Fred Renzey has published a nice article over at Casino City Times today.
What Comes After Basic Strategy in Blackjack?
What Comes After Basic Strategy in Blackjack?
Good article by Fred Renzey
- Thread starter KenSmith
- Start date
I've tried that in Kansas and Nevada casinos but no one has ever actually allowed me to do it. When I indicate my interest in their hand, they either refuse the double and just hit or they go ahead and double for the full amount.
In Missouri casinos, I don't think this is even an option. You are not allowed to share chips because of the $500 loss limit imposed by the State. They are paranoid as hell of the possibility of ignoring someone loaning someone chips. I once argued the point on "double sharing" with a pit boss who wouldn't let me do it because it looked like I was loaning the other player money or cheques. I think he was interpreting the gaming law incorrectly in this case because my shared double would have been a separate bet. Oh well.
I think there is some validity on the other points concerning 15/16 against a 10. I've done that myself. It's hard to tell if it is productive though because you still loose most of those hands no matter what you do. Still, it does instill confidence in me to have some "logical" reason not to hit the stiffs <LOL>
In Missouri casinos, I don't think this is even an option. You are not allowed to share chips because of the $500 loss limit imposed by the State. They are paranoid as hell of the possibility of ignoring someone loaning someone chips. I once argued the point on "double sharing" with a pit boss who wouldn't let me do it because it looked like I was loaning the other player money or cheques. I think he was interpreting the gaming law incorrectly in this case because my shared double would have been a separate bet. Oh well.
I think there is some validity on the other points concerning 15/16 against a 10. I've done that myself. It's hard to tell if it is productive though because you still loose most of those hands no matter what you do. Still, it does instill confidence in me to have some "logical" reason not to hit the stiffs <LOL>
Renzey Article
I really like the part about doubling down on other player's hands. I have only done this if I am playing with some of my buddies that don't have the best grasp of basic strategy. As far as doing this with strangers, I think I would have to initiate some sort of conversation with them in order for them to not take complete offense to me covering their double down (especially if they lost and then blamed me!!).
I only change my basic strategy against 15 or 16 versus a dealer 10 as it pertains to the count, not what I have in my hand at that moment.
I really like the part about doubling down on other player's hands. I have only done this if I am playing with some of my buddies that don't have the best grasp of basic strategy. As far as doing this with strangers, I think I would have to initiate some sort of conversation with them in order for them to not take complete offense to me covering their double down (especially if they lost and then blamed me!!).
I only change my basic strategy against 15 or 16 versus a dealer 10 as it pertains to the count, not what I have in my hand at that moment.
JJ,
The part about what you have in your hand goes back to that "what's the most dangerous card a dealer can draw" question. The answer is "5" because a 5 can turn any dealers 12-16 from a bust hand to a made hand. If you have a mulitple card 15 or 16 NOT consisting of any 5's or 4's, then you might want to take a hit in hopes of getting one. I'd think you'd want to sort of look around the table and see if any 4's and 5's have come out before deciding though. But, hitting the 15/16 is such a marginal decision, any very slightest advantage you can note with cards in play is worth considering.
It's so marginal that a friend of mine who sometimes counts and sometimes just playes BS, told me to take note of the cards showing in the current hand. If there are more low cards showing than high cards, then stand, otherwise, "hit" the 15/16.
For the non-counter, I find no fault in the article.
The part about what you have in your hand goes back to that "what's the most dangerous card a dealer can draw" question. The answer is "5" because a 5 can turn any dealers 12-16 from a bust hand to a made hand. If you have a mulitple card 15 or 16 NOT consisting of any 5's or 4's, then you might want to take a hit in hopes of getting one. I'd think you'd want to sort of look around the table and see if any 4's and 5's have come out before deciding though. But, hitting the 15/16 is such a marginal decision, any very slightest advantage you can note with cards in play is worth considering.
It's so marginal that a friend of mine who sometimes counts and sometimes just playes BS, told me to take note of the cards showing in the current hand. If there are more low cards showing than high cards, then stand, otherwise, "hit" the 15/16.
For the non-counter, I find no fault in the article.
When another player doubles for less..
I too had never heard of being able to make up the difference when someone else doubles for less. After reading this thread, I wanted to try it. I played at Foxwoods in CT a couple nights ago, and someone was doubling their hand for less. I said I would take the rest of the double. The dealer didn't even blink, and he allowed it. Better yet, the hand was a winner. So for the first time, I actually made money on someone else's double down. Definitely will do it again if the opportunity is there (on a correct BS double). There's always the crazy improper doubles that you occasionally see that I wouldn't go anywhere near.
I too had never heard of being able to make up the difference when someone else doubles for less. After reading this thread, I wanted to try it. I played at Foxwoods in CT a couple nights ago, and someone was doubling their hand for less. I said I would take the rest of the double. The dealer didn't even blink, and he allowed it. Better yet, the hand was a winner. So for the first time, I actually made money on someone else's double down. Definitely will do it again if the opportunity is there (on a correct BS double). There's always the crazy improper doubles that you occasionally see that I wouldn't go anywhere near.
Almost all casinos will allow you to double for any amount from the minimum bet up to the amount of your original wager. (Doubling for less is never the correct play. If it's appropriate to double, you should always double for the full amount.)
On the other hand, splitting pairs requires that you exactly match the original wager.
Why the difference? Doubling for less works to the casino's advantage. Splitting for less could help the player. Imagine splitting a pair of 8's for less against a face card for example.
Back on the original topic of this thread, if you really want to get aggressive with these 'scavenger' plays like doubling other player's hands, you'll find this exhaustive treatment by James Grosjean and Previn Mankodi very interesting.
Visit his site at
http://www.beyondcounting.com (Archive copy)
and look at the article "Scavenger Blackjack or Generalized Basic Strategy"
On the other hand, splitting pairs requires that you exactly match the original wager.
Why the difference? Doubling for less works to the casino's advantage. Splitting for less could help the player. Imagine splitting a pair of 8's for less against a face card for example.
Back on the original topic of this thread, if you really want to get aggressive with these 'scavenger' plays like doubling other player's hands, you'll find this exhaustive treatment by James Grosjean and Previn Mankodi very interesting.
Visit his site at
http://www.beyondcounting.com (Archive copy)
and look at the article "Scavenger Blackjack or Generalized Basic Strategy"
