Deviating from BS

[Neo]

First off, let me say a giant THANKS to everyone on this forum!! Y'all been a tremendous help to this beginning player. I've taken $200 to the $5 table 13 times, quitting when I double-up or loose it all. 9 wins, 4 losses (means I'm up $1000--yeah baby).

Anyway onto my question--read this:
http://renzey.casinocitytimes.com/article/some-blackjack-hands-are-best-played-two-different-ways-at-times-1052

is it bullsh!t or sound advice. It sounds very logical.

It also related to something else I read somewhere but can't remember where
If you get a blackjack or 20 against a dealers ace, and see no other tens or only one ten on the other players, take the even money/insurance.

 

[KenSmith]

Yes, this article accurately identifies 9 very close calls in basic strategy, which can often be correctly played differently.

 

[tedloc]

REad them all

First off, let me say a giant THANKS to everyone on this forum!! Y'all been a tremendous help to this beginning player. I've taken $200 to the $5 table 13 times, quitting when I double-up or loose it all. 9 wins, 4 losses (means I'm up $1000--yeah baby).

Anyway onto my question--read this:
http://renzey.casinocitytimes.com/article/some-blackjack-hands-are-best-played-two-different-ways-at-times-1052

is it bullsh!t or sound advice. It sounds very logical.

It also related to something else I read somewhere but can't remember where
If you get a blackjack or 20 against a dealers ace, and see no other tens or only one ten on the other players, take the even money/insurance.

Read all the Renzy articles. He tells you why

 

[sagefr0g]

Yes, this article accurately identifies 9 very close calls in basic strategy, which can often be correctly played differently.

so really is what Renzy is doing in this article is giving plays that are common to deviate from basic strategy according to the basic strategy departure indices?
i mean it seems he's giving a way of when to deviate some of the I18 by table composition instead of by true count. i'm assuming going by the true count for these deviations would be more accurate than using Renzy's suggestions.

best regards,
mr fr0g

 

[KenSmith]

Yes, using an index to make these deviations would be more accurate. Renzey is targeting the group of players who don't count, but are savvy enough to realize that strategy deviations are sometimes appropriate.

This is just a more elaborate version of the old "stand on 16vT if your 16 is 3 or more cards" advice. It's simple, and works well.

I haven't checked the validity of Renzey's exact advice in this article, but they sound reasonable. I'm guessing that a non-counting basic strategy player who added these plays to his game would reduce the house edge.

I really need to pick up Renzey's book. In all these years, he's an author whose works I've never read. Several of his recent articles have been quite good, and I think his book probably belongs in the store here.

 

[ZMan]

I really need to pick up Renzey's book. In all these years, he's an author whose works I've never read. Several of his recent articles have been quite good, and I think his book probably belongs in the store here.

I second the idea that his books belong in here. Especially for the beginner, and one who has BS down but is not ready for card counting. Renzy is easy to read and explains in a way that is understandable.

 

[Neo]

one who has BS down but is not ready for card counting.

That's me!!

 

[ZMan]

That's me!!

Then you should get BlackJack Bluebook II and read it.
It covers BS, then a section of strategy that is beyond BS but doesn't include card counting, then it goes into card counting.
It is easy to read and understand.

I have BS down, but don't count cards. I don't have the desire to learn to count cards since I only get to the casino about once or twice a year.