Correct BJ tournament strategies for Final Hand ?

hi, Ken

What are the correct BJ tournament strategies for Final Hand in the situations stated below :-

a) if you are ahead and you have to bet before other players ?
b) if you are ahead and you have to bet after other players ?
a) if you are behind and you have to bet before other players ?
b) if you are behind and you have to bet after other players ?

My strategies are:-

a) Bet amount = 2 x max bet - my bankroll + 1 unit
b) Bet amount = Match the bet size of player just behind you.
c) & d) Bet amount = maximum bet and consider the BJ and Double down effect(if the remaning bankroll is more than max bet)

Any comments ?

Regards

ssho88

http://www.blackjacktournaments.com/

There may be some tournament players over in this part of Ken's forum, but if you REALLY want to get that question answered by the best tournament players in th world, slip over to https://www.blackjacktournaments.com/ and register and post the question. I'm sure you'll get advice from people whose real identities you will be famaliar with. Of course, Ken might have time to answer here too.

First I hope you'll take Mike's advice and post this question over at my tournament site. For here, I'll offer a few ideas though:

The answer to each of these questions depends on a lot of factors, most importantly how many players are still in contention. The more players left with a shot, the more likely you'll need to bet big.

Betting first with a lead, I assume you actually mean that you bet 2 X max - your lead + a chip. That's effective. If you happen to have only one opponent, you should "take the low" instead, and bet just less than your lead.

Betting with a lead after other players, matching is always a reasonable plan, though there are almost always slightly better bets if you look at the particular situation. Matching the bet of second place is never the worst you can do though.

Betting from behind is tougher. If you're on the button, you'll probably have to make a max or near max bet. You're almost certainly going to have to get good cards to win, so you may as well be paid well for them.
If it's mainly a two-man race, you may be able to use the ideas in my Rule of 2,4 and 5 article, here:
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/blackjack-tournaments.php

If you're behind and betting after the crowd, then you have a little more flexibility. Sometimes you can sneak in a low bet and hope the dealer wipes out the table. Deciding when that is appropriate versus making a large bet is a complex decision.

As my signature line on BlackjackTournaments.com indicates, with time to consider your decision after the fact, you'll usually find a better play.
"There's always a better bet."