What affects Blackjack gameplay in Fallout: New Vegas?

Question

What specifics do we know, if any, about the blackjack implementation in Fallout New Vegas? Specifically:

• How does luck modify the game? (Does it modify the odds of you getting a card you need, one which won't bust you, etc.? Does it modify the odds of the dealer pulling a bust card, etc.?)

• Do we know if the implementation plays with a standard deck or a multi-deck shoe? If so, how many decks at each venue?

• Am I imagining things or does it seem like if you and the dealer tie, but you have a soft score (ace as 11), the dealer wins? Sometimes the game moves too quickly for me to clearly see the cards from my couch, so I'm not sure if this is the case or I'm miscounting as the cards flip across the screen -- especially as the dealer plays. :)

Answer 1

Luck: I haven't found any official confirmation of exactly what the percentages are for the influence of Luck, but I've the standard advice for high (9 or 10) Luck builds at Blackjack is to basically always hit at 18 or below, always stand on a 19 or 20, Split 16's and double down on 11's, and you will always come out very far ahead. Based on anecdotal information, it seems as though the impact of luck may be at least somewhat exponential, as I can't say I've had that level of success running with 5, 6, or 7 (the highest I've taken a character to the tables with.)

Deck: It's a shoe at Gomorrah at the very least, though I can't say how many decks, reshuffled for every hand. The main thing to keep in mind is that the odds of a 10 are extremely high when it's just you and the dealer.

Push: You're imagining things. In the event of a Push, you'll get your bet back, but you won't win any additional caps. That said, each Casino does have it's own house rules. At Gomorrah, the Dealer is required to hit on a soft 17. At Ultra-Luxe and The Tops, the dealer will always stand on a 17.