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Ken, isn’t a 3+ card 16vT still count dependent when deciding to stand? I’m using full KO as a count. In poor shoes (6-deck), with a low count, isn’t hitting a 3+ card 16vT sometimes the correct play?
Of course. The 3+ card 16vT rule is an extension to basic strategy. If you are card counting instead, you have much better information available. Use the index of 0. At true counts of 0 or more, stand with 16vT. In negative counts, hit.
Hi thanks for the tips I have started practicing about 2 months ago and I am at 33 second’s a deck a long way to go yet but I love the challenge and and learning more each day thanks again
Hi, I have a question.
I memorized the ENTIRE TABLE of variations on Blackjackgeeks.com, but now I’m noticing his variations
are slightly different from the ones you list.
Will I be successful with those indexes, or are they going to screw me up?
I haven’t looked at that site, so I can’t say whether the indexes there are close to accurate or complete rubbish.
I’ll stand by mine as very accurate, so when in doubt I obviously recommend them. My entire index sets are available on the advanced strategy cards in the store.
There is actually an Apple App names “31-in-1 Casino and Sportsbook” that has a black jack option labeled as “count”. This allows you to play up to three hands at once and has the option to pick how many decks you wouild like to play with 1-6. Also, you can have it show you the current Hi-Lo count or you can hide it and keep it yourself, then check it periodically to see if you are accurate. It is PERFECT for practicing and even better it is all FREE.
Yes, in that situation, surrender is best.
Let me explain for other readers: 88vT is a split in basic strategy, but once the true count reaches +4, you should no longer split, but instead play the hand as 16.
If surrender is possible, do it. If not, stand (because the count is 0 or more, which is the index for 16vT.)
Notice that the +4 index for the 88vT play is exactly the opposite of most split index numbers, since you split on low counts but not in high counts.
This kind of “reverse” index only happens with a handful of decisions. Because they can be so confusing, I did not include any reverse indexes on my advanced strategy cards.
Late June: Tropicana and Excalibur each have at least ONE table with 3:2 with $15 min. Was wondering for people who insist on playing at a 6:5 game, is it better to double down a BJ against a dealer 4 or 5 with a positive count rather than taking the 6:5 payout?
It’s a bad idea to try to back into index numbers by starting with a whole deck and just removing the needed high or low cards. That will create only one of a huge number of possible deck compositions with that particular count. And an index number is calculated across all those combinations.
Even so, if we look at a single deck off the top and create the simplest scenario where the running count is +3 (and the true count very slightly more than that because of the used cards), we’ll see something like this… An Ace for the dealer, and two players whose hands are both two small cards. That’s a running count of +3, (-1 for the ace and +4 for the other cards.) There are now 16 tens left in the deck and 31 non-tens. Insurance is profitable because more than one-third of the cards are ten-value cards. But, to reiterate, you really shouldn’t try to justify index numbers in this way. It won’t always work.
Ken, isn’t a 3+ card 16vT still count dependent when deciding to stand? I’m using full KO as a count. In poor shoes (6-deck), with a low count, isn’t hitting a 3+ card 16vT sometimes the correct play?
Of course. The 3+ card 16vT rule is an extension to basic strategy. If you are card counting instead, you have much better information available. Use the index of 0. At true counts of 0 or more, stand with 16vT. In negative counts, hit.
Hi thanks for the tips I have started practicing about 2 months ago and I am at 33 second’s a deck a long way to go yet but I love the challenge and and learning more each day thanks again
Good luck and good cards in your efforts!
Hi, I have a question.
I memorized the ENTIRE TABLE of variations on Blackjackgeeks.com, but now I’m noticing his variations
are slightly different from the ones you list.
Will I be successful with those indexes, or are they going to screw me up?
I haven’t looked at that site, so I can’t say whether the indexes there are close to accurate or complete rubbish.
I’ll stand by mine as very accurate, so when in doubt I obviously recommend them. My entire index sets are available on the advanced strategy cards in the store.
There is actually an Apple App names “31-in-1 Casino and Sportsbook” that has a black jack option labeled as “count”. This allows you to play up to three hands at once and has the option to pick how many decks you wouild like to play with 1-6. Also, you can have it show you the current Hi-Lo count or you can hide it and keep it yourself, then check it periodically to see if you are accurate. It is PERFECT for practicing and even better it is all FREE.
shouldnt you surrender 8,8 against a 10 if the count is high rather than stand as if not splitting you just play it like a normal 16?
Yes, in that situation, surrender is best.
Let me explain for other readers: 88vT is a split in basic strategy, but once the true count reaches +4, you should no longer split, but instead play the hand as 16.
If surrender is possible, do it. If not, stand (because the count is 0 or more, which is the index for 16vT.)
Notice that the +4 index for the 88vT play is exactly the opposite of most split index numbers, since you split on low counts but not in high counts.
This kind of “reverse” index only happens with a handful of decisions. Because they can be so confusing, I did not include any reverse indexes on my advanced strategy cards.
What was the casino in Minnesota you visited? I live in Minnesota and would like to check it out.
It was Treasure Island, but that was long ago and game conditions have changed greatly since then.
If I go to the next round table do I take the chips that I have from the previous table or do we start with the same amount of chips every table ?
Almost all blackjack tournaments have you start each table with a fresh starting bankroll. You do not carry chips forward.
How to play black jack for the beginner
Understand the rules here, and then visit the Strategy Engine to see the appropriate plays. Practice with the Trainer.
Late June: Tropicana and Excalibur each have at least ONE table with 3:2 with $15 min. Was wondering for people who insist on playing at a 6:5 game, is it better to double down a BJ against a dealer 4 or 5 with a positive count rather than taking the 6:5 payout?
No. Taking the 6:5 is still far better than doubling the blackjack. See this article:
Double Down on a 6:5 Blackjack? Read This First…
Thanks for letting us know about the 3:2 games at Trop and Excalibur.
yeah. good point. i didn’t consider aces contributing to a lower count while the 10s remain in play. thanks for getting back to me on that
It’s a bad idea to try to back into index numbers by starting with a whole deck and just removing the needed high or low cards. That will create only one of a huge number of possible deck compositions with that particular count. And an index number is calculated across all those combinations.
Even so, if we look at a single deck off the top and create the simplest scenario where the running count is +3 (and the true count very slightly more than that because of the used cards), we’ll see something like this… An Ace for the dealer, and two players whose hands are both two small cards. That’s a running count of +3, (-1 for the ace and +4 for the other cards.) There are now 16 tens left in the deck and 31 non-tens. Insurance is profitable because more than one-third of the cards are ten-value cards. But, to reiterate, you really shouldn’t try to justify index numbers in this way. It won’t always work.
*Payout of -3.125%