thru-6" or "Double win" blackjack gets a look from someone.

It's just regular Blackjack, but the players' blackjacks pays 2:1 when the dealer has a bust card of 6 or less up, and even money when its 7 or higher. It averages close to 3:2, but the dealer's up card value tends to follow the true count, so BJ payouts are reduced ("re-deuced?") when the count is high, and increased when the count is negative.

Love the concept.....
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Nareed
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February 15th, 2012 at 1:40:49 PM permalink
Quote: Tiltpoul

While I don't like the trend at all, eventually it's what all casinos will be offering, and 3:2 will be as rare as the better Pairs Plus table on 3-card.



Extinct? Not very reassuring.

I think 3:2 will wind up at high limit rooms, along with single-zero ruolette.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
Tiltpoul
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February 15th, 2012 at 1:47:39 PM permalink
Quote: Nareed

Extinct? Not very reassuring.



I should rephrase that... it will be more and more difficult to find casinos offering 3:2 BJ, but I don't think it will become extinct. There are certain gaming jurisdictions that will never allow 6:5 BJ, but I've got to think that they'll find ways of getting around it. I also think while there will always be a market for the game, it will take up less and less floorspace, since casinos know they can put in a poker-based game with higher payouts and a higher hold.

3:2 Bj will get relegated to the Shufflemaster machines, some of which are also paying out 6:5 these days...
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
P90
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February 15th, 2012 at 1:51:33 PM permalink
Quote: thefish2010

If you are a counter looking for an edge, then 6:5 isn't even an option, and you just need to save a bigger bankroll to head to the higher limit games that have 3:2.


In part due to this, most all amateur counters are heavily underbankrolled. Kelly Criterion dictates that you should bet a fraction of your bankroll approximately proportional to your advantage. In a typical game, the maximum momentary advantage you can expect to encounter is 2%, and typically you operate between 0.5% and 1%.

That should be your bet, 0.5% to 2% of the bankroll. And that's not the base bet - that's the high bet. If you're spreading 1-20(max), the base bet is $25, operating bets are $100 up to $500, and your bankroll has to be $25,000. That's bankroll for this game, which you can afford to lose, reload and play again. You can expect to bust it about once a month; of course you're expected to make two over the same period.


Quote: Paigowdan

I would not be surprised if "2-thru-6" or "Double win" blackjack gets a look from someone.

Counting would have to see a significant resurgence for savings from such a move to be worth even the cost of replacing the felts, much less the loss of business.
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Ibeatyouraces
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February 15th, 2012 at 1:56:34 PM permalink
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DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
Nareed
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February 15th, 2012 at 2:20:03 PM permalink
Quote: Tiltpoul

I should rephrase that... it will be more and more difficult to find casinos offering 3:2 BJ, but I don't think it will become extinct.



I thought the good paytable for Pair+ was extinct, ergo my comment.

I don't play BJ, so 3:2 or 6:5 seemingly doesn't affect me. I say seemingly, because it marks a generalized trend in the industry. Good VP is harder to find, as is the aforementioned Pair+ table, triple for 2 and 12 on the field (or even 2 or 12), and so on. Next thing you know there will be triple zero roulette, Straight+ side bet, 2X odds as standard in the Strip...

I can't do much about BJ. I already boycott the 6:5 game, but my intensive boycott of soccer has achieved similar results <w> I can do something about VP, Pair+ and Craps, though, which is to play the better games whenever possible.

But let me tell you something. Last trip i played 3CP without side bets (mostly), and I was always the lone sensible gambler not playing the sucker bets. Always.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
buzzpaff
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February 15th, 2012 at 2:23:32 PM permalink
Quote: Ibeatyouraces

One casino I go to had six 6:5 games and now only have two of them. In another those tables are hardly ever open.



The key worsd are hardly ever open. If the casino drew more BJ players, those table would be open. It's all about what the market will bear,
Ibeatyouraces
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February 15th, 2012 at 2:31:57 PM permalink
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buzzpaff
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February 15th, 2012 at 2:34:07 PM permalink
That seems to justify my prior statement. Need to given the suckers a better break during the week versus weekends, Just like 5 times point on Tuesdays. LOL
Ibeatyouraces
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February 15th, 2012 at 2:43:10 PM permalink
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Ibeatyouraces
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February 15th, 2012 at 2:49:06 PM permalink
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bigfoot66
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February 15th, 2012 at 2:59:31 PM permalink
I have noticed something of a trend here, especially in downtown Vegas. It used to be that the single deck games would be 6/5 and the shoe games would be 3/2. It seems now that its just the opposite. The double deck games will have a $10 minimum and be 3/2, whereas the shoe game will be 6/5 and have a $3 or $5 minimum. To me, this is a happy equilibrium. Have some sucker games out there at $3 a shot where people don't have to worry about handling the cards or getting yelled at for using 2 hands but they still get a free beer. To me this is a fine compromise. Have a few really good games and a bunch of garbage games.
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buzzpaff
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February 15th, 2012 at 3:18:26 PM permalink
Quote: NicksGamingStuff

No they changed it a couple weeks ago, now everything is 3:2. They also took out their good Spanish 21 game, Blackjack Switch, and Power Blackjack. Now they only have shoe or pitch.



Just as a point of curiousity, are the tables 5, 6 or 7 places. ?And average number of player hands dealt per hour?

At the Isle in Blackhawk the dealers averaged 450-650 hands per hour depending on the game, pitch, shoe, multi-action etc. At the time Colorada was max $5
bet. Blackhawk dealers were always 20-30 % hands dealt higher than the other Isle properties at similar games. It must have been much easier with $5 max bets as the dealers sure as hell were not that good. Pip placement was terrible and paying with dirty money was the standard, not the exception.

Anybody got figures on spaces at table and guesstimates on hands per hour at full table, especially pitch ??
Boz
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February 15th, 2012 at 3:41:27 PM permalink
I think it will still always be around in places like Downtown where they will use it as a tool to bring players in. AC stiill has a decent amount of 3/2, yet they average over 10% hold each month from BJ. People still dont play proper stategy or use good Money Management so the "less than 1%" house edge is meaningless.
bigfoot66
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February 15th, 2012 at 5:56:25 PM permalink
I dont feel too bad for people who choose not to practice basic strategy. I mean if you want to double on an 8 bc the dealer has a 4 go for it.
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INkyatari
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February 25th, 2012 at 6:10:43 AM permalink
I got on a local radio station recently after the host said he went to vegas, and explained how 6:5 blackjack is a bad bet. I then told people to stay away from the 6:5 game at the Hollywood Casino, JOliet.


I doubt people listened.
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