Free Bet Blackjack - Updates
December 27th, 2012 at 11:23:56 PM
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Quote: Pokeraddict
I am familiar with how low of an edge it has. What surprised me is that half of Casino Royale has about half of their BJ games set as switch, a casino with 100% 6-5 standard BJ games including Free Bet. I assumed that they found a way to kill it in a similar way they did to Free Bet. I was just wondering what exactly they had done or if they depend entirely on their player's low skill level.
You're right, that is a bit peculiar, the game mix. Strange. Casino Royale is a budget tourist casino, not a hard-core card room or a local's casino, though it does have some locals. If you're not adept at Blackjack Switch, it isn't easy. For the real tourist and social player, the casinos could offer 3:1 on BJ's and still be okay on some specialty BJ games. Freebet Blackjack is way more forgiving than BJ Switch.
I still would not assume sabotage, for what can be described as ineffectiveness.
I would assume more FBBJ and less BJ-switch as a better tourist mix.
Edit:I'm curious about that, I'll stop in CR tomorrow.
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes - Henry David Thoreau. Like Dealers' uniforms - Dan.
December 28th, 2012 at 3:38:14 PM
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Good to see FBBJ is going into more UK casinos next year. I went to a few London casinos over Christmas and a few managers mentioned that many casual players find Switch too complicated. fwiw the Empire seems to always have one table with a Blackjack variant, the current one is Triple Attack - presumably they prefer ones with a higher HE.Quote: Paigowdan...more FBBJ and less BJ-switch...
January 7th, 2013 at 6:19:31 PM
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Played it in Portsmouth (Soames not Gunwharfs) this evening. One thing is the layout has the new "22" bet, which a few people were playing and occasionally winning 10/1. It's a great game for the player (especially when one wins an atrocious double) but, probably because it's new to the dealers, had a few teething problems with their procedures - I imagine US dealers are more used to (insurance etc.) where losing bets have to be taken after the dealer has completed their hand.
January 9th, 2013 at 4:50:43 PM
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Just checking whether this sounds right. Their revised rules are
(i) Free double on 2-card 9-11 only
(ii) Free splits except 10s
(iii) Re-split Aces allowed (presumably free)
(iv) Stand soft 17
(v) No surrender
(vi) UK rules on no-peek Blackjack (which makes no difference as you don't lose double money on splits/doubles, so still make them all)
It seems that house edge should be 0.79-0.24-0.22+0.21+0.60=1.14 but using infinite deck I make it 0.9304% (0.3366% were multi card doubles allowed) and the pamphlet says 0.73%.
I vaguely remember allowing multi-card doubles when the game first came out, but can see the house edge would have been too low. Any ideas?
Also btw I see you should use your own money to Split 10s vs 6 with a free money 20 (in same way as you double s20), and am different on some of the close decisions on soft doubles and H14vs2 due to Soft 17 rule.
(i) Free double on 2-card 9-11 only
(ii) Free splits except 10s
(iii) Re-split Aces allowed (presumably free)
(iv) Stand soft 17
(v) No surrender
(vi) UK rules on no-peek Blackjack (which makes no difference as you don't lose double money on splits/doubles, so still make them all)
Quote: https://wizardofodds.com/games/free-bet-blackjack/Player may do free split on pair of fours: +0.24%.
Dealer stands on soft 17: +0.22%.
Eight decks: +0.02%.
No re-splitting aces: -0.08%.
No surrender allowed: -0.21%.
No doubling on three or more cards: -0.60%.
It seems that house edge should be 0.79-0.24-0.22+0.21+0.60=1.14 but using infinite deck I make it 0.9304% (0.3366% were multi card doubles allowed) and the pamphlet says 0.73%.
I vaguely remember allowing multi-card doubles when the game first came out, but can see the house edge would have been too low. Any ideas?
Also btw I see you should use your own money to Split 10s vs 6 with a free money 20 (in same way as you double s20), and am different on some of the close decisions on soft doubles and H14vs2 due to Soft 17 rule.
January 9th, 2013 at 5:23:26 PM
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You have all of the rules right along with the fact that no-peek makes no difference.
I haven't checked the WOO page but the 0.79% starting figure you have does not include multi-card doubles although it does include splitting 4's. Also, the effect of S17 is much higher than 0.22% and is around 0.39% (from memory).
So, for UK rules, you have:-
0.79 - 0.39 (S17) + 0.23 (surrender) = 0.63%
If you don't allow re-split of A,A (for free) then it adds 0.9% to the edge which gives 0.72%.
I'm 0.01% off due to rounding some numbers - I think that the UK version was actually just over 0.725% for no re-split A,A.
I haven't checked the WOO page but the 0.79% starting figure you have does not include multi-card doubles although it does include splitting 4's. Also, the effect of S17 is much higher than 0.22% and is around 0.39% (from memory).
So, for UK rules, you have:-
0.79 - 0.39 (S17) + 0.23 (surrender) = 0.63%
If you don't allow re-split of A,A (for free) then it adds 0.9% to the edge which gives 0.72%.
I'm 0.01% off due to rounding some numbers - I think that the UK version was actually just over 0.725% for no re-split A,A.
January 9th, 2013 at 5:43:34 PM
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Thanks. In my calculations I'm assuming re-split Aces on Free money as pamphlet says "All splitting and double after splitting allowed". fwiw on my wrong figures the difference (2-card doubles) for soft 17 is 0.3143% and 0.3129% (multi doubles). I'll go over my figures again, but I was really only after confirmation of the strategy needed (I'll still hit 14 vs 2).
January 9th, 2013 at 5:46:08 PM
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Charlie, the best way to get the strategy for playing against a 'Push 22' is to go to WOO and bring up 'Blackjack Switch' and then follow the Hit/Stand strategy for the ENHC S17 game.
p.s. 14 vs 2 is a very close hit/stand decision.
p.s. 14 vs 2 is a very close hit/stand decision.
January 9th, 2013 at 6:09:25 PM
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Sorry, I just checked the WOO 'Blackjack Switch' page and S17 playing strategy is no longer on there.
So, for S17, you would hit 12 against all dealer up-cards and you would hit 14 verses a dealer 2.
All else as with H17.
So, for S17, you would hit 12 against all dealer up-cards and you would hit 14 verses a dealer 2.
All else as with H17.
January 10th, 2013 at 5:39:34 PM
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Many thanks, I've done some recalculations and on a first approximation allowed for a re-split (if it's where the money is then it's a real-free, if it's on the free one, then it's a free-free) and get to 0.7329 (1.0484 hs17). I've not bothered to worry about yet another split as I'm already using infinite deck which is a bit out.
For instance I get a few soft doubles different to those on the Wizard's page - probably as the two cards you have does make a difference. e.g. My [H17] A5 vs 6 says H=+.443419 d=+.443192 so is very close, but the UK S17 differences between {St/Hit}/Double figures are larger, so probably correct vs 4/6dx. Also I now realise you can't get to a "Free" pair of Tens (but if you did you would split them with your own money vs 6!).
table
For instance I get a few soft doubles different to those on the Wizard's page - probably as the two cards you have does make a difference. e.g. My [H17] A5 vs 6 says H=+.443419 d=+.443192 so is very close, but the UK S17 differences between {St/Hit}/Double figures are larger, so probably correct vs 4/6dx. Also I now realise you can't get to a "Free" pair of Tens (but if you did you would split them with your own money vs 6!).
table
January 11th, 2013 at 11:45:09 AM
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yeah they move in vegas,sometimes you need some luck especially if they owns a casino.
February 1st, 2013 at 9:29:10 AM
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Played FBBJ for the first time the other night in the Rainbow, and most enjoyable it was. Returning home I deciced to print out and laminate a WOO basic strategy chart for the game, thus ensuring I'm only 0.73% to the bad next time I play. Should be interesting though, I get some funny looks playing basic strategy on the standard version of the game. When I start hitting hard seventeens on my free bet hands, I'm pretty confident it will cause some consternation amongst my fellow players.
Just a note on the dealer training side of things. I noted that when the dealer made 22 they called "22", whereas 23 to 26 was "Too many". Might I suggest the former become "22 push", helping ensure the dealer does not pay out in error.
Just a note on the dealer training side of things. I noted that when the dealer made 22 they called "22", whereas 23 to 26 was "Too many". Might I suggest the former become "22 push", helping ensure the dealer does not pay out in error.
February 4th, 2013 at 6:49:55 AM
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Good to hear that they distinguish between a '22' and a 'bust' hand - '22 push' may help even further.
Just wait until you get to double A,9 verses dealer 6 on a free bet - that will definitely raise some eyebrows despite being the correct play :-)
Just wait until you get to double A,9 verses dealer 6 on a free bet - that will definitely raise some eyebrows despite being the correct play :-)
February 4th, 2013 at 7:46:56 AM
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Quote: SwitchGood to hear that they distinguish between a '22' and a 'bust' hand - '22 push' may help even further.
Just wait until you get to double A,9 verses dealer 6 on a free bet - that will definitely raise some eyebrows despite being the correct play :-)
But if I get an Ace on that Double down, should I fear a tap on the shoulder from security ?
Shed not for her
the bitter tear
Nor give the heart
to vain regret
Tis but the casket
that lies here,
The gem that filled it
Sparkles yet
February 16th, 2013 at 9:16:46 AM
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Some excellent news to help increase the exposure and momentum on the 'Strip' is that Casino Royale are adding a 2nd 'Free Bet' table just 6 weeks after installing the first one.
February 16th, 2013 at 9:52:15 AM
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And it's a 6 to 5 payoff, no less, or so I believe. " Free is definitely the magic word in marketing any product !
Shed not for her
the bitter tear
Nor give the heart
to vain regret
Tis but the casket
that lies here,
The gem that filled it
Sparkles yet
February 16th, 2013 at 10:03:54 AM
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Quote: BuzzardAnd it's a 6 to 5 payoff, no less, or so I believe. " Free is definitely the magic word in marketing any product !
Correct, it is 6/5 Buzz - hopefully it will lead to more 3/2 games on the Strip though.
February 16th, 2013 at 10:24:17 AM
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Quote: SwitchSome excellent news to help increase the exposure and momentum on the 'Strip' is that Casino Royale are adding a 2nd 'Free Bet' table just 6 weeks after installing the first one.
Excellent news Switch! I played Free Bet in a Washington card room and it was a busy table on a Friday night. Dealers were excited about the game and inidcated that it had attracted some regular players in the 2+ months since the install.
February 16th, 2013 at 10:46:06 AM
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Quote: SwitchCorrect, it is 6/5 Buzz - hopefully it will lead to more 3/2 games on the Strip though.
Just stating a fact. It is what it is. A WINNER !
Shed not for her
the bitter tear
Nor give the heart
to vain regret
Tis but the casket
that lies here,
The gem that filled it
Sparkles yet
