Basic Strategy (Pairs) vs illustrious 18 + what bet spread should I use?

[RedRaiden]

Hi there,

I am quite new to black jack and very new to card counting. I started getting interested the first night I went casino. Since then, I've completely memorised basic strategy, but I'm still working on my card counting speed and index numbers (illustrious 18). I've stopped going to casino, and have only been practising on free online live casino tables. However, what I am wondering about is whether I should ALWAYS use illustrious 18 when the TC says to.

The specific situation is when I have a pair of 6's, the dealer has 3 and TC is 2 or higher. Illustrious 18 says that I should stand on 12 against 3 when TC is 2 or higher, but since it's a pair basic strategy says that I should split.

What is the correct play in this situation?
Does illustrious 18 ALWAYS overrule basic strategy?


Also, as an aside (sorry for so many questions), what bet spread should I use. There is only one casino in my city, so I want to be as safe as possible. However, the only shoe tables they have are either a $50 or $100 table.

The rules are S17, 8 decks, DAS, split upto 3 hands, NO resplit Aces, NO hitting Aces after split, NO doubling Soft hands, NO surrender, NO hole card but a dealers blackjack only takes original bet (i.e. I keep double and split bets), blackjack pays 3:2, insurance 2:1. According to wiz of oz, the house edge for this game is about 0.55%.

I only have a bank roll of $3000. I don't think it's nearly enough so I might be able to bump it up to $5000.
What bet spread should I use for the $50 and $100 tables? Also, what is your guys limit (in terms of units) for losing or winning before you leave?

QUESTIONS:
1.) What is the correct play for a pair of 6s vs 3 with TC of 2 or more?
2.) Does illustrious 18 ALWAYS overrule BS?
3.) What bet spread for the $50 table?
4.) What spread for the $100 table (if I did have enough)?
5.) What is your guys limit for losses and wins (in terms of unit)?

Thanks so much!

Red

 

[JohnCrover]

1) Split, when the Illustrious 18 says 12 vs 3 at 2 it's assuming you have a hard 12.
2)Illustrious 18 works is just an advanced BS chart.
3) Depends on the rules and penetration of the game. Penetration is how far the dealer deals the cards before shuffling them.
4) If all you can muster is 5k it's probably best to stay away from the $100 tables. $50 is already cutting it close. You have to realize that with 5k you can lose you entire bank roll in one session at a $50 dollar table.
5) You only have one place to play at so keep your wins modest and be ready to lose your entire 5k if you run bad. Don't even consider going in at it with 3k. You might not even have enough money to double or split with your larger bets if you only bring 3k.

 

[RedRaiden]

1) Split, when the Illustrious 18 says 12 vs 3 at 2 it's assuming you have a hard 12.
2)Illustrious 18 works is just an advanced BS chart.
3) Depends on the rules and penetration of the game. Penetration is how far the dealer deals the cards before shuffling them.
4) If all you can muster is 5k it's probably best to stay away from the $100 tables. $50 is already cutting it close. You have to realize that with 5k you can lose you entire bank roll in one session at a $50 dollar table.
5) You only have one place to play at so keep your wins modest and be ready to lose your entire 5k if you run bad. Don't even consider going in at it with 3k. You might not even have enough money to double or split with your larger bets if you only bring 3k.

Oh okay, that sounds good. Thanks!

 

[Talmadge]

The rules you mentioned sound similar to a game that i play.
With only a 5K bank and playing higher limit tables, i think your best approach would be to backcount and only play positive counts using a small spread.
Even though splitting 10-10 vs 5 and 6 is part of the illustrious 18, it can be a big tip off to the pit that someone is counting.
A lot of people do not split tens or only do so in certain situations.

 

[Hell'nBack]

Ugh! You wont get away with hardcore back counting. Even then, with a top bet of $43 .75x$50 your wr will be a massive ≈$12.23/HR @100 rounds.

 

[RedRaiden]

The rules you mentioned sound similar to a game that i play.
With only a 5K bank and playing higher limit tables, i think your best approach would be to backcount and only play positive counts using a small spread.
Even though splitting 10-10 vs 5 and 6 is part of the illustrious 18, it can be a big tip off to the pit that someone is counting.
A lot of people do not split tens or only do so in certain situations.

I've never thought about that. Thank you Talmadge!

Ugh! You wont get away with hardcore back counting. Even then, with a top bet of $43 .75x$50 your wr will be a massive ≈$12.23/HR @100 rounds.

So what do you think? Would a max bet of $200 or $250 be reasonable? Or do you think I should just wait until I've got a bigger bank roll?

 

[Hell'nBack]

I've never thought about that. Thank you Talmadge!



So what do you think? Would a max bet of $200 or $250 be reasonable? Or do you think I should just wait until I've got a bigger bank roll?

Wait until you have a stronger bank. Unless you are desperado mode. $200 is 4% of your warchest. That's massively overbetting. Basically suicide.

 

[Hell'nBack]

In fact I think with aggressive wonging out, you still need at least $25k for a modest bankroll. Right now my team is down 20% for an entire year of playing. These things can and will happen.