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Player Blackjack on First Two Cards
Any Player Blackjack
For many years, the Cal Neva in Reno has had a side bet that pays 17 to 1 on a player blackjack. I believe it to be one of the first side bets ever in blackjack.
The following table shows the return table for the Cal Neva odds at 17 to 1, assuming six decks. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 14.52%
Blackjack Pays 17 to 1 — Six Decks
| Event | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 17 | 2,304 | 0.047489 | 0.807321 |
| Lose | -1 | 46,212 | 0.952511 | -0.952511 |
| Total | 48,516 | 1.000000 | -0.145189 |
The next table shows the house edge for pays from 15 to 19 (to one) by number of decks (1, 2, or 6).
Player Blackjack House Edge
| Pays | One Deck | Two Decks | Six Decks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 22.78% | 23.53% | 24.02% |
| 16 | 17.95% | 18.75% | 19.27% |
| 17 | 13.12% | 13.97% | 14.52% |
| 18 | 8.30% | 9.19% | 9.77% |
| 19 | 3.47% | 4.41% | 5.02% |
Colored Player Blackjack
At the Casino Liechtenstein there is a blackjack side bet called the "Admiral Jack" that pays 19 to 1 on a colored player blackjack. This is one of the worst bets I have ever seen. The following table shows that with six decks at 19 to 1, the house edge is 52.51%.
Colored Blackjack Pays 19 to 1 — Six Decks
| Event | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 19 | 1,152 | 0.023745 | 0.451150 |
| Lose | -1 | 47,364 | 0.976255 | -0.976255 |
| Total | 48,516 | 1.000000 | -0.525105 |
The next table shows the house edge for pays from 30 to 40 (to one) by number of decks (1, 2, or 6).
Colored Player Blackjack House Edge
| Pays | One Deck | Two Decks | Six Decks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 25.19% | 25.91% | 26.39% |
| 31 | 22.78% | 23.53% | 24.02% |
| 32 | 20.36% | 21.14% | 21.64% |
| 33 | 17.95% | 18.75% | 19.27% |
| 34 | 15.54% | 16.36% | 16.89% |
| 35 | 13.12% | 13.97% | 14.52% |
| 36 | 10.71% | 11.58% | 12.14% |
| 37 | 8.30% | 9.19% | 9.77% |
| 38 | 5.88% | 6.80% | 7.40% |
| 39 | 3.47% | 4.41% | 5.02% |
| 40 | 1.06% | 2.02% | 2.65% |
Suited Player Blackjack
The Casino Liechtenstein has another side bet on a suited blackjack, which pays 77 to 1. The following table shows that with six decks and paying 77 to 1, the house edge is 7.40%. Why they pay reasonable odds on a suited blackjack but rob the player on a colored blackjack, I have no idea.
Suited Blackjack Pays 77 to 1 — Six Decks
| Event | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 77 | 576 | 0.011872 | 0.914173 |
| Lose | -1 | 47,940 | 0.988128 | -0.988128 |
| Total | 48,516 | 1.000000 | -0.073955 |
The next table shows the house edge for pays from 60 to 80 (to one) by number of decks (1, 2, or 6).
Suited Player Blackjack House Edge
| Pays | One Deck | Two Decks | Six Decks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 26.40% | 27.11% | 27.58% |
| 61 | 25.19% | 25.91% | 26.39% |
| 62 | 23.98% | 24.72% | 25.20% |
| 63 | 22.78% | 23.53% | 24.02% |
| 64 | 21.57% | 22.33% | 22.83% |
| 65 | 20.36% | 21.14% | 21.64% |
| 66 | 19.16% | 19.94% | 20.46% |
| 67 | 17.95% | 18.75% | 19.27% |
| 68 | 16.74% | 17.55% | 18.08% |
| 69 | 15.54% | 16.36% | 16.89% |
| 70 | 14.33% | 15.16% | 15.71% |
| 71 | 13.12% | 13.97% | 14.52% |
| 72 | 11.92% | 12.77% | 13.33% |
| 73 | 10.71% | 11.58% | 12.14% |
| 74 | 9.50% | 10.38% | 10.96% |
| 75 | 8.30% | 9.19% | 9.77% |
| 76 | 7.09% | 7.99% | 8.58% |
| 77 | 5.88% | 6.80% | 7.40% |
| 78 | 4.68% | 5.60% | 6.21% |
| 79 | 3.47% | 4.41% | 5.02% |
| 80 | 2.26% | 3.21% | 3.83% |