Blackjack: house odds question

bigwilly · #1 (**permalink**) 02-22-2007, 07:43 AM

Not sure if this is the correct forum or if there is one for a bj question but here it goes...

A charity festival I am associated with wants to add Hold'em to the event. Its not the main attraction but one of several mini-events at the festival. They are also considering running a few black jack tables. They figured some of the older crowd isn't all that into poker but might throw some money away on black jack. Its pretty easy to figure out how much money will be made on the poker tournament but no so easy to figure out the expected value on the black jack games.

Does anyone know what the expected value (house odds) for the house would be on a black jack game? Keep in mind the "charity" version of black jack means the house wins the ties, which I assume makes a huge difference. If someone can give some insight on what the house can expect to make with this modified rule or direct me to a community specializing in BJ. Thanks.

poislb · #2 (**permalink**) 02-22-2007, 07:46 AM

7 out of 10 times the house will win..Hence the reason I dont play BJ anymore in the casino....

bigwilly · #3 (**permalink**) 02-22-2007, 07:59 AM

7 out of 10?? That seems extremely high to me (but I have no idea)...even with the modified rule. Can anyone confirm these numbers?

tonypap · #4 (**permalink**) 02-22-2007, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwilly

7 out of 10?? That seems extremely high to me (but I have no idea)...even with the modified rule. Can anyone confirm these numbers?

IMO....in the long run...the house wins 10 out of 10 times !!

poislb · #5 (**permalink**) 02-22-2007, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwilly

7 out of 10?? That seems extremely high to me (but I have no idea)...even with the modified rule. Can anyone confirm these numbers?

Maybe its just my luck then, I get robbed all the time....Or maybe its the person sitting next to be....I love people who hit on a 17 just to try and get BJ, when the dealer shows a 5..screws me everytime..

99%evil · #6 (**permalink**) 02-22-2007, 08:05 AM

In a casino if you sit at a table that pays 3:2 Bj's and the house stays on all 17's I believe the house edge is minimal, I think 1/2 to 1%.(you're supposed to find a table that stands on all 17's and pays 3:2, has surrender and the fewer decks the better =your best odds ) If you learn basic counting you can gain an edge. THe way you explain the house winnig all ties, the house has a huge adventage, you'll make a killing. 20's beat 20's...god I'd never ever sit at that table.

99%evil · #7 (**permalink**) 02-22-2007, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poislb

Maybe its just my luck then, I get robbed all the time....Or maybe its the person sitting next to be....I love people who hit on a 17 just to try and get BJ, when the dealer shows a 5..screws me everytime..

You need to play higher limits, stay away from folks that don't use basic strategy. Play minimum $25 tables, this gets rid of the morons mostly and gets you comped in Vegas casinos (many have a min. $25 bet...at least the MGM properties are like this). The $5 tables are lfull of people that don't follow basic strategy and it kills you when they make stupid plays, if you play basic strategy and lose, well that's the game...at least you played correctly. When someone hits their 15 when the dealer shows 6, they bust and the dealer hits a 4 for a 20....that kills me. If they stand and the dealer hits the 4, well that's the game. You play basic strategy and count and you can get the edge. My record over the last few years is probably a net +$4000 this is about 6 trips to casinos. Gambling about $15,000...I'm up overall .

200 Motels · #8 (**permalink**) 02-22-2007, 08:37 AM

Best Gambling site ever.

http://wizardofodds.com/blackjack

Seems there's alot of variance based on what rules are followed.

sunderB · #9 (**permalink**) 02-22-2007, 08:38 AM

Sorry for the threadjack, maybe a separate thread to discuss is in order.

Hate to tell you guys complaining about the Donks at BJ, but the card that the donk takes away from the dealer with a dumb hit is just as random as the card that follows it.

It is a lot like bad beats in poker, you remember the bad ones when the bad player makes a mathematically incorrect (perhaps a better term than dumb) hit and the dealer pulls the low card to "suck out on his 16. I have seen it happen the other way where the bad player actually takes a low card that the dealer would have had and then the dealer busts when he would not have. These are much harder to recall, but I guarantee you it happens.

As long as you are playing sound fundamental blackjack, you cannot worry about what the other players do. It only seems like they are screwing it up for you, but perception isn't always reality.

Starting a new thread about this now.
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As far as the house edge with the "charity" rules. I don't know the number, but it is significant, and most player will lose. There will be a few players that will get a good run and win, but with the minimum spreads I am sure they will be running, you have no need to worry about someone breaking the bank if that is the concern.

99%evil · #10 (**permalink**) 02-22-2007, 08:46 AM

Forget it, I deleted my comment....