Often, when playing Multi-Action blackjack, I tend to stray from basic strategy especially on tough hands like a 12 against a dealer 10. I guess I am a bit nervous with so much money involved ($15 versus $5). My question is, compared to regular blackjack, does basic strategy change for Multi-Action blackjack? Henry P.
First, Henry, for those unknowing gamesters, time out for a brief explanation of Multi-Action blackjack.
Multi-Action blackjack allows the player to place up to three bets concurrently on the same blackjack hand. The player is dealt a single hand, and the three bets are played out against the same dealer up-card, but with different “drawn” cards for each bet.
From your question, Henry, I conclude that Multi-Action may multiply your urge to misplay your hands. Like you, far too many players trust to a never-bust strategy because they are afraid of losing all three bets at once. They stand blindly on a 12, whatever the dealer’s up-card. They wish, hope and pray the dealer will bust on one or more hands. This mind-set can be a bankroll-killer. At a $5 minimum table, you need to be willing to risk $15 on a hit/stand decision, or, if that risk grinds you, you should not be playing Multi-Action.
So, Henry, is it ever appropriate to drift from basic Sbobet strategy? Never! Basic strategy rules for the standard blackjack game or Multi-action are set in stone, and the correct strategy is no different whether the player has a single fin at risk or a triad of $5 wagers.
Dear Mark,
Can a player make a bet on the pass line once the point has been made? I ask because I recently observed someone do this. I always thought that once the point has been established, you cannot add a bet nor subtract from your pass line bet. Paul H.
Allowed in Las Vegas but not in Atlantic City, the bet you are describing, Paul, is made on the pass line after the come out roll. In casino twaddle, we call it a “put” bet. Besides the pass line, you can also make a “put” wager directly on a come point number and even include odds. For example, the player might instruct the dealer to “Put $10 and $20 odds on the five.”
So, Paul, would I recommend either of these “put” wagers? Not ever, as 45% of your pass line wins are made when the 7 or 11 shows on the come-out roll.
As for taking your bet down or reducing its size on the pass line once a point has been established, you cannot, as it is considered a contract wager, and must sit tall in the saddle, win or lose.
Dear Mark,
I use a computer-handicapping program to figure my weekly football plays. Seems many times a half point can make all the difference between winning and losing. Curious, am I not allowed to “buy” a half point at some sportbooks? Captain CJ.
Aye, Captain, some sportbooks do allow you to move the spread a half point in your favor by laying 6-5 odds instead of the standard 11-10. As you correctly phrased it in your question, this is called “buying” a half point. Most sport-betting speculators feel the only time to buy the half point is with a three-point spread on a football game, which by the way is called in casino jargon “buying the hook.”
Gambling quote of the week: “The pain of losing is diverting. So is the thrill of winning. Winning, however, is lonelier, as those you’ve won money from are not likely to commiserate with you. Winning takes getting used to.” – David Mamet, Things I Have Learned Playing Poker on the Hill (1986)
