Holdem Blackjack

When I first heard that Holdem Blackjack was released, I was completely expecting it to be another name for "blackjack tournament". Well, it is pretty much Blackjack, and it is played in a tournament setting. But, it's certainly not simply a Blackjack tournament.

I tested out this new card game while sitting at the tables of Sun Poker.

Gameplay

First, the setting of the game It's dealt around a poker table, not a blackjack table. There is a dealer, and a couple of blind bets, just as in Holdem. Everyone also tosses an ante into the pot.

Players are dealt a single card, face down (yep, a hole card). Action proceeds around the table with players folding, calling, or raising the bet, as in holdem. Once everyone has contributed to the pot equally, the second card is dealt.

The second card of the hand is dealt face up, as in Stud poker. This gives everyone a chance to see what their opponents may or may not have. A second round of bet takes place.

Then the Final Round takes place. On this round, players can continue to hit until they decide to Stand, or until they bust. These cards are dealt face down. Then the final round of betting takes place.

Betting in Holdem Blackjack

The betting limits for the particular table are posted in the tournament lobby. Every single game i saw listed was using a spread limit betting style. The first and second rounds were limited bets, capped at four total bets (or a bet and 3 raises if you'd prefer).

The final round has a spread limit. That means there is a min and a max bet, and you can choose any number of chips in between them to throw into the pot.

So, for example, the tournament I'm playing has the following limits right now (they'll change as the blinds go up) - 300/600/300-3,000. The first round is fixed betting at 300 chips per bet. The second round is fixed betting at 600 chips per bet, and the final round has bets ranging between 600 and 3,000 chips.

The Showdown

After the final round of betting, the showdown takes place. The winner takes the pot, ties result in a split pot. Hands are ranked according to the following . . .

Hand Rankings

The best possible hand is a “7 Card Charlie” (7 cards without going over 21).
The next best hands are 21, 20, 19, etc.
If all hands are over 21 (busted) then the best hand is the one closest to 21.
All 21's are equal in value (for example: the hand A_QClubs has the same value as 4Clubs 2_8_7_).

Holdem Blackjack

Gameplay

Betting in Holdem Blackjack

The Showdown

Hand Rankings

Holdem blackjack can be played at Sun Poker

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