Mulligans, Power Chips, etc.

Questions for players familiar with tourney venues using these. Do you like this feature? When are you most apt to use either/or and do you consider it a value to buy this option if it's extra cost?
My understanding is that Power Chip and Mulligan are exact equal. Correct?

Billy C

 

Mulligans

I have only used Mulligans at the LVHilton. I like the feature and their use is obviously situational. There are times I have advanced w/o using it. If others have one and you do not, you are at a disinct disadvantage so that in my mind, it is always worth the "extra cost". Having said that, I am most apt to use it on a large bet that "didn't work out". I am not familiar with the specific details and uses of a "Power Chip".

Chips

 

Then the key thing for ME is to remember that I have one at my disposal.:laugh::laugh::laugh:
Maybe it's better if I have to buy it as I would be more apt to remember it then.

Billy C

 

A player's right to change a card can take the name of "Power Chip", "Mulligan", "If Its Bad, Change It" :laugh: , etc. Each casino can make up any rules they want for using this option since there is no "standard". Since there can be differences, its best to get the specifics from the tournament rules.

If your reference to the "Mulligan" means the Las Vegas Hilton's rules and the "Power Chip" means St. Ignace's rules, there is one significant difference. The "Mulligan" can be used to change either of the first 2 cards dealt to a player before that player takes a hit. The "Power Chip" cannot be used in that manner as I understand St Ignace's rules. There may be other minor differences that I am not aware of since I am not totally familiar with St. Ignace's rules.

It's usually best to save the "If Its Bad, Change It" option until late in the game when that "must win" situation arises. Another thing is that you can use your knowledge of the "chip" in determining ploppies at your table. I've seen players use the "chip" in mid-game with a minimum bet. It was almost like he was saying "Oh well, I have to use this thing sometime so it may as well be now".

If you have to pay for the "If Its Bad, Change It" option, it is generally wise to do so unless the price is outrageous. As was stated earlier, not buying the chip puts you at a distinct disadvantage.

 

LV Hilton Mulligan rule

Toolman...If your reference to the "Mulligan" means the Las Vegas Hilton's rules and the "Power Chip" means St. Ignace's rules, there is one significant difference. The "Mulligan" can be used to change either of the first 2 cards dealt to a player before that player takes a hit.

The Mulligan can be used for either of the first 2 cards or the last card taken during a hit. For the 100K tourneys, it costs 100.00 and for the smaller tournaments they cost 20.00. I believe if 1 person has it at the table you must also have it. If you do not then you are at a distict disadvantage if needed. Most of the time you do not get to use it, but it is good 1 time for as many rounds as you play. 1 other advantage they have a drawing for all the players that purchased them at the end of the tournament. You must be present to win OF COURSE....I have not played at St. Iggie...

 

If I remember correctly...

I only had a chance to use a "Mulligan" once while playing at the LV Hilton. I thought they were only used when the player had an Ace and a 2 - 9 for their other card. They could only be used once per round, but you got to use it each round you advanced in. Now that rule may have changed.

The "Power Chip" on the other hand was used in the WSOB III and IV. The "Power Chip" could be used on any hand for any card (even to replace a bust card), Also you could DD and check your down card and if wanted you could replace it. Like the "Mulligan" the "Power Chip" may only be used once per round.

Now other casinos may offer "Mulligans" or "Power Chips" and their rules may vary from casino to casino so always check BEFORE play starts on what they may or may not be used for.

One more note, when asking, ask the floor or TD to make sure you're told the correct information. If you just ask a dealer and the information is wrong and cost you all you'll get is a "SORRY". I've seen it happen to many times.

 

Your recollection is a little off. The use of the Mulligan as summarized by askdick in the post just prior to yours is accurate. The Mulligan has no restrictions that are based on the value of the cards you receive.

 

The mulligan chip is great for tempering bad luck. Most good players will save it for the final few hands, when a BJ or winning double down is needed to move to BR*. It should be standard in all tournaments.

 

Auto Ace...

Sorry, it was the auto Ace they offered at the LV Hilton I was thinking of, not the mulligan.

 

Santa Ysabel uses a Mulligan as of today. It can delete one of your first two cards allowing you to draw in a Blackjack and get paid accordingly -- OR -- after you hit, but you must take the next card.

So you can use it to try and save a Busted hand, something you might Surrender if that were an option (it's not at SY), go for a crazy Double Down, or in one of my cases -- split a lousy pair (4s), play out the first hand and then "nuke" the 2nd half of the split to try for a drawn-21. The entire table looked at me like I was insane, but as I had nearly my entire stack on the table, I had to go for it. It was either the final hand or next to final hand. And, yes...I actually made both of the hands.

Oh, I use mine for All-In bets to shoot for a Blackjack near the end of the game or when I need to survive to the next round by what's on the Bet Spot based on the action in front of my hand.

SY is considering making the Mulligan into a "Power Chip" which could be used for Surrender at any point, including as you are Busting; as a 5-card Charlie--instant pay-out for surviving a 5-card draw and not busting; or as a Mulligan as described above. I believe this will be how it's used in March.

 

Card replacement

Thanks for responses to my questions about this subject.
Being from the "old school", my preference is non use of this feature but I don't have any complaints about it either. Like they say, it's the same for everybody.

Billy C

 

Old School

Billy C., I like "OLD SCHOOL" formats myself, that is why I started the T.B.J.P.A. We don't offer any gimmick's and I would be willing to bet that over 75% of the players who play tournaments on a regular basis (that is at least 10 major events per year) don't like the gimmicks either.

Gimmicks are normally some way for the casino's to try and pull in extra money or try and give their invited guest some little something to make them feel they have an extra chance, (all they really need is to offer multiple re-buys that EVERYONE can get not just their high rollers).

The biggest problem with the casino run tournaments besides the gimmicks is their personnel don't play in tournaments so they don't understand what works and doesn't for the players. Example they don't know how to adjust to an odd number of players in a round or little things (that end up being big issues) like re-buys, BJ's that pay 3-2 vs. 2-1, insure for less, being able to DD on a BJ, DD for less, surrender, number of splits, DD after splits, using count chips vs. flip cards, having floor personnel or TD that can spot an issue at a table before it becomes an issue, and rules that explain how and what to do should any situation come up.

I'd love for a casino to run a T.B.J.P.A. format event with a guaranteed prize pool and would cover my expense so no fees would have to be charged to the players. The only type of gimmicks would be a guarantee of two re-buys for every player who didn't qualify to round 2.

Only one count down (with 5 hands left), a count card posted on the table for all the players to see and reference for the final five hands. Along with offering insurance (and for less), surrender (using surrender cards), DD any first two cards (including BJ's and also for less if they wanted).

Betting in order, yet should a player bet out of turn their bet stays. DD dealt face up to avoid "ANY" misdeals (not really old school, but helps avoid problems). Backing up cards, so the "TRUE" order stays in tack instead of burning cards.

Another thing about the T.B.J.P.A. is we don't have all the "STUPID" rules with no explanations. If "ANY" player has a suggestion or question about any rule or the format, I'll be more then glad to explain why the rule is in effect or why some other why isn't as effective.

Now this isn't just "Rick's" way. I have designed this format and rules with the help and assistance of most of the TOP tournament players around over my 20 plus years of tournament blackjack experience. It is also how and why I designed different twists to help not only the tournament players, but novice players as well and the dealers (who most are not trained in tournament dealing until a day or two before).

Is this the type tournaments you're talking about that you enjoy playing in? Once I get over my medical issues, I'm hoping to get the TBJPA events started again, but with the above mentioned, "GUARANTEED" prize money and hopefully fee free as well. Will they be positive EV, probably not, but they shouldn't be negative EV either (if we can avoid the fees), 100% of all entries and re-buys go back into the prize pool (the books are OPEN to all the players).

In my opinion the T.B.J.P.A. offer's the best "OLD SCHOOL" format and rules of any tournaments (and I think several players on this site will agree with me). Basically what I have tried to do with the T.B.J.P.A events is try and make BJ tournament more strategic and remove more of the luck factor out of them similar to poker tournaments (never see wild cards at the WSOP events). I think making our tournaments more skillful then luck will draw more players to our events as well, that is my intent anyway. The more players the bigger prize money and that is yet another draw.

 

Excellent article - and the TBJPA

Great stuff, Monkeysystem - your Mulligan article in BJI. Super job!

I. for one, really hope Tx can get his tournaments going. It would make BJT's what they should be - a skill competition open to all without all of the guessing game nonsense involving regular play levels necessary to even be allowed to play. His rules are top-notch, and (quite frankly) can and should be used as a standard for all BJT's. HoldEm poker's rules have very little variation from one event to another, so should BJT's.

IMHO, it's unfortunate but I still can't see the TBJPA being able to guarantee national-level prize funds without corporate sponsorship, and it won't get going without those guarantees. The two most likely sources of that would be either web-based or B&M casinos. Until UIGEA is repealed, it's highly unlikely that the Internet casinos will be interested. The B&M venues likely won't get involved unless they are given the power to muck things up by dragging that side action B.S. into it. Hopefully, he'll be able to work something out somewhere so that he can post some attractive guaranteed prize funds. No gimmick rules, no qualifying simply to be allowed to enter. Bring your entry fee, boys and girls - and let's dance!

 

Yes Tex

Thumbs up for your tourney ideas. Hope they're successful and more importantly, I wish you speedy recovery from health issues.
My new doctor tells me I need more booze and women and I'll need more money to get those things so let's have some tourneys I can win!

Billy C

 

Land-based

I think the best bet is still the land-based casinos. The guarantees shouldn't be that hard since most of them make guarantees for their events anyway.

Most guarantees have a small disclaimer on them anyway (Based on X number of players), but the point is it makes the tournaments more appealing and draws in more players.

The TBJPA isn't about starting up new tournaments, it is about trying to set a standard on the format and rules used in tournament blackjack events for new and existing events.

A perfect example of and existing tournament needing some help would be the "Golden Nugget" event in Las Vegas. They are having issues with players being up set with their current format and rules and even their TD is asking players what they can do to improve their events. I'd love to talk to the TD about using the TBJPA for their events.

Just think how much nicer the GN event would be for players using the TBJPA format and rules. Maybe offer satellite events a couple of days before hand so it would be drawing in even more players for their event and building the prize pool up even higher for the players, while increasing the casino's bottom-line as well.

Just think how nice it would be for the players if tournament blackjack had a set standard with format and rules. How nice would it be that tournaments in Vegas, Tunica, Seattle, etc.. all were run the same way with the same (GOOD) rules.

I'd love to see 500 - 600 players per event like they use to have when I first started playing tournaments back in the 80's.

Even in today’s economy I think 300 -400 plus players are very possible numbers for events that are hosted and run properly, this includes the comped high rollers as well. All events have to have both comped and entry fee players to be successful, without the casino hill-rollers we'll never get a "Guarantee". Plus the more players the more prize money for the players and more play on the regular tables for the casinos.