Going heads with dealer, 1 hand or 2 hands?
- Thread starter AchillesBlackjack
- Start date
https://www.888casino.com/blog/blackjack-strategy/one-or-two-hands
"You can also keep your risk the same by betting 73% of what you would have bet on one hand on each of two hands instead. (For example, instead of betting, say, $50 on one hand, you could bet $35 on each of two spots with the same risk but greater expectation)"
His caveat about playing alone is entirely unfounded, but cvcx is right. When you have the edge, you can increase ev/lower risk by spreading to two spots, sizing appropriately of course. Two spots of 73% will keep your risk the same, but increase ev by 46%.
There are arguments made about "using up the good cards too fast" or junk like that, none of it is true.
"You can also keep your risk the same by betting 73% of what you would have bet on one hand on each of two hands instead. (For example, instead of betting, say, $50 on one hand, you could bet $35 on each of two spots with the same risk but greater expectation)"
His caveat about playing alone is entirely unfounded, but cvcx is right. When you have the edge, you can increase ev/lower risk by spreading to two spots, sizing appropriately of course. Two spots of 73% will keep your risk the same, but increase ev by 46%.
There are arguments made about "using up the good cards too fast" or junk like that, none of it is true.
The math aside (I hate to even say that, because the math is so important) but you need to know your location. In Las Vegas, spreading to a second hand mid shoe draws heat. You can play 2 hands off the top with no issue and drop one, but if you spread from 1 to 2 in positive counts it draws attention.
The no so subtle signal many places send is upon spreading to two hands a pit person sometimes comes over and starts thumbing through the discard rack. They will usually glance your way. You are supposed to feel like they are checking to see if many small cards are in the discard pile. And maybe they are, but I have come to think it's just for show and they are sending a warning shot and maybe looking for a response.
Funny thing is other parts of the country, no big deal at all. So again, know your location and what draws heat, and is and isn't tolerated, because a little increase in EV doesn't mean much if you can't play.
The no so subtle signal many places send is upon spreading to two hands a pit person sometimes comes over and starts thumbing through the discard rack. They will usually glance your way. You are supposed to feel like they are checking to see if many small cards are in the discard pile. And maybe they are, but I have come to think it's just for show and they are sending a warning shot and maybe looking for a response.
Funny thing is other parts of the country, no big deal at all. So again, know your location and what draws heat, and is and isn't tolerated, because a little increase in EV doesn't mean much if you can't play.
KewlJ said:
The math aside (I hate to even say that, because the math is so important) but you need to know your location. In Las Vegas, spreading to a second hand mid shoe draws heat. You can play 2 hands off the top with no issue and drop one, but if you spread from 1 to 2 in positive counts it draws attention.
The no so subtle signal many places send is upon spreading to two hands a pit person sometimes comes over and starts thumbing through the discard rack. They will usually glance your way. You are supposed to feel like they are checking to see if many small cards are in the discard pile. And maybe they are, but I have come to think it's just for show and they are sending a warning shot and maybe looking for a response.
Funny thing is other parts of the country, no big deal at all. So again, know your location and what draws heat, and is and isn't tolerated, because a little increase in EV doesn't mean much if you can't play.
The no so subtle signal many places send is upon spreading to two hands a pit person sometimes comes over and starts thumbing through the discard rack. They will usually glance your way. You are supposed to feel like they are checking to see if many small cards are in the discard pile. And maybe they are, but I have come to think it's just for show and they are sending a warning shot and maybe looking for a response.
Funny thing is other parts of the country, no big deal at all. So again, know your location and what draws heat, and is and isn't tolerated, because a little increase in EV doesn't mean much if you can't play.
Which I find very confusing cause my CVCX is showing different results. I feel very conflicted cause Don knows his stuff. The theory of 50% more card usage, I don't know run sim like that. Maybe I'm not understanding the math correctly here? I'm first to admit my math isn't very strong, hence why I rely on sims and computers.