Index Numbers

[gothic]

I noticed that in Blackjack School lesson 14 explaining advanced plays the page states that if the count is greater than x, then stand; less than or equal to, hit. While reading page 254 of The World's Greatest Blackjack Book, I'm told to stand if the TC is greater than or equal to the number and to hit if the TC is less than (as opposed to 'less than or equal to) the index number. I'm aware that the BJI lesson is taught through the language of Hi-Lo and The World's Greatest Blackjack Book uses Hi-Opt, though I am not sure if that makes a difference. This seems pretty important and I want to make sure I'm playing correctly. Thanks for any help,

Gothic

 

[assume_R]

I noticed that in Blackjack School lesson 14 explaining advanced plays the page states that if the count is greater than x, then stand; less than or equal to, hit. While reading page 254 of The World's Greatest Blackjack Book, I'm told to stand if the TC is greater than or equal to the number and to hit if the TC is less than (as opposed to 'less than or equal to) the index number. I'm aware that the BJI lesson is taught through the language of Hi-Lo and The World's Greatest Blackjack Book uses Hi-Opt, though I am not sure if that makes a difference. This seems pretty important and I want to make sure I'm playing correctly. Thanks for any help,

Gothic

The system itself doesn't make a difference. What does make a difference is how they were calculated. Firstly, make sure you know if the TC's were either floored, rouded, or ceiled.

But assuming you know that, let's say an index number is +4. It might be that at +3.9, it is a break even play. Or it might be a break even play at +4.1. I usually just Stand if the TC is >= Index.

But if you Hit at +4 and wait until it's slightly above +4 to stand, you are essentially splitting hairs. The difference between a RC of 8 with 2 decks left, and a RC of 8 with 1.9 decks left won't make a difference in the long run, and you might not even be able to estimate that accurately anyway!

So in conclusion, I use TC >= Index, but it honestly won't matter if you use TC > Index.

 

[johnnyb]

I noticed that in Blackjack School lesson 14 explaining advanced plays the page states that if the count is greater than x, then stand; less than or equal to, hit. While reading page 254 of The World's Greatest Blackjack Book, I'm told to stand if the TC is greater than or equal to the number and to hit if the TC is less than (as opposed to 'less than or equal to) the index number. I'm aware that the BJI lesson is taught through the language of Hi-Lo and The World's Greatest Blackjack Book uses Hi-Opt, though I am not sure if that makes a difference. This seems pretty important and I want to make sure I'm playing correctly. Thanks for any help,

Gothic

Trusting your gut instinct was a good decision. Those methods, which you can see by the name alone, are different, and therefore have different playing strategies. I'm not sure which you are leaning towards but some, if not most, information over certain card counting systems are strictly unique to that system.