Question for the Wizard: Effect of never hitting 16

I went through all of the threads and was surprised that this question hasn't came up yet, since it is one of the most common deviations from basic strategy. Mathematically, what is the effect on the house advantage of a player that never hits on 16 no matter what? We'll say that he plays optimal strategy in every case except with a hard 16 that isn't 8,8. And, if it's needed for calculations, we'll assume a table that hits s17, allows double down on any 2 cards, double after split, no surrender, and normal BJ payout.

I know this won't settle the debate once and for all, but it's good to know.

2D, S17, DOA, DAS, NRSA, NLSR = -0.19251
2D, S17, DOA, DAS, NRSA, NLSR, Stand on all 16s = -0.27821

==

6D, S17, DOA, DAS, NRSA, NLSR = -0.40592
6D, S17, DOA, DAS, NRSA, NLSR, Stand on all 16s = -0.51416

If you do not wanna hit 16, don't do it. Better the master of your own life !

Quote: EricvonEric

I went through all of the threads and was surprised that this question hasn't came up yet, since it is one of the most common deviations from basic strategy. Mathematically, what is the effect on the house advantage of a player that never hits on 16 no matter what? We'll say that he plays optimal strategy in every case except with a hard 16 that isn't 8,8. And, if it's needed for calculations, we'll assume a table that hits s17, allows double down on any 2 cards, double after split, no surrender, and normal BJ payout.

I know this won't settle the debate once and for all, but it's good to know.

I find that the house edge would be higher by about 0.0017. So, if the house edge playing basic strategy was 0.66%, then the player always stands on 16 game would have a house edge of about 0.83%.

I was under the impression that the difference was even lower than that.

Or, maybe I was thinking about my own style which is to never hit on 16 unless the dealer is showing an ace.