Blackack—Standing Versus Hitting a Hard 16 Against A Dealer's 10

Consider the following online blackjack rules:

• Eight decks
• Dealer Stands on Soft 17
• Double on Any two cards
• Double allowed on a Split
• Dealer Peeks for Blackjack
• Later Surrender Allowed
• One split allowed (to total of two hands)
• Aces split only once
• Split Aces allowed only one card
• Blackjack Pays 3:2

For these rules, your (that is, the Wizard of Odds') blackjack strategy calculator states to surrender if possible a hard 16 against a dealer's 10; otherwise to HIT. Another online calculator at a site called Beating Bonuses (Beating Bonuses), which usually gives results identical to your blackjack calculator, in this case (and using their "advanced" calculator mode in contrast to their "basic" mode) says to surrender the hand if possible; otherwise to STAND.

Which should I do? Are the probabilities between taking either approach negligible in this case, thus the discrepancy?

Thank you.

Well, since LS is allowed, the "otherwise hit/stand" should be a moot point.

My guess why the "advanced" version says to stand is because if you haven't surrendered, you must've hit up to 16 and is multi-card. Therefore you stand on 16 vs 10.

Quote: robert9811

...approach negligible in this case, thus the discrepancy?...

Here's a standing/hitting-16-vs-10 thread. "Search" (click on "search" at the top of this page) will find other threads on this topic.

Thanks for your reply, Ibeatyouraces. But both calculators are referring to multiple cards (that is, what to do when you cannot surrender the hand, which implies that the player has three or more cards when surrendering is an option, as in this case). The Wizard's calculator states to HIT; the other calculator states to STAND. I'm trying to determine which to follow.

https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/appendix/18/


"2 to 8 Decks
There are only a few exceptions for 2 to 8 decks, as follows.

Always: Stand on 16 vs 10 with 3 or more cards.
Two decks, dealer stands on soft 17: Stand soft 18 vs A with 3 or more cards.
Four or six decks, dealer stands on soft 17: Stand soft 18 vs A with 4 or more cards."


I think the Wizards BS calculator is based on only the first two cards. Not 3 or more.

Thanks, Ibeatyouraces. I'll check out that link.

Here's a related question: When playing multiple hands at an online casino that allows them, does this automatically mean that you use the multiple cards rules even if the current hand under consideration has only two cards at that moment? In other words, since other hands are also active at the table, doesn't this mean that one should use the multi-card rules for your current hand at all times? Why should it matter whether the "other" cards are in your current hand or some other hand?

1) Surrender
2) Stand any 3 card (or more) 16
3) The difference between hitting and standing to a basic strategy player (or even newbie) is exceedingly minute and you could really do whichever your heart desired if you're not a counter.

4) If you are a counter, then you need to do your homework. Any negative count = hit, and positive count = stand... after the options above. Also, many counters just always stand 16 or always hit it as they don't want to switch their play up because it's such a minuscule difference in EV in the play.

Quote: robert9811

Thanks, Ibeatyouraces. I'll check out that link.

Here's a related question: When playing multiple hands at an online casino that allows them, does this automatically mean that you use the multiple cards rules even if the current hand under consideration has only two cards at that moment? In other words, since other hands are also active at the table, doesn't this mean that one should use the multi-card rules for your current hand at all times? Why should it matter whether the "other" cards are in your current hand or some other hand?

Yes, other cards on the table can have an impact. This would be a crude form of card counting.