There was a time when video blackjack was one of the sharpest casino plays. Good rules, no players card exclusions, promotions and, sometimes, countable games, made it a great option for those looking for an edge. Those days in Las Vegas are long gone.
The old video blackjack machines, like BJ Blitz and Dealers Angel, are no longer available in Las Vegas. The next generation of games, manufactured by SHFL, offered 3:2 payouts, dealer standing on soft 17 and surrender. A players card was often available, too. None of these machines could be set to pay 6:5 on a blackjack. This kept the house edge on the machines reasonable.
Interblock took over the next generation of video blackjack machines in Las Vegas. These machines have a setting to allow 6:5 payouts. Every Las Vegas casino on the Strip now sets it there, adding about 1.39 percent to the house edge from a 3:2 game with the same other rules. Just five years ago, none of these 6:5 video blackjack games existed.
Many Game Kings spread video blackjack. These are fast games that can deal 20 hands a minute if the player wants it that quickly. Unfortunately, the rules are among the worst that you will ever find. Blackjack pays even money. Double down is typically only allowed on 10 or 11. Some machines do not allow double down after splitting. The dealer hits soft 17.
Next up on our ongoing 'how to play' gaming video series: blackjack. It's often the go-to game for beginner Las Vegas gamblers because basic blackjack strategies are easy to learn. In blackjack, players attempt to reach a score of 21—without exceeding it—before the dealer hits 17. 21 Las Vegas Com. Video Blackjack and Video Poker Machines. Slot machine addicts will enjoy the new games offered by all of the Atlantic City casinos, video blackjack, draw poker, and progressive slot machines. Video blackjack is played on a slot-machine-like device with a TV screen showing the player's hand and the dealer's hand. Slot Machines Sports Betting. Las Vegas USA Casino. Home › video › Blackjack Rules and Strategy Video Tutorial. Last Updated: April 7, 2020. For the most part, any strategy guide & tips for video blackjack will say that you should avoid taking insurance in nearly all cases. In the long run, this is a losing proposition for the player. Insurance is offered if the dealer is showing an A. If you take up the offer, you will then put out an additional 50 percent of your original bet amount. VIDEO BACCARAT MACHINES. As has been the case with every other table game there are now video baccarat machines. We're not talking crude attempts to simulate the game in a video poker cabinet such as we saw with blackjack several times during the past 30 years–these are very sophisticated games that do a good job of replicating the rules, play and ‘feel' of live baccarat.
Where to play 3:2 video blackjack in Las Vegas
There are only two Las Vegas casinos that spread 3:2 video blackjack these days. The D has a machine on its second floor. El Cortez has one by the keno lounge. The D game requires a $5 minimum bet. El Cortez has it for $1. Players may double down before and after splitting. Surrender is offered. The dealer hits soft 17.
Treasure Island has stadium blackjack that pays 3:2 on a natural. It is the only stadium blackjack game in Las Vegas that I have found that pays 3:2. The minimum is $2 during the week and $5 on weekends This is where there are rows of seats with players hoping to beat the same house hand. It allows players to still act independently. Some players may stand while other hit or surrender.
Good video blackjack still spread in other markets
This problem has not affected other markets. For example, Deadwood, South Dakota has about 10 SHFL video blackjack games. All pay 3:2. There are two Dealers Angels and one IGT machine. These also pay 3:2. My last visit to Atlantic City had a 3:2 SHFL machine downstairs at Tropicana. Harrah's Cherokee and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River have heads up 3:2 blackjack games with loose rules.
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I am suspicious these machines are fair. I spent my day reading on here about basic strategy. I printed the strategy table vle and referenced it every hand. I played $10 bets on a $100 roll.
I lost all $100 in 40 minutes with 5 people on game the whole time. I was dealed several bad cards, getting 12-14 several times.
With that game and my bet limits, fair odds and house edge calculator would have said I could last hours. Of course there is variation, but $100 in 40 minutes is quite a large deviation and highly unlikely.
Since this was my first longer run with the machine, I am suspicious this machine isn't exactly fair. I could have just gotten very unlucky but that is very unlikely from probability. I wanted to play for a few hours and modified my betting to give me at least a couple hour expected play.
On paper, that machine offers the best blackjack in venetian, and good overall. However, if something isn't right with it then it's very misleading.
Any thoughts?
Assuming they have a generic .5% HE, you played 40 min so let's say something like 60 hands, and you bet $10 the whole time.
OriginalSD = 1.15 * AvgBet = 11.5 ...(1.15 is the variance of blackjack)
EV(x hands) = (AvgBet*NumHands)*(HouseEdge)
SD(x hands) = Sqrt(x) * OriginalSD
EV(60 hands) = (10*60)*(-.005) = -$3
SD(60 hands) = Sqrt(60) * 11.5 = ~$90
to be 95% confident we need to use 2SD... which 2SD = $180
So with 95% confidence when you played 60 hands you could expect to lose $3 +/- $180... which means losing $100 is well within that range. Nothing out of the ordinary here at all since you're looking at a VERY SMALL sampling size so the variance can (and will) be wild. Would you think the machines were gaffed for the player had you won $100 in 40 min? After all, each and every time you play 40 min on that machine for the rest of your life you should expect to lose $3.
Since it was my first time really on the machine, getting - $100 on a -$183 - +177 variation I knew was unlucky (and I think your calculations will have a tighter range with smaller hands) . I didnt count the number of hands but it was definitely under 60, try using 30 & 40.
I am just suspicious at this point, and getting a very bad result on the first shot adds to that. It is possible, sure, just unlikely.
People say machines are fair because the law requires it, but humans have to code the machines and there are always bugs. Ones that help the house don't make a priority list unless someone else discovers it (good luck proving that). Ones that hurt the house will be fixed pronto.
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I took photos of the machine rules.
Since then I have been unable to find a machine on the East coast that paid correctly; not that I have any way of being thorough.
So I guess you can tell I am saying I hope you have made sure naturals don't pay 2 for 1 - which is how they usually put it.
The number of hands was definitely under 60. No more than 40 for sure with the 5 people on and waiting time for bets on the machine. How does that affect your assessment? It should be a smaller range right?
EV(40 hands) = (10*40)*(-.005) = -$2
SD(40 hands) = Sqrt(40) * 11.5 = 72... 2SD = $144
Many Game Kings spread video blackjack. These are fast games that can deal 20 hands a minute if the player wants it that quickly. Unfortunately, the rules are among the worst that you will ever find. Blackjack pays even money. Double down is typically only allowed on 10 or 11. Some machines do not allow double down after splitting. The dealer hits soft 17.
Next up on our ongoing 'how to play' gaming video series: blackjack. It's often the go-to game for beginner Las Vegas gamblers because basic blackjack strategies are easy to learn. In blackjack, players attempt to reach a score of 21—without exceeding it—before the dealer hits 17. 21 Las Vegas Com. Video Blackjack and Video Poker Machines. Slot machine addicts will enjoy the new games offered by all of the Atlantic City casinos, video blackjack, draw poker, and progressive slot machines. Video blackjack is played on a slot-machine-like device with a TV screen showing the player's hand and the dealer's hand. Slot Machines Sports Betting. Las Vegas USA Casino. Home › video › Blackjack Rules and Strategy Video Tutorial. Last Updated: April 7, 2020. For the most part, any strategy guide & tips for video blackjack will say that you should avoid taking insurance in nearly all cases. In the long run, this is a losing proposition for the player. Insurance is offered if the dealer is showing an A. If you take up the offer, you will then put out an additional 50 percent of your original bet amount. VIDEO BACCARAT MACHINES. As has been the case with every other table game there are now video baccarat machines. We're not talking crude attempts to simulate the game in a video poker cabinet such as we saw with blackjack several times during the past 30 years–these are very sophisticated games that do a good job of replicating the rules, play and ‘feel' of live baccarat.
Where to play 3:2 video blackjack in Las Vegas
There are only two Las Vegas casinos that spread 3:2 video blackjack these days. The D has a machine on its second floor. El Cortez has one by the keno lounge. The D game requires a $5 minimum bet. El Cortez has it for $1. Players may double down before and after splitting. Surrender is offered. The dealer hits soft 17.
Treasure Island has stadium blackjack that pays 3:2 on a natural. It is the only stadium blackjack game in Las Vegas that I have found that pays 3:2. The minimum is $2 during the week and $5 on weekends This is where there are rows of seats with players hoping to beat the same house hand. It allows players to still act independently. Some players may stand while other hit or surrender.
Good video blackjack still spread in other markets
This problem has not affected other markets. For example, Deadwood, South Dakota has about 10 SHFL video blackjack games. All pay 3:2. There are two Dealers Angels and one IGT machine. These also pay 3:2. My last visit to Atlantic City had a 3:2 SHFL machine downstairs at Tropicana. Harrah's Cherokee and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River have heads up 3:2 blackjack games with loose rules.
Thread Rating:
I am suspicious these machines are fair. I spent my day reading on here about basic strategy. I printed the strategy table vle and referenced it every hand. I played $10 bets on a $100 roll.
I lost all $100 in 40 minutes with 5 people on game the whole time. I was dealed several bad cards, getting 12-14 several times.
With that game and my bet limits, fair odds and house edge calculator would have said I could last hours. Of course there is variation, but $100 in 40 minutes is quite a large deviation and highly unlikely.
Since this was my first longer run with the machine, I am suspicious this machine isn't exactly fair. I could have just gotten very unlucky but that is very unlikely from probability. I wanted to play for a few hours and modified my betting to give me at least a couple hour expected play.
On paper, that machine offers the best blackjack in venetian, and good overall. However, if something isn't right with it then it's very misleading.
Any thoughts?
Assuming they have a generic .5% HE, you played 40 min so let's say something like 60 hands, and you bet $10 the whole time.
OriginalSD = 1.15 * AvgBet = 11.5 ...(1.15 is the variance of blackjack)
EV(x hands) = (AvgBet*NumHands)*(HouseEdge)
SD(x hands) = Sqrt(x) * OriginalSD
EV(60 hands) = (10*60)*(-.005) = -$3
SD(60 hands) = Sqrt(60) * 11.5 = ~$90
to be 95% confident we need to use 2SD... which 2SD = $180
So with 95% confidence when you played 60 hands you could expect to lose $3 +/- $180... which means losing $100 is well within that range. Nothing out of the ordinary here at all since you're looking at a VERY SMALL sampling size so the variance can (and will) be wild. Would you think the machines were gaffed for the player had you won $100 in 40 min? After all, each and every time you play 40 min on that machine for the rest of your life you should expect to lose $3.
Since it was my first time really on the machine, getting - $100 on a -$183 - +177 variation I knew was unlucky (and I think your calculations will have a tighter range with smaller hands) . I didnt count the number of hands but it was definitely under 60, try using 30 & 40.
I am just suspicious at this point, and getting a very bad result on the first shot adds to that. It is possible, sure, just unlikely.
People say machines are fair because the law requires it, but humans have to code the machines and there are always bugs. Ones that help the house don't make a priority list unless someone else discovers it (good luck proving that). Ones that hurt the house will be fixed pronto.
Las Vegas Blackjack Free Online
I took photos of the machine rules.
Since then I have been unable to find a machine on the East coast that paid correctly; not that I have any way of being thorough.
So I guess you can tell I am saying I hope you have made sure naturals don't pay 2 for 1 - which is how they usually put it.
The number of hands was definitely under 60. No more than 40 for sure with the 5 people on and waiting time for bets on the machine. How does that affect your assessment? It should be a smaller range right?
The reason I gave the generic formulas is so that anyone ( ;-) ) could now run them for whatever numbers they desired...EV(40 hands) = (10*40)*(-.005) = -$2
SD(40 hands) = Sqrt(40) * 11.5 = 72... 2SD = $144
You're still well within the regular range... to imply cheating would have to be outside of 3SD AND you'd have to have a decent sampling size to go with it.
The smaller the number of hands the LESS of a case you have. That's like losing 1 single hand and saying 'The game clearly has a 0% payout programmed in!' Well no, you just lost one hand...
Since it was my first time really on the machine, getting - $100 on a -$183 - +177 variation I knew was unlucky (and I think your calculations will have a tighter range with smaller hands) . I didnt count the number of hands but it was definitely under 60, try using 30 & 40.
I am just suspicious at this point, and getting a very bad result on the first shot adds to that. It is possible, sure, just unlikely.
People say machines are fair because the law requires it, but humans have to code the machines and there are always bugs. Ones that help the house don't make a priority list unless someone else discovers it (good luck proving that). Ones that hurt the house will be fixed pronto.
I'm also a programmer, and you're right they could, but why would they? They have a game where they are GUARANTEED TO GET MONEY FROM because it has a House Advantage built in. There's literally no need to program it to make 'more' money while putting their gaming licence at risk and adding the possibility of fines. Past that, they have companies that review the code searching for said bugs and certifying the games randomness. Yes, there have been cases of cheating casinos before (mostly indian casinos but yes non) and while it does happen it's very few and far between (and usually not in Vegas).The reason I gave the generic formulas is so that anyone ( ;-) ) could now run them for whatever numbers they desired...
EV(40 hands) = (10*40)*(-.005) = -$2
SD(40 hands) = Sqrt(40) * 11.5 = 72... 2SD = $144
You're still well within the regular range... to imply cheating would have to be outside of 3SD AND you'd have to have a decent sampling size to go with it.
The smaller the number of hands the LESS of a case you have. That's like losing 1 single hand and saying 'The game clearly has a 0% payout programmed in!' Well no, you just lost one hand...
Thanks for updating on that, that confirms what I suspected that I was even unluckier on my first try at this game, being near the bottom of the range (and as you know, the tail ends of the range are less likely than near the mean)
I'm also a programmer, and you're right they could, but why would they? They have a game where they are GUARANTEED TO GET MONEY FROM because it has a House Advantage built in. There's literally no need to program it to make 'more' money while putting their gaming licence at risk and adding the possibility of fines. Past that, they have companies that review the code searching for said bugs and certifying the games randomness. Yes, there have been cases of cheating casinos before (mostly indian casinos but yes non) and while it does happen it's very few and far between (and usually not in Vegas).
I'm not implying that they intentionally are rigging the machines, but I am implying that any bugs favoring the casino have a lot of reasons why they wouldn't be high priority fixes (unless it was discovered through a legal regulator or through months of collecting data on it to show an issue). However, a bug that was against the casino would only need the casino to discover it and you can bet that they would make that a very high priority fix.
There are bugs in every piece of non-trivial software - I would bet money that bugs exist in every single video/machine game in a casino.
... and btw, I was surprised you would think that a casino has no reason to want to add an advantage above the mathematical values? That's like asking why any entity would want more than a given amount of money - greed, self-interest, profit. Of course they would be motivated and tempted to add in additional advantages that they can get away with it. That's why they are very self-interested in discovering and fixing any bug that hurts them, but not as interested in discovering bugs that help them.
Getting a statistically very unlucky streak on your first seat at a game raises suspicion. I also doubt that there is much of a fault with the machine, but it sure made me wonder. I took photos of the rules again to see if there was anything I was missing in them - but they are fairly liberal rules for vegas (and I prefer the video machine where I can sit non-embarrassed with the basic strategy tables in front of me).
Most likely, I was just very unlucky - but it sure gave me pause and disappointment after I just spent hours learning how to play basic strategy and finding one of the lowest house-edge blackjack plays in Vegas.
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btw - I went across the street to TI based on web reviews. They did have a live 2-deck table, $10 minimum, 3-2, h17 during a weekday evening, which would be better odds if other rules were the same as the video. I didn't have time to ask about the other rules though like surrenders and doubles, but they were probably good since the main ones were. I would give up a little edge though to play at a machine personally though.