BJ suited side bets

[linker33]

ok, I went down to a casino and played some BJ this weekend. They had this thing where you couldl place an additional bet on wether your first two cards would be suited or not. If they were, it payed 3 to 1, and if you had QK's, it payed 10 to 1. This was besides the regular bet. It worked out pretty good for me, but I was just wondering if anyone wanted to run the numbers, and see if it's a house advantage or not, and how much. I'm sure it is.

[Aceofone]

If dealers face card matches yours:
1/4 * 11/50 = 11/200

If dealers face card doesnt match:
1/4 * 12/50 = 12/200

Appears to be a 1 in 20 shot of getting suited cards. I'm probly wrong here though.

[TylerK]

I just made a terrible mess.

[stevedonel]

If dealers face card matches yours:
1/4 * 11/50 = 11/200

If dealers face card doesnt match:
1/4 * 12/50 = 12/200

Appears to be a 1 in 20 shot of getting suited cards. I'm probly wrong here though.

that first 1/4 is the odds of getting a particular suit. Since the suit doesnt matter the odds are just the second terms of your equation

Dealers face card matching your:
11/50

Dealers face card not matching yours:
12/50

Considering this, you had a good run of luck. Did you really think the casino would allow bets against the house where they arent favored? I would say that the casinos have noticed alot of BJ players are picking up on some strategy. So they started doing this to get your money out of you faster, before you can start playing good.

[knightwalker]

Without doing any math, I think I can answer this one. Side bets = Suckers bets. The casino's always give the player a large -EV on the side bets.

Play solid Blackjack double up everytime you should, not just on 11. How many people double down when the dealer has a 5 and you hold A6? You should. Knowing when to split and double down will give you the best chance to win. Unless you know how to count.

[Aceofone]

Without doing any math, I think I can answer this one. Side bets = Suckers bets. The casino's always give the player a large -EV on the side bets.

Play solid Blackjack double up everytime you should, not just on 11. How many people double down when the dealer has a 5 and you hold A6? You should. Knowing when to split and double down will give you the best chance to win. Unless you know how to count.

Basic strategy narrows the house edge to ~0.5%, Counting increases the the players edge to about 1-2% I think. Imagine taking your AK against 22 all day, or imagine you have 22 against the casinos AK.