Blackjack Analyzer posted

Years ago I created a Java applet that allowed for real-time simulation of blackjack and some card counting systems. This program works pretty well, but uses a standard basic strategy that is not modified based on the count or the specific simulation rules. After a colleague contacted me and asked me to post the applet again, I thought readers here may enjoy trying it out.

Blackjack Analyzer

This is a great one, interesting to see simulation with arbitrary count processing.

A few questions (if you intend to advance it):
* Does the "counting system" box change anything itself, or is it only there to select presets?
* Are all values that are in dropboxes, rather than type-in fields, entered that way by necessity?
I see why spread might have to be granular (if presets are used), but it seems like penetration could be handled without granularity. Unusual values are occasionally needed here and there, so I personally believe that all fields where any arbitrary value can be processed should allow for arbitrary input.
* While anything less than 3:2 is hardly blackjack, considering how wide the range of variations accepted is, a type-in box for "blackjack pays" could add a bit of flexibility. On rare occasions variations can be offered in reasonable variants.
* A number of other rule variations also seems to be missing (a calculator with some of them can be seen here: http://www.beatingbonuses.com/houseedge.htm)

Quote: P90

* Does the "counting system" box change anything itself, or is it only there to select presets?

Just as a convenience for pre-sets.

Quote:

Are all values that are in drop boxes, rather than type-in fields, entered that way by necessity?

I just made drop boxes because I wanted to learn how at the time I wrote the program. Clearly some of the drop box fields are better suited to text boxes.

This simulator makes no pretense of being an exact or exhaustive tool. Looking back, I can easily see a dozen improvements. Because it doesn't change basic strategy for rule variations, nor use indices for count systems, nor Kelly betting, the results are at best a weak approximation. I will not be modifying the program from its current state (unless I get incredibly bored).

I wrote this program in 1999, while staying with family on a vacation in New Jersey. I was scheduled to teach a course in Java at UCSB the following quarter, and I needed to quickly learn the language. I gave myself a project to help solidify the principles of Java programming. The result was this applet.

Looks cool.

Is it safe to assume that if the payouts for some of those specific hands is left blank, that the standard payout is assumed?

Maybe those fields should be pre-loaded with the default payout.