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Blackjack is the one
casino game where the rules vary from casino to casino. Although
gameplay remains the same, differences in rules affect playing strategy
and house advantage. Listed below are the rule variations and their
effect on house advantage. A. NUMBER OF DECKS USED Variables — 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, or 8 decks Blackjack games can be found using anywhere from 1 to 8 decks. The more decks that are used, the greater the house advantage. Before “Beat the Dealer” was published, the standard Las Vegas Strip Blackjack game was played with one deck. Although single deck games can still be found, other rule changes are usually instituted to ensure a higher house advantage. B. WHAT THE DEALER DOES WITH A SOFT 17 Variables — Stand or Hit It is advantageous to a player when the dealer Stands with a Soft 17 [see above right]. This rule is common in Atlantic City and Las Vegas Strip casinos. It is advantageous to the House if the dealer Hits with a Soft 17. This rule is common with 1 or 2 deck games. C. DOUBLE-DOWN VARIATIONS Variables — restrictions: 9–11, 10/11, or None; Doubling after a Split: Yes or No Limitations on what combinations a player can Double-Down on increase the house advantage. In some games players are only allowed to Double-Down on a 10 or 11, or they are not allowed to Double after Splitting. D. SPLITTING VARIATIONS Variables — 1, 2, or 3 Splits allowed In some games players are not allowed to resplit cards (Splitting after a Split) — this is advantageous to the house. In some games resplitting Aces is not allowed which is also advantageous to the house. E. LATE SURRENDER Variables — Late Surrender allowed: Yes or No Late Surrender is only available on an intial 2 card hand. When a player chooses to Surrender, they forfeit half of their bet without playing out the hand. With Late Surrender, a player can only Surrender after the dealer checks for blackjack. F. DEALER PEEK VS. DEALER NO PEEK RULE Variables — Peek, No Peek, Full No Peek In most games the Dealer will check for Blackjack when her upcard is an Ace or a Ten. This is advantageous to the player. In some games the Dealer will not check for a Blackjack when her upcard is a Ten or not even check when it is an Ace (Full No Peek). This is advantageous to the house. “No Peek” rules are advantageous to the House because a player may lose more than his original bet (through Splitting or Doubling Down) against a Dealer’s Blackjack. Source: WorktheOdds.com
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