Be the dealer - Is this an outright lie?

[lotus guardian]

I was looking for the blackjack rules at "be the dealer" and I found this text about playing as the dealer:

[ QUOTE ]
BeTheDealer Casino offers you the unique option of playing the role of the Dealer. This option increases your chances of winning, as you gain some of the favorable odds reserved for the Casino. At the end of every round, the Casino takes a commission of 1.75% of the total bets placed against the Dealer.

The Casino's edge in Blackjack with these rules is approximately 2% (bear in mind that this percentage depends on the player's knowledge of the game and that this 2% is how the Casino makes a profit on Blackjack), so as the Dealer you actually gain an edge of about 0.5%.

[/ QUOTE ]

I played some hands there and the rules seemed to me as having an edge of about 0.8% (dealer hits on soft 17, no double after split, resplitting allowed). This would give you a negative EV after they take the 1.75% comission.

Are they lying when they say it's +EV to play as the dealer or are they stealing you when you play as a player?

[lastchance]

People don't play optimally. That's how they get their 2%.

[Wilco666]

The trick is to watch your opponent when playing as the dealer. You will notice soon enough if he is playing optimal strategy (or close to it). If he is, quit the session.

[cgwahl]

[ QUOTE ]
The trick is to watch your opponent when playing as the dealer. You will notice soon enough if he is playing optimal strategy (or close to it). If he is, quit the session.

[/ QUOTE ]


And then pray he isn't a filthy luckbox...