Help me understand BJ Switch rule variations

Hi,

I am a little confused about the various rule variations for Blackjack Switch.

1. Wizard of Odds lists the same ruleset for Las Vegas and Playtech. But below his EV table he says "There are about 300 differences between the switching strategies for Playtech and Las Vegas rules". What are the rule differences?

2. In the variation where switching to 21 counts as a blackjack (instead of just 21) - are the only differences that (1) you push vs. a dealer blackjack instead of lose, (2) you win vs. a dealer's drawn 21 instead of push, and (3) you win vs. a dealer 22 instead of push?

3. In the variation where a natural automatically wins, is the only difference that you beat a dealer natural?

Are there any other variations in U.S. casinos I should be aware of?

Main Variations

Ok, I'll try and clear this up so that you are aware of the 3 (4th to come) variations that are currently available in the US.

Version 1 - This is where a switched Ace/Ten still counts as 'Blackjack' (currently only available at Casino Royale). House Edge 0.16% for 6 decks.

This is the version that I tried to adhere to when installing the games. However, when Harrah's got hit by a card counting team they asked me to increase the house edge to protect them more so I introduced ...

Version 2 - Switched Ace/Ten = 21. This gives a house edge of 0.58% for 6 decks. (Almost every casino now has this version).

Then, as a compromise, I offered the casinos ...

Version 3 - Player Blackjacks automatically win. This gives a house edge around 0.4% (can't remember exact) and was installed at Tropicana and IOC, Kansas City (since removed at both).

However, hopefully coming soon in some states will be ...

Version 4 - Switched Ace/Ten = 21 AND dealer stands on S17. This gives a house edge of 0.27%. Likely place for installtion of version 4 is Atlantic City but it will take time to approve the game.

I think that The WOO states the 300 changes down to switch strategy changes. Bearing in mind that there are 10,350 then there would be roughly 30 switches (times 10 upcards) that would be changed because of the switched Ace/Ten = 21 instead of Blackjack.

I haven't got the tables at hand but I would imagine that something like Ace/10 and 10/7 would be a switch against a dealer 8 for version 2 but may not be a switch for version 1. This is due to the power of getting automatically paid when switching in version 1. If this example is not correct then I'm sure that there are examples similar to this that will change.

Incidentally, I'm still in Las Vegas and have just finished training at New York New York and Bellagio which will be the next 2 casinos to install the game. I have now licensed the game to a distributor which should (hopefully) increase the exposure of the game which is currently at just under 70 tables.

Hope this helps and Happy Holidays to all !!!

Geoff

Thank you sir!