Game Rules Specified for a Baccarat-Like Finnish 27 ™ Game

Game Rules

Additional Information

Objective

In a baccarat-like Finnish 27 ™ game, a dealer and a player compete. The player makes a game wager. The objective of the player is to win the game wager. The player wins the game wager by correctly betting on whether the outcome of the game will be the player’s hand wins, the dealer’s hand wins, or the hands push.

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Number Of Decks, Composition Of Each Deck, And Shuffling Procedures.

The dealer uses a six deck shoe. Each deck includes thirteen ranks
of each of four suits and two Jokers. The thirteen ranks are Two,
Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen, King,
and Ace. The four suits are Spades, Clubs, Hearts, and Diamonds. The
dealer shuffles the cards before the first round of play. The dealer
reshuffles the cards after the shoe is depleted of about four and a
half decks. The player is notified whenever the dealer reshuffles.
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Scoring

Each card has a numeric value. The dealer adds up the numeric value of each card in a hand. Thereby, the dealer determines a hand total. The numeric values correspond to the rank of the cards in a poker game. An Ace can be played either as a “high” Ace or a “low” Ace.  Let us suppose. An Ace can be counted as 14 without causing the hand total to exceed 27. In that event, the Ace is a “high” Ace. The “high” Ace has a numeric value 14. Let us suppose. An Ace can not be counted as 14 without causing the hand total to exceed 27. In that event, the Ace is a “low” Ace. The “low” Ace has a numeric value of 1. A Jack has a numeric value of 11. A Queen has a numeric value of 12. King has a numeric value of 13. Face cards (Jack, Queen, and King) count respectively as 11, 12, and 13. Let us suppose. A player’s hand consists of less than two cards. Let us suppose further. The dealer deals a Joker to the player’s hand. In that event, the hand total is 27. A numeric value is required to make a hand total of 27. The Joker counts as the numeric value. Let us suppose.  The player’s hand consists of at least two cards. Let us suppose further. The dealer deals a Joker to the player’s hand.  In that event, the joker counts as 0. All other cards are counted according to their numeric value.
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Playing Card Indices

Each card bears Finnish style indicia. The Finnish style has
indices 1, 13, 12, 11 appear on the Ace, King, Queen and Jack;
has no indices appear on the Joker; and has indices corresponding
to card rank appear on each of the remaining cards.

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Betting

To begin a round, the player places a bet.
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Dealing Initial Hands

After the player places a bet, the dealer deals initial hands. The dealer forms the player’s initial hand and the dealer’s initial hand. The dealer deals a first card face up to the player. The dealer deals a first card face up to the dealer. The dealer deals a second card face up to the player. The dealer deals a second card face up to the dealer.
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Hard and Soft

There are two basic types of hands. Let us suppose. A hand of playing cards includes a high Ace. In that event, the hand is a “soft” hand. Let us suppose. A hand of playing cards does not include a high Ace. In that event, the hand is a “hard” hand. Let us suppose. The sum of the numeric values assigned to the cards in a “hard” hand does exceed twenty-seven. In that event, the holder of the hand does bust. Let us suppose. The sum of the numeric values assigned to the cards in a “soft” hand does exceed twenty-seven. In that event, the high Ace turns into a low Ace. The “soft” hand becomes a “hard” hand.

The rules assign numeric values to the cards in a hand. A hand total is equal to the sum of the numeric values. There are two basic types of hand totals. A “soft” hand has a “soft” total. For example, let us suppose. A “soft” hand consists of an Ace of Spades and a Jack of Diamonds. In that event, the “soft” hand has a “soft” total. The “soft” total is “soft twenty-five”. A “hard” hand has a “hard” total. For example, let us suppose. A “hard” hand consists of an Ace of Spades, a Nine of Diamonds, and a King of Clubs. In that event, the “hard” hand has a “hard” total. The “hard” total is “hard twenty-three”.
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Initial Hands That Have A Value Of Twenty-Seven

The following are the three different types of initial hands. Each has a value of twenty-seven:

  • A “Jo Jo” is an initial hand consisting of a pair of Jokers,
  • A “Finnish 27” is an initial hand consisting of an Ace and a King,
  • A “Joanca” is an initial hand consisting of a Joker and a card of any rank other than Joker.

Determine Whether A Predetermined Outcome Occurs

After the initial deal, the dealer determines whether a predetermined outcome occurs in accordance with the following set of rules.

  • Let us suppose. An initial hand has a value of twenty-seven. In that event, the initial hand is a predetermined-win hand except as noted below.
  • Three types of initial hands have a value of twenty-seven. The predetermined set of game rules does rank the three types of initial hands in reverse order of their probabilities of occurrence.
    • The Jo Jo has the highest rank.
    • The Finnish 27 has a lower rank than the Jo Jo, and a higher rank than the Joanca.
    • The Joanca has the lowest rank.
  • Let us suppose. The dealer deals an initial hand to the player. The dealer deals an initial hand to the dealer. Let us suppose further. Both initial hands have a value of twenty-seven. In that event, the highest ranking initial hand is a predetermined-win hand.
  • Let us suppose. The dealer deals an initial hand to the player. The dealer deals an initial hand to the dealer. Let us suppose further. Both initial hands have a value of twenty-seven. Let us suppose still further. The player’s initial hand has the same rank as the dealer’s initial hand. In that event, the dealer wins ties. The dealer’s initial hand is a predetermined-win hand.
  • Let us suppose. The player’s initial hand is a predetermined-win hand. In that event, a predetermined outcome does occur. The outcome of the game is the player’s hand wins.
  • Let us suppose. The dealer’s initial hand is a predetermined-win hand. In that event, a predetermined outcome does occur. The outcome of the game is the dealer’s hand wins.

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Form The Player’s Complete Hand

Let us suppose. A predetermined outcome does not occur. In that event, the dealer forms the player’s complete hand in accordance with the following method of play.

The player and the dealer take turns playing their hands. The player goes first.

The player must play the player’s hand in accordance with a predetermined strategy. Accordingly, the dealer does not consult with the player for a decision on how to play the player’s hand.

The predetermined strategy specifies a target-numerical sum for the play of the player’s hard hands. The predetermined strategy specifies a target-numerical sum for the play of the player’s soft hands. Let us suppose. The player’s hand total is less than the target-numerical sum. In that event, the player must hit. Let us suppose. The player’s hand total is equal to or greater than the target-numerical sum. In that event, the player must stand.

Let us suppose. The player hits. In that event, the dealer deals one additional card to the player’s hand. The one additional card has a numeric value. The numeric value adds to the player’s hand total. Let us suppose. The player stands. In that event, the player’s hand is complete.

The predetermined strategy can be summarized using nine rules. The nine rules are displayed in the following table.

Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand total is In that event, hit to target-numerical sums
any hard total from 4 to 10 hard 23 and soft 25 (23/AJ)
any hard total from 11 to 14 hard 24 and soft 25 (24/AJ)
any hard total from 15 to 23 hard 23 and soft 25 (23/AJ)
any hard total from 24 to 26 greater than the dealer’s hand total
soft 25 or soft 26 greater than the dealer’s hand total
soft 24 hard 24 and soft 25 (24/AJ)
soft 23 hard 23 and soft 26 (23/AQ)
any soft total from 16 to 22 hard 24 and soft 26 (24/AQ)
soft 15 hard 25 and soft 26 (25/AQ)

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Determine Whether A Predetermined Outcome Occurs

After the dealer forms the player’s complete hand, the dealer determines whether a predetermined outcome occurs in accordance with the following set of rules.

  • Let us suppose. The player’s hand total is equal to twenty-seven. In that event, the player’s hand is a predetermined-win hand. A predetermined outcome does occur. The outcome of the game is the player’s hand wins.
  • Let us suppose. The player’s hand total does exceed thirty-five. In that event, the player’s hand is a predetermined-lose hand. A predetermined outcome does occur. The outcome of the game is the dealer’s hand wins.

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Form The Dealer’s Complete Hand

Let us suppose. A predetermined outcome does not occur. In that event, the dealer forms the dealer’s complete hand.

  • Let us suppose. The dealer has a “hard” hand. In that event, the dealer makes a decision on how to play the hard hand in accordance with the following predetermined strategy.
    • Let us suppose. The “hard” hand has a “hard” total of less than “hard twenty-four”. In that event, the dealer must hit.
    • Let us suppose. The “hard” hand has a “hard” total of at least “hard twenty-four”. In that event, the dealer stand.
  • Let us suppose. The dealer has a “soft” hand. In that event, the dealer makes a decision on how to play the soft hand in accordance with the following predetermined strategy.
    • Let us suppose. The “soft” hand has a “soft” total of less than “soft” twenty-five. In that event, the dealer must hit.
    • Let us suppose The soft hand has a soft total of at least soft twenty-five. In that event, the dealer must stand.

Let us suppose. The dealer hits. In that event, the dealer deals one additional card to the dealer’s hand. The one additional card has a numeric value. The numeric value adds to the dealer’s hand total. Let us suppose. The dealer stands. In that event, the dealer’s hand is complete.
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Determine Whether A Predetermined Outcome Occurs

After the dealer forms the dealer’s complete hand, the dealer determines whether a predetermined outcome occurs in accordance with the following set of rules.

  • Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand total exceeds hard twenty seven. In that event, the dealer busts.
  • Let us suppose. The player does bust. Let us suppose further. The dealer does not bust. Let us suppose still further.  The player’s hand total is closer to twenty-seven than is the dealer’s hand total. In that event, the dealer’s hand is a predetermined-stalemate hand.
  • Let us suppose. The player does not bust. Let us suppose further. The dealer does bust. Let us suppose still further. The dealer’s hand total is closer to twenty-seven than is the player’s hand total. In that event, the dealer’s hand is a predetermined-stalemate hand.
  • Let us suppose. The player does not bust. Let us suppose further. The dealer does bust. Let us suppose still further. The player’s hand total is as close to twenty-seven as is the dealer’s hand total. In that event, the dealer’s hand is a predetermined-stalemate hand.
  • Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand is a predetermined-stalemate hand. In that event, a predetermined outcome does occur. The outcome of the game is the hands push.

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Determine The Outcome Of The Game

Let us suppose. A predetermined outcome does not occur. In that event, the dealer determines the outcome of the game in accordance with the following set of rules.

  • Let us suppose. The player’s hand total is closer to twenty-seven than is the dealer’s hand total. In that event, the outcome of the game is the player’s hand wins.
  • Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand total is closer to twenty-seven than is the player’s hand total. In that event, the outcome of the game is the dealer’s hand wins.
  • Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand total is as close to twenty-seven as is the player’s hand total. In that event, the outcome of the game is the dealer’s hand wins.

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Resolution Of The Game Wager

Let us suppose. The player bets. The outcome of the game will be the player’s hand wins. In that event, the dealer resolves the game wager in accordance with the following set of rules.

  • Let us suppose. The outcome of the game is the player’s hand wins. In that event, the dealer pays the player one to one odds (1:1) on the game wager.
  • Let us suppose. The outcome of the game is the dealer’s hand wins. In that event, the dealer collects the game wager.
  • Let us suppose. The outcome of the game is the hands push. In that event, the dealer returns control over the game wager to the player.

Let us suppose. The player bets. The outcome of the game will be the dealer’s hand wins. In that event, the dealer resolves the game wager in accordance with the following set of rules.

  • Let us suppose. The outcome of the game is the player’s hand wins. In that event, the dealer collects the game wager.
  • Let us suppose. The outcome of the game is the dealer’s hand wins. In that event, the dealer pays the player four to five odds (4:5) on the game wager.
  • Let us suppose. The outcome of the game is the hands push. In that event, the dealer returns control over the game wager to the player.

Let us suppose. The player bets. The outcome of the game will be the hands push. In that event, the dealer resolves the game wager in accordance with the following set of rules.

  • Let us suppose. The outcome of the game is the player’s hand wins. In that event, the dealer collects the game wager.
  • Let us suppose. The outcome of the game is the dealer’s hand wins. In that event, the dealer collects the game wager.
  • Let us suppose. The outcome of the game is the hands push. In that event, the dealer pays the player seven to one odds (7:1) on the game wager.

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Bonus Payouts For Predetermined Combinations Of Cards

Let us suppose. The player did bet. The outcome of the game will be the player’s hand wins. Let us suppose further. The outcome of the game is the player’s hand wins. In that event, the dealer examines the player’s hand in search of a predetermined combination of cards in accordance with the following set of rules:

  • Let us suppose. The player’s hand consists of an Ace and a King. In that event, the dealer finds. The player’s hand does include a predetermined combination of cards.
  • Let us suppose. The player’s hand consists of a pair of Jokers. In that event, the dealer finds. The player’s hand does include a predetermined combination of cards.
  • Let us suppose. The player’s hand does consist of a card assigned a value of eight, a card assigned a value of nine, and a card assigned a value of ten. In that event, the dealer finds. The player’s hand does include a predetermined combination of cards.
  • Let us suppose. The player’s hand does consist of three cards. Let us suppose further. Each of said three cards is a card assigned a value of nine. In that event, the dealer finds. The player’s hand does include a predetermined combination of cards.
  • Let us suppose. The player’s hand consists of at least five cards. In that event, the dealer determines whether the player’s hand does include a qualifying-five-card-poker hand. The dealer uses memory of a predetermined set of hand-ranking rules. Any five of the at least five cards in the player’s hand can make a five-card-poker hand. The dealer identifies the highest-ranking-five-card-poker hand. Let us suppose. The category of said highest-ranking-five-card-poker hand is better than a high card. In that event, the dealer finds. The player’s hand does include a qualifying-five-card-poker hand. The qualifying-five-card-poker hand is said highest-ranking-five-card-poker hand.
  • The predetermined set of hand-ranking rules does. Specify ten categories of five-card-poker hand. Assign a rank to each of the ten categories of five-card-poker hand. When arranged in order from lowest ranking to highest ranking the ten categories of five-card-poker hand are high card, one pair, two pair, three-of-a-kind, straight, full house, four-of-a-kind, flush, straight-flush, and five-of-a-kind. The predetermined set of hand-ranking rules does rank individual cards. When arranged from lowest ranking to highest ranking the individual cards of each suit are Joker, Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace. An Ace can appear as the lowest ranking card as when part of a hand selected from a group consisting of an Ace-2-3-4-5 straight and an Ace-2-3-4-5 straight-flush. The predetermined set of hand-ranking rules does specify the use of individual card ranks to rank hands in the same category. The predetermined set of hand-ranking rules does specify use of suits to determine whether a hand belongs to a category of five-card-poker hand selected from a group consisting of a flush and a straight-flush. The predetermined set of hand-ranking rules does specify the step of assigning a wild card value to each Joker in a hand. Said each Joker can be used in a qualifying-five-card-poker hand to represent the rank and suit of any card. The numeric value of said each Joker remains zero.
  • Let us suppose. The player’s hand does include a qualifying-five-card-poker hand. In that event, the dealer finds. The player’s hand does include a predetermined combination of cards.

Let us suppose. The player did bet. The outcome of the game will be the player’s hand wins. Let us suppose further. The outcome of the game is the player’s hand wins. Let us suppose still further. The player’s hand does include a predetermined combination of cards. In that event, the dealer pays the player a bonus in accordance with the following pay table.

Predetermined Combination of Cards Bonus Payout
Finnish 27 (an Ace and a King) 1:2 odds
Jo Jo (a pair of Jokers) 1:1 odds
8-9-10 mixed suits 1:2 odds
8-9-10 hearts, clubs, or diamonds 1:1 odds
8-9-10 spades 2:1 odds
9-9-9 mixed suits $90
9-9-9 same suit $990
9-9-9 and any 9-9 initial dealer’s hand $9,990
Pair 1:5 odds
Two Pair 1:1 odds
Three of a Kind 2:1 odds
Straight 3:1 odds
Full House 4:1 odds
Four of a Kind 5:1 odds
Flush 6:1 odds
Straight Flush 7:1 odds
Five of a Kind 8:1 odds

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House Edge

The house can expect to retain an average portion of the game wager in the long term with strictly average luck. People refer to the average portion of the game wager as a house edge. The house edge is expressed as a percentage of the game wager. A positive percentage indicates a long term gain for the house. A negative percentage indicates a long term loss for the house.

In the long term, the probabilities of each of the possible outcomes are as follows:

  • In 40.09% of all games the outcome is the player’s hand wins.
  • In 48.88% of all games the outcome is the dealer’s hand wins.
  • In 11.03% of all games the outcome is the hands push.

In the long term, the house has an edge regardless of how the player bets.

  • Let us suppose. The player bets that the outcome of the game will be the player’s hand wins. In that event, the house edge is equal to about 1.55%. 48.88% of all game wagers are collected by the house because the outcome of the game is the dealer’s hand wins. 40.09% of all game wagers are paid off at one to one odds because the outcome of the game is the player’s hand wins. The dealer pays bonuses to the player for winning the game with a predetermined combination of cards. Bonuses make an 7.24% improvement in the expected value of the game wager.
  • 1.55% = 48.88% – (40.09% + 7.24%).
  • Let us suppose. The player bets. The outcome of the game will be the dealer’s hand wins. In that event, the house edge is equal to about 0.99%. 40.09% of all game wagers are collected by the house because the outcome of the game is the player’s hand wins. 48.88% of all game wagers paid off at four to five odds because the outcome of the game is the dealer’s hand wins.
  • 0.99% = 40.09% – 48.88% * 4/5.
  • Let us suppose. The player bets. The outcome of the game will be the hands push. In that event, the house edge is equal to about 11.76%. 88.97% of all game wagers are collected by the house because the outcome of the game is not the hands push. 11.03% of all game wagers paid off at seven to one odds because the outcome of the game is the hands push.
  • 11.76% = 88.97% – 11.03% * 7.

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