Can this online blackjack game be beaten?

Hi Frank:

We are four guys that are playing blackjack together and we have been talking about online blackjack with live dealers.

Can we get an edge big enough if we all four are playing the same table as a team?

Here are the rules:

Blackjack pays 3-2
Insurance pays 2-1
Dealer must stand soft 17
Same total between dealer and player: Push
The penetration is 50%

I hope that you can find time to reply this mail.

N. and the team

Dear N:

I am sure you will lose if you can't see the other players' cards. With proper basic strategy for single-deck games, the house edge will be about three-tenths of 1%. If they have good doubling options, splitting options and splitting aces options, then the house edge will fall even more.

You can also increase your positive elements IF you can see all the other players' cards. This could help you decide how to play your hands, how much to bet or whether insurance might be warranted. If players can drop out after the first round because the deck favors the house, that would really help. If so, then an edge can probably be attained.

The real sticking point is the shuffling after 50% of the deck is dealt. You'll only get two rounds of play.

So the bottom line is this game is probably unbeatable but very, very close in the right circumstances. You'd be better off only having one player play so a count can be kept of the deck and a giant increase in betting can occur in a positive count. You'd definitely get an edge over the house if that were so.

For your letter, I am giving you a free 30-day subscription to my private members-only website at www.goldentouchcraps.com. We have over 5,000 members on this site and I think you will enjoy it.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete