Pick \"Em Blackjack

Question 1 - [00:04]

Mike: Hello everyone. This is Mike Shackleford from the Wizard of Odds website. I’m currently at the 2014 Raving Table Games event taking place at the Paris Casino in Las Vegas. We're joined by Daniel Hofstein, who is here to discuss the game Pick 'Em Blackjack. Could you share some insights about it?

Daniel: Certainly! In Pick 'Em Blackjack, players have the unique opportunity to select their initial hand. On the table, there are three starting options available: you can choose to begin with a 17, 18, or 19, or you can opt for a traditional blackjack hand for standard gameplay.

Here we can see Elliot and Michael actively participating, each placing bets on all four available wagers at the table. Players have the freedom to combine their bets however they wish, and importantly, they are engaging in four distinct wagers all against me, the dealer.

For instance, if you decide to place your bet on the 18, I will then deal myself a hand because you already possess an 18. The game would continue in a typical manner. If I get a 19 against your 18, then unfortunately the 18 loses, and we progress to the next hand. You have the freedom to choose any starting combination you desire – an 18 pays even money, a 17 pays three to two like traditional blackjack, and a 19 pays one to two due to being a stronger hand. You can either choose to play a conventional blackjack hand or take on all four hands simultaneously; the decision is entirely yours.

For illustrative purposes, let’s say we start with a 16, and then I draw another 10, resulting in a total of 26, which means I bust. Your 17 will win against my busted hand, granting you a payout of three to two. Additionally, your 18 and 19 both win, with the 18 paying even money and the 19 paying one to two.

Mike: That’s straightforward. I’ve encountered the game Instant 18 before, but this seems like a version that allows players to select between Instant 17, 18, or 19.

Daniel: Precisely! We built upon the concept behind Instant 18, as that’s another game we developed.

Mike: I really appreciate the simplicity of the concept. Thank you, Daniel.

Written by: Michael Shackleford