Ask The Wizard #82

Greetings! I wanted to express my appreciation for your fantastic website. It’s filled with invaluable insights. I don't mean to be a nuisance, but I’m reaching out to share an interesting variant of blackjack that I recently encountered. While visiting the Oneida Bingo & Casino in Green Bay, Wisconsin, I noticed a few tables that initially appeared to be two-deck pitch blackjack. However, after a closer look, I saw that they used automatic shufflers, and according to the posted rules, the game actually consisted of eight decks. The automatic shuffler provided around 100 cards for dealing. The dealer placed the cut card roughly halfway through this set of 100 cards before beginning to deal. When they reached the cut card, the dealer would return the cards to the shuffler and draw another 100 cards to continue the game. In this particular version, players were unable to double down after splitting and had the option to split their hands up to three times. I’m not entirely certain if the dealer stands or hits on a soft 17.

What’s the ideal ratio between the Pairplus and Ante bets in Three Card Poker?

I have a question regarding the two blackjack strategies detailed on your platform. To start, it's vital to note that the presumption is that hitting on a soft 17 benefits the dealer. Why does the strategy suggest players double down more frequently when the dealer could hit a soft 17, such as when the dealer shows an Ace or a 6, yet advises against doubling down when the dealer stands on a soft 17? If the dealer hitting on a soft 17 indeed gives them an upper hand, what is the logic behind increasing bets during these moments? Is there a possibility that the two strategies could be reversed? 8 deck blackjack strategy You raise a valid point—generally, hitting a soft 17 does provide an advantage to the dealer. However, this is a broad generalization and doesn't apply uniformly to every scenario. When you hold a solid hand of 18 to 21, it's beneficial for the dealer to stand on a soft 17. Conversely, if your hand is weak, under 17, you prefer the dealer to hit on their soft 17. A key strategic difference is to double on a soft 19 against a dealer showing a 6 if the dealer hits on a soft 17, but simply stand if the dealer is standing. This strategy is in place because there’s a greater risk of drawing a poor card on the double, leading to 16 points or fewer. When the dealer hits a soft 17, their chances of busting are increased, thus making the doubling on soft 19 a bit less risky in this case.

It's likely that most players are unaware that the don't pass bet offers a slight advantage. Even those who do know may still prefer the pass line as it provides a sense of community, allowing them to feel part of the majority instead of going against the grain.

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