Video Blackjack

[yellowjacket]

has anybody played video blackjack while you were killin time in a restuarant/bar? The one I play after every win has a chance to double up by picking high card or low card (1:1 odds i presume). Can anybody give me a good strategy for this game? Also I noticed that high card seems to appear a lot more often but maybe this was just a really weird coincidence..

[KenSmith]

Most video blackjack only pays even money on blackjack, so these games have around a 2% house edge.

As for strategy on the double-up feature, there is none. If it is the typical pick a card to try to beat the dealer's card version, at least there is no house edge on the double-up feature.

For strategy on the regular game, basic strategy that fits the rules you are playing is the best you can do.

[yellowjacket]

thanks for the reply Ken, what I meant here is are there any strategies as to lowering that said 2% house advantage? I know there is no strategy on picking the right double up card.. but like a single odds craps table just taking the odds bet with single odds is better than no odds bet at all and simply betting the pass line. Furthermore, if you double up successfully, you can try to double that up, etc. etc...

Im not sure but I think the double or nothing feature every time you decide to take it you are taking a small bite out of the house's advantage so i would be better off taking it on the first hand i win and trying to double up 4 times in a row then quitting instead of playing 5 hands of regualar blackjack??? Does anybody know what I am trying to accomplish here (a realistic long shot perhaps)??

[yellowjacket]

i read some where that playing bacarrat and letting it ride 22 successful times in a row would win you $30 million with a $1 original bet. $30 million is the average size of a lotto and the chances are roughly 3x better hitting it this way (bacarrat)..

[Mikeaber]

I've played these machines a little....like you, just to kill time. If they are like most BJ machines, they emulate a single deck that is shuffled after each hand. You won't see the same card replayed in one hand, but could see it in the next hand.

As for the double-up.....I think you probalby have a 50/50 shot at winning each time you double. I'm not mathematician, but I think that if you figured the odds on winning 3 in a row, it would be about 12.5% (50% that you'd win the first, 25% that you'd win both the first and second and 12.5% that you'd win three in a row.) Long shot....I'd say so. I do not see how you could use that ploy to decrease the machine's advantage.

[KenSmith]

Hang on to your hats here...

Yes, you can reduce your expected loss by using the double-up option. The reason is simple. The time you spend using the double-up option means you'll play fewer hands overall. That translates directly to a lower expected overall loss.

So, yes, you're better off trying to double up a few times rather than playing another hand.

[Mikeaber]

There speaks a true purist (speaking of Ken). I would tend to slow down my play by ordering and waiting on a brew. But then, that would end up costing me because of the toke for the waitress.

[Gregory]

Originally Posted by KenSmith

Hang on to your hats here...

Yes, you can reduce your expected loss by using the double-up option. The reason is simple. The time you spend using the double-up option means you'll play fewer hands overall. That translates directly to a lower expected overall loss.

So, yes, you're better off trying to double up a few times rather than playing another hand.

So to really "cut to the chase", the best way to reduce your expected loss is to not play. :D

[KenSmith]

Ah, but without playing, you'd have to pay real cash for that brew. If you play slowly, and use the double up option, you can certainly drink your way to a profit of sorts!

I try to never purchase a beer at a casino bar. Even if the paytables are horrendous, running a $20 through video poker to get a comped beer is always a value play.

[yellowjacket]

Looks like if i bet only one dollar and beat the dealer I would have $2. Double that up 22 times in a row and the owner of the bar, would owe me $4 million! I can see it now, hey Lucas buddy come here a second I got to show you something on this machine of yours..:D