Rare joker

**LESRU21** · 07-28-2015, 04:21 AM

I recently discovered this wonderful forum and is the first time I write. Many of you are big serious professionals and you can answer me.

My local casino puts a joker in the cards, that when it receives the player automatically wins his bet and the hand continues as normal, but if the house falls to the joker, this counts as an Ace. The joker can serve as one of the first two cards or one card to hit.

Six decks are used and cut in half so the joker will be received every two shoes for the player and every two shoes by the casino.

What expectation of gain can be achieved with this joker and how lowers the house edge? Other rules are S17, not resplit aces, DAS, early surrender 10 hole card, and double down on any two cards allowed. Is the player or the house incicial advantage? Thanks.

**ZenMaster_Flash** · 07-28-2015, 04:44 AM

Ordinarily, with this (usually) "promotional" offer, when the dealer receives the Joker it is discarded.

In this case it turns into an ACE for the dealer. That is not as good as an automatic win, it does mean

that the Dealer will either have a BJ or a generally strong hand, and in any case has a very low bust rate.

The fact that there is just 50% penetration means that the ONE joker is only in play ½ the time.

This is NOT a good game for Card Counting -- unless the penetration is >85%

As far as your question as to whether the House or the Player has the advantage --

The O.P. failed to note if this was a ENHC game, SPL 3 or SPL4, Insurance permitted?

The House Advantage is around 0.35% (quick estimate off the top of my head).

**WABJ11** · 07-29-2015, 01:32 AM

This sounds like some sort of strand of deranged California BJ because of their idiotic gaming laws http://wizardofodds.com/games/california-blackjack/

If it is in fact a game in a California card room- stay away! The ante's you put up, along with the HE's, make winning virtually impossible.

**LESRU21** · 08-01-2015, 03:06 AM

I know the joker the dealer makes a strong hand, but makes the player automatically wins. I thought maybe there was a small initial advantage to the player. The other rules are hole card with OBBO, SPL4 and insurence allowed. The Joker then worthless for the player?

**ZenMaster_Flash** · 08-01-2015, 04:36 AM

b a d … g a m e

**ACFERRET** · 08-01-2015, 05:46 PM

If it had no benefit to the dealer, it would only be worth +0.32%, it could be worth no more than that since it is favorable for the dealer to obtain. Idk what the EV is for the dealer hand starting with an ace.