Correct BS with Some Rule Variations

I would greatly appreciate any input, advice, and/or suggestions with my following questions. Prior to posting, I searched through the "Ask the Wizard" section and some of the forums on this site. I would also like to qualify this thread by stating that I apologize in advance if this particular scenario has been previously written about and I kindly ask that you point me in the right direction.

Ok… here are the Blackjack casino rules:
• 6 Decks with ASM
• Blackjack pays 3:2
• Dealer hits soft 17
• Players allowed to double any 2 cards
• Players allowed to late surrender
• Dealer does not peek his hole card
• Player loses only the original bet against dealer BJ if doubling and/or splitting

I have played BJ with only the above rules. I learned to play BS roughly 6 months ago and have been utilizing the following BS chart:


The only variations I use when playing with the above BS are the following:
• I do not double A vs. A (only double A vs. 2 – 10)
• I only surrender the following hands:
o Hard 15 vs. 10
o Hard 16 vs. 9, 10, and A
• I stand on S18 vs. 2
• I stand on S19 vs. 6
• I split 8,8 vs. A

As previously stated, I do not have significant experience but continue to question my play on various hands. As I read and educated myself over the previous 2 months, I came to realize that the above BS chart is actually not correct for the indicated casino rules. I was too green to realize the significance of the ‘peek vs. no-peek’ rules and the ‘player loses only original bet vs. entire bet against dealer BJ’. Below is the same exact BS chart as above with only one change to the rules: Dealer does not peek (However, the linked site does not allow the option of choosing ‘losing original bet only’ versus ‘losing the entire bet’).


As you can see, the only changes between the two charts occur when being dealt the following hands:
• Player has a beginning hard 11
• Player has beginning hand of 8,8 or A,A

Now, my question is this: What is the correct plays when taking the ‘no-peek’ rule AND the ‘player loses original bet only’ rule into consideration?

I assume that the correct plays would be to (my thought behind my below assumptions is that why should the player play conservatively when he/she can only lose his/her original bet? It would be a much different situation if the casino takes all double or split bets with dealer BJ –OR- if the dealer peeks at the hole card, which would eliminate the risk of the dealer having a BJ):
• Double hard 11 vs. dealer 2 thru Ace
• Double hard 10 vs. dealer 2 thru 9

However, what are the right plays for the following hands:
• When to surrender hard 15?
• When to surrender hard 16?
• When to surrender, if ever, hard 14?
• Should I ever stand on S18 vs. dealer 2?
• Should I surrender pair of 8’s vs. dealer 10 and/or Ace?
• Should I hit or split pair of Aces vs. dealer Ace?
• What is the correct play for S19 vs. dealer 6?

Thanks in advance for all the help!

It appears that the no peek chart is assuming that entire doubles and splits are lost in the event of a dealer blackjack. As long as that is not the case the peek chart is correct. Note the difference in the house edge between the two charts. Don't worry about playing ASMs. You'll come to appreciate the extra hands.

That makes sense. Thanks for the input! So, to summarize, I would play with the exact BS chart that has the 'dealer peeks' rule activated. This is probably due to the fact that this rule essentially eliminates the risk for players doubling and/or splitting with dealer receiving a BJ.

Quote: 1BB

It appears that the no peek chart is assuming that entire doubles and splits are lost in the event of a dealer blackjack. As long as that is not the case the peek chart is correct. Note the difference in the house edge between the two charts. Don't worry about playing ASMs. You'll come to appreciate the extra hands.

What about the surrender rules from the chart? Should I still surrender as indicated on this chart:

Quote: SlingshotFuel

What about the surrender rules from the chart? Should I still surrender as indicated on this chart:

http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bjbse.php?numdecks=6+decks&soft17=h17&dbl=all&das=yes&surr=ls&peek=yes

Yes, the peek chart is correct.

I just thought of another question. This one is rather basic and may sound a bit obtuse, however, I am still intrigued about the method most players utilize.

What is the best and fastest way to add up soft hands?

I currently do the following:
1) Treat any Ace as 11 on the initial hand (of course, the exception being a pair of Aces);
2) Add the second card's value to the 11;
3) Continue to add the face value of the cards (2 thru 10) being dealt after the initial starting hand and treat all Aces as 1;
4) Once the count exceeds 21, simply subtract 10 and continue.

For example:
1) Beginning hand: Ace & 4. Total is 15
2) Next card is 2. Total is 17
3) Next card is Ace. Total is 18.
4) next card is 5. Total is 23. Since total exceeds 21, I know subtract 10 and end up with 13. I then continue as usual.

Is there a better method than the one above? I realize one could choose to reverse my method and start by counting all Aces as 1 and subsequently adding 10 if the result is below 21. I just feel like the dealers are super fast at adding up soft hands and do not know of the most common technique that dealers are taught.

If anyone can help, I would greatly appreciate it!

deleted

Quote: SlingshotFuel

I just thought of another question. This one is rather basic and may sound a bit obtuse, however, I am still intrigued about the method most players utilize.

What is the best and fastest way to add up soft hands?

I currently do the following:
1) Treat any Ace as 11 on the initial hand (of course, the exception being a pair of Aces);
2) Add the second card's value to the 11;
3) Continue to add the face value of the cards (2 thru 10) being dealt after the initial starting hand and treat all Aces as 1;
4) Once the count exceeds 21, simply subtract 10 and continue.

For example:
1) Beginning hand: Ace & 4. Total is 15
2) Next card is 2. Total is 17
3) Next card is Ace. Total is 18.
4) next card is 5. Total is 23. Since total exceeds 21, I know subtract 10 and end up with 13. I then continue as usual.

Is there a better method than the one above? I realize one could choose to reverse my method and start by counting all Aces as 1 and subsequently adding 10 if the result is below 21. I just feel like the dealers are super fast at adding up soft hands and do not know of the most common technique that dealers are taught.

If anyone can help, I would greatly appreciate it!

When I see a soft hand I instantly know the total and you will too with practice. I actually had to think about this one for a moment.

How about doing what the dealer does? Say the smaller number first then the larger one counting the ace as one. For example 5 or 15 for ace,4 or 6 or 16 for ace, 5 etc.

Quote: 1BB

When I see a soft hand I instantly know the total and you will too with practice. I actually had to think about this one for a moment.

How about doing what the dealer does? Say the smaller number first then the larger one counting the ace as one. For example 5 or 15 for ace,4 or 6 or 16 for ace, 5 etc.

Haha! I figured that there were very advanced players that post on this forum and was certain that the vast majority never have to even think about adding soft hands... As obvious as this may sound to most players, I think for beginners to simply realize that a hand can never have 2 Aces counted as 11 is also key. I know for a fact that at some of the tables I have played, numerous players cannot add up a 3- or 4-card soft hand. They always need to sheepishly look at the dealer (in case the dealer does not state the total hand count verbally) for the totals... I cannot stand this and decided to work on this after having to do this same embarrassing look during the first 2 weeks of learning BJ.