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Mardi Gras

Introduction

Mardi Gras is a side bet in blackjack that relies on the dealer's first two cards. As of September 2024, it's exclusively found in double-deck games at the Orleans casino in Las Vegas.

Rules

This side bet's payout is determined by the dealer's initial two cards, with the following structure:

  • 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 table below presents my findings based on a two-deck game, showing a house edge of 14.19% in the bottom right cell.

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

While I've been informed that the side bet is restricted to double-deck games, I am providing this data for six decks as well, should circumstances change. The bottom right cell indicates 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