Quick Pay 21

Introduction

Quick Pay 21 is a variation of blackjack that was tested at Planet Hollywood around mid-2019. This game is named for its unique feature allowing players to opt for a 'quick pay' when their hands total between 18 and 20, or they can test their luck against the dealer.

Rules

1. All rules are based on conventional blackjack This page will outline any exceptions and customizable rules, which I'm assuming are already known to the reader.
2. While there can be an unlimited number of decks used, typically six or eight decks are standard in play.
3. The dealer is required to take a hole card and peek at it to check for blackjack when the situation arises.
4. The dealer hits a soft 17.
5. If the dealer ends up with or draws to a hard 17, any standing bets from players will push.
6. The game begins with the player placing two bets: one labeled 'Bet' and the other 'Surrender or Play.'
7. Once the bets have been placed and the initial cards dealt, the resolutions for any blackjack hands will proceed as follows:
   • If both the player and the dealer have blackjack — the bets will push.
   • When the player alone has blackjack — the Bet pays out at 6 to 5 while the Surrender or Play remains a push.
   • In cases where only the dealer secures blackjack — the Bet will lose while the Surrender or Play is a push.
8. For players totaling between 18 and 20, they can opt for a 'Quick Pay' or continue playing their hand in the following manner:
   • With a total of 20 (including soft 20) — the Bet pays 1 to 1 and the Surrender or Play results in a push.
   • For a total of 19 (including soft 19) — the Bet pays 1 to 2, and Surrender or Play is a push.
   • A total of 18 (including soft 18) results in both bets pushing.
9. At this stage, players have the opportunity to make Hedge bets, which are side bets predicting that the dealer will reach a score between 18 and 21. The payouts vary depending on the dealer's up card, which is detailed below.
10. If the player opts out of the Quick Pay or does not qualify for it, their two wagers will be combined into a single bet and the game will proceed in the traditional blackjack manner, taking into account the following rules:
    • Players may surrender any initial two-card combination.
    • Players are allowed to double their bet when the first two cards are dealt.
    • Double after split is allowed
    • Re-splitting of pairs is permitted, with aces receiving only one card each.

The table below depicts the payouts for Hedge Bets, based on pay table 1 used at Planet Hollywood. The dealer's up card is listed in the first column, while other columns illustrate the payout for the Hedge Bet should the dealer reach the scores indicated in the headers.

This table outlines the payouts for Hedge Bets under pay table 2. Similar to before, the dealer's up card is located in the first column, with additional columns displaying the Hedge Bet payouts based on the dealer's total as mentioned in the headings.

Strategy

Key to tables:

• S = Stand
• H = Hit
• D = Double
• P = Split
• R = Surrender
• Q = Quick Pay

Base Game Analysis

From an analysis based on infinite decks, the house edge in the base gameplay is determined to be 1.33%, which is calculated as the expected player loss in relation to the two-unit initial bets. Comparisons to traditional blackjack indicate a slight decrease in house edge by 0.1% when shifting from infinite to six decks. Hence, I will adjust this figure to reflect a house edge of 1.23%.

Hedge Bet Analysis

Remember, Hedge Bets are four separate side bets wagering on whether the dealer will achieve a score from 18 to 21, with the odds reliant on the dealer's visible card.

The likelihood of the dealer reaching any specific total can be analyzed based on the number of decks in play, the hit/stand rules for soft 17, and their up card, which can be further explored in my section on Dealer Odds in Blackjack under U.S. Regulations. .

The table below presents the house edge for Hedge bets according to pay table 1, assuming six decks in play and the dealer stands on a soft 17.

In the subsequent table, the house edge for Hedge bets under pay table 2 is displayed, also under the same conditions of six decks and the dealer standing on a soft 17.

External Links

Discussion about Quick Pay 21 in my forum at Wizard of Vegas.

Written by: Michael Shackleford