Half Back Blackjack

Michael Shackleford: Hello, I’m Michael Shackleford here at the 2015 Cutting Edge Table Game Show, located at the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Today, I'm thrilled to be here with my favorite dealer from Las Vegas, Angela Wyman. It's great to see you again, Angela.

Angela Wyman: It’s always a pleasure to catch up with you, Mike.

Michael: You really know how to make these events enjoyable.

Angela: [laughs] I just wait for your arrival.

Question 1 - [00:25]

Michael: You’re too generous with your words! What game will you be showcasing this year?

Angela: This year, I'll be presenting Half Back Blackjack. It's a variation of Blackjack where you start with two equal mandatory bets. If your first two cards total anywhere from 13 to 16, the dealer gives you the option to retract half of that initial bet, allowing you to improve your hand. To balance this, if the dealer's first card is between three and six, I take it off and play the next card from the deck.

Question 2 - [00:52]

Michael: So, the key advantage for the player is the ability to surrender while still continuing with their hand, right?

Angela: Exactly.

Question 3 - [00:59]

Michael: Angela, how does the strategy for this game set itself apart from traditional Blackjack?

Angela: Well, the option to retract half your bet certainly changes the dynamics of the game. When it comes to splits, it’s a bit different as well. You don’t need to place any extra money for your first split; that’s covered by the two bets already made. Any further splits, however, would necessitate additional units to be wagered. For doubling, you only double the initial or main bet, not both.

Question 4 - [01:27]

Michael: Got it, so doubling feels more like a compromise in this game, which likely means players will double less frequently. Do you have a basic strategy guide for this game available?

Angela: I do, absolutely.

Question 5 - [01:38]

Michael: Yes, it appears that the basic strategy for hard hands resembles traditional Blackjack, with less doubling and more splitting involved. Like in typical Blackjack, splits occur without needing to place additional funds on the table. Does this approach benefit or disadvantage the player?

Angela: It could go both ways; however, I believe mathematically, it tends to lean in favor of the casino rather than the player.

Michael: I appreciate you taking the time to explain the game to me.

Written by: Michael Shackleford