How I am learning the I18

After memorizing Basic Strategy, I wanted to learn about the Illustrious 18 or I18. I don't have any card-counting experience yet, and I don't want that experience from an online live BJ game. There is no legalized gambling in the state of Hawaii (and Utah). :-( I just want to know what are these 18 most advantageous deviations from BS, based on the Hi-Lo count.

I found out there are actually 175 index plays, but the top 18 indices (I18) represent about 80% of the gain that could be had from playing (and memorizing!) the full set of indices.

I thought all the I18 articles I read had the same typos - why did the diagrams only show 17 indices? . . . until I realised that one of the indices (maybe the most important one and easiest to remember) was TAKING INSURANCE AGAINST DEALER'S ACE WHEN THE TC IS >= +3.

When I do get around to memorizing the I18, then I'd need to practice identifying situations where I use them! For this purpose, I found this really cool quizlet online:

https://quizlet.com/21213846/illustrious-18-flash-cards/

If you have an Android or a PC or a MAC (I only have an iPad), you can play this Flash game:
http://www.blackjack-drills.com/it/

But the best visual aid is one I made for myself, using the Basic Strategy card I customized for a $5 DD blackjack game I previously played at the Cal: payout of 3:2, H17 or dealer hits on soft 17, no SURR, no DAS, no RSA. Here's the BS card I made for myself. I certainly will appreciate any errors discovered!



Now I can easily correlate the above Basic Strategy (BS) plays to the deviation plays for which I made an "I18" strategy card. I mapped out the deviations on a template I made from the above BS card!

I grouped the 18 indices as follows:

- Take insurance against dealer's Ace when the TC is >= +3 (easiest to remember & understand)
- note that there are only 2 deviation plays for ALL pairs and soft hands:
TT vs 5 when TC is +5 double, else STAND
TT vs 6 when TC is +4 double, else STAND
- 5 other double down situations for hard hands, else HIT
- 10 stand situations for hard hands, else HIT

I've read that other writers like Schlesinger published the top 18 index plays in rank order table; however, for now I prefer my "BS"-style presentation because I can quickly relate it to standard BS plays.



Although I now understand what comprises the I18, I have some unanswered questions. For example:

On TT vs 5, I18 says to double when the TC >=+5 (BS play is to SPLIT).

This is my (novice) analysis: with a 2-deck game, there are (4 suits) X (4 10s) X (2 decks) = 32 10s that will bust me. If I subtract the TT that was dealt to me, there are still 30 10s that will bust my hand. I did not consider PEN at this time.

In the best case scenario, there are (4 suits with As) X 2 decks = 8 As that will give me 21.

So 30 cards will bust me, and only 8 cards will favor me - the odds are 30:8 or 15:4 AGAINST me (almost 4:1).

Can't figure out (yet) why I18 says to double TT vs 5 when the TC is >=5.

Or maybe I have misunderstood some other aspect of the I18?

Thanks in advance for your advice and any training comments you can suggest!

You split 10's at those indices, not double.

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

You split 10's at those indices, not double.

IBYA, thanks so much! Corrected below, and it's much easier to understand why I would SPLIT at the indices for the 10s!!!

Right now, I'm honestly just hoping I can add up to 5 cards in my hand, much less card-count! I'll get there one day!

When stuck in traffic, count the last two numbers of license plates. Don't do it at highway speed, but when stuck. Count anything and everything.
Most importantly, learn how to cancel out cards. A high card and a low card cancel each other out. No need to count either.

Quote: billryan

Most importantly, learn how to cancel out cards.

Bill, thanks for your suggestions. I actually learned the "cancellation principle" while researching something else about counting ... It's amazing how many things I unconciously (or not) count . . . number of strokes per swim lap, number of strokes for full shave,, number of bumblebees that come to my dandelion ground cover front walk ... I take it your experienced eyes didn't catch any more errors in the 2 tables of my OP. I will approach my first card-counting adventure as calmly as I can. Have a great day!

I'll never forget my first day of card counting. It was on a $3 table at the El Cortez in 2001. DD, handheld game. I kept using two hands until someone told me to keep one hand on my beer. Great advice. I played about ten hands at a semi-full table before the count called for me to raise. I cautiously went from $3 to $5 and won. Count was still good so I bravely let it ride for $10. Out of the corner of my eye I saw an older Asian woman start towards my table and I thought I was busted. As the day went on, I started spreading $5-$20 with an occasional drop down to $3. Played for about three hours and cashed in almost $50 more than I started with.
more importantly, I wasn't backroomed or anything.
I got easier. I just found I don't like playing high stakes. Betting $200 on a single hand is simply not fun for me. I am, and will continue to be the ultimate low roller.

Quote: billryan

I am, and will continue to be the ultimate low roller.

That is a great card-counting story! Even if I were half as good in counting, I know my pocket is modest, but my bravery/aggressiveness is even lower. For me, I will never forget my first time at a live BJ table, when I literally couldn't count 5 cards in my hand, and on one of my first bets (I believe it was a double down), I think I wet my pants (a little). I posted my first experience in a TR. I'm trying to keep my calmness right now, as we count down just 8 more days to our next visit. This visit will be for an invitation to a VP Tournament at the Cal, but I need something to do in between my 2 15-minute sessions!!! What to do? I trust it will be as joyous and with at least modestly positive results. This was my blog from just 6 months ago:

https://wizardofvegas.com/member/lostwages/blog/#post1411

Taking things slowley so that one builds their knowlege on a logical foundation is very important in my honest opionion. The next step after having learned Basic Strategy by heart is to count down a single deck of cards; not learning the indices. And even the I18 can be reduced at the start of when you begin to learn the indices. I believe Arnold Snyder stressed the first 5 index plays. They being, 1. Insurance, 2. 16 vs 10, 3. 15 vs. 10, 4. 12 vs 3, and 5. 12 vs 2. These are important because they happen most frequently when the most money is out there and they are practical when compared to splitting 10s in real-life for example. This info, I found in the first Blackjack book that I'd read: Blackbelt in Blackhack by Arnold Snyder. I hope the book brings as much joy to others as it did to me.

Quote: Wino

Taking things slowley so that one builds their knowlege on a logical foundation is very important in my honest opionion. The next step after having learned Basic Strategy by heart is to count down a single deck of cards; not learning the indices.

Yes, I concur it is very important to build my knowledge based on a logical foundation. Originally, I learned the "simplified" Basic Strategy, which only required memorizing 18 cells (Jeff Pepper's version). . . but then some other experienced players like yourself suggested I make a little more effort to memorize 270 cells in Basic Strategy (actually, a lot less, as at least half or more of those 270 cells are repeats for several types of hands). So I memorized 270 cells before my Oct 2016 trip, which was my initiation to a live BJ table. Hah! Memorizing Basic Strategy, unfortunately, has little to do with your ability to RECALL what you memorized under conditions of noise, smoke, waitresses, ding-ding-ding of nearby machines, loud seat mates, etc. So, no card-counting on first trip. I am reasonably sure I can add up the value of 5 cards in my hand now, so in our upcoming April trip, I will see if I pass the gauntlet to try my first card-counting.

I got some drills from other posters: count down a single deck PERFECTLY in about 30 seconds. Over the past 3 months, my best time is 43 seconds, but at least I counted right. I know the drill with dealing 3 cards at a time (use the cancellation principle), but I'll concentrate on 1 card at a time first - and I have a couple of challenging apps when I need variety.

I know I'm not yet ready to memorize all 18 indices, but I am really delighted that my choice was to just learn the first 5 on the I18 'card' I designed for myself. Little did I realize that those first 5 indices are the same ones you listed, and that they are the most common to show up in a game!

I will certainly consider reading/buying Snyder's Blackbelt in Blackjack. Right now, I am slowly enjoying Thorpe's Beat the Dealer.

Appreciate your sharing, time and attention to my OP!

Keep in mind that there is absolutely nothing wrong with bringing a BS card to the table with you and consulting it as needed. Its great to memorize everything and I'm sure you will eventually, but in the meantime don't throw away money by guessing. If you aren't 100% sure you can recall everything perfectly under casino conditions, bring a card. Obviously, don't bring a card for the index plays. The powers that be frown on that.

Quote: billryan

I'll never forget my first day of card counting. It was on a $3 table at the El Cortez in 2001. DD, handheld game. I kept using two hands until someone told me to keep one hand on my beer. Great advice. I played about ten hands at a semi-full table before the count called for me to raise. I cautiously went from $3 to $5 and won. Count was still good so I bravely let it ride for $10. Out of the corner of my eye I saw an older Asian woman start towards my table and I thought I was busted. As the day went on, I started spreading $5-$20 with an occasional drop down to $3. Played for about three hours and cashed in almost $50 more than I started with.
more importantly, I wasn't backroomed or anything.
I got easier. I just found I don't like playing high stakes. Betting $200 on a single hand is simply not fun for me. I am, and will continue to be the ultimate low roller.

Blackjack and gambling are funny things. I used to sweat betting 75 bucks when the count was high when I used to play 5-75 on a shoe. Now I have no problem betting 1000 bucks a hand if the count is good (and I have good cover :) ). It is still annoying to lose, but your post just made me think back to how devestated I would be after losing 5 or 600 in a session and now that would be considered a break-even session.

I wonder if Warren Buffet ever thought he would gain or lose a billion dollars in a day? I guess you can get used to anything.

Quote: billryan

Keep in mind that there is absolutely nothing wrong with bringing a BS card to the table with you and consulting it as needed.

Hey, thanks for the reminder tip. In fact, OdiousGambit had previously suggested to me that I bring my BS card to use as a "counting" device by sliding my thumb along the numbers . . . (thanks, OG!). And since I've memorized the first 5 indices only for I18, I won't bring that card! Reallly appreciate the extra thoughts . . . !

Wow you definitely are putting in the homework and study =). Nice informative post, especially the quizlet.

I believe Ken Smith (blackjackinfo.com) also sells basic strategy cards that have "squares" in the corners for the deviations so you can have a BS card at the table, AND it tells you when to play the indexes, and it's "hidden" if even a PB looked at it. Each of the spots the square could come up represents a different number (all explained on his site). I don't mind this at all for the normal beginner, but once enough practice has been laid down one should not need any cards at the table =D.

Quote: Romes

Wow you definitely are putting in the homework and study =). Nice informative post, especially the quizlet.

I believe Ken Smith (blackjackinfo.com) also sells basic strategy cards that have "squares" in the corners for the deviations so you can have a BS card at the table, AND it tells you when to play the indexes, and it's "hidden" if even a PB looked at it. Each of the spots the square could come up represents a different number (all explained on his site). I don't mind this at all for the normal beginner, but once enough practice has been laid down one should not need any cards at the table =D.

Thanks for the continued encouragement. At this stage of my "training", I'll resist the temptation to look up Ken Smith's BS cards w/squares. If anything, I might try to superimpose some marks on my own BS card design, but not for this trip.

Winner-winner --> Prime Rib Dinner this time (win or lose!) at the Golden Steer! How's that for positive EV?

Always stand 16 against a 10

Always double 11 against an ace

Split 10s and stand on your 12s at the same count. (whatever number is higher based on the number of decks you're playing)

For the top seven of the top nine index plays you now have only four things to remember to change instead of 12.

Include when to take insurance and 15 against a 10 and you can set yourself with all the index plays you'll ever need. Or you can keep adding and improving on it.

Quote: TomG

Always stand 16 against a 10

Always double 11 against an ace

Split 10s and stand on your 12s at the same count. (whatever number is higher based on the number of decks you're playing)

For the top seven of the top nine index plays you now have only four things to remember to change instead of 12.

Include when to take insurance and 15 against a 10 and you can set yourself with all the index plays you'll ever need. Or you can keep adding and improving on it.

My inexperience will show here, but I thought it was important to keep track of the TC when examining the indices for a decision?

More importantly, it appears my I18 "card" is missing the index for 16 v 10 and 16 v 9. Oops! Maybe not this trip?

Thanks for your suggestions, though!

Some author I read said that pros could stick on 16vs10 at almost all counts because its such a close play but pitbosses know its wrong. He said it was cheap camo.
By the way, Scarne- the self professed know it all of all things gambling -recommended staying on tens at all times, as well.

LostWages,

Don't worry about how slow or awkward it seems at first. It happens to everyone starting. I remember playing heads up on a Double deck game and after 3 rounds, I would always lose the count and the dealer would look at me like I was retarded and I would have to play out the rest of the shoe on basic strategy and wait until next shoe to give it another try. Then the soft 18 vs 10 would happen and I would have to hit like 3 times and know my hand-total as well as keeping the count and then again surely, I would lose the count and the dealer would look at me like WTF??? Sigh* 3-6 months later it felt more natural.

Quote: Wino

Don't worry about how slow or awkward it seems at first. It happens to everyone starting.

Based on your story, you KNOW how comforting and assuring it is to get your words of encouragement. This time, I think I have a better handle on Basic Strategy. I've been getting lots of encouragement from the WoV forum members the past 6 months since my first visit. So after practicing card-counting (counting down a single deck, playing different card-counting apps, lots of reading), I think I'm at least primed to try! After my first visit, though, I know memorizing plays is VERY different from recalling what to do under conditions of different noises, excitement, rowdy and maybe nice seat mates, grouchy-looking dealer's, etc. At any rate, 72 hours till I face the gauntlet. Conditions permitting, I'm hoping to try head-to-head with a dealer early in the morning.I never took the card-counting challenge, because this was