Never hit a 12 against a dealer's 2 or 3

[dbldown]

Ok, so I saw another post on this board about other players getting there panties in a bunch when you hit a 12 against a 2 or 3. I've always hit those! ALWAYS. And many people get all ticked off.

I don't really care that they get ticked off, but I need a sanity check here: Is there an official strategy that I don't know about that says to "don't hit 12 against a dealer's 2 or 3?? Same goes for the hitting the A,7 against the dealer's 10. Is there any strategy that says to never do this?

I'm trying to give these dolts SOME benefit to the doubt here by thinking they know something I don't. But I wanted to check with you guys.

Thanks!

[KenSmith]

No, these players just don't know enough about the game to understand these plays are correct.

They know "don't hit a bust hand against a dealer 2-6", but they don't know "except hit 12v2 and 12v3."

As for A7, they just think 18 is a good hand so why mess it up. Of course, 18 is not actually a good hand.

[mrbill]

I've not only had people complain when I hit 12x2 or 12x3, but they really start to wonder when I double the bet. I know that's not standard and probably mathematically is the wrong thing to do but it seems to work for me.

I just look at Blackjack as recreation at this time, so I don't get into counting. I've played progressive betting schemes but now, I pretty much play a flat $5 or $10 bet. I have a few keys to allow me to get more money out there. Gets the blood flowing. Doubling a 12 vs 2 or 3 is 1 of them.

I look at it this way, the book says to hit, no matter what I get, I'm only taking one card so why not double. I had one night where I did that 6 times, I got 4 nines, 1 8 and an Ace. I won all the hands. I also realize it can turn around in the blink of an eye so if I lose twice in a row doubling, I stop it for a while.

[KenSmith]

Actually mrbill, those complainers are playing this hand better than you and quite a bit better at that. Their suggested play of standing with 12v2 with a $10 bet causes an expected loss of $2.96. Your play of doubling will lose $5.04.

The best play (hitting) loses only $2.52 here.

So, I hope you're having $2.52 worth of fun on this hand, cause that's what you're costing yourself by doubling.

[mrbill]

I don't know if it's worth $2.52, and I've always known it was mathematically the wrong thing to do, but I enjoy the looks from other people and the dealer announcing "Doubling on Hard 12". I don't do it every time though. If things are cool, I don't do it.

[E-town-guy]

Ken, did you generate that information about how much money he'd lose using that program Casino Verite Blackjack Software? I was thinking of getting it but I downloaded a demo version and got completely lost without a manual. Does the version one can buy off your site include some sort of instruction manual? Furthermore is it sufficiently better than Blackjack 6-7-8, enough so to justify the extra money?

Thanks again!

[KenSmith]

Casino Verite does come with a manual, but playing with it, and using the rather annoying wizard-help is the best way to learn how to use it.

For all the nice features it has, and there are many, I find the user interface to be a bother.

However, the numbers I generated earlier came from the Expected Value tables at BJMath.com

[rzerector]

Thank you Ken for finally talking about the 18 in blackjack, I get into more arguments with players as well as dealers for hitting the soft 18 versus a 9 10 or 11, and doubling down on a soft 18 versus a 3 thru 6. They just can't get it thru thier thick skulls that a soft 18 should be looked at as 8 in the above situations. THNK YOU.

[QFIT]

Originally Posted by KenSmith

Casino Verite does come with a manual, but playing with it, and using the rather annoying wizard-help is the best way to learn how to use it.

For all the nice features it has, and there are many, I find the user interface to be a bother.

If the wizard annoys you, turn her off. You can use the popup balloons. If they annoy you, turn them off. Use the Help button on each page. Or use the 120 page manual.

On the user interface, please tell me what is the bother. I am always looking for suggestions. There are really numerous options on the interface. For example, there are four ways of placing a bet; three ways of hitting, three ways of calling up menus.

norm

[KenSmith]

Hi Norm. Thanks for dropping in. It'll take me some time to compile my thoughts on this, and I don't have the time for the next few days. I'll get back to it though. I'll drop you an email when I post an answer here.

And, just so you know, my stated opinion that CV is the best blackjack training tool out there hasn't changed a bit.