BillMax: 6-7-8 7-7-7

[BillMax]

In central asia a casino started bonus payment to
any 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 3times
same suit 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 5times
5 card (or over)21 5 times (and goes on playing as normal).Bonuses are paid immediately what ever the dealer has.
6d-SO17-DOA-Double after split-no hole card.
I d like to know that playing only basic strategy gives an edge to player or not?And what makes the house advantage?

Thanks.

[Magician]

6D, S17, DOA, DAS, ENHC
678 or 777 pays 3:1
Suited 678 or 777 pays 5:1
Five card 21 pays 5:1

CVData reports a 1.8% IBA for flat betting with basic strategy. It may in fact be worthwhile violating basic strategy to go for the bonuses.

[chem nerd]

> CVData reports a 1.8% IBA for flat betting
> with basic strategy. It may in fact be
> worthwhile violating basic strategy to go
> for the bonuses.

Absolutely. See Wong's PBJ for bs and hi-lo index deviations for various 6-7-8 and 7-7-7 bonuses - although I think it only covers up to suited 6-7-8 and triple 7's, and the more typical (although still uncommon) 5 card automatic winner. I would expect a significantly different optimal basic strategy, as even for suited 678 pays 2:1, I believe hitting suited 6-7 vs. 2 is the correct play.

[Sohrab]

I found a game with side bet pays 4 to 1 if players first 2 cards total 20. I think this is an even bet if cards are 45% or more tens but I do not think this happens very often. Can anyone tell me how often? Is it worth counting 10s and waiting for these times and then making this bet?