bACEball

Introduction

In late 2016, a reader introduced me to bACEball. This engaging table game is available at the Star City casino located in Sydney, Australia. It is straightforward to play and does not require any complex strategies.

Rules

1. This game utilizes six decks of 52 cards each.
2. Cards numbered from 2 to 10 hold their face values, while all face cards contribute 10 points, and aces are valued at 11 points.
3. Once wagers have been placed, both the player and the dealer receive three cards each.
4. If a player has three aces, this combination is termed a 'home run.'
5. Having three cards worth 10 points each results in a situation known as a 'strike out.'
6. The primary wager is referred to as the 'bet,' with specific rules that apply.
   
   • Should the player achieve a Home Run, they automatically win, and the Bet payouts will be at a rate of 10 to 1.
   • Conversely, if the player experiences a Strike Out, they will lose the round automatically.
   • If neither extreme occurs, the player and dealer's card totals are compared, with the higher total determining the victor.
   • When the player's total is superior, the Bet pays out at 1 to 1.
   • If the dealer's total is higher, the Bet is lost.
   • A tie in the point totals results in a push on the Bet.
7. The First Strike wager is contingent on the player's initial card. The following rules apply.
   
   • If the first card is any card worth 10 points, the First Strike pays out at 2 to 1.
   • If not, the First Strike Bet will be a loss.
   
   It is essential to note that this wager functions similarly to the insurance bet found in blackjack.
8. In addition, there are Second Strike and Third Strike bets which are based on the second and third cards respectively, adhering to the same rules as the First Strike wager.
9. The Strike Out wager evaluates all three of the player's cards. Its rules state that:
   
   • If all three cards total 10 points, the Strike Out bet pays at a rate of 30 to 1.
   • Otherwise, the Strike Out bet will result in a loss.
10. Lastly, a Jackpot bet exists, which is based on any aces present in the player's hand. Unfortunately, I lack comprehensive information regarding this bet and will refrain from discussing it until I have more details.

Analysis

The following chart outlines my analysis of the 'Bet' wager. The bottom right corner indicates a house edge of 5.07%.

The subsequent table presents my evaluation of each Strike wager, with the lower right corner displaying a house edge of 7.69%.

Another table illustrates my assessment of the Home Run wager, where the lower right corner shows a house edge of 11.65%.

External Links

• Official rules — Source: New South Wales Liquor & Gaming Authority.
• Discussion about bACEball in my forum at Wizard of Vegas.

Written by: Michael Shackleford