Analysis of the Buster Blackjack side bet?

EasyRhino

Well-Known Member
#1
I noticed one of the local Indian shops was doing a "Buster Blackjack" side bet. Optional side bet, if the dealer busts, you get paid. If it takes the dealer a lot of hands to bust, you get paid more. Max side bet is equal to main BJ bet.

When googling for it, I turned up this page in South Dakota:
http://legis.state.sd.us/rules/DisplayRule.aspx?Rule=20:18:15:30.07 (Archive copy)

I don't remember, but I think the pays table I saw was the H3 paytable.

a) Idea on house edge?
b) Idea of it's exploitable? I was thinking maybe it would be better in a negative count situation?
 

Claza

Active Member
#2
At a seriously negative count, neither the player or the dealer will bust a lot. Remember, it's difficult to bust on low cards only (or on high cards only).

If this sidebet is beatable, it won't be at extreme low counts or at extremely high counts.
 

dacium

Well-Known Member
#3
It is not trivial to work out. But what is almost certain is that a high/low count would not beat this. Its possible that a moderatly high count might if the house edge is low enough but I doupt it. Certainly could not acheieve better advantage then simply betting the money on your blackjack hand.
 
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