Blackjack advantages in Sweden

[Sandery3]

I live in Sweden and have recently started practicing card counting. Although i am able to keep track of the count and play basic strategy, i'm not totally sure about the possible percental advantage in card counting according to Swedish rules.
I heard from a friend who is supposed to be a very capable card counter that the circumstances and rules in sweden provide great privileges compared to card counting in the US.

I have heard claims that there actually is a player advantage by 4% just by playing according to basic strategy (a very unusual skill in Sweden). By what i have read on this forum, merely playing basic strategy would allow twice the profits in Sweden compared to professional card counting in the US.

Is it possible that it actually is true?

[Percy]

Afraid I've heard to the contrary.

See http://wizardofodds.com/askthewizard...cstrategy.html

About a third of the way down he answers a question on blackjack in scandanavia.

If these rules still stand, then I woudn't suggest trying to overcome this edge by counting. 6% is just too big! (even with great pen)

However, blackjack rules do change so maybe go and check out your nearest casinos to see if the games have improved.

[FLASH1296]

My understanding is that all BJ available in Western Europe and Scandinavia is absurdly poor.

I certainly hope that I am wrong, but The Wizard of Odds is an impeccable source.

There is good BJ to play in Eastern Europe, e.g. Ukraine, Poland

There the House Edge is generally about .35%

Russia recently closed all of it's casinos.

[newb99]

Depends what you compare things with. Games in the UK (6D, S17, DOA, DAS, RSA, NS) are certainly no worse than H17 shoe games in the States, despite the "naturals only" insurance rule and no hole card effect.

The answer is, of course, to know the rules in force and any of the "exentricities" that have a profound effect.

[Sandery3]

Originally Posted by Percy

Afraid I've heard to the contrary.

See http://wizardofodds.com/askthewizard...cstrategy.html

About a third of the way down he answers a question on blackjack in scandanavia.

If these rules still stand, then I woudn't suggest trying to overcome this edge by counting. 6% is just too big! (even with great pen)

However, blackjack rules do change so maybe go and check out your nearest casinos to see if the games have improved.

Thanks for the responses.

I don't actually think those rules are used nowadays.
Where i have played neither NDAS, D9, nor 1spl are applied. The rule "dealer wins ties 17-19" is still applied.
Surely this wouldn't affect the house edge by 4-6%?

[SleightOfHand]

Originally Posted by Sandery3

Thanks for the responses.

I don't actually think those rules are used nowadays.
Where i have played neither NDAS, D9, nor 1spl are applied. The rule "dealer wins ties 17-19" is still applied.
Surely this wouldn't affect the house edge by 4-6%?

The dealer wins ties is a HUGE boost in HE. Wizard of Odds shows that this rule increases HE by 5.3%

[FLASH1296]

Such a game is bizarrely bad.

In the U S A the "dealer takes ties" rule is only seen when there is an actual bona fide one-day charity event, in which nobody expects to have any chance to win

The game is entirely unbeatable.

Bare in mind that a Basic Strategy player will experience over 9% "ties"

[Sandery3]

I have now confirmed that NDAS, D7-11 and dealer wins ties 17-19 is applied at swedish casinos.

[rukus]

Originally Posted by Sandery3

I have now confirmed that NDAS, D7-11 and dealer wins ties 17-19 is applied at swedish casinos.

just a small update, i believe there are now certain casinos in one or two scandinavian countries that do not have this dealer wins ties rule. i know of at least one casino. still not a phenomenal game though...