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I was in Cancun in a casino and in one hand I had 2 Aces against dealer King. I split the 2 Aces and I,ve got Queens on both aces but the dealer draw a card that was an Ace and said that he won since he had blackjack and I only had 21..is it a correct rule?
That is correct. Blackjack is 21 in the first two cards, and it beats a total of 21, even the case of splitting and getting two hands that look like blackjack. They are just 21s. Note that in the normal US rules, this can’t happen, because the dealer deals a hole card and checks it for blackjack before the players can do anything. But when the dealer does not take a hole card (and all bets are subject to losing to a potential dealer blackjack), you should not double or split against a dealer ten or ace because of this. The only exception: Continue splitting Aces against a dealer ten. (So your play was correct, even though it lost!) You can use the Strategy Engine “No Peek” setting to generate the correct strategy for this.
Today’s date is 12-30- 2015. I’ve always asked myself, ” Is there more than just basic strategy ? ”
Double deck is my game, the only one I can find without continuous shufflers. Thankyou for this info.
I just started playing BlackJack 6D, with Surrender, Stand on all 17’s, Hit on 16, BJ pays 3:2, Insurance pays 2:1. Could you give me a Betting Plan? Minimum is $10. I’m usually willing to spend $50. How should i bet?
If the amount you are willing to spend is only $50 and the minimum is $10, your betting plan is quite simple. Make minimum bets. You cannot afford anything else, and your session will often be very short if you lose a few hands early.
More concerning is the very idea of a “betting plan”. No progression betting system can change the house edge. Unless you are counting cards, betting the minimum is always going to be the cheapest option for playing the game. Bet more if it increases your enjoyment, but realize that it will cost you more money in the form of bigger eventual losses. Of course, card counting can change all that, but you aren’t ready for that yet based on bankroll and your question.
Hey Ken, many thanks for all you do. Could you point me to where I can find a basic strategy variations matrix for all of the same parameters you listed on this page except that the dealer stands on a soft 17?(Double Deck, H17, Da2, no das, no surrender)
I could see this being a one-time advantage play for a mid-sized high-roller who is prepared to lose upwards of $250,000 in a single night of well-feigned intoxication, and then utilize a pre-negotiated/flat-rate lawyer to litigate the marker loss. Similar to a loss-rebate strategy.
Your question asks specifics that probably aren’t relevant to what you really want to know…
Are the random number generators in my trainer and those in a casino video blackjack machine “similar”?
Well, yes and no. They are probably very different in the actual programming, because there are many ways to code an RNG. But yes, they both provide reasonably high quality streams of random numbers.
What you likely really want to know is how your results will compare when playing in a casino compared to on my site’s trainer.
No one can answer that ahead of time, because it comes down to the random results.
If you are luckier on my site, you’ll do better there. If you are luckier in the casino, your results will be better in the casino.
Both my trainer and the casino’s games use the same rules and conditions. What happens after that is luck, good or bad.
The short term results in either place will not give you ANY information about what will happen next time you play.
There is one frequent difference between my trainer and video blackjack in a casino. Many casino video blackjack games pay only even money for blackjack. If that is the case, the screen will likely say “Blackjack pays 2 for 1”. That means they take your 1 unit bet and pay you back 2 units if you get a blackjack. That’s the same as even money, or a “1 to 1” payout. This rule is terrible, and will substantially increase your losses.
Usually, the large multi-player video blackjack games do pay the normal 3:2 for blackjack, but be sure to check the rules on the machine you want to play. Most of the single player vbj machines will have the worse rule.
Some major casinos in Macau don’t allow surrender only when dealer has an Ace. There is no hole card. And they often remind player to take even money. What is the strategy for such rules if you have 8-8 or 7-7 when dealer has a 10? Thanks.
You can stand in the shadows and count, but when the dealer gets to certain point in the shoe, you will have to wait for the shoe to play out. So, if you are watching a 2 deck game, when a half deck appears in the discount pile, you will not be allowed to play the remaining deck and a half.
First man counting does work but it’s not easy to do. Second it sounds like you made some big mistakes. The hard part of counting cards is the money management and bet management. If you lost 3,000 in a short amount of time then you are probably betting far too much. Or you have a fuckton of money. If you have 10,000 in your bank account your playing bank should be 10 percent so 1000 and you should bring half that to the casino so 500 and if you have ten thousand your max bet should only be 10 percent so $20 dollars. which pretty much leaves you to play on a 1 or 2 dollar table. Next why did you continue to play if you lost the count? If you ever lose the count stop get up leave and take a break.
You say “I know that there is gonna appear a 10”. No, you don’t. There are still lots of small cards left in the shoe. There is no magic that says just because 5 low cards in a row have come out that the next card is going to be a ten. Just hit it. There is no time when you should stand with 14v8.
As for other players getting mad because you played correctly, there’s not much you can do about it. Maybe try not to sit at third base, where most of the anger gets focused based on whatever happens with the dealer. But don’t play badly just to satisfy someone else’s idea of how to play.
Based on your IP, it looks like you are in Colombia. I was in Medellin a few weeks ago. Wow! What a beautiful and amazing place. I loved it!
hey, but what if the true count is +3 and i have a 14 against an 8. im the last one in the table and there has appeared 5 low cards in a row, i know that there is gonna appear a 10, if i hit it im gonna burst but if i dont hit it im gonna lose, in that case the smartest to do is to surrender, right? or be a suicidal bomber playing blackjack??
Another thing, yesterday at the casino some people got mad at me and insultated me because i got a 13 against a 10(i was the last one at the table) and it had appeared 4 high cards in a row, i knew a low card was coming, probably a 5 or 6 that would leave the house in 15 or 16 and would probably burst. but i followed the BS and i got the 6, that leaved me at 19. for a surprise then the house made 20. if wouldnt have hit it, everyone would have won, instead everybody got mad at me. what should i do if i feel and probably know that theres gonna appear a low card? i feel and i know it, and it happened. please help, i dont get insulted again, i live in a third world country and people that go to the casinos are dangerous, maybe im gonna get in trouble
The thing is, you DON’T know that the next card is a ten. There is no magic card god that makes sure that a fourth low card cannot come out after the three before it. Is it less likely than if those other small cards had not been dealt? Yes, because you have used up the 3 small cards. But be clear here: It is NOT because they happened to all appear in a row just now. With 14v8, there is simply no circumstance where you should stand. Just hit it.
For closer calls, card counters can use information about the remaining deck to sometimes correctly deviate from basic strategy. But virtually all beginning players overestimate how often this is appropriate. Almost all hands should be played with basic strategy, even if you are counting cards.
I was in Cancun in a casino and in one hand I had 2 Aces against dealer King. I split the 2 Aces and I,ve got Queens on both aces but the dealer draw a card that was an Ace and said that he won since he had blackjack and I only had 21..is it a correct rule?
That is correct. Blackjack is 21 in the first two cards, and it beats a total of 21, even the case of splitting and getting two hands that look like blackjack. They are just 21s. Note that in the normal US rules, this can’t happen, because the dealer deals a hole card and checks it for blackjack before the players can do anything. But when the dealer does not take a hole card (and all bets are subject to losing to a potential dealer blackjack), you should not double or split against a dealer ten or ace because of this. The only exception: Continue splitting Aces against a dealer ten. (So your play was correct, even though it lost!) You can use the Strategy Engine “No Peek” setting to generate the correct strategy for this.
You called the casino to ask if you could count cards. You are an idiot.
Today’s date is 12-30- 2015. I’ve always asked myself, ” Is there more than just basic strategy ? ”
Double deck is my game, the only one I can find without continuous shufflers. Thankyou for this info.
I just started playing BlackJack 6D, with Surrender, Stand on all 17’s, Hit on 16, BJ pays 3:2, Insurance pays 2:1. Could you give me a Betting Plan? Minimum is $10. I’m usually willing to spend $50. How should i bet?
If the amount you are willing to spend is only $50 and the minimum is $10, your betting plan is quite simple. Make minimum bets. You cannot afford anything else, and your session will often be very short if you lose a few hands early.
More concerning is the very idea of a “betting plan”. No progression betting system can change the house edge. Unless you are counting cards, betting the minimum is always going to be the cheapest option for playing the game. Bet more if it increases your enjoyment, but realize that it will cost you more money in the form of bigger eventual losses. Of course, card counting can change all that, but you aren’t ready for that yet based on bankroll and your question.
Hey Ken, many thanks for all you do. Could you point me to where I can find a basic strategy variations matrix for all of the same parameters you listed on this page except that the dealer stands on a soft 17?(Double Deck, H17, Da2, no das, no surrender)
I am unaware of any free sources for 2D S17 indexes. They are available on my Advanced Card Set if you are interested.
I could see this being a one-time advantage play for a mid-sized high-roller who is prepared to lose upwards of $250,000 in a single night of well-feigned intoxication, and then utilize a pre-negotiated/flat-rate lawyer to litigate the marker loss. Similar to a loss-rebate strategy.
Post script –
Johnson was indicted for check fraud by Vegas DA after grand jury found against him … and then he settled for 50%, I am told –
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/jun/12/gambler-indicted-wanted-owing-casino-500000-losses/
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How do casino BJ machines compare to your site – similar random # generators, speeds, etc?
Your question asks specifics that probably aren’t relevant to what you really want to know…
Are the random number generators in my trainer and those in a casino video blackjack machine “similar”?
Well, yes and no. They are probably very different in the actual programming, because there are many ways to code an RNG. But yes, they both provide reasonably high quality streams of random numbers.
What you likely really want to know is how your results will compare when playing in a casino compared to on my site’s trainer.
No one can answer that ahead of time, because it comes down to the random results.
If you are luckier on my site, you’ll do better there. If you are luckier in the casino, your results will be better in the casino.
Both my trainer and the casino’s games use the same rules and conditions. What happens after that is luck, good or bad.
The short term results in either place will not give you ANY information about what will happen next time you play.
There is one frequent difference between my trainer and video blackjack in a casino. Many casino video blackjack games pay only even money for blackjack. If that is the case, the screen will likely say “Blackjack pays 2 for 1”. That means they take your 1 unit bet and pay you back 2 units if you get a blackjack. That’s the same as even money, or a “1 to 1” payout. This rule is terrible, and will substantially increase your losses.
Usually, the large multi-player video blackjack games do pay the normal 3:2 for blackjack, but be sure to check the rules on the machine you want to play. Most of the single player vbj machines will have the worse rule.
Some major casinos in Macau don’t allow surrender only when dealer has an Ace. There is no hole card. And they often remind player to take even money. What is the strategy for such rules if you have 8-8 or 7-7 when dealer has a 10? Thanks.
Its simple…. you are prob playing a game with even money black jack
You can stand in the shadows and count, but when the dealer gets to certain point in the shoe, you will have to wait for the shoe to play out. So, if you are watching a 2 deck game, when a half deck appears in the discount pile, you will not be allowed to play the remaining deck and a half.
First man counting does work but it’s not easy to do. Second it sounds like you made some big mistakes. The hard part of counting cards is the money management and bet management. If you lost 3,000 in a short amount of time then you are probably betting far too much. Or you have a fuckton of money. If you have 10,000 in your bank account your playing bank should be 10 percent so 1000 and you should bring half that to the casino so 500 and if you have ten thousand your max bet should only be 10 percent so $20 dollars. which pretty much leaves you to play on a 1 or 2 dollar table. Next why did you continue to play if you lost the count? If you ever lose the count stop get up leave and take a break.
Do your own scouting.
You say “I know that there is gonna appear a 10”. No, you don’t. There are still lots of small cards left in the shoe. There is no magic that says just because 5 low cards in a row have come out that the next card is going to be a ten. Just hit it. There is no time when you should stand with 14v8.
As for other players getting mad because you played correctly, there’s not much you can do about it. Maybe try not to sit at third base, where most of the anger gets focused based on whatever happens with the dealer. But don’t play badly just to satisfy someone else’s idea of how to play.
Based on your IP, it looks like you are in Colombia. I was in Medellin a few weeks ago. Wow! What a beautiful and amazing place. I loved it!
hey, but what if the true count is +3 and i have a 14 against an 8. im the last one in the table and there has appeared 5 low cards in a row, i know that there is gonna appear a 10, if i hit it im gonna burst but if i dont hit it im gonna lose, in that case the smartest to do is to surrender, right? or be a suicidal bomber playing blackjack??
Another thing, yesterday at the casino some people got mad at me and insultated me because i got a 13 against a 10(i was the last one at the table) and it had appeared 4 high cards in a row, i knew a low card was coming, probably a 5 or 6 that would leave the house in 15 or 16 and would probably burst. but i followed the BS and i got the 6, that leaved me at 19. for a surprise then the house made 20. if wouldnt have hit it, everyone would have won, instead everybody got mad at me. what should i do if i feel and probably know that theres gonna appear a low card? i feel and i know it, and it happened. please help, i dont get insulted again, i live in a third world country and people that go to the casinos are dangerous, maybe im gonna get in trouble
The thing is, you DON’T know that the next card is a ten. There is no magic card god that makes sure that a fourth low card cannot come out after the three before it. Is it less likely than if those other small cards had not been dealt? Yes, because you have used up the 3 small cards. But be clear here: It is NOT because they happened to all appear in a row just now. With 14v8, there is simply no circumstance where you should stand. Just hit it.
For closer calls, card counters can use information about the remaining deck to sometimes correctly deviate from basic strategy. But virtually all beginning players overestimate how often this is appropriate. Almost all hands should be played with basic strategy, even if you are counting cards.