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

Game Rules

Additional Information

Objective

In a Poker-like Finnish 27 ™ game, a dealer and player compete. The player makes a game wager. The objective of the player is to win the game wager. Each player acquires a hand of cards. The player with the highest value hand wins the game and the game wager.

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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 the hand. Thereby, the dealer determines the numeric value of a hand. 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. Jokers count 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 deals a first card face up to the player. The dealer deals a first card face down 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 point 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 point 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. The hand total of a soft hand is a soft total. For example, 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”. The hand total of a hard hand is a hard total. For example, 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 With A Value Of Twenty-Seven

A “Finnish 27” has a value of twenty-seven:

  • The “Finnish 27” is an initial hand consisting of an Ace and a King.

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Insurance

Let us suppose. The dealer’s up card is an Ace. In that event, the dealer offers the player “insurance”. This is a side bet equal to half of the player’s original bet. Let us suppose. The player buys insurance. Let us suppose further. The dealer has Finnish 27. In that event, the dealer pays the player 10 to 1 odds on this side bet. Let us suppose. The player buys insurance.  Let us suppose further. The dealer does not have Finnish 27. In that event, the side bet is lost. In either case, the round continues as before with the player’s original bet.
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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. The player’s initial hand has a value of 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 dealer’s initial hand has a value of twenty-seven. Let us suppose further. The player’s initial hand does not have a value of twenty-seven. In that event, the dealer’s hand is a predetermined-win hand. 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 dealer must play the player’s hand in a predetermined way under certain circumstances. Let us suppose. The dealer plays the player’s hand in a predetermined way. In that event, the dealer does not consult with the player for a decision on how to play the player’s hand. Let us suppose. The dealer does not play the player’s hand in a predetermined way. In that event, the dealer does consult with the player for a decision on how to play the player’s hand. Let us suppose. The dealer does consult with the player for a decision on how to play the player’s hand. In that event, the player selects an operation.

The player can select the “stand” operation.

Let us suppose. The player selects the “stand” operation. In that event, the player’s hand is complete.

The player can select the “hit” operation.

Let us suppose. The player selects the “hit” operation. In that event, the dealer deals one additional card to the player’s hand. The numeric value of one additional card adds to the player’s hand total.

The player must play the player’s hand a predetermined way under the following circumstances.

  • Let us suppose. The player has a hard hand. Let us suppose further. The player’s hand total is less than hard fifteen. In that event, the player must hit.
  • Let us suppose. The player has a soft hand. Let us suppose further. The player’s hand total is less than soft twenty-four. In that event, the player must hit.
  • Let us suppose. The player’s hand is a soft hand. Let us suppose further. The player’s hand consists of four cards. Let us suppose still further. The player’s hand total is less than soft twenty-seven. In that event, the player must hit.
  • Let us suppose. The player’s hand does consist of five cards. In that event, the player must stand.
  • Let us suppose. The player has a hard hand. Let us suppose further. The player’s hand total is at least hard twenty-five. In that event, the player must stand.
  • Let us suppose. The player has a soft hand. Let us suppose further. The player’s hand total is soft twenty-seven. In that event, the player must stand.

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Determine Whether A Predetermined Outcome Occurs

After the dealer forms the player’s complete hand, the dealer displays the first card dealt to form the dealer’s initial hand in face up position. Afterward, 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 hard twenty-seven. In that event, the player busts. 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 dealer’s hand total is less than hard twenty-three. In that event, the dealer must hit.
    • Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand total is at least hard twenty-three. In that event, the dealer must stand.
  • Let us suppose. The dealer has a soft hand. Let us suppose further. The soft hand consists of two cards. 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 dealer’s hand total is less than soft twenty-five. In that event, the dealer must hit.
    • Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand total is at least soft twenty-five. In that event, the dealer must stand.
  • Let us suppose. The dealer has a soft hand. Let us suppose further. The soft hand consists of three cards. In that event, the dealer makes a decision on how to play the soft hand in accordance with the following set of rules.
    • Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand total is less than soft twenty-six. In that event, the dealer must hit.
    • Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand total is at least soft twenty-six. In that event, the dealer must stand.
  • Let us suppose. The dealer has a soft hand. Let us suppose further. The soft hand consists of four cards. In that event, the dealer makes a decision about how to play the dealer’s hand in accordance with the following set of rules.
    • Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand total is less than soft twenty-seven. In that event, the dealer must hit.
    • Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand total is soft twenty-seven. In that event, the dealer must stand.
  • Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand consists of five cards. 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 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 is equal to twenty-seven. In that event, the dealer’s hand is a predetermined-win hand. A predetermined outcome does occur. The outcome of the game is the dealer’s hand wins.
  • Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand total does exceed hard twenty-seven. In that event, the dealer busts. The dealer’s hand is a predetermined-lose hand. A predetermined outcome does occur. The outcome of the game is the player’s hand wins.

Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand total is less than twenty-seven. In that event, the dealer determines whether a predetermined outcome occurs in accordance with the following set of rules.

  • Let us suppose. The player’s hand does consist of five cards. In that event, the player’s hand includes a qualifying-five-card-poker hand.
  • Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand does consist of five cards. In that event, the dealer’s hand includes a qualifying-five-card-poker hand.
  • Let us suppose. Both hands consist of five cards. In that event, both hands include a qualifying-five-card-poker hand.  The dealer uses the predetermined set of hand-ranking rules. A highest-ranking-five-card-poker hand can be made from the five cards in each hand. The dealer identifies the highest-ranking-five-card-poker hand, wherein:
    • Let us suppose. The player’s highest-ranking-five-card-poker hand does outrank the dealer’s highest-ranking-five-card-poker hand. In that event, the player’s hand is a predetermined-win hand.
    • Let us suppose. The dealer’s highest-ranking-five-card-poker hand does outrank the player’s highest-ranking-five-card-poker hand. In that event, the dealer’s hand is a predetermined-win hand.
    • Let us suppose. The player’s highest-ranking-five-card-poker hand has the same rank as the dealer’s highest-ranking-five-card-poker hand. In that event, the dealer’s hand is a predetermined-push hand.
  • A predetermined set of hand-ranking rules does specify ten categories of five-card-poker hand and assigns a rank to each. 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, flush, full house, four-of-a-kind, 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 qualifying-five-card-poker hand. The numerical value of said each Joker remains zero. Each Joker can be used to perform a function selected from a group consisting of represent an Ace, complete a straight, complete a flush, and complete a straight-flush.
  • Let us suppose. The player’s hand is a qualifying-five-card-poker hand. Let us suppose further. The dealer’s hand is not a qualifying-five-card-poker hand. In that event, the player’s hand is a predetermined-win hand.
  • Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand is a qualifying-five-card-poker hand. Let us suppose further. The player’s hand is not a qualifying-five-card-poker hand. In that event, the dealer’s hand is a predetermined-win hand.
  • Let us suppose. The player’s 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 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.
  • Let us suppose. The dealer’s hand is a predetermined-push 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. 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 hands push.

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Resolution Of The Game Wager

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 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 of the game wager to the player.

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Bonus Payouts For Predetermined Combinations Of Cards

Suppose. 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 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 does consist of five cards. Let us suppose further. The player’s hand total is twenty-seven. In that event, the dealer finds the player’s hand does include a predetermined combination of cards.

Let us suppose. The outcome of the game is the player’s hand wins. Let us suppose 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) 1:1 odds
8-9-10 2:1 odds
9-9-9 2:1 odds
5-card 27 2:1 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.

Let us suppose. A player consistently uses the basic strategy to make decisions on how to play the player’s hand.  In that event, this particular set of rules gives the house an edge of about 1.4%. Accordingly, each ten dollar bet would cost the player about fourteen cents on average.

Let us suppose. A player does not consistently use basic strategy to make decisions on how to play the player’s hand. In that event, the house edge could be much higher than 1.4%.

Let us suppose. A player has the ability. The player can consistently predict the outcome of the game before even placing a game wager. In that event, the player would have an edge over the house. The house should probably invite the player to play a different game.

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Basic Strategy

Players make decisions on how to play their hands. Let us suppose. A player uses a basic strategy.  In that event, the basic strategy enables the player.  The player loses the least amount of money to the house in the long run with strictly average luck.

The basic strategy varies in accordance with the number of cards
in the player’s hand, and varies in accordance with the rank of
the exposed card in the dealer’s initial hand.

Let us suppose. The player’s hand consists of two cards. In that event, the basic strategy for the play of the player’s hand can be summarized by nine rules and three exception rules. The nine rules and three exception rules are displayed in the following set of tables.

Suppose The rank of the dealer’s upcard is. In that event, hit to target-numerical sums
Joker hard 20 and soft 26 (20/AQ)
Ace hard 22 and soft 26 (22/AQ)
2 hard 20 and soft 25 (20/AJ)
3, 4, 5, 6 hard 19 and soft 25 (19/AJ)
7, 8 hard 18 and soft 25 (18/AJ)
9 hard 18 and soft 24 (18/AT)
10 hard 19 and soft 24 (19/AT)
Jack hard 20 and soft 24 (20/AT)
Queen, King hard 20 and soft 25 (20/AJ)
Exception Rules
Always hit a hand consisting of an 8 and a 10.
Always hit a hand consisting of a 9 and a 9.
Always hit a hand consisting of a 9 and a 10.

In general, the player should use the nine rules and three exception
rules displayed in the set of tables shown above to play any hard hand
consisting of two cards, and any soft hand consisting of two card.

Let us suppose. The player’s hand consists of three cards. In that event, the basic strategy for the play of the player’s hand can be summarized using nine rules. The nine rules are displayed in the following table.

Suppose.  The rank of the dealer’s upcard is. In that event, hit to target-numerical sums
Joker hard 21 and soft 27 (21/AK)
Ace hard 23 and soft 27 (23/AK)
2 hard 21 and soft 27 (21/AK)
3 hard 20 and soft 27 (20/AK)
4, 5, 6 hard 20 and soft 26 (20/AQ)
7, 8, 9 hard 19 and soft 26 (19/AQ)
10 hard 20 and soft 26 (20/AQ)
Jack hard 21 and soft 25 (21/AJ)
Queen or King hard 21 and soft 26 (21/AQ)

In general, the player should use the above nine rules to play
any hard hand consisting of three cards, and any soft hand
consisting of three cards.

Let us suppose. The player’s hand consists of four cards. In that event, the basic strategy for the play of the player’s hand can be summarized using four rules. The four rules are displayed in the following table.

Suppose. The rank of the dealer’s upcard is. In that event, hit to target-numerical sums
Joker hard 24 and soft 27 (24/AK)
Ace hard 25 and soft 27 (25/AK)
2 hard 24 and soft 27 (24/AK)
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King hard 23 and soft 27 (23/AK)

In general, the player should use the above four rules to play
any hard hand consisting of four cards, and any soft hand
consisting of four cards.

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