ryankessler
ryankessler
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February 25th, 2013 at 2:51:15 AM permalink
Video blackjack at Harrah's does not allow any options besides hotting and standing. No doubling down and no splitting. What is the house edge?
AcesAndEights
AcesAndEights
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February 25th, 2013 at 11:41:29 AM permalink
Quote: ryankessler

Video blackjack at Harrah's does not allow any options besides hotting and standing. No doubling down and no splitting. What is the house edge?


Usually the first place to look for these rule variations is the Wizard's page that lists common rule variations and the effect on the house edge.

However, neither of these two rules are listed as they are not common at all. You can be assured that they are devastating on the house edge though...I wouldn't play this game unless it's for very small stakes and lots of free drinks. This is common on bar-top machines, right?
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
miplet
miplet
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February 25th, 2013 at 11:43:47 AM permalink
https://wizardofodds.com/games/ties-win-blackjack/ lists them.
Player may not double: loss of 1.47% to the player.
Player may not split: loss of 0.58% to the player.
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AcesAndEights
AcesAndEights
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February 25th, 2013 at 12:48:05 PM permalink
Quote: miplet

https://wizardofodds.com/games/ties-win-blackjack/ lists them.
Player may not double: loss of 1.47% to the player.
Player may not split: loss of 0.58% to the player.


Wow...I'm surprised it's not more loss to the player! Thanks for finding that, mip.
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
reno
reno
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February 25th, 2013 at 3:14:51 PM permalink
The video blackjack at Harrah's Reno only pays even money on natural blackjacks. Not sure if that's a universal rule at every Harrah's property.

Quote: ryankessler

No doubling down and no splitting.



These draconian rules are not in the casino's best interest, by the way. Drunk tourists who don't follow basic strategy outnumber sober tourists who do. And card counters certainly aren't playing these tight machines, so why prohibit drunk tourists from splitting tens? The only explanation is that these owners are short-sighted and paranoid.

To quote Mr. Wizard himself: "Bill Zender talks about this topic in his book Casino-ology. He says prohibiting soft doubles likely does not increase the house advantage, because most players don't soft double anyway. It just makes the rules look stingier, which can inhibit play. The whole book drives home the point that the measures taken to protect casinos against skilled players cost them much more than they save from the much larger pool of recreational players."
onenickelmiracle
onenickelmiracle
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February 25th, 2013 at 3:30:17 PM permalink
I agree anytime something noticeable is seen to be stingy, I look for the unnoticeable to also be stingy too, having a lowered opinion of the whole operation.
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