Wizard Recommends Cards

On this page

Lucky Blackjack

Introduction


Lucky Blackjack is a blackjack variant at Internet casinos using Playtech software. The game has a single hand only and the player bets on the final outcome, from 17 to a bust.
 

Rules

  1. A single 52-card deck is used.
  2. All cards are valued as in conventional blackjack.
  3. The player may make bets on any of the following final outcomes: 17 points, 18 points, 19 points, 20 points, 21 points, blackjack, and bust.
  4. The dealer shall draw cards until he has 17 points or more.
  5. The dealer shall stand on a soft 17.
  6. A winning 17-point bet shall pay 5 to 1.
  7. A winning 18-point bet shall pay 6 to 1.
  8. A winning 19-point bet shall pay 6 to 1.
  9. A winning 20-point bet shall pay 4 to 1.
  10. A winning 21-point bet shall pay 12 to 1.
  11. A winning blackjack bet shall pay 19 to 1.
  12. A winning bust bet shall pay 2 to 1.
 

Analysis

Lucky Blackjack

Bet Pays Probability Return
17 5 0.145830 -0.125022
18 6 0.138063 -0.033558
19 6 0.134820 -0.056260
20 4 0.175806 -0.120968
21 12 0.073630 -0.042815
Blackjack 19 0.048266 -0.034690
Bust 2 0.283585 -0.149244

Strategy

With a house edge ranging from 3.36% to 14.92%, I would suggest playing something else. However, if you must play Lucky Blackjack, I would suggest making the 18 bet only, with the lowest house edge at 3.36%. The Blackjack bet is not much worse at a 3.47% house edge.
 

Written by: Michael Shackleford