x

[X Excalibur X]

excalibur

 

[DSchles]

Stick to the original formula! Yours is an unusual proposal I've never heard before. But don't rush to Hi-Lo before you have learned basic strategy perfectly.

Don

 

[BoSox]

thanks for quick response and advice - yes i will start off just playing basic strategy and just try to be aware of what cards have been dealt without actual counting,

I am UK based - our casinos are still closed but i can play online for as low as a £1 bet

Better be careful that you use the correct basic strategy for the rules that you are playing.

 

[DSchles]

thanks

online they appear to be using 4-8 deck shoes - i have a chart for that - is that what you mean

Yes, but what are ALL the rules? Be as specific as possible. ENHC? H17? DAS? LS?

Don

 

[BoSox]

online they appear to be using 4-8 deck shoes - i have a chart for that - is that what you mean

Does the dealer stand on soft 17 or hit? Can you re-split your hand if so how many times? Can you double after a split or not? Are you able to late surrender your hand for half your money back? Does your blackjack pay 6to5 or 3to2? Does your game have no hole card play? There are different variations of the correct basic strategy based on the rules of the game that you are playing against.

 

[DSchles]

hi again - just checked a £3 game ,,,, this is main rules ,,,,,blackjack pays 3/2 ,,,,,, dealer stands on a 17 and draws to a 16 ,,,, no double after splitting ,,,, 8 deck shoe

thanks for all your interest

Dealer ALWAYS stands on a hard 17. The question is whether he stands on ALL 17s (hard and soft). Which is it? It matters for which BS you learn. NDAS also matters and is, obviously, not good. Can you resplit pairs? Is it no hole card? If so, does the dealer win all (your doubles or splits) in he has a natural?

I understand that you're a beginner, but we can't give you advice about a game until we know precisely what ALL the rules are. So far, this game is quite dreadful.

Don

 

[Cookingwithcards]

I will offer my advice, even though I'm new, and you have 2 people answering, both of whom have more experience than I can ever hope to have! That being said.....with having no surrender option, and NDAS, it doesn't sound like a good game and I would keep searching.

 

[DSchles]

hi - this is the rules straight off their page

• played with 8 decks
• dealer always stands on soft 17
• double down only after 2 initial cards
• no double down after split
• split initial cards of equal value
• only 1 split per hand
• single card dealt to each split ace
• insurance offered when dealer shows an ace
• blackjack pays 3 to 2
• insurance plays 2 to 1
• push game when hands tie

# no mention of the ' no hole card'' but dealer is only checking this after all players action had finished

That's what we needed. Sadly, the game sucks. Play for fun and experience if you like, but not for serious money. Find the correct BS right here in the BS Engine.

Don

 

[Counting_Is_Fun]

Hi,

just recently started researching and watching youtube videos on Blackjack and have become intrigued by the card counting element and see it as stimulating and a challenge { especially in these lockdown times }

i have looked at the HI-lo system and the Kiss 2 system also,,,,,,

with regards to the HI- LO system i have thought about classing Zero as 100 and go up and down in increments of 10 rather than saying in my mind all the time + 1 and - 1,,,, example 3 x +1 cards will take me to 130 and then 2 x - 1 will drop me back down to 110 ,,,,,, so as an example A count of 170 = a + 7 ,,,, this seems to be simpler and quicker maths to me - does this sound like something I can use or should I stick to the original formula??

any info appreciated

thanks

Stick to what others that came before you have already proved successful. That whole wheel thing.
If you truly don't like handling negative numbers...then I know people that call "zero" "20" and start with that. It basically eliminates negative numbers which some people prefer.

 

[beating vegas]

Hi,

just recently started researching and watching youtube videos on Blackjack and have become intrigued by the card counting element and see it as stimulating and a challenge { especially in these lockdown times }

i have looked at the HI-lo system and the Kiss 2 system also,,,,,,

with regards to the HI- LO system i have thought about classing Zero as 100 and go up and down in increments of 10 rather than saying in my mind all the time + 1 and - 1,,,, example 3 x +1 cards will take me to 130 and then 2 x - 1 will drop me back down to 110 ,,,,,, so as an example A count of 170 = a + 7 ,,,, this seems to be simpler and quicker maths to me - does this sound like something I can use or should I stick to the original formula??

any info appreciated

thanks

High low. It’s a easy count and effective.
You can expand to other skills while not having to worry about getting confused.

You also can play more time with out getting fatigued.

 

[BJgenius007]

hi - this is the rules straight off their page

• played with 8 decks
• dealer always stands on soft 17
• double down only after 2 initial cards
• no double down after split
• split initial cards of equal value
• only 1 split per hand
• single card dealt to each split ace
• insurance offered when dealer shows an ace
• blackjack pays 3 to 2
• insurance plays 2 to 1
• push game when hands tie

# no mention of the ' no hole card'' but dealer is only checking this after all players action had finished

No double down after split rule will kill you. And it is a very unusual rule. To make even counters cannot beat the game.

 

[DSchles]

No double down after split rule will kill you. And it is a very unusual rule. To make even counters cannot beat the game.

Well, that's not quite true. DAS is an important rule, and you should always seek games that feature it. But, under most circumstances, it won't make it such that counters can no longer beat the game. They will simply win less.

Don

 

[JohnCrover]

What intrigues me is how much someone is giving up by playing a no DAS game as if it were a DAS game before figuring out their error. When I go In to a new casino I don't ask 21 questions regarding the rules of the game because it sounds a little too non-casual to me. When I get a hand like 66 vs 2 maybe I should ask the dealer if I can DAS though.

 

[21forme]

No double down after split rule will kill you. And it is a very unusual rule.

No it won't and no it isn't.

 

[DSchles]

What intrigues me is how much someone is giving up by playing a no DAS game as if it were a DAS game before figuring out their error. When I go In to a new casino I don't ask 21 questions regarding the rules of the game because it sounds a little too non-casual to me. When I get a hand like 66 vs 2 maybe I should ask the dealer if I can DAS though.

No, you should know this ahead of time. It should be on the placard on the table, which gives the rules. And, if possible, you should know before you even go to the casino.

Don

 

[KewlJ]

No, you should know this ahead of time. It should be on the placard on the table, which gives the rules. And, if possible, you should know before you even go to the casino.

Don

Should be but isn't always. 6:5 isn't even always posted anymore.

I have gotten burned playing 6:5 (outside reg rotation) not realizing it until I got a blackjack. I try to ask, especially out of rotation, but often forget to do so.

 

[21forme]

6:5 isn't even always posted anymore

Isn't that required by NGC?
I've seen it in very small print on some electronic signs, but have never not seen it.

Hope the double negative is OK, Don

 

[beating vegas]

Hi - thanks for reply - Casinos are still closed in the UK so no chance yet to have my first game and practice Basic stategy - Been practising Renzeys Kiss count 1 for now and seem to have this nailed!

Coincidently on Page 198 of Renzeys Blackjack Bluebook 2 - there is a ''100 Counting Base'' which was my question when i kick started this forum question - Spooky

Your question has been answered already
By another member.

I Think the 100 adjustment to high low is not needed. It’s a easy count.

or use kiss. Just make sure you understand BS before you practice counting.

 

[beating vegas]

Should be but isn't always. 6:5 isn't even always posted anymore.

I have gotten burned playing 6:5 (outside reg rotation) not realizing it until I got a blackjack. I try to ask, especially out of rotation, but often forget to do so.

It wasn't on the table ?

 

[LC Larry]

It wasn't on the table ?

Nope. They've gotten sneaky.