Match play Advice

Think of a $25 matchplay chip as a free $12.50 in cash that must be wagered once.

Given a choice, I would much rather play it on the pass line than on a hand of terrible-rules blackjack.

When played on blackjack, here are the terrible rules that apply to the matchplay:

• blackjack only pays even money, which is even worse than hated 6/5 tables pay;
• no doubling; and
• no splitting.

Given a choice, no one in their right mind would play a game with a house edge of almost 3% like that.

Play matchplays on the pass line, they’ll be treated like actual cash and face just a 1.41% house edge.

Since OP is talking about the D specifically, double or split can't use mp chips. Personally I play BJ with all those Southwest mp chips because I don't play other table games

Are there any actual stated rules to that effect, or do you just have to find out the hard way?

Also, Dan seems to think that you can't double or split at all if your original wager was a matchplay chip. Is that the case, or can you use a regular chip to split or double? I have a hard time imagining that, say, you get dealt AA and get told you can't split. People would raise hell.

It's fuzzy whether a blackjack should pay the same as it does with a regular chip. I can see arguments for either way.

My matchplay chip experiences have been in other casinos, and those chips were treated, and paid, like regular chips. A blackjack would get a $25 matchplay chip replaced with $37.50 in cash. You could use matchplay OR regular chips to split or double. But I'm not surprised if the D and possibly other casinos have those restrictions.

Dan is correct in that with those restrictions, using the matchplay chips on BJ is a bad idea. As I said, I think that using them on craps would be more fun anyway.

From my experience, double or split is fine, no rule change there, but if I bet $25 cash and $25 mp originally, I have to put down an additional $50 cash. I tried more than once, on different trips, to use $25 cash plus mp chip to double, and was told no. Dealers didn't have to ask floor person to confirm or anything, so I suppose it is their rule. 

OK, further clarification is needed: are those chips matchplay or free play? It sounds like you're talking about matchplay, and in that case, I can't see them completely shorting you on a blackjack; I could see them paying the matchplay chip even money and the accompanying regular chip as normally, so, $25 MP coupon or chip + $25 cash or "real" chip would pay $62.50 on a BJ.

It wouldn't be harmful to you to use "real" chips to double or split, because it would still increase your overall EV to do so.

The reason I think that the Derek chips are free play rather than match play is that the latter are better. The free play are good for one decision, win or lose, and the dealer takes them either way. A matchplay chip that wins stays alive until it loses. (Usually.)

I once had eleven matchplay coupons for the El Cortez, and it took over half an hour to lose them all, as they stayed in play when I won. I'm not sure that would happen there today; they might take the coupon when you lose OR win.

Last year I had a couple of $25 match play chips at The D. I used them on roulette. Blackjack and craps were too crowded. 

You bet $25 on an even money bet and if you win you will be paid $50. They are good for one winning or losing bet. So win or lose they take the MP chip. If there is a push you keep the MP chip.

I'm not sure how blackjack would be paid. My speculation is you would get 3 to 2 or whatever on your $25 and the match play would pay even money. 

You definitely COULD  play the pass line.

Just wait for the round puck to read "OFF", put your bet and matchplay on the pass line, and enjoy.

Crazy simple.

Thanks but I'm afraid I won't enjoy it since it's a pure luck game. 

Match play chips, from southwest flight or say hi to Matthew. You have a good point about chips stay alive or not. Unfortunately they take away these mp chips no matter you win or lose at the D. I never played mp at el Cortez. Is this the printed paper coupon from flight? If it stays alive then I'll use it next time lol 

You are correct about BJ payout. Only even money for MP chip and they take away that chip. Sucks lol