Total n00b; Why several 'basic strategies'?

[DirkGently]

Hi there.
I'm a n00b who recently for some reason decided to engage myself in the game of blackjack again (which I haven't played for many years), I don't know why I felt a sudden urge to pick it up but I I think it had to do with the fact that it's sort of like the stock market. Combination of skill and luck, and who wouldn't like to earn money that way. Anyway I picked up this game that I hardly even knew all the rules for to begin with (I had managed to misinterpret a few).

So I took a glimpse on the blackjack school on this site and the basic strategy schemes. I happened to having already downloaded a strategy picture from another source, I happened to compare them. Then I noticed they aren't exactly the same, especially in how to deal with pair of sixes and soft hands in general differs. Why is this, and which one is 'correct'?

This is the sheet I first came across
http://www.vegastripping.com/playersclub/guides/howto/blackjack/basicstrategy/cheatsheet/1/

 

[MangoJ]

Different rules and conditions are different games, and require different strategies.

 

[Most Interesting Man]

Rules that affect basic strategy are the inclusion or exclusion of the following:
Number of decks
Double after split
Re-split aces
Dealer hits or stands on soft 17.
Surrender
Restrictions on when doubling is allowed

 

[Gamblor]

Because they're made by casinos to trick you into playing bad and make extra money. Why do you think they sell them in casino gift shops?

Actually, maybe somebody who plays in other parts of the country would be familiar, but in what game would you always hit 66's and never split?

 

[Gamblor]

Because they're made by casinos to trick you into playing bad and make extra money. Why do you think they sell them in casino gift shops?

Actually, maybe somebody who plays in other parts of the country would be familiar, but in what game would you always hit 66's and never split?

Nevermind, just thought it through an iota more, obviously that BS card is incorrect for 66s.

 

[tthree]

Consider the source

I couldnt get a context for what rules the strategy card was for. It may have been for an article cautioning you about trusting information supplied by the casino. I dont see what rules would make the splitting strategy for sixes correct. The casino is very happy to have you gambling with basic strategy in their casino. They have an edge and only need a large volume of wagers and a big casino bankroll to overcome the small risk of ruin they are subject to. That website on the other hand appears to be a website that makes its money by being a freelance casino host. They are sometimes compensated more if their client losses more. The mistake may be intentional. I would be cautious about trusting information found on that site.

*Wow doubling soft 19 and 20 against any dealer stiff. That should really help the website make more money as a host.

 

[MangoJ]

I find doubling soft 20 quite profitable.

 

[Mladonna]

" For the visually impaired, here's a blow up of the blackjack basic strategy card that is available is most casino gift shops. " sad everything

 

[tthree]

" For the visually impaired, here's a blow up of the blackjack basic strategy card that is available is most casino gift shops. " sad everything

I am not sure how casinos execs think but I wouldnt want to have too big an edge on all games if I were them. I would want someone's initial gambling experiences to make them feel like they have a real chance of winning by having positive swings that kept them coming back. Sure the degenerate gambler is probably going to play no matter what but the newbies arent going to come back unless they think your game is beatable or they experience enough positive swings while losing to believe the could walk away a winner.

I can easily sight examples as evidence that the casino execs dont think like me so maybe Im wrong. I know when I get a run of bad variance I am not compelled to return for a while. Keep my losses comfortable either in size or the way I feel about my chance that I could have left a winner and I will be back soon.

 

[aslan]

I find doubling soft 20 quite profitable.

That's a general statement. My question is, when do you do it? All the time? In plus counts? At =>+4? And what do you do it against? Dealer Ace? Dealer ten? All others? And at what counts for each?

 

[FLASH1296]

There are two texts, (and only two) that contain a COMPLETE
Basic Strategy for any number of decks and H17 / S17

Theory of Blackjack, 6th ed.

Blackjack Attack, 3rd ed.

 

[aslan]

There are two texts, (and only two) that contain a COMPLETE
Basic Strategy for any number of decks and H17 / S17

Theory of Blackjack, 6th ed.

Blackjack Attack, 3rd ed.

Good to know. Thank you. Is our online basic strategy engine deficient in some respect? If so, I'm sure Ken can find a way to rectify it.

 

[Gamblor]

" For the visually impaired, here's a blow up of the blackjack basic strategy card that is available is most casino gift shops. " sad everything

I've seen others in casino gift shops that were wrong. I'm sure its done intentionally, just seen it too many times.