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PonchoVilla

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If I was near a couple of home games what are some "rules" that I should clearly stay away from, or look for? Or are there any threads that have already covered this in general?
 
Beware:

Two rules that are particularly devastating:
1) Make sure dealer doesn't take pushes. This will kill you off the bat.
2) Also make sure BJ pays at least 3/2.
You can live with pretty much any other rule variation if you're not counting.
 
How would you make a completely fair home game, where there's no particular house edge?

My guess would be having people take turns banking.
 
Here's an example

EasyRhino said:
How would you make a completely fair home game, where there's no particular house edge?

My guess would be having people take turns banking.
Click to expand...

A simple way to offer a virtually even game is to deal 2D, DAS, DOA with LS. House adv.=.16
 
Actually, single deck, similar rules might drop it down to around zero. I think that's the much-hyped game at Barona Indian casino.
 
EasyRhino said:
Actually, single deck, similar rules might drop it down to around zero. I think that's the much-hyped game at Barona Indian casino.
Click to expand...

this is assuming perfect composition dependent strategy. if a person knew that, then chances are he can count, and would have the advantage either anyway.
 
What's the dif?

Do you think that a .16 advantage will ever come close to manifesting itself in a couple hour "backroom" session? I seriously doubt it. As long as the game is "typical" casino rules it can be beaten by any proficient counter. We're not talking Bellagio here guys.
If you want to go SD, drop the DAS, keep the LS and S17. This should get you to about even.
 
This thread brouht a moral question to my mind. I am thinking about trying to organize a home game with some friends once I get back to Europe. Don't have any casinos with playable games nearby.
I would probably use 1 or 2 decks and wth good rules. We would take turns being banker and the bank would be shared by everyone together.
A counter would have the advantage over his friends in this case. Would you consider this as the same as stealing money from friends, which ocourse is very wrong or do you think is ok.
 
blackjacksquirrel said:
This thread brouht a moral question to my mind. I am thinking about trying to organize a home game with some friends once I get back to Europe. Don't have any casinos with playable games nearby.
I would probably use 1 or 2 decks and wth good rules. We would take turns being banker and the bank would be shared by everyone together.
A counter would have the advantage over his friends in this case. Would you consider this as the same as stealing money from friends, which ocourse is very wrong or do you think is ok.
Click to expand...

If everyone take his turn banking the game, then it have no house edge. If the house have a 1% edge and everyone bank 1 time, then everyone will have played as a non-banker the same amount as well, therefore everyone will have the same theoretical loose, if there are 4 players everyone will play as a player 3 times and 1 time they will play against 3 players, 3*(-2%)+1(3*2%) = 0! Therefore, only variance will get in the game if nobody count cards or if you shuffle after every hand.
 
blackjacksquirrel said:
A counter would have the advantage over his friends in this case. Would you consider this as the same as stealing money from friends, which ocourse is very wrong or do you think is ok.
Click to expand...

I would tell everyone involved that I was a card counter. That way you are not deceiving them. You would be surprised how many people don't care. They just want to gamble.

If they protest then you could act as the dealer and they could play against each other tournament-style. That way you would be a neutral party but still get to play. You could pool all of their money and set up payouts for first, second and third place (or whatever you want). You could even have the house take a small “cut” in order to cover expenses. I used to have mini-tournaments like this at my house every month.

-Sonny-
 
Yeah i don't really think it will be much of a problem. The advantage I could possibly get over them can't possibly be bigger than what they have over me when we are playing poker. I never really managed to learn how to play that properly:p . I am hoping that some form of home tournament in BJ will let me win some money back:grin: .
Just curious about what everyone was thinking.
 
Try this

An interesting way to play a home game is this.

Everyone places an equal bet.You rotate who goes first,like in a poker tourney.Everyone plays a player hand but someone also deals the dealers hand,using standard rules.If the dealer beats you,you are eliminated. No doubles,no splits.Last player left wins the pot.There is no house edge,no real advantage for anyone except by position.
Its fast paced,with a good bit of money changing hands but in the long run,most people will not get badly hurt. With 5 players betting $5 each,the pot is $25 and should be won in no more than four hands,on average.
 
I don't get it though, why the heck would anyone want to play blackjack for fun? It's just not very challenging or stimulating.

Rubber bridge would be my choice for gambling on a fun game. There used to be bridge gamblers of questionable ethics who would haunt bridge clubs like pool sharks in pool halls.
 
Automatic Monkey said:
I don't get it though, why the heck would anyone want to play blackjack for fun? It's just not very challenging or stimulating.
Click to expand...

Blackjack tournaments are actually fun because they involve a great deal of skill, and you are competing against other people rather than a robotic dealer. Playing single-player BJ on the internet for no money isn't that fun, but playing tournaments is fun because of the competition that is involved, and it does require skill to consistently win, just ask Ken Smith.
 
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