Ohh not splitting a 7 against a 7? I have a bunch of phrases that helped me memorize basic strategy! I’ll point out the phrase in my head with the connections and relations to each other that help me explain. It works for me very well with how my brain works but not necessarily for everyone. What is in quotes is what’s I think in the moment when I am dealt those cards; followed by an explaination so its not complete numbing jumbo.
From top to bottom of the chart if you are following along:
~ “456 is 654” represents the deviation for two tens. Count up, and count down.
~ “9’s beat a 7 so stay.” this works with my logic and goes without the mental thought that if I split the 9s I have a better chance at 19 to beat an 8 or push a 9.
~ “On 2 3 and 7 split 2 thru 7”
The easiest to remember! Say it again. ^_^ It’s easy to remember since the number is the same.. 7 and 7! Same with a 6:
~ “666” 12 sucks so any bust card I split. Derp. 6 splits up to 6. 666
~ “4,4,5,6 unless no double after split, otherwise hit” It rhymes and in consecutive #’s. Represents (4,4) against dealer 5 and 6.
~ “2233 no split 23” the 2 3 7 splits 2 thru 7 phrase applies here too, but if no double after split you wanna hit (2,2) and (3,3) against a 2 and 3.
~ Comedian Eric Andre used to say “WHO DID 311!?”, referencing the band I’m a fan of in the tone of a 9/11 conspiracy theorist. (A,8) deviates on 4,5,6 at 3+,1+,0-. I remember the 310 as 311. The A8 cards are said as “An 8”..In my head I say “An 8 did 311”...it isn't 311, it’s 310!..the discrepancy reminds me not to double against a 6 in all NEGATIVE running counts.. i.e. minus a number.
~ “A lucky 7 doubles” references (A,7 doubling 2-6. Craps reference too; the seven. Repeating the ace card as an A to make a sentence again is done a few times as you have read now.
~ “A 6 won to 6”. Saying WON TO reminds me to deviate 1+ at 2. WON TO is 1 2. 1,2 WON TOO. A SIX WON TOO. A6 1+ @ 2.
~A2 thru A5 I visualize the graph. I think of the BOTTOM of the Soft Totals chart.. I focus on the A2..that 2 card reminds me that there is a pattern..the 2 represents the TWO strongest bust cards. The TWO represents the increment towards the THREE strongest bust cards.. Look at a “Hit 17 Deviation Chart.” Notice A2 and A3 are identical rules, then notice A4 and A5 are identical rules.. A4 doubles on 4.
Summary of my brain: In the beginning there is A2. A 2 steps and A4 on a 4.
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The hard totals were the hardest to memorize.
~ “Four-oh-three-fourty-five” is the deviations for 15 and 16.
~ “123” is visualized for -1- deviation on a 13 against a 2. I picture HITTING the dealers 2 card in between my 10 and 3, replacing the zero to make 123. Visualizing a bigger “1”, The bold reminds me of -1- .
~ “Juan, 2 3 its 3 2. Oh” On a 12 against a 234.. on 2 and 3 it’s 3+ and 2+. “Oh” is 0- deviation stay in a 4. O is 0! Juan is like a mix of 1 and ON.
~ “TEN FOUR” like I’m a cop.. reminds me to deviate for doubling 10,10 against a 10..and there’s three 10’s that = +3 for doubling against an ace.
~ Hard 9. Blegh. I didn’t deviate accurately for a long time. I picture the totals and equate them to the 4 doubling hands. There’s the +1 deviation against a dealer’s 2 and a +3 deviation for a dealer’s 7. 1+3 is 4 so I just relate that four total to the four #’s 3,4,5, and 6.
~ “2+6=8” on 2+ you double with an 8 against a 6. “2 PLUS 6 is 8. 2+ on 6 with 8.
No games I’ve played have offered surrender so I never looked at those deviations.
I hope all the time I’ve put into sharing my brain has inspired you to make your own connections for memorization. Or at least you get a laugh, lol.
