Single deck BJ and seat position

In a game of single deck blackjack, is there an advantage or disadvantage to going early or going late? I figure if you're going late with a 14-16 and you see a bunch of low cards go out, that could influence your decision. Alternatively, if you're going early, more of the cards are there, including whatever ones you may need.

Follow-up question: if there is an advantage or disadvantage, is there a way to mitigate it? It would suck to be sitting third base and keep getting hosed with a 16 and watching everyone else hit with no 10s in sight by the time it gets to you. (Of course the correct answer there is to go to another table.)

For the record, I actually haven't played single deck so I don't know if it differs from a shoe game. I'm assuming the deck is shuffled before every hand; correct me if I'm wrong. It was a matter of curiosity that came up during my unfortunate commute.

Welcome to the forum.

All the times I have played single deck, more than one round was dealt before shuffling.

A decent SD game is not shuffled after every round. I think the player going last may gain a small advantage over the player going first, but other players scrutinize the last player more as they feel he is most responsible for the dealer's draw cards.

This part has been discussed here. If all of the play cards are exposed, the third base may gain an edge to become rich. However, I haven’t seen a single deck game for several years and the ones I saw all did not expose cards.

Quote: aceside

This part has been discussed here. If all of the play cards are exposed, the third base may gain an edge to become rich. However, I haven’t seen a single deck game for several years and the ones I saw all did not expose cards.
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aceside,

So if a player requests a hit, the dealer delivers the card face down?

Dog Hand

All of the hit cards were dealt face up, but each player had only about 0.7 hit card to use on average. That part of information is too little to give any meaningful edge.

Quote: aceside

All of the hit cards were dealt face up, but each player had only about 0.7 hit card to use on average. That part of information is too little to give any meaningful edge.
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If one player to your right draws a bunch of low cards (plus you may infer he has hit a facedown hand of two low cards) then it might effect your 16v10.

Seeing a couple of 9s on the table might effect your 12v4 decision, as might seeing a couple of tens.

Etc.

There is more info when sitting at third base which provides a small increment of advantage, there is no advantage at all when sitting at first base (unless you are trying to see the dealer's hole card as it is dealt.)

I rarely played SD, but I recall that if you saw a 4 or a 5 on the table, you stood on 16 vs 10

Quote: gordonm888

Quote: aceside

All of the hit cards were dealt face up, but each player had only about 0.7 hit card to use on average. That part of information is too little to give any meaningful edge.
link to original post

If one player to your right draws a bunch of low cards (plus you may infer he has hit a facedown hand of two low cards) then it might effect your 16v10.

Seeing a couple of 9s on the table might effect your 12v4 decision, as might seeing a couple of tens.

Etc.

There is more info when sitting at third base which provides a small increment of advantage, there is no advantage at all when sitting at first base (unless you are trying to see the dealer's hole card as it is dealt.)
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I find two advantages to first base. You get to spread out a bit more. For big people, that is important. Being squeezed in the middle sux. The other is pit people tend to scrutinize third base while ignoring 1st because card counters don't sit there.

In a single deck shuffle every hand game, the person at the end will have "an advantage" due to having more information for their decision than the other players... re: all the cards out on the table. That being said the advantage they get is fairly tiny.

Also, if all other cards being neutral, and you see even one card 2-7 extra, you should stand 16v10 =).... 16 stands in ANY positive count. There are many other examples of seeing specific cards and adjusting strategy. Too many to mention, but basically just learn the index plays around -3 to +3 and that should cover a good amount of them.

If you like this idea I would encourage you to read about Depth Charging wherever you can, but especially in Wong's Professional Blackjack.

In single-deck blackjack, going early or late doesn't really change your odds much, but going late (third base) gives you a better idea of what’s been played, so you can make a more informed decision. Going early means more cards are in play, but you’re kinda “blind” to what’s been dealt.

If you're stuck with a 16 late in the deck, it sucks, but it’s just bad luck. The best way to handle it is stick to basic strategy, and if you're really feeling unlucky, maybe just switch tables.