Is it possible to count to get an edge in BJ switch?

Hello everyone!

My first post on here...thanks to Wizard of Odds for the forum and his site!

My question is pretty simple, is it possible to gain an advantage versus the house in BJ Switch by counting cards?
I have read up on the game in the wiz's site and also tried to do a search before posting and didn't see the subject before (if I missed it and it did come up i'd appreciate a link).

If it is possible any advice on how to use counting to gain an advantage?

Yes, it is, if you start out with low house edge rules.

For most part the same way as in regular blackjack. You'd have some different switches, but the main advantage of counting is betting, not play variations.

Thanks, which house edge rules do you need to make counting and getting an edge possible?
Any advice on reference material to making different switches based on count?

Appreciate your feedback as i'm new to this game.

Quote: avslyke

Thanks, which house edge rules do you need to make counting and getting an edge possible?
Any advice on reference material to making different switches based on count?
Appreciate your feedback as i'm new to this game.

Check here: https://wizardofodds.com/blackjackswitch
You want rules that are better than standard Vegas rules.

I haven't really seen any reference material. Not sure if there is any ready-made. But, you could use count-dependent EV tables out of any good book. Although, you'd probably not vary switching based on count. It's hard to learn proper switching as it is, even for one count. Unless it's the best game in the house by a good margin, forget it as an AP game. Way too difficult even as a base game.

On a slight tangent: I was playing Switch at a local Tribal casino and they had a side bet that was somewhat similar to Lucky Ladies. It appeared to me to be vunerable to counting. Basically the side bet paid anytime your initial 2 cards totaled 20 (side bet does not pay on a switched-into 20).

Quote: avslyke

My question is pretty simple, is it possible to gain an advantage versus the house in BJ Switch by counting cards?

I have seen this question asked on a number of different forums, but I don't see a satisfactory answer. But the primary purpose of counting cards in a regular game is to increase your bet because there is a strong likelihood of a blackjack. While the blackjack may go to the dealer as easily as yourself, the dealer is not paid a 50% bonus.

Since Switch has no bonus for a blackjack, I am not sure where the advantage would come in.

That's an off the cuff response, so someone might have a much better answer. I have never learned switch strategy.

Years ago I ran some common count systems through my 'Switch' simulator (which I haven't got anymore :-( ). I found that each true count index was worth around 0.6% (compared with 0.5% for regular Blackjack). However, as the count got to high +,ve counts, then each index started to reduce in player ev down to 0.3% for extreme high counts.

The only reason that I could come up with as to why this happens is that in very high counts there are a large proportion of 10's and this will reduce the % of switches i.e. you start with 10, 10 then you haven't got a 'switch' option - furthermore, if you are dealt 10, 10 on one hand then you will be unlikely to 'switch'.

Some close plays can be adjusted according to small changes to the count although I haven't got accurate indices. My guess is that 14 vs 2 will hit with -1 count and 11 vs 9 will double with +1 count. 9 vs 5 will double with +1 count and 12 vs 5 & 6 will hit with -1 (maybe -2) count.

Counting is nowhere as profitable as displayed in the movies. Nor does have a positive count allow you to
win bet after bet. Let us say the count is plus 4 and you have a 2% edge. The best way to explain that is with
an analogy. Especially as i do not have the mathematical skills of other posters on this forum.
If you have a jar with 51 black balls and 49 white balls. An over simplified 2% edge. When you reach in that
jar how much of your bankroll will you risk on black ? Gee, I should not have asked that. Now somebody is gonna
quote the Kelly criterion.
Lawrence Revere stated that with a spread of 8 to 1 against 6 deck AC game with HE of 00.43%, he would
have an advantage of 1.5 %. You sometimes see 2% quoted but if you query that person he will quote the most
liberal rules, SD dealer to last card which allows end play, add some mumbo jumbo about shuffle tracking, etc.
You can find that game most anywhere Right ? LOL
Not offering insurance will cut 30% off of that 1.5%, so says Stanford Wong. Ken Uston lost $230,000 in one week
at AC . This while only playing shoes with a high count as part of team play. Almost all of the bets were in the
$1k-$2k range. He also stated losses would have be 35% higher had not surrender been available. Not sure
if early surrender was available to him at that time.

So you definetly need deep pockets as well a team or back counting before sitting down to play. Edward
Thorpe mentioned this in his book, but it now is often called Wonging in. The 3 to 2 payoff on BJ is
a great part of a counter's return. When this disappears and is coupled with a higher HE the counter is
practically destroyed.
Probably more than anybody need to know but any new or enhanced BJ must be protected from counters.
OOOPS Not being politically correct, Advantage Players LOL