Double A9v6, Surrender 17vA, Double A8v6

[Mr. Ed]

When playing h17 (dealer hits A6), do you recommend Double A8v6 and Surrender 17vA? I always play them as a matter of course, but I was wondering if you think this attracts undue heat?

Would you Double A9v6 when the count dictates? (I don't)

Would you split 10's? (I will never split 10's)

 

[paymypush]

When playing h17 (dealer hits A6), do you recommend Double A8v6 and Surrender 17vA? I always play them as a matter of course, but I was wondering if you think this attracts undue heat?

Would you Double A9v6 when the count dictates? (I don't)

Would you split 10's? (I will never split 10's)

A horse is a horse, of course, of course... Sorry, I couldn't resist, Mr. Ed.

The first two are basic strategy moves. If you're not comfortable doing them, just pull a BS chart for H17 out of your pocket and make a little production out of it. Ploppys make the second two plays all the time, so when that very rare occasion arises I will make those moves heat level permitting.

 

[Blue Efficacy]

I always split 10s and double soft 20 when I should. I often do when I shouldn't (at low bets) too.

The key is, you want casinos to know, and be comfortable with, the fact that you're doing these moves to be a crazy gambler, not to be smart. A short time ago I had the floor intervene when I had 20 vs. 6. Dealer didn't wait for my signal and flipped hole card for 16 when I was putting out my split bet. He said something along the lines of "let him split em, he does that all the time." This was a sizable bet mind you, against a known 16.

If you're too scared to make some of the less conventional plays, don't play. For instance, almost every time I have ever surrendered 17 v A, the dealer made higher than 17. That's a lot of half bets.

 

[paddywhack]

For instance, almost every time I have ever surrendered 17 v A, the dealer made higher than 17. That's a lot of half bets.

Add another believer for this move. An occasional bust or 17, but the absolute VAST majority of the time he hits to 18 or more.

 

[Mr. Ed]

I always split 10s and double soft 20 when I should. I often do when I shouldn't (at low bets) too.

The key is, you want casinos to know, and be comfortable with, the fact that you're doing these moves to be a crazy gambler, not to be smart. A short time ago I had the floor intervene when I had 20 vs. 6. Dealer didn't wait for my signal and flipped hole card for 16 when I was putting out my split bet. He said something along the lines of "let him split em, he does that all the time." This was a sizable bet mind you, against a known 16.

If you're too scared to make some of the less conventional plays, don't play. For instance, almost every time I have ever surrendered 17 v A, the dealer made higher than 17. That's a lot of half bets.

I love your idea, but I'd rather find a cheaper way of doing it. Even with a small bet, at TC=0, doubling soft 20v6 costs you about 13 cents on the dollar versus just standing (splitting 10's v 6 costs even more). I'm not willing to pay that much to look like a crazy gambler.

I do question all the plays that just don't look right. But I do the math, and once I see the benefit, confidence replaces fear.

But still, I wonder, what plays set off alarm bells in a PB mind?

 

[Gamblor]

But still, I wonder, what plays set off alarm bells in a PB mind?

Anything that a ploppy rarely or never does.

 

[Friendo]

Dealer actually knew about 17vA

A ploppy went full retard once when I surrendered a 17 v A.

Unbelievably, the dealer said to the ploppy "Uhh, that's basic strategy."

Imagine my astonishment!

 

[Blue Efficacy]

I love your idea, but I'd rather find a cheaper way of doing it. Even with a small bet, at TC=0, doubling soft 20v6 costs you about 13 cents on the dollar versus just standing (splitting 10's v 6 costs even more). I'm not willing to pay that much to look like a crazy gambler.

I do question all the plays that just don't look right. But I do the math, and once I see the benefit, confidence replaces fear.

But still, I wonder, what plays set off alarm bells in a PB mind?

If you're a regular it is money well spent I assure you. If you're known as "the crazy guy who splits tens" you can at this point get away with almost anything.

Like my example, I got away with resplitting tens to 4 hands with a large bet out vs. a 16 (not just a 6, a 16!) whereas somebody who isn't known for doing that could be viewed as taking a shot if they demand to split tens after seeing the ten in the hole, and losing goodwill with the staff.

Admittedly I don't do the soft 20 as much as splitting tens even though the index is about the same.