Instead of paying 3 to 2 for natural Blackjacks the casinos are paying 6 to 5. If you are betting ten dollars a hand you would normally be paid $15 dollars for a blackjack. Instead with a blackjack paying 6 to 5 you will only be paid $12 for your natural Blackjack. This one rule variation increases the house edge by 1 ½ percent. But that is not the only rule variation that is incorporated into this single deck game. The dealer hits soft 17 which adds an additional .20 percent to this game. The house has about a 2 percent edge on this game.
The regular multi-deck Atlantic City blackjack games have a house edge of .4 to .5 percent with basic strategy play. Many players don’t take the time to learn to play basic strategy correctly and give up an even larger percentage to the house. Those players will be giving up a lot more on this single deck game. If you want to play Blackjack you should always look for the best games in your area. It is important that you know how to play basic strategy perfectly otherwise you are giving the house an edge you don’t have to. If you want an edge you should consider learning card counting.
In a multiple 6-8 deck game Blackjack game the cards are dealt out of a shoe face up on the table. The players are not allowed to touch the cards. With a single deck game the dealer holds the cards and deals them face down to the player. The player gets to pick up the cards. When they want to hit they scratch the cards towards them on the layout. To stand they place tuck their cards under their chips. Atlantic City experimented with the single deck game 10 years ago but the cards were dealt face up and the player was not allowed to touch the cards.
There is a $10 minimum bet for the single deck games at the casinos offering this game. As with most Atlantic City casinos the limits will more than likely increase to $25 on weekends.
Some Blackjack players from the East Coast who have never had the opportunity to play a hand dealt game may want to try this game just for the thrill of playing something different. Knowledgeable Blackjack players will avoid it like the plague. If you really want to play a hand held game you should take the money you save by not playing this game and travel to a destination where you can find a good one.
Until next time, remember:
"Luck comes and goes...Knowledge Stays Forever!"
