Blackjack

[Sheriff Fatman]

No count = no card for me.

I've been looking around for the EV calculations in both cases.  I'm surprised to discover that it isn't even close!  EV(Hit) = -25.4%, EV(Stand) = -29.2%

So you give up almost 4p on every £1 you wager making this decision!

Source article is here: here

Out of interest, this table gives the actual EV for the Basic Strategy (i.e. best) play in each case.  It just highlights how many of them are negative expectation plays.

Table

Sheriff

[BigArmo]

What makes me stand is the fact many cards are not going to improve my hand (to tie with or beat the dealer should he not bust) and many cards are going to bust me.

Bust cards: T,J,Q,K (over 21)
Non-improvers: 2,3,4,A (16 and below)
Hand improvers: 5,6,7,8,9 (17 - 21)

8 types of crap or bust cards vrs 5 types good cards, the 5 card is just about good as it's a chop at best if the dealer doesn't bust.

How many times will you take a card and still have a crap hand (13 - 16) ?  In which case it was pointless to take a card as you still need the dealer to bust out.
How many times will you take a card and bust out ?
How many times will you hit 17 - 21 for a strong/winning hand ?

No count = no card for me.

Interesting question though.

 

By taking a card you increase your chances of busting, Blackjack is a numbers game not a feel game u go with the odds everytime, vary your bet and you have chance.

[thetank]

Lot's of people say Blackjack is a 99.5% return game to play. It won't be 99.5% in the UK casinos as two rules increase the house edge somewhat.

i) It is correct to double on soft totals of 13 and 14 against a dealers 5 or 6. On soft 15 or 16 against the dealers 4, 5 or 6. And if you have soft 17 or 18 you should be doubling down against a dealers 3,4,5 or 6.
You can only double down on 9,10 or 11 in the UK so give up some edge here.

ii) When the dealer has an Ace up, he/she doesn't check for blackjack immediately like in Vegas. This gives you a chance to split/double-down and lose more when the dealer does have a blackjack than you would otherwise.

Does anyone know the true % house edge from UK casino blackjack?

[Mr_Turhapuro]

Well, I worked 4 years total at gala casino: Wolverhampton, Leeds and Bradford and most of the senior inspectors, pit bosses and managers said that it is 99.5% and had no objection of me advertising this percentage to the punters. Different matter is, whether single one of them would say that it's a fact and full stop.

[Sheriff Fatman]

By taking a card you increase your chances of busting, Blackjack is a numbers game not a feel game u go with the odds everytime, vary your bet and you have chance.

Not sure who you are agreeing with from your comments, BigArmo, but you quoted MrMoves so I assume its him.

If so, then you're using the equivalent argument to trying to win the most pots in a game of poker, not the most money.

Sheriff

[Sheriff Fatman]

Lot's of people say Blackjack is a 99.5% return game to play. It won't be 99.5% in the UK casinos as two rules increase the house edge somewhat.

i) It is correct to double on soft totals of 13 and 14 against a dealers 5 or 6. On soft 15 or 16 against the dealers 4, 5 or 6. And if you have soft 17 or 18 you should be doubling down against a dealers 3,4,5 or 6.
You can only double down on 9,10 or 11 in the UK so give up some edge here.

ii) When the dealer has an Ace up, he/she doesn't check for blackjack immediately like in Vegas. This gives you a chance to split/double-down and lose more when the dealer does have a blackjack than you would otherwise.

Does anyone know the true % house edge from UK casino blackjack?

WizardofOdds quotes the house edge as 0.623%

Sheriff