Why do 6:5 blackjack tables have such a bad reputation?
You undeniably wouldn’t be the only person to accidentally sit at a 6:5 blackjack game in a land-based casino. And only realize it once a few hands pass. Thankfully, this kind of “mistake” is not common in online casinos. This is because most of the big names in the online gambling industry, Evolution, Ezugi, Scientific Games (Authentic Gaming), pretty much only host 3:2 blackjack tables in their live casino lobby and first-person RNG-blackjack games. How come 6:5 blackjack tables have such a bad reputation?
But since many of you play in both online and offline casinos. Today, we thought we’d look at some of the impacts this type of game could have on card counters and everyday pleasure-seekers. We’ll also look at the history of 6:5 blackjack. So, without further ado, let’s get to it.
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Bigger numbers does not mean better odds – here’s a fun fact
Did you know that a study indicated many folks in the USA are not that comfortable with the concept of fractions?
This fact was highlighted when 2 competing fast-food chains launched a new range of burgers. And while one of the rivals offered more meat and a product that was superior in blind tastings. The simple fact that the 1/3 pounder sounded like it offered less value than the ¼ pounder meant that the fast-food with the better product underperformed compared with the notorious burger you know today. So what does it tell us?
Some people think more significant numbers in the fraction mean more value. Yet, it’s the opposite. But if you are on blackjack.me. There’s no doubt that it’s not your case. However, it’s a trap everyday pleasure-seekers can fall in from time to time. The truth is, 3:2 blackjack games pay 25% more than 6:5 tables.
How much edge do you lose at a 6:5 blackjack game?
It’s estimated that folks who opt to play 6:5 blackjack give on average 1.5% of their edge to the house. In other words, if we round numbers up, on 3:2 games, the casino has an edge of 0.5%. And at 6:5, it’s 2%. Sure, if you’re an everyday pleasure-seeker with a small bankroll. It essentially means getting around $1 to $7 less an hour if you play perfect blackjack strategy, that is. But advantage players know that to maximize expected value (EV), facts like this matter in the long run.
A few years ago, a blackjack coach did the math for his team. He found out that on an 8 deck 3:2 table with risk of ruin (1-2%). His teammate who had a $20k bankroll could expect to make around $40- $50 an hour. That’s significantly higher than 6:5, which could mean only breaking even for the same bankroll.
The history of 6:5 blackjack – how the Flamingo hotel change blackjack
Did you know that the Flamingo in old town Vegas was the first land-based venue to offer 6:5 blackjack? And when this game went live on their casino floor, it was marketed as one that offered more to players. Perhaps because back then, playing a 6:5 blackjack game also meant choosing to hit, stand or split on a single deck game. And most players know that single-deck games offer great odds.
After the Flamingo rolled out its 6:5 blackjack tables, other casinos jumped on the opportunity to do the same. Thus, the Flamingo drastically changed the course of blackjack history, at least on and off the Strip.
Suppose you visit any venue today. You’ll see many tables boasting 6 or 8 decks that pay 6:5 for blackjack. But the most seasoned pro would tell you that only tourists play them because naturally, there’s less money to be made.
What’s the moral of this story?
With the increasing appetite for blackjack in online and offline casinos in Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, brick-and-mortar operators will try to win an edge when they can. In other words, it’s likely that even more, 6:5 tables will pop in the low limit section of the casino you visit. So be on the lookout for them and avoid them if you can.
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