illustrious 18

[blackjack]

Regarding the illustrious 18, I'm curious:

So it is stated that if the count is +5 then you should split 10s againt a 5. I'm just really curious as to the table reactions toward whoever has done this. I'm not critizing the play, I'm sure it's the right thing to do, but to whoever has done this, did you really make it out alive? Please share your experiences.

Also, don't you guys think that this play is a dead giveaway to the pit bosses that we're counting? I mean, we're already going to have a very high bet up there, since the count is high, and now we're splitting 10s. Would anyone else be reluctant to do this just because you wouldn't want to get snagged?
:celebrate(The smilie wasn't working, so I fixed it. -Ken-)

 

[KenSmith]

Most players choose to ignore the appropriate times to split tens. Just in case the pit was not already looking, the other players at the table will raise such an uproar that you're guaranteed to be noticed.

Math be damned, keep the twenty.

 

[schismist]

I was in a casino the other day where there was someone next to me, obviously not couting, and he was splitting tens all the time. I never got to take advantage though. (I am practicing with only $5 min at shoe, though, so I probably could have told him that the count wasn't high enough yet, and still not attract attention...)

 

[darrislance]

Most players choose to ignore the appropriate times to split tens. Just in case the pit was not already looking, the other players at the table will raise such an uproar that you're guaranteed to be noticed.

Math be damned, keep the twenty.

Good point Ken. The last time I split 10's it sparked a 5 minute lecture from the third baseman and the dealer. Shortly thereafter the pit boss made his way into the conversation. I won both hands, but looking back it wasn't worth the hastle.

 

[zengrifter]

I have never had trouble because I split 10s or doubled A9, just do it! zg

 

[k_c]

Diminishing returns

Even if the math says to split 10s, resplitting can cost EV.....

Number of decks:  2
Shoe comp:  (1) 3  (2) 3  (3) 3  (4) 3  (5) 2
            (6) 3  (7) 4  (8) 4  (9) 4  (T) 14
Computing optimal EVs for an individual hand (shown below)....
Double Rule:  Double on any total, 2 cards only
Dealer stands on soft 17
Hole card rule:  None (American rules)
No surrender allowed
Number of allowed splits (Aces):  1
Number of allowed splits (2 - 10):  5
DAS
Player is allowed one card to split ace
Optimal strategy (split strat is fixed optimally on first split hand)
Dealer up card:  5
Player Hand:  10,10....computing....please wait
Player Stand EV:  0.6982490737
Player Hit EV:    -0.8676395665
Double EV on 20:  -1.735279133
Split[1]:  0.7102124909
Split[2]:  0.70017977
Split[3]:  0.6837907897
Split[4]:  0.6661932879
Split[5]:  0.6495511422
2 card doubles:  None

The effect is greater, the fewer the decks.

k_c

 

[moo321]

Generally it's not worth it within a point or two of the index, but if you have like a +8 or higher true count and a max bet or two or 3 out, you could be giving up an hour's wages by not splitting.

In general, I think it's best not to split in marginal situations, but, for example a +7% EV play when you have a 16 unit bet out is worth 1.12 units. Make up some excuse ("I feel lucky") split the tens 4 times, win 4 max bets and hit your target for the week, or lose the hands and know that it would take you several hours of back-counting to get that much EV in. If you lose, start cussing (I knew I shouldn't split those ****ing tens!")

Others are free to disagree, but if you NEVER split tens you could be giving up several units of EV when these situations come up.

 

[zengrifter]

Generally it's not worth it within a point or two of the index, but if you have like a +8 or higher true count and a max bet or two or 3 out, you could be giving up an hour's wages by not splitting.

In general, I think it's best not to split in marginal situations, but, for example a +7% EV play when you have a 16 unit bet out is worth 1.12 units. Make up some excuse ("I feel lucky") split the tens 4 times, win 4 max bets and hit your target for the week, or lose the hands and know that it would take you several hours of back-counting to get that much EV in. If you lose, start cussing (I knew I shouldn't split those ****ing tens!")

Others are free to disagree, but if you NEVER split tens you could be giving up several units of EV when these situations come up.

Thats well put - I've been saying for years - Spliting 10s my not be worth alot overall, but in those infrequent moments like Moo has described its woth potentially hours of EV - Go for it. zg

 

[ScottH]

Thats well put - I've been saying for years - Spliting 10s my not be worth alot overall, but in those infrequent moments like Moo has described its woth potentially hours of EV - Go for it. zg

It's always funny when you split tens 2 or 3 times against a 6 and then the dealer draws 21. The entire table will hate you for sure. I did that once with a table full of old people who were previously rooting for me, but then wouldn't have anything to do with me after that play. Haha.

 

[Brock Windsor]

Buy his split

I was in a casino the other day where there was someone next to me, obviously not couting, and he was splitting tens all the time. I never got to take advantage though. (I am practicing with only $5 min at shoe, though, so I probably could have told him that the count wasn't high enough yet, and still not attract attention...)

If a ploppy does that and people are giving him grief announce "I like the cut of y'er jib gambler, I'll give you the money to split and we'll split the result from your two hands combined" If he does it and it works he'll usually keep letting you buy that split til he takes a losing streak. It's a purely +ve play to get in on a ten split, just not usually as good to split your own.
BW