Two to one blackjack

I just played a free blackjack tournament at Red Rock. They used what they called their high limit rules. Blackjacks paid two to one. I guess that's good?

I got invited last night -- I guess there were a bunch of no shows. Three flights of 36 players. I didn't advance to quarter finals. Frankly it was the first time I played in perhaps 10 years and then I never played much at all.

I did look in the high limit room and minimum bet was only $100. Dealer hits soft 17.

Does anyone care about this? Should anyone?

While I avoid high limit rooms because they are super closely monitored, I am sure you are mistaken about the 2:1 blackjack payout. Such a rule, with all other standard rules would make the game +EV off the top. No need to spread. Just flat bet and you would win.

2:1 blackjack payout are very rare now a days. sometimes, but becoming less frequently during a promotion for a very brief period. The last one I heard of was actually a counter trap, as they identified and 86ed everyone that showed up to play. Not a good day for the mice (that showed) in the cat and mice game. :(

Suppose I take a photo for you later? No problem. I'm going back for dinner.

"Blackjack pays 2:1" is quite common in tournament blackjack.

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Originally Posted by jbjb

"Blackjack pays 2:1" is quite common in tournament blackjack.

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I don't doubt they had 2:1 in the tournament. I am doubting that is their high limit rules.

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Originally Posted by kewlJ

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Originally Posted by jbjb

"Blackjack pays 2:1" is quite common in tournament blackjack.

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I don't doubt they had 2:1 in the tournament. I am doubting that is their high limit rules.

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I cant vouch for Red Rock, but I know a few places will change the felt which shows tournament pays including the 2:1 pay for a blackjack. Alan should check when a regular game on those tables is in progress.

I'm going to do what a reporter should do. I'm going to walk into the high limit room, snap a photo of the layout, and ask if this is standard or special?

By the way, the tourney is being played on the main floor using the high limit layouts... which is what I was told.

I'll also snap a photo of a standard blackjack table layout.

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

I'm going to do what a reporter should do. I'm going to walk into the high limit room, snap a photo of the layout, and ask if this is standard or special?

By the way, the tourney is being played on the main floor using the high limit layouts... which is what I was told.

I'll also snap a photo of a standard blackjack table layout.

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They are not paying 2 for 1 blackjack in the cash games. Go ahead and ask them if they do. Binion's used to do it on Christmas Day but only for red chip players.

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Originally Posted by mickeycrimm

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

I'm going to do what a reporter should do. I'm going to walk into the high limit room, snap a photo of the layout, and ask if this is standard or special?

By the way, the tourney is being played on the main floor using the high limit layouts... which is what I was told.

I'll also snap a photo of a standard blackjack table layout.

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They are not paying 2 for 1 blackjack in the cash games. Go ahead and ask them if they do. Binion's used to do it on Christmas Day but only for red chip players.

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Anyone playing 2 for 1 blackjack needs their head examined. ;)

Need to change "for" to "to" there mickey.

False alarm. Tournament only 2/1.
Other tables are either 3/2 or 6/5 depending on bet.
But in the high limit room there is a progressive $5 double double bonus game with the royal above $101,000. This is in the high limit card room... there are a few machines against the wall. Not to be confused with the high limit slot room.

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

in the high limit room there is a progressive $5 double double bonus game with the royal above $101,000.

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This doesn't sound right either...must be significantly +EV at 100K or above.

Post a photo if it's not too much trouble.

False alarm on the $5 progressive. I sat down to play it and in fine print the big sign referred to a $25 machine.

Boo. False advertising.

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Originally Posted by jbjb

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Originally Posted by mickeycrimm

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

I'm going to do what a reporter should do. I'm going to walk into the high limit room, snap a photo of the layout, and ask if this is standard or special?

By the way, the tourney is being played on the main floor using the high limit layouts... which is what I was told.

I'll also snap a photo of a standard blackjack table layout.

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They are not paying 2 for 1 blackjack in the cash games. Go ahead and ask them if they do. Binion's used to do it on Christmas Day but only for red chip players.

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Anyone playing 2 for 1 blackjack needs their head examined. ;)

Need to change "for" to "to" there mickey.

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Yep, Mental slip. Thanks for the correction.

Don’t beat yourself up. Technically they aren’t paying 2 for 1 BJs either, Mickey. :cool:

Now that this has been solved, different topic:

Alan, what blackjack tournament strategy did you use?

Most people have no clue how to play them. I play these on cruise ships and everyone is laughably bad.

Unfortunately I keep losing on the very final hand of the finals, and walk away with some crap consolation prize. But if I could put in a lot of volume, I'd kill them.

I love when people in tournaments cheer when the dealer busts, yet they have the smallest bet out there.

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

Now that this has been solved, different topic:

Alan, what blackjack tournament strategy did you use?

Most people have no clue how to play them. I play these on cruise ships and everyone is laughably bad.

Unfortunately I keep losing on the very final hand of the finals, and walk away with some crap consolation prize. But if I could put in a lot of volume, I'd kill them.

I love when people in tournaments cheer when the dealer busts, yet they have the smallest bet out there.

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Stanford's Wong's strategy in Casino Tournament Strategy is pretty good.

Strategy? I have a hard time counting beyond 12.

I haven't played blackjack in years and years and a host called me at the last minute because there were no shows for the free tournament, so I said sure, put me in.

My strategy was to enjoy the lobster at the pre tournament party and enjoy the food.

I was at a table with only three others (two no shows). They were betting heavily. I made minimum bets hoping they'd bust out. Two advanced.

My cards sucked. I lost 16 of 20 hands.

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Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

Strategy? I have a hard time counting beyond 12.

I haven't played blackjack in years and years and a host called me at the last minute because there were no shows for the free tournament, so I said sure, put me in.

My strategy was to enjoy the lobster at the pre tournament party and enjoy the food.

I was at a table with only three others (two no shows). They were betting heavily. I made minimum bets hoping they'd bust out. Two advanced.

My cards sucked. I lost 16 of 20 hands.

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Your min-bet strategy is actually fairly good. That's the best advice to give to a tournament beginner.

"Just min-bet and hope everyone else busts their roll and you win by default, and only raise your bets on the final 2-3 rounds if you've fallen fairly far behind."

The biggest beginner mistake in blackjack tournaments is the belief that they'll need to finish with a ton of chips in order to advance. So they keep betting aggressively, lose all/most of their chips in one hand, and that's that.

There's little you can do if an aggro-betting-monkey just keeps winning hands.

Dan as a matter of fact on the final hand I bet it all since only a double up would have given me a chance.

The final bet was a "secret bet" that was written on a slip of paper.