Questions about the 'Illustrious 18' v. BS
1. BS chart says to hit 16 v. A, but I18 says to stand with +0 [perhaps I am misunderstanding what '+0' means?]. Likewise for 12 v. 4. BS says stand, I18 says hit when the index = 0.
2. The BS chart says to double an 11 v. A--which duplicates the I18 #9 (index = +1)--as the basic strategy. Should doubling be my standard play regardless of TC = 0 or less?
Now, I assume the BS chart is trying to help me overcome the extra house edge due to the no surrender and dealer hitting a soft 17, right? So shouldn't I follow the BS even if the TC is negative?
Quote: theoriemeisterI'm beginning to memorize the 'Illustrious 18' and have a couple of questions. I went to the WoO website and generated a BS chart for the BJ game that I find locally: 6D, H17, DAS, No surrender. (Ive been using this chart for all my play in the last few months.) I also referred to the Wiz's I18 chart.
1. BS chart says to hit 16 v. A, but I18 says to stand with +0 [perhaps I am misunderstanding what '+0' means?]. Likewise for 12 v. 4. BS says stand, I18 says hit when the index = 0.
2. The BS chart says to double an 11 v. A--which duplicates the I18 #9 (index = +1)--as the basic strategy. Should doubling be my standard play regardless of TC = 0 or less?
Now, I assume the BS chart is trying to help me overcome the extra house edge due to the no surrender and dealer hitting a soft 17, right? So shouldn't I follow the BS even if the TC is negative?
Are you confusing 16 vs ace with 16 vs 10? The index is 0 vs the 10 however it is +3 or +4 vs the ace depending on who you read.
12 v 4. Stand when the count is 0 or greater. Otherwise hit.
Recheck your 11vA index... Sounds like you are using the index for S17. In fact, I believe wizards illustrious 18 page is for s17. So you have to recheck the indices for 11vA, 12v6, 10vA for H17 game.
You should follow what the count says and deviate from BS when necessary...,or you can solely follow BS and have reduced EV and increased ROR. Sometimes you hit in negative counts.
You may be right. Wiz's I18 chart is taken from Schlesinger. Are there are variations of this chart based on some of the game's variables, e.g., S17 v. H17?
Here's the BS chart I'm referring to. (You may have to set the variables, as I couldn't figure out how to upload a screenshot into this post)
One last thing. Isn't the TC always 0 at the beginning of a shoe?
Theorie
Quote: theoriemeister...One last thing. Isn't the TC always 0 at the beginning of a shoe?
Theorie
For Hi/Low and other 'balanced' counts, yes... BUT you must remember, when inspecting these hands, you must account for their values. So yes TC is 0 at the beginning, but if you have 16 v 10 as your very first hand, the count will ALWAYS be -1. Think of the combinations for your 16 (k-6, 9-7, A-5, etc). These all cancel each other and you're left with the dealers face up 10 for a count of -1. This is why basic strategy says to hit 16 v 10, because if this is the first hand dealt, if you're in this situation the count MUST be negative. Of course if you have other players at the table then there's other information to include, but I hope you see my point.
Also, basic strategy differs (just slightly) pending your game rules. For example, if you're playing a H17 game, you double 11 v A as basic strategy. However, if you're playing a S17 game, you just hit 11 v A at TC = 0. The index of TC +1 would apply on when to double your 11 v A. So now what if you're playing a game with surrender? Then your BS would change yet again and you would surrender all your 16 v A-10-9, and 15 v 10, then after that take in to account the count and your indexes for your Fab 4 surrenders.
Quote: theoriemeisterAre there are variations of this chart based on some of the game's variables, e.g., S17 v. H17?
Yes.
fNumber of decks, S17/H17, NS/LS and DAS will probably change things around.
Professional Blackjack is a fine resource for this.
Quote: RomesThink of the combinations for your 16 (k-6, 9-7, A-5, etc).
A-5 isn't the same because that's a soft 16 (which you'd always hit without question).
Quote: KellynbnfA-5 isn't the same because that's a soft 16 (which you'd always hit without question).
A-5 should be called A-5. Not 6, not 16, not soft 16. Just "A-5"
Quote: KellynbnfA-5 isn't the same because that's a soft 16 (which you'd always hit without question).
I was illustrating the counting point that even that (which yes you always hit) is a 0 count, leaving the dealers face for a running count of -1.
