Illustrious 18 for a Newcomer

[eal996]

I have read Don Schlesinger's work on the Illustrious 18. I am a newcomer to the card counting world and while I understand the plays and the theory behind deviations from BS, I do not understand what deviation to make. For example, for a multi-deck game BS (from the charts that I have found and please correct me if I am wrong on this) says to surrender with a 16 v 10, but the Illustrious 18 is telling me to do something different, but what?

Maybe I am a complete moron, but I do not understand what strategy deviations to make for each play as Don does not outline them in his text. I guess what I am looking for is for someone to list the strategy deviations as well as to outline what the deviation is (i.e. if you would normally hit, the strategy deviation using the Illustrious 18 would be to X).

Remember, I am an newcomer and I am not looking to be criticized on my lack of knowledge so if anyone is sincerely willing to help please respond.

[KenSmith]

None of the I18 involve surrender, so ignore that possibility. (Surrender might be a better play with 16vT, 15vT and 16v9, but the I18 doesn't include surrender.)

Insurance: Insure at +3 or higher.
16vT: Stand at 0 or higher, hit otherwise.
15vT: Stand at +4 or higher, hit otherwise.
TTv5: Split at +5 or higher, stand otherwise.
TTv6: Split at +4 or higher, stand otherwise.
10vT: Double at +4 or higher, hit otherwise.
12v3: Stand at +2 or higher, hit otherwise.
12v2: Stand at +3 or higher, hit otherwise.
11vA: Double at +1 or higher, hit otherwise.
9v2: Double at +1 or higher, hit otherwise.
10vA: Double at +4 or higher, hit otherwise.
9v7: Double at +3 or higher, hit otherwise.
16v9: Stand at +5 or higher, hit otherwise.
13v2: Stand at -1 or higher, hit otherwise.
12v4: Stand at 0 or higher, hit otherwise.
12v5: Stand at -2 or higher, hit otherwise.
12v6: Stand at -1 or higher, hit otherwise.
13v3: Stand at -2 or higher, hit otherwise.

[eal996]

Thanks for your help.

[E-town-guy]

But if the table you play at offers surrender and BS says to surrender then surrender. There are surrender indices in Blackbelt in BJ.

[zengrifter]

Simple +Count Surrender

When the deck is +1 or higher surrender:

16 vs. 9/10/A
15 vs. 10/A
14/88 vs. 10

[gobbledygeek]

Good info. Could someone clarify a couple of points for me:

5 decks, Dealer hits Soft 17, Allowed Double after Splitting, Only Lose Original Bets on Dealer BJ

1) According to the charts for the above game, 16 v T is already surrender at 0, right? When would we surrender vs hit vs stand?

2) According to the charts for the above game, 11 vs A is already double at 0, right? Isn't this kinda conflicting with I18 info? Should I just hit at -1 and below?


The biggest question I have, which may make the other two moot:

3) Should I adjust my basic strategy play on these indexes if I'm playing against a CSM which usually only deals 1 to 1.5 decks of the 5 decks before reshuffling? I've seen the true count go +/- 1, 2 and rarely 3 in this short time; does a +1 true count have as much worth only 1/2 a deck in as it does 4 decks in? If so, I'm guessing adjust my strategy accordingly on the half dozen or so hands that I would run across (-2 thru +2)? Or not worth it?

[zengrifter]

Originally Posted by gobbledygeek

Should I adjust my basic strategy play on these indexes if I'm playing against a CSM which usually only deals 1 to 1.5 decks of the 5 decks before reshuffling?

Don't bother with counting except for practice with CSM, you can't get the edge. Find non-CSM games if you are serious about the game. BUT you may surrender on those hands I gave you with no count. zg

[gobbledygeek]

So then I take it that a true count has more meaning the more deeply you have penetrated? I'm having a little trouble wrapping my mind around that since the true count is already taking into account number of decks left.

[E-town-guy]

Running count/# decks remaining = TC

Since the TC takes into account the position in the deck a TC of +2 means the same at any point in the shoe.

[zengrifter]

Originally Posted by gobbledygeek

So then I take it that a true count has more meaning the more deeply you have penetrated? I'm having a little trouble wrapping my mind around that since the true count is already taking into account number of decks left.

Yes, but the frequency of high counts won't be sufficient. As a general rule we want 75% penetration in shoes. zg