N00b blackjack question

[Herfinator]

I know that if you split aces and get a ten, this is not considered a blackjack and you get paid even money instead of 3-to-2.

But is it considered a push if the dealer has a blackjack?

Thanks for any info,
Herf

[SheridanCat]

Wow, I've never seen a blackjack question here. I guess 2+2 publishes blackjack books, so welcome to the forum. It's mostly poker in the Beginner's though, so be warned.

My guess is that this is a push. The dealer isn't making a "blackjack" just a "21", just as you after your aces are split and you catch a ten. I believe only a player can make a blackjack since it's a special hand that pays 3:2 (usually) whereas if the dealer hits an ace and a ten, she doesn't take 3:2 from you.

Does that make sense?

I googled for the answer and haven't found it yet.

Regards,

T

[Tom1975]

The dealer always checks to see if they have a blackjack before any of the players act. If they have a blackjack, all the players automatically lose (unless you were also dealt a blackjack). If you've already acted and split your Aces that means the dealer doesn't have a blackjack since they peeked already. If the dealer makes a regular 21, then it's a push.

[Leibniz]

It's not true that they always check for a blackjack before the players act. Some casinos that do not have mirrors or electronic devices which check for a blackjack, only have the dealers look if an Ace is face-up, not with the 10. This is customary in all of the Coasts casinos here in Las Vegas.

Generally speaking, if the dealer does not check his hole-card for blackjack before players act and the player makes a split-hand or a double-down bet, if the dealer ultimately has a blackjack, only the original wager is lost, that is, the split-bet or double-down bet is refunded to the player.

However, even this is not always the case. Some online casions deal do not deal their hole card until after the player has acted on all of his hands, I believe this is called European style 21. So, anytime you double down or split, you will lose all of your bets if the dealer has a blackjack. And your split aces that get a 10 or your split 10's that get aces are not blackjacks, simply 2-card twenty-ones, that will lose to a dealer blackjack.

So, the simple answer is, there is no general rule. It's always best to ask the dealer where you are playing what the rule is.

Regards...

[SheridanCat]

Wow, those rules sounds kinda sucky. What is the house advantage on the "European style" 21?

T

[playersare]

blackjackinfo.com uses the term "ENHC" for European No Hole Card rule. it is not significantly worse than regular "OBO" (Original Bets Only) format. however, you will have to adjust basic strategy to NOT double down or split with a dealer's ace up, and also do not double down on a face card either. you would however, still split aces against a ten card (presumably because you already have two of the aces that the dealer needs).

with the play adjustments, adding ENHC to a typical Crypto online blackjack game (based on AC rules - 8D S17 DA2 DAS NS), house advantage increases from around 0.47% to 0.58%.

[BettyBoopAA]

Wow, those rules sounds kinda sucky. What is the house advantage on the "European style" 21?

Edge is only slightly greater. The only edge from someone playing basic strategy is that it is now unprofitable to double down with 11 vs a dealers 10. You shouldn't be splitting any cards vs A or Ten anyways.