On this page
Mardi Gras
Introduction
Mardi Gras is a blackjack side bet based on the dealer's first two cards. As of this writing in September 2024, it can be found on double-deck games only at the Orleans casino in Las Vegas.
Rules
The side bet pays based on the dealer's first two cards, as follows:
- A/K diamonds — 130 to 1
- Suited aces — 45 to 1
- Unsuited aces — 25 to 1
- Suited blackjack — 15 to 1
- Unsuited blackjack — 5 to 1
- Straight flush — 5 to 1
Analysis
The following table shows my analysis, based on two decks. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 14.19%.
Mardi Gras -- Two Decks
| Event | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A/K diamonds | 130 | 4 | 0.000747 | 0.097087 |
| Suited aces | 45 | 4 | 0.000747 | 0.033607 |
| Unsuited aces | 25 | 24 | 0.004481 | 0.112024 |
| Suited blackjack | 15 | 60 | 0.011202 | 0.168036 |
| Unsuited blackjack | 5 | 192 | 0.035848 | 0.179238 |
| Straight flush | 5 | 192 | 0.035848 | 0.179238 |
| All other | -1 | 4880 | 0.911128 | -0.911128 |
| Total | 5356 | 1.000000 | -0.141897 |
Although I'm told the side bet is only available in double-deck games, I present the following table based on six decks, should that ever change. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 12.47%.
Mardi Gras -- Six Decks
| Event | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A/K diamonds | 130 | 36 | 0.000742 | 0.096463 |
| Suited aces | 45 | 60 | 0.001237 | 0.055652 |
| Unsuited aces | 25 | 216 | 0.004452 | 0.111303 |
| Suited blackjack | 15 | 540 | 0.011130 | 0.166955 |
| Unsuited blackjack | 5 | 1728 | 0.035617 | 0.178086 |
| Straight flush | 5 | 1728 | 0.035617 | 0.178086 |
| All other | -1 | 44208 | 0.911205 | -0.911205 |
| Total | 48516 | 1.000000 | -0.124660 |