Blackjack with Jokers. Is there still a house edge?
February 23rd, 2011 at 3:10:37 PM
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The casino that I work for is offering a promotion right now on the 6-deck blackjack tables where 3 jokers are added to the shoe. If a player receives a joker they can pick any standard card (2-Ace) to replace it with. If the dealer receives a joker it is burned. I wanted to find out how this affects the house/player advantage if basic strategy is used. The other rule change is that any "blackjack" achieved using a joker is treated as a 21 and only pays if the player wins the hand. Thanks Wizard
February 23rd, 2011 at 4:44:59 PM
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Quote: tragicpoet... If a player receives a joker they can pick any standard card (2-Ace) to replace it with. ...
Does the player have to make his decision upon getting the joker, or may he decide later? For example, when the player gets a joker and a 2, could he double-down and then call the joker an 8 is he pulls an ace or a 9 if he pulls a ten?
February 23rd, 2011 at 7:05:04 PM
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The card must be chosen before any other actions are taken. If it is the first card dealt to the player they do get to see their second card before they choose what it is. The joker is moved from the hand and a "filler" card is moved into its place, showing the chosen value.
February 23rd, 2011 at 8:46:52 PM
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Since most time it would be used as an ace, it appears that the change in HA would be -0.3%. However, since the dealer can't use the joker, it might well be worth a lot more. Generally, depends on what the edge was in the first place. Most likely the game will be around even.
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February 23rd, 2011 at 9:32:40 PM
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This sounds like a very strong promotion. Chapter 12 of Basic Blackjack by Stanford Wong gives a strategy for such a game. I want to respect copyright, so won't quote what Wong says.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
February 24th, 2011 at 6:43:33 AM
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It seems to me like a pretty good promo to me as well. Getting the joker in your first two cards essentially guarantees a 21 or 11/10 with double down available. Even when the joker is drawn as a hit card it is same scenario, unless the player takes the card as a 10 to solidify an 18 or 19 against a dealer face card. I've seen a few customers who are really catching on to the promotion and are varying their wagers based on the number of jokers remaining in the deck too.
February 24th, 2011 at 8:59:08 AM
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Which casino and where?
http://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/general/10042-woes-black-sheep-game-ii/#post151727
February 24th, 2011 at 9:27:14 AM
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Seems like the strategy would be mostly intuitive if you are a semi-skilled blackjack player. Just give yourself the hand with the highest possible expectation -- in order: 21, 20, 11, 19, etc. That will take care of most occasions when you get the Joker. (Actually you would never have 20 on the deal because you would always declare the joker as an ace).
It's always proper to declare the Joker as an ace on the deal, unless you have a 2-7, when it's better to declare it as whatever number gives you 11. Choosing between 19 and 11 on a J-8 would depending on whether the dealer has a upcard of 7,8,9,A or not.
Getting the joker on the draw is easy to intuit as well; it's going to be pretty obvious what your "dream" card is going to be.
This table is helpful.
It's always proper to declare the Joker as an ace on the deal, unless you have a 2-7, when it's better to declare it as whatever number gives you 11. Choosing between 19 and 11 on a J-8 would depending on whether the dealer has a upcard of 7,8,9,A or not.
Getting the joker on the draw is easy to intuit as well; it's going to be pretty obvious what your "dream" card is going to be.
This table is helpful.
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
February 24th, 2011 at 9:51:35 AM
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Quote: WizardofEnglandWhich casino and where?
The Lodge casino in Blackhawk Colorado
February 27th, 2011 at 4:07:00 PM
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never mind
May 13th, 2018 at 4:10:11 AM
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i would think no casino would offer this promotion and it would increase the payback to well over 101% but maybe not.
sevencard2003.blogspot.com
May 13th, 2018 at 6:36:06 AM
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Quote: tragicpoetThe casino that I work for is offering a promotion right now on the 6-deck blackjack tables where 3 jokers are added to the shoe. If a player receives a joker they can pick any standard card (2-Ace) to replace it with. If the dealer receives a joker it is burned. I wanted to find out how this affects the house/player advantage if basic strategy is used. The other rule change is that any "blackjack" achieved using a joker is treated as a 21 and only pays if the player wins the hand. Thanks Wizard
Jokers arent the only thing they add to the shoes...
Any private business open to the PUBLIC (ie. droned out casinos) cannot have a criminal trespass enforced against an individual without GOOD CAUSE (Disruptive or Disorderly conduct). You will never go to prison for being thrown out of a casino for legal advantage play and then returning because it's simply unconstitutional 'as applied' to the individual. 'As applied' constitutional issues must FIRST be raised in DISTRICT COURT (trial court) to have it thrown out. You CANNOT raise it on APPEAL This is the best kept secret in the world of casinos not just in Vegas but everywhere in the country. Thank me later.
May 13th, 2018 at 6:00:13 PM
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Quote: ZenKinGJokers arent the only thing they add to the shoes...
Oh do tell
Edit: Forgot about the 2 cut cards..silly me
May 13th, 2018 at 10:10:50 PM
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Quote: GlenGOh do tell
Edit: Forgot about the 2 cut cards..silly me
And don't forget the magic dust that tells the shuffler when to go into beast mode depending on how many players are playing and how they are l
Playing.
ZCore13
I am an employee of a Casino. Former Table Games Director,, current Pit Supervisor. All the personal opinions I post are my own and do not represent the opinions of the Casino or Tribe that I work for.
