What can casino operators do to keep the players interested in blackjack? This game is exhilarating, but let's not forget that significant results are possible only through long hours of training and practice. So it is not surprising that new customers in land-based or online casinos often refuse to play blackjack and prefer simpler games.
Thus, casinos must introduce rules that reduce the house edge and make the gameplay more thrilling. This approach helps attract experienced fans of the game and new players. Moreover, they offer options attracting the most addicted gamblers. Thus, they put them at unreasonable risk. In the long run, it turns out that the rule that can be profitable to customers becomes beneficial to the casino.
One of those innovations is the so-called Charlie rule offered in some blackjack versions.
The Charlie rule in blackjack states that a non-busting hand with a certain number of cards automatically wins.
The dealer's cards usually do not count, although, in some casinos, the croupier's natural blackjack beats Charlie's hand.
Varieties of the Charlie Rule
It has a different name depending on how many cards should come to boxing to work out the rule. We will briefly discuss them.
- 5-Card Charlie. Less than five cards in a hand is a common situation, so it is the minimal number for this rule. On average, five cards in a hand happen once in 50 games, so this version is quite rare. It reduces the house edge by 1.46%, which means the player can get an edge over the house. Pay attention to other rules if you find a blackjack with 5-card Charlie. Most likely, they are unprofitable for players.
- 6-Card Charlie. Blackjack with this rule is much more standard. It lowers the house edge by 0.16%, and six cards come once in 400 games. The basic strategy tables are usually modified specifically for 6-card Charlie.
- 7-Card Charlie. The house edge is downsized by only 0.01%. Seven cards in a hand occur once in 4600 rounds. There is no need to adapt the basic strategy to this rule, so consider it a surprising bonus.
- 8-Card Charlie. You can see it once in 79 000 games. Naturally, you should not rely on it seriously.
- 9-Card Charlie. The odds of seeing it are 1:2 200 200, which speaks for itself.
- 10-Card Charlie. Have you managed to get ten cards without busting? Grab your cell phone and take pictures. Until the end of your life, you can boast that you got a card combination with the odds of about 1:100 000 000!
What Is the Catch in the Charlie Rule?
For experienced blackjack players, there are no tricks. They continue playing by the optimal blackjack strategy. But amateur gamblers tend to chase the Charlie and continue hitting when the strategy recommends other actions.
Therefore, never deviate from the optimal blackjack strategy, even if you believe that you will beat the dealer with the help of Charlie.
Here is a modification of the basic strategy for blackjack featuring the Charlie rule, developed by Michael Shackleford, the author and owner of The Wizard of Odds website.
- H - hit another card.
- S - stand.
- D - double down on two cards; otherwise, hit.
- 1 - hit if you need one card to get a Charlie; otherwise, stand.
- 2 - hit if you need two cards to get a Charlie: otherwise, stand.
On Casinoz, you will find reviews of blackjack games with the Charlie rule.
