This is a very simple version of Blackjack that was started at casinos in the state of Washington in 2010. You can find it at many online casinos now.
RULES
- Played with a single deck of cards
- Cards are shuffled after every hand
- No drawing rounds and players do not have the option to hit, double down or split
- Players only decide to play or fold
- Hands are scored based on the best blackjack hand derived from any 2 or 3 cards
- Dealer must have at least 17 points to open
- Aces can count as 1 or 11
- Possible Ace Plus optional side bet
HOW TO PLAY
Play begins with the players making their Ante bet in the assigned Ante betting circles on the table. Once all players have made their bets, the dealer deals three cards to each player and then three cards to him/herself. All the player’s cards are dealt face down, but the dealer is dealt two face down and one face up.
The players then look at their hands and decide how to form their hands. They decide which two or three cards will give them the best blackjack hand, closest to 21 without going over. Therefore, it’s impossible for the player to bust, because they can choose their best 2 or 3 cards.
The first player to the dealer’s left starts by deciding to raise their ante by placing an additional bet, equal in size to the original ante, in the “play” betting area. If they choose not to “play,” they must fold. If the player opts to “fold,” the ante is lost. In order to play against the dealer, a raise must be made.
Once all players have decided to play or fold, the dealer then reveals his/her face down cards and looks to form the best blackjack hand possible. However, the dealer’s hand must total at least 17 to “qualify” to play. If the dealer does not have 17, the active players win, regardless of their total.
WIN DETERMINATION
There are only three ways for a hand to end, once the dealer has formed a hand. First, if a player has a 2-card blackjack, both the player’s ante bet and the raise (play) bet are paid even money. The player wins no matter what the dealer has, even if the dealer has blackjack.
Second, if the dealer does not qualify, all players’ ante bets are paid even money, but their play bet is considered a push and that bet is returned.
Third, if the dealer does qualify, the best hand wins. If the player beats the dealer, all bets are paid even money. If the dealer wins, the player loses all bets. If there is tie, except for blackjack, it’s considered a push and all bets are returned.
ACE PLUS OPTIONAL BET
Pays only based on the player’s hand. The bonus of at least an even money payout is paid if the player’s hand contains an ace. This bet must be at least one unit and is placed in the Ace Plus betting circle before the hand is dealt.
ACE PLUS BONUS PAYOUTS
- 3-to-1 payout for Ace plus any card 10 through King
- 5-to-1 payout for Ace plus any pair of 10’s through Kings
- 15-to-1 payout for any Ace pair
- 25-to-1 payout for any Ace pair plus any card 10 through King
- 100-to-1 payout for 3 Aces
STRATEGY
The game is said to be simple because to play, you either raise or fold. Since you can’t bust, you might think you would try to play almost every hand. However, to truly make your playing session profitable, a best strategy for raising has been determined, as follows:
- Raise (Play) With a player’s hand of:
16 or less: Never
17, against Dealer 2
18, against Dealer 2-8
19, against Dealer 2-9
20-21, against Dealer anything (Always play)
It is best strategy to only bet the Ante, to minimize loss, but many players feel making the Ace Plus bet is “where the money is.” The bonus payouts are enticing, but once again, as in most side bets in any game, it really is a sucker bet because of the true rarity of hitting it.
