Show with Goeff Hall, our own Switch.
Free Bet sounds like a feature that I think will be received as well as "Switching" is in BJ Switch!
The 'Free Bet Blackjack' field trial should start around mid-June at The Golden Nugget. I'm heading there on the 7th ready to start the training sometime after.
Quote: RogerKintGreat news. I'll be downtown mid-June to try it out. The free bet only applies to 9-11 but is the player able to buy other double bets? Is it correct that the free bet in splitting situations applies to all pairs except for cards with values of ten?
Hi Roger,
The 'Free Bet' applies to any number of cards that make up hard 9, 10 or 11 (i.e. 2, 3, 2, 4).
The player can double on any 2 cards with his own money i.e. soft doubles
All pairs can be split except 10-value and 4's.
If you see me training, or watching, the game then stop by and say 'Hi'.
Quote: HunterhillCan`t split 4`s whats up with that.Was that needed to make the house edge high enough?
Sort of, yes.
Allowing splitting all but face cards still gave a higher edge than I wanted.
So I included free doubling on 9, 10 & 11 with any number of cards. Now the edge was too low.
So I excluded the 4's as most players (hopefully) won't mind - that gave the desired house edge.
Quote: SwitchSo I included free doubling on 9, 10 & 11 with any number of cards. Now the edge was too low.
No such thing ;)
It kind of reminds me of Spanish 21 but the free bet will be very attractive to the casual gambler. Brilliant. I finally have a reason to step foot in the Golden too-rich-for-me Nugget.
---
What the hell was Bob thinking?
Towards the end of the show, you were talking about the eclipse, and then talked about the Total Eclipse in 2017.
Bob, for whatever reason, made a comment that New Years Day is 7 days after Christmas, so that it always falls on the same day of the week. So far so good. Then he said that in 2017, they will NOT be on the same day of the week.
I'm like, "What???"
I started to think about leap year, and think that maybe he meant that the New Year's Day at the START of the year is usually on the same day of the week as Christmas that coming December, and leap year would throw that off, but that's not the case. Normally, it's a day of the week apart, and on leap year, it's TWO days of the week apart.
So I ask again, What was Bob thinking?
I also thought "Why didn't Mike challenge that?" But, maybe Mike simply didn't catch the error, or that he still feels it's Bob's show, and that such a challenge would be bad manners. Whatever....
Quote: bigfoot66I honestly think this is a really good idea. I generally am unimpressed with the new table games I hear about here, but I can really see this one working even better than blackjack switch. Good luck. I hope you make big piles of the crazy neon European money from Free Bet BJ ;)
Thanks bigfoot66, I hope you're right :-)
When I hear any feedback on 'Blackjack Switch', the main gripe seems to be the 1/1 payout on 'Blackjack' The other I hear is that some players feel that the casino double up their edge by making you play 2 hands - obviously you have to have 2 hands to get the 'Switch' ... it wasn't designed to force the player to double his exposure.
'Free Bet Blackjack' avoids the 1/1 'Blackjack' and players only play 1 hand as in the regular game. I'm banking my hopes on the fact that it is closer to regular Blackjack - I will find out soon what the reaction will be as The Golden Nugget will be installing the game on trial sometime in June.
Quote: DJTeddyBearGreat show. Good stuff Geoff!
---
Thanks DJ !
Quote: DJTeddyBearI also thought "Why didn't Mike challenge that?" But, maybe Mike simply didn't catch the error, or that he still feels it's Bob's show, and that such a challenge would be bad manners. Whatever....
I was caught off guard by the comment and was confused by it. As I recall, I was not sure I heard him right, and didn't want to slow down the show by challenging something I wasn't sure about. Perhaps he was referring to the Chinese or Jewish new year, which probably have something to do with the cycle of the moon. Talking about eclipses may have caused him to think about that.
Quote: UCivanSwitch, is "Free Bet Blackjack" a Shufflemaster's game or your own? "Blackjack Switch" indeed is SHFL's now, right? Hope you get a good deal with BJ Switch, I believe that you developed the market yourself first then let SHFL to distribute.
Both 'Blackjack Switch' and 'Free Bet Blackjack' are my own games and both are licensed to Shuffle Master exclusively. However, I will still keep 'Free Bet' in Nevada so will be keen to see how it progresses at The Nugget shortly.
It made sense to license Shuffle Master with all of my 'Push 22' concepts as they have the ability to enter any market quickly. My relationship with Roger Snow has always been good but I believe it's as strong as every now - I have a lot of time and respect for him. As long as he and John Hemberger remain there I feel that my new games will get every chance to succeed.
Quote: SwitchThanks bigfoot66, I hope you're right :-)
When I hear any feedback on 'Blackjack Switch', the main gripe seems to be the 1/1 payout on 'Blackjack' The other I hear is that some players feel that the casino double up their edge by making you play 2 hands - obviously you have to have 2 hands to get the 'Switch' ... it wasn't designed to force the player to double his exposure.
'Free Bet Blackjack' avoids the 1/1 'Blackjack' and players only play 1 hand as in the regular game. I'm banking my hopes on the fact that it is closer to regular Blackjack - I will find out soon what the reaction will be as The Golden Nugget will be installing the game on trial sometime in June.
I believe this is absolutely correct. I think the casino will also benefit from people deviating from appropriate strategy by doubling/splitting too liberally. I also sometimes want to make a big bet and never do at a BJ table for fear of getting a double or split hand, I will be more willing to be more bet more at this game. (although I guess there are still a limited number of double/split situations where one has to double using his own money). I assume that BS for this game calls for much more liberal doubling and splitting...
The 2 hands requirement for Switch is not really that big of a deal , though I guess perception is more important than reality here: If people don't like it that's all that matters. Players should be more concerned about the changes in basic strategy that occur in a BJ switch game versus regular BJ...
Quote: bigfoot66... I assume that BS for this game calls for much more liberal doubling and splitting...
Yes, you should actually 'free' split and double at all times.
Quote: UCivanDo you have the count (%) of "net pushes" for BJ Switch? Is it higher than the regular BJ?
It's an interesting point as, quite often, you increase the strength of one hand but weaken the other.
I haven't got the % figure but I would like to know what it was.
Quote: DJTeddyBearWhat the hell was Bob thinking?
I wrote to Bob about it by Email. Here is his reply, which I'm sure he wouldn't mind me posting.
Quote: Bob DancerYou are correct that Christmas and New Year's never fall on the same day in a calendar year --- but do fall on the same day in a holiday season. 2017 isn't "special" in that respect, nor is any other year.
I threw it out as something to think about. I reviewed what I said and believe I spoke correctly. The first time I clearly mentioned "7 days later" and the second time I said "same calendar year."
That's clear enough to differentiate between them. Not everybody is aware of this oldie-but-goodie. We can talk about it on the air next week. If you still believe I mis-spoke or otherwise erred, we can discuss it live.
The significant part starts at 50:10. Here's a transcript:
Mike: "I want to remind you that this is gonna nothing compared to the total eclipse that's going to cut from Oregon to South Carolina in August of 2017, so be sure to mark your calendars."
Bob: "For sure although my calendar doesn't go that late. Um, it was interesting, like, on our... The last whatever day Christmas is gonna be, on this December, New Years is gonna be 7 days later, it's gonna be on the same day of the week. But in 2017, which is when the eclipse is, Christmas that year and New Years that year will be on different days. So you may want to think about that one."
The key parts are highlighted.
In yellow: By twice saying "that year," it implies he's talking about the calendar year, so, yeah, he's correct that they are on different days. But who talks about Christmas and New Years, in that sequence, while talking about the same year?
In green: By saying "But in 2017," he is implying that 2017 is somehow different than other years.
Quote: HunterhillSo you are saying it would even be correct to double 9 vs a 10 orAce upcard,or split 6`s vs a 10 etc...
Yes, all the above are correct splits and doubles in 'Free Bet'.
The splits sort of make sense as a hand of '6' is slightly better than '12' so by splitting 6, 6 you have a slightly better hand but you also have 100% of your initial bet matched by the casino.
The 9 verses Ace seems counter-intuitive but, by doubling, an 8, 9, 10 or Ace you would 'stand' anyway (except you now win twice the amount of your original bet). I assume that the extra unit won with these hands more than compensate for the times when you would have drawn, say 4, 8 if you hadn't doubled.
I am going on record right now, Free Bet BJ will have more tables installed than BJ Switch by Memorial Day of 2015!
Quote: HunterhillThanks Geoff, this is an interesting concept. What would the house edge be if someone played perfect basic for this game? I would think against most players the edge will be over 1% as they will not adjust their strategy .
I suppose you could break it down into strategy against the 'Push 22' and strategy with the free doubles and splits.
If you play regular basic strategy against the 'Push 22' then it costs you 0.23% (I know that from the 'Switch' game).
In order to find out the cost of not playing the correct 'Free Bet' strategy then you would have to find out the cost in ev for each double, or split, that you would not do.
I think that the splits would be quite costly and, in fairness, I think that most players would see that splitting 3, 3 (with an extra unit paid for) is better than playing '6' against all dealer up-cards.
For doubles, then the ones to look at IMO are:-
9 vs 9, 10, A (maybe 7 & 8 as well)
10 vs 10 & A
11 vs A (maybe?)
So possibly 6 or 8 deviations from correct strategy - if I get some time I may look at the different ev's and see what the overall cost to the player is for each wrong decision.
Quote: ParadigmSwitch, with all this chatter and positive reaction......you better hold on to your seat, I think you are in for quite a ride with Free Bet BJ!!!
I am going on record right now, Free Bet BJ will have more tables installed than BJ Switch by Memorial Day of 2015!
I'll make a note of that statement Paradigm - I hope you're right because 'Free Bet' gets a lot of installations rather than 'Switch' losing a lot of installations :-)
I'll try and update this site with any new installations that may follow after The Nugget trial.
I'm training at The Nugget tomorrow and 'Free Bet' will go live next Wednesday 20th June.
Fingers crossed :-) ... ... ...
What is GN pulling out for Free Bet? I know they had Texas Hold'em Plus Deluxe from Gaming Network and with its dissolution, I assume that game is gone.
Quote: SwitchI'm training at The Nugget tomorrow and 'Free Bet' will go live next Wednesday 20th June.
May I come by around 7:00 PM to be among the first to play?
GN also has Three Card Holdem, another Gaming Network's game. It's still there.Quote: ParadigmWhat is GN pulling out for Free Bet? I know they had Texas Hold'em Plus Deluxe from Gaming Network and with its dissolution, I assume that game is gone.
Quote: UCivanGN also has Three Card Holdem, another Gaming Network's game. It's still there.
Not for long ... I believe that's the game that 'Free bet' replaces although it could be for a DD Blackjack game as well.
Quote: WizardMay I come by around 7:00 PM to be among the first to play?
Absolutely !
Quote: ParadigmExcellent.....my money is on the side that players like it a lot!
What is GN pulling out for Free Bet? I know they had Texas Hold'em Plus Deluxe from Gaming Network and with its dissolution, I assume that game is gone.
I've had an excellent reaction from the dealers today so I'm hoping that the players will be as positive when the game starts next week.
3 card hold'em and a DD blackjack table are to be replaced by 'Free Bet' and another Blackjack game.
Quote: DJTeddyBearCool! Best of luck!
Thanks DJ !!!
Quote: SwitchI've had an excellent reaction from the dealers today so I'm hoping that the players will be as positive when the game starts next week.
Please keep us updated.....I like this as your best BJ variant post BJ Switch.
'Free Bet' will go live tomorrow at 2pm ... I will be there for most of the day, including the evening, in case anyone drops in and wants to see the game.
I'll be the one standing in the pit with my fingers crossed :-)
I think that The Wizard is turning up around 9pm and Roger Snow will be there at some point. Derek Webb (Inventor 3CP) is going to turn up on Thursday at some point.
