Blackjack

Blackjack is a mini-game based on the real-life card game and is playable in any New Vegas casino with a cashier.

Playing 10 hands of Blackjack grants you the Double Down achievement/trophy.

Rule variations
All casinos in New Vegas adhere to the following rules.


 * Maximum bet is 200 chips.
 * The game is dealt from multiple decks, which are shuffled after every hand.
 * The player may not purchase insurance.
 * Late surrender is offered on any hand.
 * Blackjack payouts and surrendered bets are rounded up.
 * The player may not double for less (the option to double is not available if player does not have enough chips, and the player may not re-buy mid-hand).
 * The player may only split to two hands.
 * The player may only split identical card values (that is, the player may not split Queen-King).
 * A card is dealt to the second hand of a split before the player is allowed to act on the first.
 * The player may only double the first of two split hands.
 * The player may draw to the second of two split hands before drawing to the first.

House rules
Each casino has its own rules regarding blackjack payouts and when the dealer must draw. The rules can be seen on the table felts in each casino floor.

Barring variations from Luck, the best odds are found at The Tops or Ultra-Luxe. The worst odds are found at Atomic Wrangler.

Atomic Wrangler (Freeside)

 * Blackjack pays 6 to 5
 * Dealer must hit soft 17

Gomorrah (The Strip)

 * Blackjack pays 3 to 2
 * Dealer must hit soft 17

The Tops (The Strip)

 * Blackjack pays 3 to 2
 * Dealer must draw to 16, and stand on all 17's

Ultra-Luxe (The Strip)

 * Blackjack pays 3 to 2
 * Dealer must draw to 16, and stand on all 17's

Vikki and Vance Casino (Primm)

 * Blackjack pays 3 to 2
 * Dealer must hit soft 17

Strategy
Standard strategy for blackjack is dictated by the dealer's upcard. The following is a simple strategy that will yield good results if you have a reasonable Luck score.

If the dealer is showing a card between 2 to 6, the player should hit with a "hard" total 8 or less, and double with 9 to 11. The player should stand with a total 12 or greater. The strategy changes slightly if the player has a "soft" total, i.e. a hand containing an ace. Hit soft 13 to 15, double 16 to 18 and stand 19+. Split AA and 88, but never Tens/55/44. Split 22,33,66,77,99.

If the dealer shows a card 7 or higher, hit totals 9 and less. Double with 10 or 11 if your total is higher than the dealer's upcard. Hit 12 to 16 and stand on 17+. Hit soft 18 or lower, stand on soft 19+. Split only AA and 88. Also, surrender if you have 16 vs. a dealer upcard ten.

Appearances
Blackjack can be played in Fallout: New Vegas.

Bugs

 * For an unknown reason the dealer will win even with low cards regardless of what you may have
 * After a split you may be unable to hit on your 2nd hand if you achieve 21 on the first hand.