I am from Perth and obviously the BlackJack conditions over here at Burswood Casino are crap unless you play in the Tournament which I will be next time it comes around. I am planning a trip over to Melbourne soon and as a result i wanted to know the current BlackJack conditions for card counters there, so I ask this question:
What are the current BlackJack playing conditions at Crown Casino (Melbourne)?
My main concerns are:
- Are there Continuous Shuffling Machines (CSM's) in use? If so, are they at all tables or only some?
- What are the table minimums?
- How easy is it to get on a table?
- What are the current rules? For example does the dealer hit on soft 17? Does the dealer take only original bets on dealer BlackJack?
- What is the heat level like for card counters?
Any other information that seems relevant would also be helpful.
Thanks.
What are the current BlackJack playing conditions at Crown Casino (Melbourne)?
My main concerns are:
- Are there Continuous Shuffling Machines (CSM's) in use? If so, are they at all tables or only some?
- What are the table minimums?
- How easy is it to get on a table?
- What are the current rules? For example does the dealer hit on soft 17? Does the dealer take only original bets on dealer BlackJack?
- What is the heat level like for card counters?
Any other information that seems relevant would also be helpful.
Thanks.
shielsy
- Star Casino’s gaming floor isn’t as big as Crown Melbourne’s, at 104,450 square feet, and only offers around 200 table games – half as many as Crown Melbourne offers – including a number of blackjack tables. Crown Melbourne has a bigger gaming space and more blackjack tables, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve won the race.
- Accommodation near Crown Casino. Enjoy a night of glamour at the casino, and return back to your Crowne Plaza accommodation when the magic fades. Combine the casino experience with the fresh air and breathtaking, up-close water views from your room at Crowne Plaza Melbourne.
By offering a sea of $5 and $10 Blackjack Plus tables, Crown is essentially forcing its customers away from the more popular version of 21, leaving traditional blackjack enthusiasts to seek out alternative providers of their favourite casino game. Even Crown’s only real domestic rival, Sydney’s The Star – where, incidentally, there is not.
Hi all,
First time posting after I cam across Blackjack Plus at Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia.
Blackjack in Australia usually has a very low house edge (no hole card is the main reason for this), but I came across 'Blackjack Plus' which seems to have a few rules changes in favour of the player.
Anyhow, the main differences to the rules appear to primarily favourable to the player, but I've no idea how to calculate the change to the house edge.
Official rules found here:
Main differences from normal 'Crown Blackjack' are:
Player wins on 21 regardless of Dealer's card.
Player wins on any 5 card hand totalling 21 or less
Player can double up on any 2 or 3 card hand
If Dealer hits 22 and Player is less than 21, it's a standoff (neither win nor lose...US use a different term, right?).
Eight decks used and blackjack pays 3 to 2.
So....What's the edge using basic strategy?
First time posting after I cam across Blackjack Plus at Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia.
Blackjack in Australia usually has a very low house edge (no hole card is the main reason for this), but I came across 'Blackjack Plus' which seems to have a few rules changes in favour of the player.
Anyhow, the main differences to the rules appear to primarily favourable to the player, but I've no idea how to calculate the change to the house edge.
Official rules found here:
Main differences from normal 'Crown Blackjack' are:
Player wins on 21 regardless of Dealer's card.
Player wins on any 5 card hand totalling 21 or less
Player can double up on any 2 or 3 card hand
If Dealer hits 22 and Player is less than 21, it's a standoff (neither win nor lose...US use a different term, right?).
Eight decks used and blackjack pays 3 to 2.
So....What's the edge using basic strategy?
JB
Administrator
Administrator
The house edge is somewhere between 5% and 5.5% depending on whether or not the dealer hits soft 17, and that's assuming perfect play with the entire shoe being reshuffled after each hand, both of which are unlikely.
The push-on-22 rule is the one that damages the game, because its effect on the house edge significantly outweighs the effects of the player-friendly rules. A better name for the game would be 'Blackjack Minus'.
The push-on-22 rule is the one that damages the game, because its effect on the house edge significantly outweighs the effects of the player-friendly rules. A better name for the game would be 'Blackjack Minus'.
jeanesmith
Interesting odds here. I just hoped that things would be well, as well as making it happen and make all things good and well in the long run. Thanks for the insights that you have given!
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FleaStiff
If Dealer hits 22 and Player is less than 21, it's a standoff (neither win nor lose...US use a different term, right?).
Rather than 'standoff' we often use the term 'push' which is probably a bit less confrontational sounding than 'standoff'.The term 'push' may appear to be more pleasant and the rule itself may appear to be innocuous but appearances are deceptive.
I recently visited a casino that had two separate Blackjack Pits... one was 6:5 and hit soft 17, the other was 3:2, did not hit 17 and did not allow any midshoe entry. The two separate rule sets were clearly indicated by major signage and minor signage at each table.
I wonder if your Crown Casino should be improving its signage?
Wizard
Administrator
Sorry to wake up a three-year-old thread but I saw this game in New Zealand so of course had to analyze it. Fortunately, it is similar to Blackjack Challenge, which I saw in Sydney, that I also just analyzed. Administrator
Please see my new page on Blackjack Plus. As my loyal guinea pigs, I welcome all questions, comments, and especially corrections.
It's not whether you win or lose; it's whether or not you had a good bet.
Uranium235
Thanks a lot Wizard
I will be at Crown next week but will definitely stick to the regular BJ tables which are unfortunately hard to find nowadays. If anyone is planning a trip, they are mainly down the hotel end near the Atrium Bar which is actually quite a nice atmosphere to have a bet. There are also a few tables in the Maple Room: it's higher limit with free drinks the last time I visited with no requirement for entry except some good cash. The table minimums are AUD 30-40 depending on the day but is becoming less and less in USD by the day too!
Crown has H17 unless you're in a very high limit room but I do prefer the ambience at Crown compared to my local (Star in Sydney) that has S17 rules.
Cheers,
U235
I will be at Crown next week but will definitely stick to the regular BJ tables which are unfortunately hard to find nowadays. If anyone is planning a trip, they are mainly down the hotel end near the Atrium Bar which is actually quite a nice atmosphere to have a bet. There are also a few tables in the Maple Room: it's higher limit with free drinks the last time I visited with no requirement for entry except some good cash. The table minimums are AUD 30-40 depending on the day but is becoming less and less in USD by the day too!
Crown has H17 unless you're in a very high limit room but I do prefer the ambience at Crown compared to my local (Star in Sydney) that has S17 rules.
Cheers,
U235
Wizard
Administrator
Administrator
Thanks a lot Wizard
I will be at Crown next week but will definitely stick to the regular BJ tables which are unfortunately hard to find nowadays.
You're welcome. As long as you're there, can you tell me what the Blackjack Plus rules are down there. In particular:
1. What happens if the player splits/doubles and the dealer gets a blackjack. They may tell you 'the player loses his original bet only,' but what about any busted bets from splitting?
2. Can the player double on soft totals?
3. How many hands can the player re-split to? What about aces?
Thanks!
Mike
It's not whether you win or lose; it's whether or not you had a good bet.
Uranium235
No problems; I will drop past a quiet table and have a chat with them.
Uranium235
You're welcome. As long as you're there, can you tell me what the Blackjack Plus rules are down there. In particular:
1. What happens if the player splits/doubles and the dealer gets a blackjack. They may tell you 'the player loses his original bet only,' but what about any busted bets from splitting?
2. Can the player double on soft totals?
3. How many hands can the player re-split to? What about aces?
Thanks!
Mike
Ok folks I've just done some investigative journalism on the gaming floor and the good folks tell me the following rules in place for Blackjack Plus:
Blackjack pays 3/2
OBBO rule is in place (i.e. if the dealer gets blackjack, they will only take your original bet and leave any remaining bets from splits and doubles. However, if you split and bust, you lose that cash regardless)
Double on any two or three cards
Blackjack Tables For Sale
Split twice (i.e. Up to three hands) but only once with aces
No surrender
Stand on any 17 including soft.
Glorious weather here today in Melbourne
Cheers
Smartfart
Free Blackjack Games Casino Style
The game known as Blackjack Plus comes in three variants. The difference is in blackjack payouts: 3-2, 6-5, or even money.
In New Zealand, the rules are same for all three variants: dealer hits soft 17; pushes all bets on total of 22; blackjack, a total of 21 and five-card charlie pay out immediately (regardless of dealer's card); split up to twice (create three hands), split aces receive one card only; double down on any two cards; no surrender.
Also, player with a blackjack can't place an insurance bet (insurance still pays 2-1).
Any other questions about this variant, just ask!
In New Zealand, the rules are same for all three variants: dealer hits soft 17; pushes all bets on total of 22; blackjack, a total of 21 and five-card charlie pay out immediately (regardless of dealer's card); split up to twice (create three hands), split aces receive one card only; double down on any two cards; no surrender.
Also, player with a blackjack can't place an insurance bet (insurance still pays 2-1).
Any other questions about this variant, just ask!