patrick.simone
patrick.simone
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August 23rd, 2019 at 4:27:11 AM permalink
shouldnt basic stragegy be adjusted according to the count because we all know BS is assuming the whole card is a face card
how is doubling your 10 against a 6 the right move if the count is extremely low?
gordonm888
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gordonm888
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August 23rd, 2019 at 6:50:38 AM permalink
Quote: patrick.simone

shouldnt basic stragegy be adjusted according to the count because we all know BS is assuming the whole card is a face card
how is doubling your 10 against a 6 the right move if the count is extremely low?



First welcome to the forum.

Basic strategy does NOT assume that the hole card is a face card. It is developed by weighting the probabilities of the hole card being all possible values.

Basic strategy refers to the strategy that is optimal based on a player's knowledge of the cards he has been dealt and the dealer's face-up card (and the knowledge that the dealer has peeked at the hidden card if the face-up card is an Ace or Ten). There are "Advanced Strategies" that go beyond Basic Strategy that seek to take advantage of other available information at a table -any other cards that are visible during the hand and during previous hands from the same shoe, what other players are doing during the hand, etc. . However, the vast majority of players do not keep track of other cards and need a "basic strategy."
So many better men, a few of them friends, are dead. And a thousand thousand slimy things live on, and so do I.
FleaStiff
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August 23rd, 2019 at 6:57:35 AM permalink
"The Count" is a magical, mystical figure that is thought by some to actually exist. It is worshipped, caressed, fondled when the floor is not looking too closely, talked about incessantly and from time to time it is actually used by an occasional player, usually a drunken one with an overly active imagination.

ALL players are free to adjust Basic Strategy at any time

Those who stop arguing about the count seem to enjoy the game more.
rdw4potus
rdw4potus
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August 23rd, 2019 at 7:08:03 AM permalink
Why would someone use basic strategy if they were counting? The whole point of counting is to use a dynamic strategy based on the count. That dynamic strategy is not basic...
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
unJon
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August 23rd, 2019 at 7:11:21 AM permalink
Quote: rdw4potus

Why would someone use basic strategy if they were counting? The whole point of counting is to use a dynamic strategy based on the count. That dynamic strategy is not basic...

Not the whole point. There’s bet sizing, which contributes more to any player advantage than basic strategy deviations.
The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; but that is the way to bet.
Joeman
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August 23rd, 2019 at 7:23:41 AM permalink
Quote: patrick.simone

shouldnt basic stragegy be adjusted according to the count

If you take a look at Wiz's BJ Hi-Lo counting page you can see a list of the top 18 variations from BS based on the count (Illustrious 18).
"Dealer has 'rock'... Pay 'paper!'"
rdw4potus
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August 23rd, 2019 at 7:28:36 AM permalink
Quote: unJon

Not the whole point. There’s bet sizing, which contributes more to any player advantage than basic strategy deviations.



I guess I would consider flat betting the minimum to be part of basic strategy, but I concede that's a debatable item.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
MDawg
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August 23rd, 2019 at 8:23:43 AM permalink
These guys who are coming on here posting about complicated counts and varying your hit/stand with the count aren't even gambling just sitting at home commenting.

Just use a basic count and stick to basic strategy if you keep track of that flawlessly you're far ahead of the game. A method that you actually Remember and execute perfectly is what works. Really what EXACTLY dropped in the last ten to twenty or so cards is as important as the count anyway, and that's something that these guys who post about complicated play books don't even consider - because they're not even playing. When I've cleared mid to high five digit wins at BJ it has always been more about jumping the bet all the way to table limit based on the last ten to twenty cards than the exact true count. The rationale to jump the bet that much doesn't arise solely from the count.
Last edited by: MDawg on Aug 23, 2019
I tell you it’s wonderful to be here, man. I don’t give a damn who wins or loses. It’s just wonderful to be here with you people. https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/betting-systems/33908-the-adventures-of-mdawg/
bobbartop
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August 23rd, 2019 at 11:40:38 AM permalink
Quote: patrick.simone

shouldnt basic stragegy be adjusted according to the count because we all know BS is assuming the whole card is a face card
how is doubling your 10 against a 6 the right move if the count is extremely low?




Basic Strategy doesn't change, it's correct at the top of the deck/shoe.
'Emergencies' have always been the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have been eroded.
7craps
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bobbartop
August 23rd, 2019 at 12:57:58 PM permalink
Quote: patrick.simone

we all know BS is assuming the whole card is a face card

LOL.
not many know that in this world, and many have NO CLUE as to what Basic Strategy is...

but at Blackjack tables one will hear that (figure hole card is a 10) many, many times, even from the Dealers, and come to the conclusion it must be true.

It ain't so

the whole card is way more likely to be a 2 thru 6
than a 10 value card (face cards and 10 cards)
winsome johnny (not Win some johnny)
ChesterDog
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August 23rd, 2019 at 8:08:41 PM permalink
If the hole card were always a ten, the player would have an advantage, mostly from insurance. The basic strategy would be:
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
TEN
ACE
soft21
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
INS.
soft20
STAND
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
INS.
soft19
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
STAND
STAND
STAND
SUR.
INS.
soft18
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
STAND
hit
hit
SUR.
INS.
soft17
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
hit
hit
hit
hit
INS.
soft16
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
hit
hit
hit
hit
INS.
soft15
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
hit
hit
hit
hit
INS.
soft14
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
hit
hit
hit
hit
INS.
soft13
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
hit
hit
hit
hit
INS.
hard21
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
INS.
hard20
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
INS.
hard19
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
SUR.
INS.
hard18
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
SUR.
SUR.
INS.
hard17
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
hit
SUR.
SUR.
INS.
hard16
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
hit
hit
SUR.
SUR.
INS.
hard15
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
hit
hit
SUR.
SUR.
INS.
hard14
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
hit
hit
hit
SUR.
INS.
hard13
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
hit
hit
hit
SUR.
INS.
hard12
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
hit
hit
hit
SUR.
INS.
hard11
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
hit
hit
hit
hit
INS.
hard10
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
hit
hit
hit
hit
INS.
hard9
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
hit
hit
hit
SUR.
INS.
hard8
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
hit
hit
hit
SUR.
INS.
hard7
hit
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
hit
hit
hit
SUR.
INS.
hard6
hit
hit
DBL
DBL
DBL
hit
hit
hit
SUR.
INS.
hard5
hit
hit
DBL
DBL
DBL
hit
hit
hit
SUR.
INS.
hard4
hit
hit
hit
DBL
DBL
hit
hit
hit
SUR.
INS.
pair10
STAND
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
INS.
pair9
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
STAND
SPLIT
SPLIT
SUR.
INS.
pair8
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SUR.
SUR.
INS.
pair7
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
hit
hit
SUR.
INS.
pair6
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
hit
hit
SUR.
INS.
pair5
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
DBL
hit
hit
hit
hit
INS.
pair4
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
hit
hit
hit
SUR.
INS.
pair3
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
hit
SUR.
INS.
pair2
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
hit
SUR.
INS.
pairA
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
SPLIT
hit
hit
hit
hit
INS.
ChumpChange
ChumpChange
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August 23rd, 2019 at 10:37:01 PM permalink
I keep losing when the count is positive. Maybe I haven't played enough shoes, maybe the computer program hates me.
OnceDear
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August 24th, 2019 at 12:55:36 AM permalink
Quote: ChumpChange

I keep losing when the count is positive. Maybe I haven't played enough shoes, maybe the computer program hates me.

You can indeed keep losing when the count is positive, The edge is tiny at best and if you are not modifying your play and betting patterns ( eg using insurance) it's quite insignificant.
Psalm 25:16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Proverbs 18:2 A fool finds no satisfaction in trying to understand, for he would rather express his own opinion.
AxelWolf
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August 24th, 2019 at 4:10:54 AM permalink
If somebody has absolutely no idea how to play Blackjack and they need a crash course and how to play for whatever reason. If they assume the dealer always has a ten underneath and the next card coming out is a 10, but you must stand on 17 or higher, using that theory will go a long way.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
billryan
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August 24th, 2019 at 7:38:36 AM permalink
Five of thirteen cards have a value of ten or eleven. If the dealer has sixteen or less, he must hit.
What are the chances that any three card hand will not contain a ten or an Ace?
Assuming a dealer has or will draw a ten is not a horrible plan for new players.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
charliepatrick
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August 25th, 2019 at 1:28:53 AM permalink
Quote: AxelWolf

If somebody has absolutely no idea how to play Blackjack and they need a crash course and how to play for whatever reason. If they assume the dealer always has a ten underneath and the next card coming out is a 10, but you must stand on 17 or higher, using that theory will go a long way.

I disagree : there are some simple strategies for people to try when starting out.

For instance it is important to keeping going until 17 against high cards and, by and large, stand on 12 or more against low cards.

A simple rule for doubling 9-11 is to do so with a point advantage.
Splitting pairs, always As and 8s and split A 2 3 6 7 8 9 against low cards.

This isn;t 100% correct but is a good place to start.
PinkJack
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October 7th, 2019 at 7:17:37 PM permalink
Or, you could just learn BS. It's not that hard dude.
Pawpaw
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March 14th, 2020 at 8:08:15 AM permalink
I would not otherwise comment, but I keep seeing this over and over on these threads. That would be a "hole" card, not a "whole" card. The two words are homonyms and using the wrong one would cause your English teacher to make red marks on your paper. Believe me I know; had freshman English three times.
charliepatrick
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March 14th, 2020 at 8:36:45 AM permalink
I can understand your reference to the OP's use of "whole" rather than "hole" for the term "hole card". It's possible English is not the OP's first language or it was just a typo. Personally I have not seen the mistake "over and over" again.


In case the OP's language isn't their first language:

Whole usually means entire, all of it, complete; for instance "the man ate the whole pizza".

Hole has various meanings but in Blackjack land the term "hole card" refers to the second card the dealer receives which usually remains face down until all the players have acted.
billryan
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March 14th, 2020 at 9:15:57 AM permalink
A much more common mistake is lose and loose. Especially among people who may not speak English as their first language.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
MagicKi
MagicKi
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April 22nd, 2020 at 5:30:02 PM permalink
Basic strategy of blackjack, i think, consists mainly in knowing when plant, ask for a card, split and move or double and most of all a lot of luck
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