On this page
Face Up Blackjack
Introduction
Face Up Blackjack is version of double exposure which both follow blackjack rules, except both dealer cards are exposed. Unlike Double Exposure, where a winning blackjack paid even money, in Face Up Blackjack, it pays 6-5. To compensate for both dealer cards being exposed, all ties lose.
As of this writing in September, 2024, the game can be found at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.
Rules
- Six 52-card decks are used.
- After wagers are made the player and dealer shall each receive two cards. Both dealer cards are dealt face up.
- Double after split is allowed.
- Play may not re-split pairs.
- No surrender.
- Player may double on hard 10 or 11 only.
- Winning player blackjack pays 6 to 5.
- Dealer hits soft 17.
- All ties lose.
Strategy
The strategy to Face Up Blackjack is rather involved. Between the player having a hard total, soft total or pair and the dealer having a hard total or soft total, there are six different strategies, which I present below. A dealer soft 18 to 20 should be treated as a hard total.
Player hard total vs. dealer hard total
Player hard total vs. dealer soft total
Player soft total vs. dealer hard total
Player soft total vs. dealer soft total
Player pair vs. dealer hard total
Player pair vs. dealer soft total
Analysis
Assuming the basic strategy above is played, the house edge is 1.06%.