Next Step Blackjack

Introduction

Next Step Blackjack is a side bet in blackjack that pays out if either the player or dealer achieves a blackjack. The dealer's blackjack secures a guaranteed payout, while four dice rolls determine the payout for a player blackjack.

As of October 2016, this game can be found at the Isle of Capri in Lula, Mississippi, and at Lady Luck in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Rules

1. Players can place their Next Step Blackjack bets concurrently with their main blackjack wagers.
2. In the event that the dealer achieves a blackjack, the player wins a payout of 3 to 1 on their side bet.
3. Should the player score a blackjack, their payout depends on the roll of four dice, and in some situations, the specific type of blackjack. The table below illustrates the payouts according to two known pay tables.
4. If both the player and dealer get blackjacks, the player receives the total of the payouts from each blackjack.

Analysis

The following table details my evaluation of Pay Table 1 with six decks; it indicates a house edge of 11.32%.

Here is my analysis of Pay Table 1 using eight decks; the house edge shown in the lower right cell is 11.39%.

I've analyzed Pay Table 2 with six decks, and the lower right cell indicates a house edge of 15.09%.

My evaluation of Pay Table 2 with eight decks shows a house edge of 15.16%, as reflected in the lower right cell.

Blackjack

During the Global Gaming Expo in 2016, I spoke with the developers of Next Step Blackjack, who provided me with different house edge figures than those I presented. Despite my attempts to clarify the discrepancies in calculations with them, I was not successful. Nevertheless, I did seek an independent review that confirmed my findings.

• Dice Total
• Pays — A forum discussion about Next Step Blackjack

Combinations Probability