How did you learn Basic Strategy?

Quote: Kellynbnf

There's an error on that chart that should be fairly obvious - it says that you should surrender 16 vs. 9 in a shoe game only with H17. Since S/H17 has no effect on upcards of 7-10 that must be a mistake.

Am I reading Wiz's chart wrong? https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/strategy/4-decks/

I updated the chart for Stand on S17 and double after split

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6TkUueCoFB0TEdFTnB0YVdtNW8

Quote: gamerfreak

Am I reading Wiz's chart wrong? https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/strategy/4-decks/

I updated the chart for Stand on S17 and double after split

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6TkUueCoFB0TEdFTnB0YVdtNW8

What do you mean on the 2-2/3-3 split where you say "double 2/3"?

Also, you don't split 6's vs 7 nor double vs 2

Very simple I just read how the game works on google. After that I tried to find a simulator of it on the internet were I can practice playing it. Then after knowing the basic I started playing with low bets.

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

What do you mean on the 2-2/3-3 split where you say "double 2/3"?

Also, you don't split 6's vs 7 nor double vs 2

Thanks for checking, part of that is me misunderstanding what Ph meant but I got it now.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6TkUueCoFB0WWRRMl84ay00ZDA

Fastest way to memorize stuff like this is to write it out a bunch of times.

I had to memorize ten or twelve pages of simplified PGP strat for an old job. That was the only way I could do it.

2F, thanks for sharing your memorizing secret, and initially for telling me you would write this descriptive post. I'll keep this in mind when I'm ready to graduate myself from the WOO's Simple Strategy (21 cells to memorize), which I almost have down pat. I make 1 mistake every 80 hands, or 1.25% error. At my novice level, that's my signal to take a break and stop practicing.

Quote: gamerfreak

I've never played at a Blackjack Table because I absolutely hate playing any game where I do not know the optimal strategy while sleeping.

I'm not a very visual learner, and there's no way I can memorize a color coded chart of boxes.

How did you get basic strategy down 200%? I am thinking about flashcards as well...

For MD, S17, DOA, DAS, I simply remembered certain "patterns", for example:
Double 11, except vs 11
Double 10, except vs 10
You should double 9 vs 3 to 6, which add up to 9
Soft 17 and 18 should double vs 3 to 6 (like with 9)
A2 & A3: double vs 5 & 6 only
A4 and A5: double vs 4 5 & 6
Always split Aces and Eights
2s, 3s, and SEVENSs vs SEVEN or less
SIXes vs 6 or less

Etc. I hope this helps. I would appreciate your thoughts and criticisms on my "teaching methods".

In the UK there used to be rules you couldn't split 4s 5s or 10s and only double 9-11. This gave simple rules...

Always hit Soft 17, never take insurance.
Exceptions: Hit soft 18 vs 9 10 A.

2-6
Split and Double everything; never bust (i.e. stand on 12+)
Exceptions: Hit 9 vs 2, Hit 12 vs 2 3.
(Nowadays you would split 4s vs 5 6 and make some soft doubles).

7-9
Split A 8 9 and Double 10-11; Hit 16 (i.e. stand on 17+)
Exceptions: Split A 2 3 7 8 vs 7 (adds up to 21!).

10 A (i.e. Dealer could make Blackjack)
Only split As vs 10; Hit 16 (i.e. stand on 17+).

Note with soft doubles it's easier to remember the decision is a triangle on the chart (as in above post). Also in the US you will split and double more than in UK, so the rules will be different.

If learning strategy from new, it's best to get the basics right, then add the exceptions later and finally worry about soft doubles.

Yes, thank you. You are correct, it is an error and will be corrected.