New blackjack sport variant: Venetian Blackjack

I recently had an idea for a new variant that I’d love to share with you all. I call it Venetian Blackjack.
 

The concept is pretty simple: instead of the dealer always being the house, the dealer role rotates among the players.
 

Here’s what makes it different:

• Dealer rotation: Every player gets the chance to step into the dealer’s shoes, which I think adds a fresh dynamic to the game.
• Single-deck rounds: Each round is played with only one deck, making card counting more approachable and strategic.
• Card counting becomes viable: Since the house isn’t involved, the need to “protect” from card counting disappears, creating new strategic opportunities.
• Familiar mechanics: The core rules of blackjack stay the same, so it still feels like the game we know.
   

This is just an idea I’m passionate about, and I’d really appreciate your honest feedback. Does this sound like something you’d enjoy? Are there any ways you think it could be improved?
 

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, I’m excited to hear what you think.

Your game sounds like it's one round a shuffle.  How does this make your game more approachable?  You can gain a little by using strategy variations.

Thanks for the question. Yes, Venetian Blackjack uses a single deck, and it is shuffled after every round. This setup makes the game fairer and keeps it fast-paced without long-term deck tracking.
 

I think this actually makes the game more approachable for newcomers. In traditional Blackjack, multiple decks and complicated card-counting strategies can feel overwhelming for casual players. By focusing on a single round at a time and making all cards visible during play, Venetian Blackjack emphasizes on-the-spot strategy rather than long-term counting.

Experienced players can still gain an edge by using strategic variations based on the visible cards in the current round.

However, the single-deck, single-round structure levels the playing field, making it less intimidating and more engaging for everyone.

Do you think this approach makes sense for both casual and skilled players?

Game designers tend to post the same topic over multiple websites. Since I’ve read other people’s comments about this, I’m not going to say too much. However, there are not many posts here, so still let me spice up. 

This name has nothing to do with Venetian. It’s more related to Pai Gow Blackjack. In Pai Gow poker, it takes about three minutes to play a hand, so it is more likely to attract senior players. 

Thank you for your comment, I appreciate your perspective on both the name and the potential audience.

Regarding the name "Venetian Blackjack," I see it more as a creative and thematic choice rather than a direct reference to the style of play. I like the name because it evokes a certain feel, and I believe it works well for the game, even if it's not strictly connected to the traditional Venetian or Pai Gow themes.

As for the pacing, I understand your point about the appeal to a senior audience, and you make a good observation. That said, I believe the game is accessible to both beginners and experienced players. Beginners can start with lower betting tables, while seasoned players, including seniors, may opt for higher stakes. The dealer rotation and the fixed bet at each table help make the game strategic but approachable for all experience levels.

I really appreciate your feedback and will keep these thoughts in mind

A card counter cannot gain any meaningful advantage by making a potentially single deviation from BS on his one and only hand before a shuffle. Since he will be flat-betting the whole time, the game is virtually worthless to him.

How many hands are dealt if sitting at a full table? That is when you'd get the most extra edge from deviations, but it comes at the expense of a vastly slower game, with a full table, as opposed to playing alone or with fewer players. Can't have it both ways.

You didn't mention the rules. Please do.

Don

Not worth the mental energy responding to Aceside