New 'Blackjack Plus' variant - how does it affect the house edge?
My local casino, Crown Casino (Melbourne, Australia), has introduced a new blackjack variant called 'Blackjack Plus'. You can find the rules on page 60 of the rules pdf from this page http://www.crownmelbourne.com.au/blackjack
Basically the differences are:
Player achieves a 'five and under' he wins;
Player wins on any blackjack;
If the dealer busts on 22 it's a push.
Pretty sure a blackjack still pays 3 to 2 though.
The minimum bet on these tables is $5, whereas even on the 'sports blackjack' tables it is $15. Therefore I'm assuming the house edge here must be huge but was wondering if someone could quantify it.
Edit: these options aren't found in the 'blackjack calculator' here https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/calculator/
Dealer bust on 22 is a push: -6.91%
Five card Charlie: +1.46%
I could not find an item for player winning all blackjacks. The probability that both dealer and player have a blackjack is (with infinite decks): (8/13*1/13)^2 = 0.2%, and the win is 1.5 of a unit, so the effect on the house edge is +0.3%.
Overall -6.91 + 1.46 + 0.3 = -5.42.
Plus whatever house edge the original rules offer (which is, probably, negligible compared to this gigantic figure).
Quote: Crown Australia
22 BLACKJACK PLUS
22.1 Where the version of Blackjack is Blackjack Plus, the approved rules of Blackjack will apply, except where the rules are inconsistent with the rules of Blackjack Plus, in which case the rules of Blackjack Plus will prevail.
22.2 Additional definitions: ‘Five and Under’ means any player hand that consists of 5 cards totalling less than 21.
‘Stand off’ means that neither the Dealer’s hand or the player’s hand wins or loses.
22.3 Placement of Wagers
22.3.1 A Blackjack Plus wager placed by a player will:
(a) Win if:
(i) The total of the player’s hand is 21;
(ii) The player achieves a Five and Under;
(iii) The score of the player’s hand exceeds that of the Dealer’s hand without either exceeding 21;
(iv) The player has achieved a Blackjack; or
(v) The total of the player’s hand is less than 21 and that of the Dealer’s hand is in excess of 22.
(b) Lose if:
(i) The score of the player’s hand is in excess of 21; or
(ii) The score of the Dealer’s hand exceeds that of the player’s hand without either exceeding 21.
(c) Stand off if:
(i) The score of the Dealer’s hand and player’s hands are equal; or
(ii) The score of the Dealer’s hand is 22 for all wagers remaining on the layout.
22.4 Initial Deal
22.4.1 Where the Dealer’s first card is an ace, a player who is dealt a Blackjack may not place an insurance wager.
22.5 Interim Settlement
22.5.1 When a player has been dealt a Blackjack, the Dealer will announce and pay the Blackjack irrespective of the value of the first card dealt to the Dealer’s hand.
The player's cards will be removed before any player receives a third card.
22.6 Subsequent Deal
22.6.1 A player cannot draw additional cards to his/her hand, once that hand has 5 cards.
22.6.2 Doubling
(a) A player may elect to double on:
(i) The first two cards dealt to him/her;
(ii) The first three cards dealt to him/her with a point count total of less than 21;
(iii) The first two cards of any hand formed by splitting, except when splitting Aces; or
(iv) The first three cards of any hand formed by splitting with a total of less than 21.
So five rule changes:
(1) 5 card charlie (+1.46%)
(2) Any 21 wins (paid immediately) (+0.54%)
(3) Any Blackjack wins (and pays 3:2, before check for dealer bj) (+0.32%)
(4) Double after 2 or 3 cards (about +.23%)
(5) Dealer 22 is a push. (-6.91%)
So, about a 4.56% hit to the player, hence BLACKJACK MINUS, though I think that the dealer 22 push at -6.91% is a tiny bit overstated with the 21 automatic winner.
Still...
