Blacjack Switch

[ricopuno]

Have you guys tried Blackjack Switch? Are there software simulation for this game?

[shadroch]

Not sure about software but www.wizardofodds.com has the BS for it.
Its a very different game than regular BJ because a dealer 22 pushs instead of paying,so be sure to print the BS card and consult it constantly.If you play with the correct BS,the house edge is pretty small.

[Sonny]

Snyder has a good chapter on this game in Big Book of Blackjack. The house edge is often lower then regular BJ so it can be a good opportunity if you find a good game. Here is a link to his article about online BJ Switch (which is slightly different than the onland version):

http://www.blackjackforumonline.com/...icstrategy.htm

There is also a thread here with some good information from the game's creator Geoff Hall:

http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bb/showthread.php?t=5398

-Sonny-

[ricopuno]

Ty Shadrock and Sonny,

The first time this came out in our local casino I thought this is one of the casino scheme to earn money from us because the dealer pushes at 22 with players 21.

[Automatic Monkey]

Originally Posted by ricopuno

Ty Shadrock and Sonny,

The first time this came out in our local casino I thought this is one of the casino scheme to earn money from us because the dealer pushes at 22 with players 21.

It's actually a good game and I've made quite a bit of money off it. But it's a lot different than blackjack and wouldn't recommend it unless you are very good at memorizing tables of win rates and have a lot of experience with this.

[ricopuno]

Hi Monkey,

When you said win rates are you referring to the win rate chart posted at wizardofodds.com


I know you can bring and use a basic strategy chart during actual game.

Do you think we can also bring and use win rate chart during game?

[Kasi]

Originally Posted by ricopuno

Do you think we can also bring and use win rate chart during game?

I don't know. Maybe I guess. After all, it'd just be a BS card for switch decisions.

It could get a little impractical as you'd have to add the 4 decimal EV's of your original 2 hands, then add up the EV's of your switched hands if you switched and then make your switch decision after comparing the 2 results.

And of course it'd be possible from the EV's to make your own multi-page switch decision strategy for any combo of original 2 hands and resulting switched hands. Nothing to lose by trying it - if you're not slowing down play on what basis could they object?

That's what I did for my internet play anyway to speed up play with 100% accuracy. Loved playing it. Maybe because back then it was a +EV game with comps lol.

[Automatic Monkey]

Originally Posted by Kasi

I don't know. Maybe I guess. After all, it'd just be a BS card for switch decisions.

It could get a little impractical as you'd have to add the 4 decimal EV's of your original 2 hands, then add up the EV's of your switched hands if you switched and then make your switch decision after comparing the 2 results.

And of course it'd be possible from the EV's to make your own multi-page switch decision strategy for any combo of original 2 hands and resulting switched hands. Nothing to lose by trying it - if you're not slowing down play on what basis could they object?

That's what I did for my internet play anyway to speed up play with 100% accuracy. Loved playing it. Maybe because back then it was a +EV game with comps lol.

Ah you were on that Playtech gravy train too, were you? There was an online Java applet someplace that did the switch calculations for you.

I'm thinking about writing a BJ Switch strategy trainer that will give you a test of switch strategy, grade you and tell you what percentage of maximum efficiency you are performing at. I think most players experienced with win rates would do a good job in terms of switching efficiency, since on the most confusing plays the difference is going to be so little you don't give up much EV.

[Kasi]

Originally Posted by Automatic Monkey

Ah you were on that Playtech gravy train too, were you? There was an online Java applet someplace that did the switch calculations for you.

I'm thinking about writing a BJ Switch strategy trainer that will give you a test of switch strategy, grade you and tell you what percentage of maximum efficiency you are performing at. I think most players experienced with win rates would do a good job in terms of switching efficiency, since on the most confusing plays the difference is going to be so little you don't give up much EV.

That was a good train to catch. You're making me just thinking about it

The java applet was way way too slow for me - After 5 minutes I was going insane dealing with 5 dropdown boxes lol. And didn't want to rely on my brain to make the "obvious" plays or even have to wear myself out wasting 1 second even thinking about it or even caring what the switched hands would be in the first place.

So, when I was done, in less than a second, out popped the decision to switch or play, the combined EV of the original hands and the switched hands and the EV gained by making the proper play versus all dealer upcards 2 thru Ace.

And sometimes I'd think, since I could see it, "I'm only gaining 0.09 EV by making the correct play" but then sometimes I'd think "that 0.09 is 50% better than the wrong play" lol.

Hey, if you feel like it, make up a 10 question quiz and see what happens lol.

I'll promise not to cheat and I'll bet I get alot wrong too lol.

Do you play/count the game in "real life" lol?

[Geoff Hall]

Managed to dig up some 'BJ Switch' indices for anyone who is interested in them. It was some time ago but I'm pretty sure that they are accurate and based on the standard hilo system.

I used the SBA Switch simulator to get them.

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A

8, 4, 2, 0, 1, H, H, H, H, H, // hard 12
4, 0, -2, -3, -3, H, H, H, H, H, // hard 13
0, -3, -4, -6, -6, H, H, H, H, H, // hard 14
-2, -5, -6, -8, -8, H, H, H, 9, H, // hard 15
-5, -8, -9, S, S, H, H, 9, 5, H, // hard 16

Haven't got any index plays for any 'Switch' decisions. I also didn't do any indices for doubling or splitting.