8,8 vs dealers Ace or 10 upcards

[prankster]

In the movie "21" there is an interesting scene wherein they argue about whether or not to split 8's vs the dealers' Ace or 10 upcards.
What do you all think?

 

[shadroch]

I think you should find BS for the exact game you are playing,and follow it.

 

[callipygian]

I think Shadroch is right.

 

[Mimosine]

In the movie "21" there is an interesting scene wherein they argue about whether or not to split 8's vs the dealers' Ace or 10 upcards.
What do you all think?

must have slept through that part.
the movie wasn't even close to the book
and who knows if the book is even close to the truth....

others have given the correct answer to this problem..

 

[GeorgeD]

IIRC The scene was in the hotel suite when they first got to Vegas after Ben joins them. There was a discussion that went something like: "You always split 8's Against a 5 or 6, but against a 10 or A it's a sucker bet"

I suppose they could have meant "No peek" strategy, but in Vegas? Seems a bit odd they were even even discussing BS at that point in their careers.

must have slept through that part.
the movie wasn't even close to the book
and who knows if the book is even close to the truth....

others have given the correct answer to this problem..

 

[jack.jackson]

Level 2 indices

A pair of 88vsX is easy enough since its NOT contingent of S17.

Sr.+3
NDAS+8
DAS+12
Lose Additional Wager>Never Split.(Sr if offered)

For a pair 88 vs A, if Sr is NOT offered.All decks.

S17

DAS>Always Split
NDAS>Hit@-8
Lose Additional Wager>Never Split(Sr if offered)

H17

DAS>Hit@-8
NDAS>Hit@-2
Lose Additional Wager>Never Split(Sr if offered)

Sr allowed(Never split if additioanal wager is lost)

S17,DAS>Always Split
S17,NDAS>n/a

H17,DAS>n/a
H17,NDAS>Always Sr.

Im sorry I will have to run some sims or check some programs to verify some of these plays, that are contingent of the rules. I was more or less trying to show all the possibilites that come with a pair of 88s.

But really, I wish somebody once and for all could clear these plays up. Any takers?

 

[prankster]

The scene was when they were in the eatery/bar and they used the salt & pepper shakers to explain spotters/big player to Ben.

 

[ihate17]

In the real world this does not happen

You have got the infamous MIT blackjack team, tuaght by a so called expert and practiced at local casinos. Suddenly upon arrival in Las Vegas you have a group of ploppies discussing if basic strategy is a sucker's bet. I know Nevada wants you to leave your brain in the plane but this is just asking too much for me.

 

[EasyRhino]

I just hoped secretly that they were saying the superior move was to surrender in a high count.

 

[jack.jackson]

88 vs A

Hi-lo/TC indices

2D/S17,DAS,Sr.

Always split -7> and higher.
Hit@-8< and lower
Never Sr.

S17,NDAS,Sr

Always split -11> and higher
Hit@-12< and lower
Never Sr.

2D/H17,DAS,Sr.

Split0>and higher.
Sr. -1 to -6
Hit@-7< and lower.

/H17,NDAS,Sr.

Split>+1 and higher.
Sr.0 to -6
Hit@-7< and lower.

Lose Additional Wagers2D,S17,Sr

Never split.

Sr. -2>and higher
Hit -3<and lower
Stand@+8(Sr, not offered)

H17,Sr

Sr. -9> and higher
Hit -10< and lower
Stand@+3(If Sr, is not offered)

 

[ccl]

i had this come up once last night, playing two hands get dealt in single deck all 4 8's against a face card, the count was slightly negative (like -1 or -2) lucky hits to get the 4 on one and a 5 on the other to push and win one each)

chris

 

[Doofus]

Hi-lo/TC indices

2D/S17,DAS,Sr.

Always split -7> and higher.
Hit@-8< and lower
Never Sr.

S17,NDAS,Sr

Always split -11> and higher
Hit@-12< and lower
Never Sr.

2D/H17,DAS,Sr.

Split0>and higher.
Sr. -1 to -6
Hit@-7< and lower.

/H17,NDAS,Sr.

Split>+1 and higher.
Sr.0 to -6
Hit@-7< and lower.

Lose Additional Wagers2D,S17,Sr

Never split.

Sr. -2>and higher
Hit -3<and lower
Stand@+8(Sr, not offered)

H17,Sr

Sr. -9> and higher
Hit -10< and lower
Stand@+3(If Sr, is not offered)

Why be so complicated? Surrender it if you can, split it if you can't. Memorizing all those contingent possibilities that happen once in 10000 hands isn't worth burning up all those synapses!

 

[zengrifter]

Hi-lo/TC indices

2D/S17,DAS,Sr.

Always split -7> and higher.
Hit@-8< and lower
Never Sr.

What? We need the fact checker here! zg

 

[shadroch]

What? We need the fact checker here! zg

He must have confused this for the Zen zone.

 

[jack.jackson]

Rule are on the left.

2deck,S17,DAS,LSr. At no point, does Sr, become the better option. The fact, the dealer stays on S17 makes a pair of 88s to valuable to Surr.

Chart1/neutral
Split-36.76

Chart2/high count
Split-33.27

Chart3/low count
Hit-44.28
Split-44.57