6:5 single deck question

[adventureboy]

Hello, I'm a long time reader and a first time poster! I play a lot of Blackjack in Mississippi. I really like single deck----obviously it is a lot easier to count down 1 deck than it is a 6 deck shoe. Here is the single deck situatuion in Mississippi:
Double any 2 cards
Dealer Stand on S17
split pairs up to 4 times....w/ double after split
split Aces up to 4 times....one card only
No Surrender
If I take my time I can find a dealer w/ about 60% penetration

Only one problem...blackjack pays 6:5

The good news is that with the 6:5 game there is no "Heat". I spread my bets from $25 to $400 and no one has said a word to me in over a year of part time play (8-10 times per month).

Last week I had a $300 bet up and drew a blackjack. The dealer had a 5 showing. I was so tired of being payed 6:5 that, on a whim, I said, "No thanks, I'm doubling down". The count was +5. The dealer looked shocked, called out "Doubling Down on Blackjack" and dealt me a 10! The pit boss sort of looked at me funny but walked away and never said a word.

My question---Can doubling your blackjack (with a + count) in a single deck 6:5 game be a long term profitable play? I have seached for a while to find any research on this and cannot find any. I know it would definetly be a good play if the count were high enough and the pentration really good. What are the count and penetration parameters that would make this a good play? Any help would be appreciated.

[Cardcounter]

On 6 to 5 single deck blackjack you can not win in the long run no matter how good you are at counting or how well you spread your bet. A lot of the advantage that you get from having a positive count comes from you getting paid 3 to 2 on blackjack! If you double down on blackjack you are effectively doubling on 11 although you might win 60% to 70% of your bets it is overall a bad idea to double on blackjack and refuse a 120% payout. Even with the 6 to 5 payout I don't like to double down on blackjack in cash games.

[Automatic Monkey]

At the risk of encouraging you to play 6:5, yes you can beat 6:5 BJ with counting under very special conditions. Doubling down on a BJ vs 5 or 6 is a worthwhile play at high counts.

However there are enough good games to play in Mississippi you shouldn't even consider 6:5. Just go play a good game instead.

[Preston]

Originally Posted by adventureboy

Hello, I'm a long time reader and a first time poster! I play a lot of Blackjack in Mississippi. I really like single deck----obviously it is a lot easier to count down 1 deck than it is a 6 deck shoe. Here is the single deck situatuion in Mississippi:
Double any 2 cards
Dealer Stand on S17
split pairs up to 4 times....w/ double after split
split Aces up to 4 times....one card only
No Surrender
If I take my time I can find a dealer w/ about 60% penetration

Only one problem...blackjack pays 6:5

Where in MS is this? MISSISSIPPI HAS THE BEST GAMES OUTSIDE OF VEGAS!!! You should have no prob lem finding a game that is decent and NOT 6 to 5. the most 6 to 5 I saw was in Tunica, but even that wasn' that much. There are double deck games everywhere.

Oddly enough, back in my early coutning days the only time I have even been backed off was at a 6:5 table at Grand Casino in Tunica. So the other games are pretty good.

the games you find may not be single deck though. Usually the double deck games are best.

[adventureboy]

Thanks for the responses! Yes, I do play a lot of double deck, and the game is beatable. I do find that the penetration of double decks is RARELY more than 50%, and in some cases a little less. As a part-time player I have to make the most out of my time in the casinos, so I usually play for 8-10 hours at a time. It is just a lot easier (and therefore more enjoyable) to count 1 deck for 10 hours (vs multiple decks). I vary from basic strategy with the count, and take or deny insurance with the count. I was hoping to double on blackjack in certain situations (maybe +5 count vs dealer 4,5,6) to add a little +EV to the single deck game. However, from what you guys are saying, 6:5 cannot be beat no matter what I do (legally, of course!). If anyone feels differntly, I would love to hear from you. Until then I will have to dump this single deck pipe dream and stick to double deck!

BTW--I play in Biloxi, Gulfport, Bay St. Louis....New Orleans and Baton Rouge occasionally.

[Preston]

Believe me, it is not much harder to count two decks instead of one.

I can guarantee the double deck will be more worth your time. And you will probably get less heat there too.

Pick up a copy of American Casino guide to spell out the best games in town. But being on the gulf coast you should be in good shape.



comparing 6:5 to 3:2...

This is how much it is costing you: Every time you have $100 you should be getting paid $150, but at 6:5 you get paid $120. Think of it as a commision on the game. a 20% commision. doesn't sound as good anymore, does it?

[EagleA10]

In addition to the good advice from everyone else, please consider this: by playing the 6:5 single deck games, you're just encouraging the casinos to continue this travesty. So, please, take the advice: switch to DD 3:2 ... please.

[zengrifter]

I would choose the 6/5 1D game with deep pene and no heat over the mediocre 2D. zg

[EasyRhino]

Originally Posted by zengrifter

I would choose the 6/5 1D game with deep pene and no heat over the mediocre 2D. zg

For straight counting? Or only if you're using fancy stuff?

[zengrifter]

Originally Posted by EasyRhino

For straight counting? Or only if you're using fancy stuff?

For straight counting - 85% pene/no heat - 1-20+ spread. And, I'm more likely to see some holecards in this game too. zg