1. Triple Attack Blackjack
2. Triple Attack Blackjack

As the name implies Triple Attack Blackjack provides the player with two chances to increase the initial bet. The game is not dealt in reverse order and the bets are placed before the cards are dealt, after the first round of cards and after the dealer’s face-up card is dealt. Triple Attack Blackjack will deliver additional challenges and test how good your blackjack skills really are. Apart from playing with 8 decks where all the 10’s have been removed, you’ll be able to place an additional wager after seeing your first card and do it again when dealer reveals his up card. I noticed the Wiz posted a BS for Triple Attack Blackjack that calls for doubling down on 10 only against a dealer 6 or below This is interesting because his BS for both Spanish 21 and Double Attack Blackjack calls for doubling down on a dealer 8 and below. I'm trying to figure put why Triple Attack would be different.

Blackjack is by far the most popular table game in Las Vegas. Some players prefer a change of pace.

That is when blackjack variations can be a great alternative. These games often have crazy rules to make the games more fun. Remember that for every player friendly change there is one that benefits the house.

Free Bet Blackjack

Free Bet Blackjack is the newest blackjack variant to become widespread throughout the Las Vegas Strip and downtown. The game has basic blackjack rules except that there is no surrender.

The Free Bet part describes how a player receives free double downs and splits. Players may double down on 9, 10 or 11 without having to put up any additional chips. If the bet wins, the player receives double his original bet. This means that players should double down on 9, 10 and 11 every time, regardless of the dealer’s door card.

Players may also split for free on any pair except 10-value cards. Pairs may be split up to four times, including aces. Players may also take advantage of the free double down on 9, 10 or 11 after splitting.

There is one big change that offsets the free bets. The dealer pushes any players still in the hand if he makes a 22.

Blackjack Switch

Blackjack Switch is an unusual variant that requires players to bet on two hands. The two wagers must be equal. The player is then dealt two cards in each spot. The bettor may decide to switch a card from one hand and replace it with one in the other. The hand is then dealt as normal. Double down after splitting is allowed. A dealt 21 is paid even money. A switched hand that makes a two-card 21 is not considered a blackjack. The dealer pushes hands still in play if he makes a 22.

World’s Most Liberal 21

World’s Most Liberal 21 is a game that is spread by Plaza and Las Vegas Club, which are located downtown on the Fremont Street Experience. The game is not as liberal as it sounds as it has a house edge that is higher than most blackjack games. Players may double down on any number of cards. Split aces may be re-split. They may also be hit and doubled down. Surrender is available. A six-card hand of 21 or less automatically wins. A blackjack pays even money, unless it is suited, then it pays 2-1.

Triple Attack Blackjack

Triple Attack Blackjack may be found at Harrah’s on the Las Vegas Strip. The game uses eight Spanish 21 decks, meaning that there are no 10’s. Jacks, queens and kings are still available. The player starts the hand by making a First Attack wager. He then gets to see his first card. If the card is desirable, a Second Attack wager may be made. The dealer’s door card is then exposed. The player may then make a Third Attack wager. Players may make either a second or third bet, or make both. All bets must equal the required First Attack bet. The second card is then dealt to each player. The dealer receives the second card face down.

Other odd rules include insurance paying 2-1 as normal games do; however, a dealer’s suited blackjack pays 5-1. Keep in mind that the dealer will have fewer blackjacks with the 10’s out of the deck.

A player blackjack always wins but only pays even money. The only actions that may be taken on split aces are stand and double down. They may also be re-split in the event that another ace is received.

Triple Attack Blackjack automatically pays any player that draws six cards but does not bust. This is known as a six-card Charlie. Doubles and splits must match all attack bets.

Similar to Blackjack Switch and Free Bet Blackjack, the dealer pushes any hands still in action if he makes a total of 22 points.

Change it 21

Change it 21 debuted at Fremont Casino in downtown Las Vegas. It allows players to exchange a card for half of his original bet. This may also be done after splitting. Double down after splitting is not allowed and surrender is not offered. Blackjack pays 6-5, even if made after changing a card.

Power Blackjack

Power Blackjack is spread at Paris Las Vegas. The game allows players to receive a Power Double on a hard 10 or 11. This means that the player may replace the card that is received after doubling down.

Players may double down without this special rule on any other starting hand. Power Splits are also available. A player that has a 15 or 16 may split it, even if it is not a pair. A dealer 22 creates a push for all hands still in action.

Super Fun 21

Super Fun 21 may be dealt with any number of decks. All loose rules apply, including surrender, double down after splitting and re-split aces. The dealer hits a soft 17.

The Super Fun 21 rules allow players to double down after drawing cards. Players may surrender after doubling down and after hitting. The player always wins on a six-card Charlie. A five or more card 21 pays the player 2-1 instantly. All blackjacks automatically win but are paid even money. The exception is when the blackjack is suited diamonds, which pays 2-1.

Introduction

Triple Attack Blackjack

Triple Attack Blackjack is a blackjack variant I noticed at Harrah's Las Vegas on August 17, 2010. It also won the best new table game award at the 2010 Raving Consulting conference on casino table games.

The thrust of the game is that you can add to your bet after you see your first card, and then add to it again after you see the dealer's up card. Of course, other rules were changed to pay for those options. I played it for about half an hour and found it quite fun. At times I was perplexed on whether to increase my bet or how to play my cards. The strategy is quite a bit different from conventional blackjack, as I would later confirm.

Rules

The rules are the same as blackjack, except as noted below.

1. Eight 48-card Spanish decks are used. Spanish decks have the tens removed.
2. The player makes a 'first attack' wager.
3. The dealer gives each player his first card.
4. The player has the option to make a 'second attack' wager, which, if made, must be equal to the 'first attack' wager.
5. The dealer will deal himself his first card face up.
6. The player has the option to make a 'third attack' wager, which, if made, must be equal to the 'first attack' wager. Note that making a 'second attack' wager is not required to make a 'third attack' wager.
7. The dealer will deal the player and himself a second card. The dealer's second card will be dealt face down.
8. If the dealer has an ace up, then he will offer insurance. Winning insurance wagers pay 5 to 1 for a suited blackjack, and 2 to 1 for a non-suited blackjack.
9. Player blackjacks pay even money, including when the dealer also has a blackjack.
10. If the dealer has a winning blackjack, then the player will lose all attack wagers made.
11. If the player double or splits, he should double the amount bet for each attack wager.
12. The player may double on any number of cards, and after a split.
13. The player may re-split aces.
14. The player may double or stand only after splitting aces. The game owner, Galaxy Gaming, did not intend for double for less to be allowed, but it wouldn't hurt to try.
15. If the player gets to six cards without busting, then he shall automatically win (known as the six-card Charlie rule). I assume this is true after splitting but am not positive.
16. The dealer shall hit a soft 17.
17. If the dealer busts with 22, then any remaining player wagers shall push.

Betting Strategy

The player should make the second attack wager with a 10 or ace only.

The following table shows when the player should make the third attack wager (Y=Yes, make the third attack, N=No, don't).

Triple Attack Blackjack

Playing Strategy

Triple Attack Blackjack calls for a three-dimensional strategy, based on the total points of the player's cards, the number of player cards, and the dealer's up card. To use the strategy table below, look up the player's hand along the left column and the dealer's card along the top column. Except for splitting, each cell will have four letters. The first, staring from the left, denotes what to do with 2 cards, the second letter with 3, the third with 4, and the fourth with 5. The standard key is used, where H=Hit, S=Stand, D=Double, and P=Split.

As stated in the rules, after splitting aces the player will get one more card and then has the following options: (1) stand, (2) double, (3) re-split with another ace. However, ask if you can double for less. If the dealer says 'no,' then use the top table below, if he says 'yes,' then use the bottom one. In the lower table 'DL' stands for double for less. In those situations, double for as little as possible, preferably just one penny.

Odds

According to my analysis, the house edge is 1.17%, assuming double for less after splitting aces is not allowed. That is the ratio of what the player can expect to lose overall to the initial wager. The average final wager is 1.63 times the original wager. So the element of risk, the ratio of expected loss to the total amount bet, is 0.72%.

If double for less after splitting aces is allowed, then the house edge is 0.86%, and the element of risk is 0.53%.

Side Bets

Triple Attack Blackjack has three side bets to choose from. Here is a brief description of each.

• Suited Royals: Pays if your first two cards are suited. Premium wins for a royal match or suited face cards. House edge of 3.13%.
• Triple Match: Pays based on your first two cards and dealer's up card. House edge of 5.69%.
• Insurance: The same as insurance in blackjack, except a suited blackjack pays 5 to 1. This is possible because of the lower probability that the hole card is a 10 with Spanish decks. House edge of 6.01%.

The following three return tables show the probability and contribution to the return of each event for all three side bets.

Suited Royals

Event	Pays	Combinations	Probability	Return
Suited KQ	40	256	0.003481	0.139252
Suited face cards	10	848	0.011532	0.115318
Any other two suited cards	2	17136	0.233029	0.466057
Loser	-1	55296	0.751958	-0.751958
Total	73536	1.000000	-0.031332

Triple Match

Event	Pays	Combinations	Probability	Return
Suited three of a kind	150	2688	0.000287	0.043060
Three of a kind	20	56832	0.006069	0.121389
Suited pair	4	473088	0.050524	0.202097
Any pair	2	1622016	0.173226	0.346452
Loser	-1	7208960	0.769893	-0.769893
Total	9363584	1.000000	-0.056894

Insurance Return Table

Event	Pays	Combinations	Probability	Return
Suited BJ	5	24	0.062663	0.313316
Non-suited BJ	2	72	0.187990	0.375979
No BJ	-1	287	0.749347	-0.749347
Total	383	1.000000	-0.060052

Methodology and Acknowledgements

My own analysis was done based on an infinite number of decks and infinite re-splitting. Galaxy Gaming, the game owners, kindly supplied me with their own math report on the game by Cindy Liu. Cindy's analysis was combinatorial and based on a true eight deck game, resulting in a 1.18% house edge. Cindy was also helpful supplying other information not indicated in the report, and with my questions about her report. So I would like to thank Galaxy Gaming and Cindy Liu for their help.
Written by:Michael Shackleford