"Push your bet on a 22" couplon

[BugsySeagull]

I found a coupon, in an info book on US casinos, for a "Push your bet on a 22" coupon for blackjack. Here are the rules:

If you bust on a 22, you keep your bet.
Max $25 bet.
Min. $100 buy-in.
Not good on pair splits or double downs.

Has anyone ever had and used a coupon like this? What's the best way to apply it? Does the coupon stay out there until it comes into effect, or is it in use for just one hand? This is for a casino in Vegas that's all about the 4th letter of the alphabet *hint*.

[BugsySeagull]

I'm gonna bump this thread up, if that's OK. I guess I'm wondering what changes to basic strategy you would make with this coupon. Would you hit 12 against 4 or even 5 for instance?

[KJ]

It didn't occur to me that it might be advantageous to change basic strategy based on the coupon. I guess it could, but really you are talking about a one time use with a $25 max. What are we talking...pennies?

I used my coupon in December. It isn't like a matchplay where you need to put it out in the betting circle prior to play. I just placed my coupon in front of me with my chips and waited for my first 22 and then handed it to the dealer. I was satisfied that it was worth the full $25 as sooner or later you are going to get a 22.

[Three]

I'm gonna bump this thread up, if that's OK. I guess I'm wondering what changes to basic strategy you would make with this coupon. Would you hit 12 against 4 or even 5 for instance?

I am sure someone has done the sims but the best use of the coupon is not to use it for a while and get an increased edge over many hands. I am guessing that hitting all 12's with the bet that maximizes coupon use in the betting circle. Certain situations doubling a hard 12 might make sense. I wouldn't do any deviations without the sim to support it.

[Three]

It looks like it doesn't help with doubling hard 12. The coupon isn't valid for doubling hard 12. There is too much potential there.

[Three]

The strategy I found for altering BS play was:
1) If allowed double a 12 against 2-7 including 6,6.
2) Hit 12 against 4-6 if DD is not allowed (except 6,6 ?).

[JohnnyUtah]

The strategy I found for altering BS play was:
1) If allowed double a 12 against 2-7 including 6,6.
2) Hit 12 against 4-6 if DD is not allowed (except 6,6 ?).

I have one of these coupons (on its way, after purchasing the same book as OP) and I came across this thread. I wanted to inquire if this advice (above) was correct??

Since the coupon says it's not good for double downs, does that mean 1) you would only get half your bet back if you get 22 (not the full double, just $25 of $50 total), or 2) that since you doubled down it invalidated your "push on 22" ($0 back, $50 lost)? If it's the latter, then doubling on a 12 would be useless as it invalidates the coupon. If it's the former, you could certainly double 12's in good spots until you draw a 10 to bust and use the coupon to get half of your $25x2 bet back.

As far as the best dealer up cards go (4-6), double if you can get one $25 bet back on a 22. Otherwise, if doubling invalidates the "push on a 22," wouldn't you want to let the dealer bust and save the coupon for another hand (ie not hit the 12 when the dealer is more likely to bust here)?

[BugsySeagull]

I have one of these coupons (on its way, after purchasing the same book as OP) and I came across this thread. I wanted to inquire if this advice (above) was correct??

Since the coupon says it's not good for double downs, does that mean 1) you would only get half your bet back if you get 22 (not the full double, just $25 of $50 total), or 2) that since you doubled down it invalidated your "push on 22" ($0 back, $50 lost)? If it's the latter, then doubling on a 12 would be useless as it invalidates the coupon. If it's the former, you could certainly double 12's in good spots until you draw a 10 to bust and use the coupon to get half of your $25x2 bet back.

As far as the best dealer up cards go (4-6), double if you can get one $25 bet back on a 22. Otherwise, if doubling invalidates the "push on a 22," wouldn't you want to let the dealer bust and save the coupon for another hand (ie not hit the 12 when the dealer is more likely to bust here)?

I would assume that you can't use the coupon at all if you double down. Same for pair splits. I could be wrong, though.

[biggg]

Maybe I'm missing something but shouldn't you just play regular bj? If you only had the coupon for one hand you'd alter your play but it seems here you'd just keep it until you got a 22. The only time I could see changing you strategy is if there was some risk you couldn't get a 22 before the coupon expired, which seems unlikely to me.

[Three]

Maybe I'm missing something but shouldn't you just play regular bj? If you only had the coupon for one hand you'd alter your play but it seems here you'd just keep it until you got a 22. The only time I could see changing you strategy is if there was some risk you couldn't get a 22 before the coupon expired, which seems unlikely to me.

If you play it that way you get the benefit of the coupon once. If you hit 12 without busting when you would have stood you can benefit from the coupon on many hands before actually using it.

[Three]

The main thing is to try to get a bet that brings back the max a coupon is worth. If it is worth up to $25, then hit your $25 12's. Don't hit you $50 12's or your $10 12's because of the coupon.