Table Games Double down on "soft eleven"

I read the first time about the term https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?110840-Cosmopolitan-host&p=1001959&highlight=#post1001959 "soft eleven" referring to a blackjack.

I'm interested in the math concerning house edge on doubling down on a blackjack on a 6:5 table compared to the 6:5 payout. As I am a low level player I would rather play a 6:5 table if nothing else is available than upping my bets and feel uncomforrtable about the higher bets.

 

...or, you could play at any number of casinos that offer $5 & $10 3:2 games... Gold Coast has them at double-deck pitch, with DAS.
$5 3:2 two-deck is all over the place downtown...

There is no reason to play 6:5.
Ever.

PS - to answer your question, you are still better off taking the 6:5 on a blackjack than doubling it.

 

EVER!

 

Doubling an A-10 against a dealer 5 or 6 (best case scenario from the player’s perspective) is only going to give you an expected value of around .6 or .7, I believe. The EV is only going to get worse as the dealer's up card gets better. So, even on a 6:5 table, taking the blackjack is a no-brainer (expected value of 1.2).

And there are plenty of reasons to play a 6:5 game...but not if a nearby 3:2 game at the same minimum is available.

 

Outside of a life or death situation, I'd agree. There's no reason to play 6:5.

 

Only way I would ever play 6:5 is if the dealer was flashing the hole card on every hand....

 

Is that a euphemism?

 

Or if the dealer was flashing the table on every hand, and she was a hot chick (or a really really good looking dude)

 

There used to be a dealer at NYNY who would always flash the hole card. She's been missing my last two trips... wonder why?

But correct, don't play 6:5. You will be part of the problem.

There is plenty of $10 3:2 on the strip.

 

I did play a 6:5 at the Pool at Caesar's since the dealer was super pretty and in a swimsuit. but other than that NO real reason. it was a $5 min table. so not a big deal.

I only play so I can look at the girls.

I did that at PHO. with the dancing girls. Only reason to play if you have a sexy dealer. $5 guess it like going to a strip club.
And I can drink when betting Red chips..LOL. and don't give them a rating card....

but you are right no real reason to play 6:5 unless to look at eye candy.

 

but people are going to play 6:5 if thats what is available at the casino of the hotel they are staying at, or nearby. I don't see the general public seeking out 3:2 tables, because sometimes, people just want to play. Not everybody is a gambler, some people play casually and so will play whats there out of convenience. I would prefer 3:2 of course, but if i'm wandering around a casino and feel like playing BJ, and no 3:2 is available, i'm playing 6:5. I can be labeled as "part of the problem", i don't really care.

If I were in Vegas strictly to gamble, then yes, I would stay in a location that is conducive to finding 3:2 blackjack.

 

Playing at a 6:5 table is like playing roulette with both 0 and 00, rather a single-zero wheel: it's just "anti-percentage" and unnecessary.

 

I agree with those who advocate NEVER to play 6/5 BJ. To put it in perspective you could catch a bus from the strip to downtown and back for a few dollars. The fare you pay would be made up after only two or three BJs at the $5 level. Plenty of $5 3/2 BJ with decent rules downtown, much better than any 6/5 on the strip. It's also better to hop the bus and play $5 BJ downtown than to play at a level you're not comfortable with at 3/2 on the strip, IMHO.

 

...or even just hop on the FREE shuttle @ Bally's & 10 minutes later be sitting at a $5, 3:2 two-deck pitch game with DAS at the Gold Coast.

 

And, with some exceptions, it is not a case of not having a choice. One does not have to go downtown or even to GC. There is 3/2 at low limits at many strip places, even CET a bit.
What is the most egregious thing is seeing people playing 6/5 on a table right next to a 3/2 at the same limit.

 

+1. Can't argue with that Top.

With all the debate about low minimum 6/5 BJ, the point to be made for all the lower level BJ players, myself included, is that there are too many very, very good $5 3/2 BJ games readily available, day/night, weekday/weekend to never have the need to play 6/5 BJ. I sense that experienced BJ players will play these better games and the plethora of inexperienced/less motivated players will play the 6/5 games, which incidentally is why the 6/5 games got traction to begin with and exist over a decade later.

 

I think 6:5 blackjack could actually be a good thing.

The casino has to prey on suckers with games like 6:5 blackjack to keep the doors open. If all of the games had a low house advantage they'd probably end up needing to shutter the place.

Do yourself a favor and thank the suckers for giving away their money and helping to keep the lights on for the rest of us.

 

Not a big BJ player
Question: Is there a sign on each table stating 3:2 or 6:5 or do I need to ask each dealer as I walk around the casino. What a pain in the A that would be.

 

It will be on the felt and most likely on a placard like the one pictured above next to the table minimum sign.

 

It can be hard to see on the tables that have the electronic signs. I am sure that is an oversight though and that they will be changing the signs soon to make the 6:5 hard to miss.