Longhorn: The "horns" basic strategy

A the time of this writing the two horns (Bighorn and Longhorn) had some interesting blackjack rules as follows:

• 6 decks
• Dealer hits soft 17
• Double after split allowed
• Surrender allowed
• Re-splitting aces allowed up to three hands
• Unlimited re-splitting of all other hands
• Player may double on 3 on three cards
• Blackjack pays 2-1 if two more players at the table have one

The rule about doubling on 3 cards changes the strategy a little. It incentives the player to not split or double in some borderline cases, hoping for a better double after three cards. A reader named "Ritchie" send in the following basic strategy for these rules. I haven't verified it, but it passes my smell test.



He also added two composition dependent exceptions:

• 8+7 vs. 10 = hit
• 3-card soft 15 vs. 4 = double

He also reminded me to say that since the double on three cards rule doesn't apply after splitting, to revert to the standard strategy after splitting.

Thanks rudeboyoi for the strategy.

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Longhorn now offers a $5 bonus if you hit a blackjack in diamonds with a $5 minimum bet. I hit one last time I was there.

I wonder if some of these "lesser" casinos may indeed be bargains simply because they have to offer really good opportunities in order to keep their nearby customers from treking to other casinos that offer far more as to diversions and food/entertainment.

As to the actual strategy I'd be curious about the final house-edge calculations if you think its worth the effort once its already passed the initial "smell test" but personally I have enough trouble remembering simplified basic strategy to ever apply an exotic strategy.

I'm guessing we stay tuned to the WoO site to find out what the HE is.

Quote: odiousgambit

I'm guessing we stay tuned to the WoO site to find out what the HE is.

I indicate it in my blackjack survey.

I just now saw that this was an old thread!!

How much would Basic Strategy change if a player could double on any number of cards ? I do have a reason for asking !!

Wait a second, I realize this is an old thread, and that I posted in the other one while this has the answer, but I do have a question about this.

Is it "BJ pays 2-1 it 2 or more players have a BJ" or "BJ pays 2-1 if two MORE players have one" (so 3 or more total?) I remember reading that if it's two or more, it decreases the edge by about .1% per extra player, and I'd imagine it's only about .03 or .04% per additional player if it was 3 or more BJs.

Quote: Boney526

Is it "BJ pays 2-1 it 2 or more players have a BJ" or "BJ pays 2-1 if two MORE players have one" (so 3 or more total?) I remember reading that if it's two or more, it decreases the edge by about .1% per extra player, and I'd imagine it's only about .03 or .04% per additional player if it was 3 or more BJs.

It's two or more players. I think this promotion has been gone for a while. Last time I checked, it was 5-2 for a BJ in diamonds, as well as a six-pack of Pepsi (at the Bighorn only; a negative E.V. if there ever was one).

Horns have some of the best BJ in vegas, rules-wise. And Big Horn has decent pen for those counting. Longhorn pen sucks. The problem is limits. Most players are playing $3, maybe $5, especially when they have the diamond BJ or pepsi promo going. $10 is a whale. And if you bet green, they have to call in someone to actually man surveillance. lol If you have any thoughts of betting chunky green or black, which I am not sure they even have, the place will be in panic mode.

Second issue with Big Horn is location. It is a pretty rough area and if you don't speak Spanish, you are out of place.