I just saw a brand new variation, double-barrel blackjack, at a WA indian casino. I think this just passed the gaming commission. Here are the rules etc:
(Dead link: http://www.wsgc.wa.gov/docs/game_rules/double_barrel_blackjack.pdf)
I couldn't find any other info on the web, so no idea on the house edge. This seems to be a WA thing only. It's kind of like blackjack switch, but played a little bit differently. You pick the card in the middle of your two hands to go with either hand (both of which have one card each at the time), and the remaining hand gets an unknown card. Obviously inferior than the "switch" where you see both cards, but I'm guessing this should've been made up by some other positive rule, or maybe not
Dealer bust on 22 is a push, unless you have BJ, and BJ pays even money are the catches for the option to pick the card. BJ against dealer BJ is a win though.
I'm speculating that this was the outcome of the efforts of indian casinos, which cannot offer 6:5 blackjack in WA. They are probably on the lookout for ways to find crappier BJ variations. A couple days ago, I played at a "party pit" type place, where hot chicks are dancing and dealers with short shorts are there for your viewing pleasure, and the BJ paid 3:2, with surrender and everything intact. This is unheard of when you compare to party pits on the Strip. Great entertainment value with a $5 minimum :devil:
(Dead link: http://www.wsgc.wa.gov/docs/game_rules/double_barrel_blackjack.pdf)
I couldn't find any other info on the web, so no idea on the house edge. This seems to be a WA thing only. It's kind of like blackjack switch, but played a little bit differently. You pick the card in the middle of your two hands to go with either hand (both of which have one card each at the time), and the remaining hand gets an unknown card. Obviously inferior than the "switch" where you see both cards, but I'm guessing this should've been made up by some other positive rule, or maybe not
Dealer bust on 22 is a push, unless you have BJ, and BJ pays even money are the catches for the option to pick the card. BJ against dealer BJ is a win though.
I'm speculating that this was the outcome of the efforts of indian casinos, which cannot offer 6:5 blackjack in WA. They are probably on the lookout for ways to find crappier BJ variations. A couple days ago, I played at a "party pit" type place, where hot chicks are dancing and dealers with short shorts are there for your viewing pleasure, and the BJ paid 3:2, with surrender and everything intact. This is unheard of when you compare to party pits on the Strip. Great entertainment value with a $5 minimum :devil: