Gaming Guru

The Lucky Ladies Blackjack Side Bet

Frank

,

I enjoy reading your books and articles. Lots of good information that I take with me each time I visit the casino.

I have read Golden Touch Blackjack Revolution! and have been moderately successful in my BJ play using the speed count. Here is the question:

On a recent trip to Laughlin, NV, I was playing at a casino that offered a "Lucky Ladies" side bet at the BJ table. Basically, the bet pays off if the player is dealt a total of 20 with the first two cards. The payoffs increase if the 20 is suited or matched (e.g., 2 10s, 2 Jacks, etc.) up to the big payoff of 1000-1 if the 20 consists of two Queens of Hearts and the dealer has a blackjack.

I started thinking that since the speed count helps you to identify when there is a higher concentration of big cards in the deck, it might be to the player's advantage to make the side bet when the speed count is high, say 34 or more (just a guess). This particular table was a double-deck game with favorable rules.

I know that, as a general rule, side bets at the BJ table are best avoided, but without doing the math, this one seemed to be reasonable under the right conditions. Have you or any of your colleagues analyzed this side bet?

Thanks,
Andrew

PS: Some good news...on this same trip, I never once came across a BJ table paying only 6-5 for blackjack...maybe it's the economy or maybe people are finally getting smart...whatever it was, it was a welcome sight.

Dear Andrew:

Even with counting cards, that Lucky Ladies bet would be really tough to overcome since it has a house edge somewhere between 24 and 30 percent, depending on the payouts given on winning hands. The general rule that new side bets are bad is one you should obey.

Glad to hear about the decrease in 6-to-5 blackjack games.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete