Strategy for video blackjack?
February 16th, 2010 at 3:44:17 PM
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I prefer the much better odds in conventional blackjack table games, but sometimes I just want a free drink at the local pub. So I'm stuck playing video blackjack, which has wacky rules. Examples are: Blackjack pays even money, double allowed only on 10 or 11, split only once, no double after split. Mostly negative, right? Also: you win on any six cards and dealer stands on soft 17.
If all you want is a free drink, I think it's still the best option in front of you because of low volatility. The only problem is the lack of any strategy charts. Can anyone help?
If all you want is a free drink, I think it's still the best option in front of you because of low volatility. The only problem is the lack of any strategy charts. Can anyone help?
February 16th, 2010 at 8:16:29 PM
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BlackjackInfo.com has a basic strategy engine, so you can plug in some of those rules.
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bjbse.php
The 6-card Charlie changes your strategy a little. You'll need this strategy chart to supplement:
https://wizardofodds.com/blackjack/strategy/charlie.html
Blackjack paying even money won't change your strategy at all, but of course it significantly puts the advantage in the house's favor. You can see the positive or negative effect of those rules under "Rule Variations" here:
https://wizardofodds.com/blackjack
Blackjacks pay 1 to 1 -2.27%
Player may double on 10,11 only -0.18%
Player may not double after splitting -0.14%
Player may not resplit -0.10%
Six card Charlie +0.16%
The total house advantage for this game is probably around 2.9% (compared with <0.5% for most good table games). I'd play it for free drinks if it was nickels!
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bjbse.php
The 6-card Charlie changes your strategy a little. You'll need this strategy chart to supplement:
https://wizardofodds.com/blackjack/strategy/charlie.html
Blackjack paying even money won't change your strategy at all, but of course it significantly puts the advantage in the house's favor. You can see the positive or negative effect of those rules under "Rule Variations" here:
https://wizardofodds.com/blackjack
Blackjacks pay 1 to 1 -2.27%
Player may double on 10,11 only -0.18%
Player may not double after splitting -0.14%
Player may not resplit -0.10%
Six card Charlie +0.16%
The total house advantage for this game is probably around 2.9% (compared with <0.5% for most good table games). I'd play it for free drinks if it was nickels!
February 16th, 2010 at 8:53:10 PM
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Thanks for the good tips, especially the Charlie chart, which I didn't know existed.
I usually feed a 10 in and play for 50 cents/hand. With beer averaging 3-6 bucks and mixed drinks going for 4-10, it's at worst a break-even proposition. I'm sure the longer you play the more the odds bend to the bar.
I usually feed a 10 in and play for 50 cents/hand. With beer averaging 3-6 bucks and mixed drinks going for 4-10, it's at worst a break-even proposition. I'm sure the longer you play the more the odds bend to the bar.
February 17th, 2010 at 8:44:53 AM
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So at 2.9% at 50 cents a hand you are looking at $.0145 loss. It would take about 200 hands to get to the $3 beer and 600 hands to get to the max value drink. Given that you probably play 6 hands / minute, a drink per 1/2 hour would be fairly economical. 180 hands would cost you about $2.61.
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You want the truth! You can't handle the truth!
February 17th, 2010 at 8:58:53 AM
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I used to play a video blackjack that was by Bally and it offered the Double Up feature. I looked at it as free odds, and would usually try to double twice. I wonder what "2x odds" does to the HA?
February 17th, 2010 at 9:31:15 AM
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Yes it does. You may want to consider doubling-down if the dealer has a bust card.Quote: jeremykayBlackjack paying even money won't change your strategy at all...
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
February 17th, 2010 at 9:33:46 AM
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Quote: DJTeddyBearYes it does. You may want to consider doubling-down if the dealer has a bust card.Quote: jeremykayBlackjack paying even money won't change your strategy at all...
I don't think you can. If I remember right, most vidoe BJ games show BJ and pay you out.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
February 17th, 2010 at 9:36:26 AM
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I take that back.Quote: DJTeddyBearYes it does. You may want to consider doubling-down if the dealer has a bust card.Quote: jeremykayBlackjack paying even money won't change your strategy at all...
I forgot you were talking about a bar-top machine.
The only time I'd double on a BJ (or a soft 20) was at the $1 tables at Sahara. The BJ pays even money, so I doubled against a 5. I won.
But I did it really just to get the reaction. It really screws with people's heads. Tons of fun. It's the most entertainment you can get for a buck!
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
February 17th, 2010 at 10:13:18 AM
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Quote: DJTeddyBearThe only time I'd double on a BJ (or a soft 20) was at the $1 tables at Sahara. The BJ pays even money, so I doubled against a 5. I won.
Wow, there are actually table games in vegas where a BJ pays even money... that's just crazy!
February 17th, 2010 at 10:31:09 AM
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Yeah, Sahara. One pit is $1 tables, pays 1:1, but pays 6:5 if the bet is $5 or more. And they don't process your player's card. The other pit is $5 tables, 3:2 and they DO take the player's card. I don't remember if there were other rules differences.Quote: jeremykayWow, there are actually table games in vegas where a BJ pays even money... that's just crazy!
I only stayed there because it was close enough to the convention center, and the rooms were $26.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
February 17th, 2010 at 10:46:52 AM
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Has anybody had an experience with wagergator.com? I had a friend lose some money with them and he said their online blackjack seemed like a scam?
February 17th, 2010 at 11:33:49 AM
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Quote: gambler12288Has anybody had an experience with wagergator.com? I had a friend lose some money with them and he said their online blackjack seemed like a scam?
This is the first I've heard of them. Does your friend have any statistics to back up his allegation?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
February 17th, 2010 at 11:53:40 AM
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Quote: DJTeddyBearI take that back.Quote: DJTeddyBearYes it does. You may want to consider doubling-down if the dealer has a bust card.Quote: jeremykayBlackjack paying even money won't change your strategy at all...
I forgot you were talking about a bar-top machine.
The only time I'd double on a BJ (or a soft 20) was at the $1 tables at Sahara. The BJ pays even money, so I doubled against a 5. I won.
But I did it really just to get the reaction. It really screws with people's heads. Tons of fun. It's the most entertainment you can get for a buck!
Oh I don't know about that. You can get a $1 chip and superglue it to the sidewalk in front of Slots-A-Fun and have lots of fun watching people try to get it off.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
February 17th, 2010 at 6:39:42 PM
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Quote: AZDuffmanYou can get a $1 chip and superglue it to the sidewalk in front of Slots-A-Fun and have lots of fun watching people try to get it off.
I bet that would be a good one! Have you ever tried it? Or just speculating?
February 18th, 2010 at 8:22:12 AM
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Quote: jeremykayQuote: AZDuffmanYou can get a $1 chip and superglue it to the sidewalk in front of Slots-A-Fun and have lots of fun watching people try to get it off.
I bet that would be a good one! Have you ever tried it? Or just speculating?
I read it in a dealers stories forunm somewhere online. They used a $5 but I'd expect the same results. Next trip I may try it.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:19:36 AM
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Hey everyone...I'm pretty new to the forums. I like to play video blackjack on the IGT Game King Multi Game machines when I go to the casino. I tried the basic strategy chart and I didn't really succeed. I was wondering if anyone had any advice. Does cashing out every so often help at all to reset the computer? Are there any strategies that may work better?
Thanks,
Jake
Thanks,
Jake
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:44:50 AM
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Quote: hartmanjakeHey everyone...I'm pretty new to the forums. I like to play video blackjack on the IGT Game King Multi Game machines when I go to the casino. I tried the basic strategy chart and I didn't really succeed. I was wondering if anyone had any advice. Does cashing out every so often help at all to reset the computer? Are there any strategies that may work better?
Thanks,
Jake
A computer at a reputible place will not know if you just started playing or not. BS is your best bet. How many hands have you played at the machines?
My advice is find a live dealer if you can. While the payout is theoretically the same the game will last longer. Machines are money-suckers.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:50:28 AM
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if I remember, the IGT games are worse than the Bally ones I played on. The Bally still allowed Spliting and Doubling, but paid even money on BJ. The last time I saw the IGT Game King, there was no doubling and no splitting, plus the 1:1 BJ...Very bad, and not very fun.
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:45:28 PM
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I doubt that thats a IGT vs Ballys thing.
I'm sure that it's simply a matter of flipping a couple dip switches on the circuit board for those various rules. Hell, it might even be as simple as an on-screen administration interface.
I'm sure that it's simply a matter of flipping a couple dip switches on the circuit board for those various rules. Hell, it might even be as simple as an on-screen administration interface.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:06:25 PM
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This is true. I will say that I have NEVER seen the split or Double option on IGT, and always seen it on Bally. In fact, Caesars had the Bally Machines and the IGT Game King, and the Bally offered it, IGT did not. If anyone has ever seen IGT with Double/Split option, let me know!
