Winning Strategies in Blackjack...
Winning Strategies in Blackjack
At the beginning of this section we have observed that the player’s total gain is increased if he uses the main-count playing strategy, which is given in the next two sections. The expectation of the basic strategy player depends on the value of the running index. The same is true when one uses the main-count playing strategy. Moreover, the expectation of this player is higher than that of the player who uses the basic strategy, If one takes this into account, some of the indices in the betting tables can be decreased. This gives the player more opportunities to bet higher and increases his overall gain. Roughly speaking, one can proceed as follows: When the running index is between 11 and 15, one should increase it by 1 before comparing it with the indices in the betting table being used. When the running index is between 16 and 20, one should increase it by 2. When the running index is between 21 and 25, one should increase it by 4. Finally, when by 7.
THE PLAYING STRATEGY FOR MULTIPLE-DECK GAMES The strategy given in this section should be used for all multiple-deck games. Also, unless we say explicitly the contrary, the same strategy should be used whether the dealer stands or draws on soft 1 7. The playing strategy is given in Tables 5—11. Some of the blocks in these tables contain critical indices. The player makes the playing decisions by comparing the running index with the corresponding critical index. When a block contains two critical indices, separated by a slanted bar, the one on the left should be used when the dealer stands on soft Drawing and Standing (Hard Hands) With a hand of value 11 or less (that is 11, 10, 9,. . ), the player should draw, no matter what the dealer’s up card is. With a hand of value 18 or more (that is 18, 19,) the player should stand, no matter what the dealer’s up card is. With a hand of value 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17, the player should proceed as indicated in Table 5. This table is read as follows: We determine the block, located to the right of the number representing the value of the player’s hand and under the dealer’s up card. If the block is shaded, the player should stand. If the block is white, without any number on it, the player should draw. If the block is white and has a number on it, * the player should stand if the running index is greater than, or equal to, that number and draw otherwise.
Drands)
The player should follow the basic strategy, except in the case when the dealer has an ace up. Hence, when the dealer’s up card is
2,3,4, 5,6, 7, or 8
the player should draw to any soft hand of value 17 or less and stand otherwise. When the dealer’s up card is
9 or ten
the player should draw to any soft hand of value 18 or less and stand otherwise.
Now assume that the dealer has an ace up. The player should always stand on 19 or more and draw on 17 or less. When the dealer stands on soft 17, the player should stand on soft 18, if the running index is greater than, or equal to, 3 and draw otherwise. When the dealer draws on soft 17, the player should again follow the basic strategy. Therefore he should draw on soft 18.
