Other sample questions can be found at MaxRubin.com.
Thorp, Curtis and Rubin 2020
Blackjack Ball 2022 Questions
1. True or False?
According to Wikipedia, Max Rubin is 106 years old.
2. During their heyday, Blackjack computer input specialists successfully operated those computers by inputting the data WITHOUT using which of the following?
A. their knees
B. their toes
C. their fingers
D. their teeth
E. they used all of the above
3. What casino named its parking structure “Garage Mahal”?
4. True or False?
There are more tribal than non-tribal casinos now operating in the United States.
5. Civilians hate 6:5 blackjack because the casino doesn’t allow them to take even money. In the overall house edge, how much would the player benefit if the casino offered even money on a 6:5 eight-deck game?
A. 0.06%
B. 0.6%
C. 1.6%
D. 2.6%
E. 3.6%
F. 6/5 players gain no edge with even money
6. Out of respect for Max, the Blackjack Ball, and for hosting the Blackjack Hall of Fame, out of 989 casinos across the U.S., there is only ONE where you agree to NOT play table games. Name that casino.
7. True or False?
Over the past five years, Nevada has lost more than 500 blackjack games, yet the annual casino win on blackjack games has grown by more than $100 million over that time.
8. In the 1950s, Vegas dubbed itself “The Up and Atom City,” and casinos invited guests to come out and see live nukes going off night and day 75 miles outside of town. There was also an annual beauty pageant to name a comely maiden to represent the unique festivities. What title did the annual pageant winner earn?
A. Miss Atom Bombshell
B. The Atomic Showgirl
C. Miss Atomic Bomb
D. Miss American Freedom
E. Miss Nevada Freedom
F. Miss Up and Atom
9. Within two pounds, how much does a million dollars in fresh $100 bills weigh?
Here’s a hint – five bills weigh the same as a new nickel.
You have 60 seconds to write down your answer.
10. True or false?
In a heads-up Blackjack game against a basic strategy player, the dealer WILL BUST over 50% more often than that player.
11. Over the past year, the average annual Win for a blackjack table on the Strip was:
A. less than $500k
B. less than $600k
C. less than $700k
D. less than $800k
E. less than $900k
F. more than $1,000,000 per table.
12. Most states have self-exclusion lists so problem gamblers can prohibit themselves from playing. Which state has the most prohibited gamblers on those lists?
13. True or false?
According to the Current Blackjack News (CBJN), as of tonight, the Excalibur Casino on the Las Vegas Strip offers precisely ONE TRADITIONAL BLACKJACK TABLE that pays 3/2 on a natural.
14. In the gaming area, what’s the biggest casino on earth?
A. The Venetian Macau
B. Resorts Singapore HINT—Photo of Dragons
C. Winstar World
D. City of Dreams Macau
E. Genting Highlands
F. Sands Singapore
15. From the 1940s to the 1960s there were hundreds of billboards that littered both Route 66 and the Lincoln Highway advertising a single destination.
The billboards said, RENO OR BUST. What else was written on those billboards?
16. True or false?
There are more blackjack tables of all stripes, including 6/5, 22-Hybrid, and more on the Las Vegas Strip than all of the other blackjack tables in the rest of the state of Nevada combined.
17. In a full-pay, no RSA game, what is the value of blackjack after a split? That is, a two-card 21 resulting from a split is still considered a blackjack and pays 3:2.
A. 0.06%
B. 0.16%
C. 1.6%
D. 0.2%
E. 0.3%
F. Players gain OVER 2% with split Blackjacks paying 3:2
18. Write down the last name of one of the Four Horsemen.
19. True or False?
Wendover has more than TWICE AS MANY full-pay single-deck games as the rest of Nevada combined.
20. This casino has the most full-pay double-deck games in the Las Vegas Valley.
A. Orleans
B. Red Rock Station
C. Sam’s Town
D. Santa Fe Station
E. South Point
F. Sun Coast
21. Nevada is the state with the most casinos at 334. In order, what states are ranked No. 2 and 3?
Blackjack Ball 2022 Answers
VIEW 1. True 2. A. Their knees 3. Circa 4. True 5. 0.06% 6. Barona 7. True 8. Miss Atomic Bomb 9. Any answer between 20 and 24 pounds 10. True 11. F. More than $1,000,000 per table 12. Oklahoma 13. True 14. C. Winstar World 15. Harold’s Club 16. False 17. B. 0.16% 18. Baldwin, Cantey, Maisell or McDermott 19. False 20. E. South Point 21. Oklahoma (134 casinos) and California (62 casinos)
