Free Bet Blackjack @ Golden Nugget, LV Posted in blackjack, free bet blackjack by stephenhow on June 22, 2012 Well, the tables are turned around, and now it’s.
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- Free Bet Blackjack Push 22 Odds
May 13, 2019 Free Bet Blackjack is a “push on 22” game similar to other blackjack variants. If the dealer ends with exactly a 22 they will bust but all players still in the game push their bet. Players that bust are not eligible for the push on 22. Like all blackjack games, the object of Free Bet Blackjack is to have or make a hand total that will be. Free Bet Blackjack Changes Concept About 22. May 20, 2014 3:00 AM. I’m talking about a game called Free Bet Blackjack. In Push 22 games, the player is not going to want to do this nearly. Got in early Saturday morning and only a few blackjack tables were open. One of the games was 'push 22.' Rules are very similar to regular blackjack. Obviously the dealer pushes when he/she has 22. But, on the flip side all splits are free. When you split the casino matches your bet so if you lose, you'd only lose your original bet. Free Bet Blackjack is a variation of standard Blackjack that allows you to double-down and split for free. “Free bets” will be indicated by the placement of a special “Free bet” button. Free Bet Blackjack also features the Push 22 side bet that wins when the dealer busts with a hand total of 22.
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On This Page
Introduction
Free Bet Blackjack is a blackjack variant by game inventor Geoff Hall. The twist to this one is the player doesn't have to risk his own money when splitting or doubling (most of the time). It is like playing with a generous boyfriend at the table who makes all the supplemental bets for you and lets you keep the winnings. What is the catch? Like in Geoff's other game, Blackjack Switch, if the dealer gets a 22, all bets left standing push.
The game opened for business on June 20, 2012 at the Golden Nugget. I went down for the game's debut and found the table full of people enjoying the game. The strategy is simpler and offers more doubles and splits than conventional blackjack. Gamblers who find the basic strategy of conventional blackjack too complicated to memorize may take relief in the simplicity of Free Bet Blackjack.
Rules
The rules have changed since the game launched at the Golden Nugget. It is my understand that the rules below are now the norm. The game is based on standard blackjack, with the following rules:- Six decks
- Dealer hits soft 17's
- Blackjacks pay 3 to 2
- Double after split allowed
- Double on two cards only
- Re-split pairs up to four hands, including aces
- No surrender
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The game introduces two major rule changes:
- 'Free Doubles' on hard totals of two-card total of 9, 10, or 11. Regular doubles are still allowed on all other two-card hands. With a 'free double,' the player's original wager is matched with a 'free bet' button and the player receives one additional card. At the end of the hand:
- If the dealer wins, the player loses his original wager only.
- If the hand results in a push, the player gets back his original wager only.
- Otherwise, if the player wins, the player gets back his original wager plus winnings equal to double that wager.
- 'Free Splits' on all pairs except 10's. With a 'free split,' the player's two cards are divided into two one-card hands. The player's original wager is placed with the first hand and a 'free bet' button is placed with the second hand. The player plays out each hand one at a time and is entitled to a 'free double' or 'free split' on both hands. For winning hands, each 'free bet' button is replaced with real chips equaling the original wager. On hands resulting in a player loss or push, the dealer takes back the 'free bet' button.
- Dealer pushes on 22. If the player has 21 or less and the dealer busts with 22, then the player's wager is a push.
Basic Strategy
Strategy depends on whether you are playing a real money bet or a free bet. There is a difference because a push is just as bad as a loss on a Free Bet, thus causing a more aggressive strategy. The following three tables show the strategy for a real money hand, free bet hand, and pairs respectively.
If you remember just one thing about the strategy, accept every free double and free split opportunity.
House Edge
The house edge under the standard rules above is 1.04%.
Rule Variants
Following are the effects of some possible rule variants. The effects are the change in the player's expected return. The figures below with a (SH) were taken with permission from Discount Gambling. The ones with a (Wiz) were calculated by me. It is interesting that the greater the number of decks, the better the odds for the player, which is the opposite of conventional blackjack. I assume it is because there is more free-splitting with more decks, due to a lesser effect of non-replacement.
- Free doubles with three or more cards (DG): +0.66%.
- Dealer stands on soft 17 (DG): +0.31%.
- Late surrender allowed (DG): +0.21%.
- One deck: -0.14% (Wiz).
- Two decks: -0.06% (Wiz).
- Eight decks: +0.01% (Wiz,DG).
- No re-splitting aces (DG): -0.08%.
- No free re-splits on a pair of fours (DG): -0.27%.
- No re-splitting 2-9: -0.32% (DG).
- No double or free-double after a split (DG): -0.70%.
- Blackjack pays 6 to 5: -1.36% (Wiz).
Pot of Gold
I have heard reports that some casinos offer a side bet called Pot of Gold, which is based on the number of Free Bet tokens the player accumulates per initial hand. The Washington Gambling Commission lists two Pot of Gold pay tables. Following is my analysis of both of them. These tables were based on a random simulation. The lower right cells show a house edge of 5.77% on pay table 1 and 4.64% on pay table 2.
![Free Bet Blackjack Push 22 Free Bet Blackjack Push 22](/uploads/1/2/6/2/126269372/803047182.jpeg)
Pot of Gold — Pay Table 1
Tokens | Pays | Probability | Return |
---|---|---|---|
7 | 1000 | 0.000002 | 0.002026 |
6 | 300 | 0.000027 | 0.008140 |
5 | 100 | 0.000194 | 0.019445 |
4 | 60 | 0.000847 | 0.050799 |
3 | 30 | 0.003866 | 0.115973 |
2 | 10 | 0.013488 | 0.134884 |
1 | 3 | 0.148155 | 0.444466 |
0 | -1 | 0.833420 | -0.833420 |
Total | 1.000000 | -0.057686 |
Pot of Gold — Pay Table 2
Tokens | Pays | Probability | Return |
---|---|---|---|
7 | 100 | 0.000002 | 0.000203 |
6 | 100 | 0.000027 | 0.002713 |
5 | 100 | 0.000194 | 0.019445 |
4 | 50 | 0.000847 | 0.042333 |
3 | 30 | 0.003866 | 0.115973 |
2 | 12 | 0.013488 | 0.161861 |
1 | 3 | 0.148155 | 0.444466 |
0 | -1 | 0.833420 | -0.833420 |
Total | 1.000000 | -0.046426 |
Free Bet Blackjack Strategy
The player can lower the house edge on the Pot of Gold by splitting fives instead of doubling, at the detriment of the primary wager. If the player splits fives the house edge on the Pot of Gold will be 2.75% under Pay Table 1 and 1.48% under Pay Table 2. Splitting fives, instead of doubling, will increase the house edge on the base wager by 0.15%.
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank Geoff Hall, the inventor, for his cooperation with the rules and sharing the math report. This report is based on a combination of work between Stephen How and me. We are in close agreement on the house edge. The basic strategy and some of the effects of rule variations are the work of Stephen How.
Internal Links
- Original rule card. Please note that doubling on three or more cards is no longer allowed but free splits of fours is. Overall, the old rules were better, of course. Table game rules seldom get better for the player.
Outside Links
- Free Bet Blackjack page at Discount Gambling.
- Free Bet Blackjack Facebook page.
Free Bet Blackjack also features the Push 22 side bet that wins when the dealer busts with a hand total of 22. When this occurs, all blackjack wagers still in action will result in a push, but the Push 22 bet wins.
Getting Started
To play, you make a traditional blackjack wager against the dealer. You also have the option of making a Push 22 wager.
To play, you make a traditional blackjack wager against the dealer. You also have the option of making a Push 22 wager.
Free Split
You may “free split” any pair except 10-value cards up to three times for a total of four hands. When “free splitting” aces, you will only receive one card on each ace. When your “free split” hand wins, the dealer will place a composition of chips equal to the amount of your original wager next to the “free bet” button. If your “free split” hand results in a push or loss, the dealer will remove the “free bet” button and proceed as normal.
Note: Standard Split rules apply when splitting 10-value cards.
You may “free split” any pair except 10-value cards up to three times for a total of four hands. When “free splitting” aces, you will only receive one card on each ace. When your “free split” hand wins, the dealer will place a composition of chips equal to the amount of your original wager next to the “free bet” button. If your “free split” hand results in a push or loss, the dealer will remove the “free bet” button and proceed as normal.
Note: Standard Split rules apply when splitting 10-value cards.
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Free Double
You can “free double” on a first two-card hard total of 9, 10 or 11, or after splitting if your two-card hard hand totals 9, 10 or 11. When your “free double” hand wins, the dealer will place a composition of chips equal to twice the amount of your original wager next to your wager and remove the “free bet” button.
When the hand loses, the Dealer will collect both your original wager and the “free bet” button. If your “free double” hand results in a push, the Dealer will signal a push and collect the “free bet” button.
Note: Standard Double-Down rules apply to any other two-card hand combinations.
You can “free double” on a first two-card hard total of 9, 10 or 11, or after splitting if your two-card hard hand totals 9, 10 or 11. When your “free double” hand wins, the dealer will place a composition of chips equal to twice the amount of your original wager next to your wager and remove the “free bet” button.
When the hand loses, the Dealer will collect both your original wager and the “free bet” button. If your “free double” hand results in a push, the Dealer will signal a push and collect the “free bet” button.
Note: Standard Double-Down rules apply to any other two-card hand combinations.
Push 22 Bet
The PUSH 22 bet wins when the dealer busts with a hand total of 22. When this occurs, all blackjack wagers still in action will result in a push. Winning PUSH 22 bets are paid according to the PUSH 22 pay table, and lose with any other outcome.
Note: Player blackjacks are paid immediately before the dealer hits out so they are not affected by the PUSH 22 rule.
The PUSH 22 bet wins when the dealer busts with a hand total of 22. When this occurs, all blackjack wagers still in action will result in a push. Winning PUSH 22 bets are paid according to the PUSH 22 pay table, and lose with any other outcome.
Note: Player blackjacks are paid immediately before the dealer hits out so they are not affected by the PUSH 22 rule.
Free Bet Blackjack Push 22 Odds
PUSH 22 PAY TABLE | ||
---|---|---|
HAND | PAYOUT | |
Dealer Bust 22 (same suit) | 50 to 1 | |
Dealer Bust 22 (same color) | 20 to 1 | |
Dealer Bust 22 (any combo) | 8 to 1 |