Strategy decision making questions

[airborneinf82]

Been reading around here alot and working on getting down by BS and practicing counting with the Hi/Low system. Theres a ton of great info on here and so I've been reading and reading while I wait on my books to show in the mail. There were a couple questions that came up that Im not seeing the answers to and figured Id ask here.

Pretty basic question, but I didn't see any clarification on this exact issue. The BS decision (6D, H17, DAS, NS) for a hand of A-4 against lets say dealers 4 is to double down. But what if you initially have A-2 which the decision is to hit, and then you get dealt another 2, giving you A-2-2. Do you treat this as an soft-15 with the exception of hitting instead of doubling down or as just a regular 15 and stand against the dealers 4?

The next question is regarding true count calculations. Im pretty sure I know the answer, but just want to be sure. When using index numbers, lets say your at 3rd base with 2 other players, ideally you would want to calculate the true count based on all the cards that have been show to the other players before you make any strategy adjustments correct?

Thanks in advance.

 

[itakeyourmoney]

Pretty basic question, but I didn't see any clarification on this exact issue. The BS decision (6D, H17, DAS, NS) for a hand of A-4 against lets say dealers 4 is to double down. But what if you initially have A-2 which the decision is to hit, and then you get dealt another 2, giving you A-2-2. Do you treat this as an soft-15 with the exception of hitting instead of doubling down or as just a regular 15 and stand against the dealers 4?

I believe it should be treated like a regular soft A-4 soft 15.

The next question is regarding true count calculations. Im pretty sure I know the answer, but just want to be sure. When using index numbers, lets say your at 3rd base with 2 other players, ideally you would want to calculate the true count based on all the cards that have been show to the other players before you make any strategy adjustments correct?

Yep, always use the available info. More cards = more accurate count.

 

[shark]

As iwinyourmoney said,
1. Yes, treat it as an A4 and hit since you can't double down. That is the same for A2 through A6. But take note that on A7 (and in one instance A8 if the casino has a hit soft 17 rule) it can appear on the BS charts as Ds meaning if you can't double, you stand. Reference:
http://wizardofodds.com/blackjack/strategy/4deck.html

2. Factor in every card you can when deciding to make your index play.

 

[iCountNTrack]

Pretty basic question, but I didn't see any clarification on this exact issue. The BS decision (6D, H17, DAS, NS) for a hand of A-4 against lets say dealers 4 is to double down. But what if you initially have A-2 which the decision is to hit, and then you get dealt another 2, giving you A-2-2. Do you treat this as an soft-15 with the exception of hitting instead of doubling down or as just a regular 15 and stand against the dealers 4?

The next question is regarding true count calculations. Im pretty sure I know the answer, but just want to be sure. When using index numbers, lets say your at 3rd base with 2 other players, ideally you would want to calculate the true count based on all the cards that have been show to the other players before you make any strategy adjustments correct?

Most casinos will only allow you to double down on the first two cards only , in BS tables an alternative action is normally given if the other one is not given for instance double if you can otherwise hit.

 

[Xenophon]

Pretty basic question, but I didn't see any clarification on this exact issue. The BS decision (6D, H17, DAS, NS) for a hand of A-4 against lets say dealers 4 is to double down. But what if you initially have A-2 which the decision is to hit, and then you get dealt another 2, giving you A-2-2. Do you treat this as an soft-15 with the exception of hitting instead of doubling down or as just a regular 15 and stand against the dealers 4?

You would treat it as a soft 15 and hit again. If you receive an ace or 2 after the initial 2 -- A-2-2-A or A-2-2-2 -- you still have a soft hand (soft 16 or soft 17). If you refer to your basic strategy chart for soft 16 or 17, they require additional hits.

If you were to receive a 3,4,5, or 6 on your A-2-2, you would have a soft 18,19,20,21. If you refer to the basic strategy chart these are stands.

So verbally, you would continue hitting the soft hand vs. dlr 4 until it becomes a hard hand 12-21 - unless you turn it into a soft 18, 19, 20, or 21.

With hard hands, ONE additional card CAN break you. With soft hands, there is not one additional card that can break you, and the mathematics for basic strategy shows that it is better to continue to hit soft hands until they become hard hands where you have to satnd - unless you turn your soft 13 through 17 into a soft 18,19,20, or 21.

Hope this gets you started. It seems more complicated to explain than actually think about.

The next question is regarding true count calculations. Im pretty sure I know the answer, but just want to be sure. When using index numbers, lets say your at 3rd base with 2 other players, ideally you would want to calculate the true count based on all the cards that have been show to the other players before you make any strategy adjustments correct?

Thanks in advance.

Yes. Ideally you want to calculate the running and true count with ANY cards you have seen. This gives you the most accurate information on what cards are in the REMAINING decks.