Different basic strategy for different tables?

K

Ken Rogers

Member
I am new to Blackjack. I have memorized a generic BS table that I found online, but I understand there are minor variations, depending on the rules of a particular blackjack table.

I am not sure what BS to use for the casino in my town. The tables declare "Dealer hits soft 17", and the shoe is one of those auto-shuffle things, so there is no discard tray, and the card shuffle appears to be hidden from the players. The dealer does not deal their second card until all players are done. I am not sure how many decks there are, or whether surrender is an option.

What BS should I be using here? My goal is to play blackjack once a week, and not lose money over the long run.

The casino is the Cascades Casino in Langley BC Canada.

Ken
 
K

Ken Rogers

Member
That's great info! I'm not sure whether it was no-peek or not because I have limited casino experience. All I know is that the dealer would not deal themselves a second card until everyone had finished playing.

Is there any point in counting when you can't monitor a discard tray, nor witness the shuffle? Any tricks I could be using to reduce the house's edge?
 
Harman

Harman

Well-Known Member
No it actually sounds unbeatable. I'm presuming it's a CSM? Sorry my friend, you may have to find a new casino :(
 
EasyRhino

EasyRhino

Well-Known Member
To answer the basic strategy question, you can go to the strategy engine on this site, and generate a H17 strategy for 5 or 6 decks (it will be the same). You'll want to figure out what happens if the dealer has a blackjack without peeking (do you lose splits/doubled?), and if any form of surrender is offered (probably not, you never know), and if you can double after split.

I recommend trying to learn a BS for the "target" casino. Then, after it's automatic, you can learn the "tweaks" on rules you may encounter elsewhere, like H17, or surrender, or fewer decks.

Incidentally, my few-month old CBJN indicates they Hit soft 17, allow DAS, and late surrender. No mention of no-peek.

And as already mentioned, the game is uncountable and unbeatable.
 
K

Ken Rogers

Member
Many thanks for the help. I've engrained a generic BS into my skull, and I am now tweaking my strategy for the local casino (Wow, you really double on an A8 vs 6 ????) I have answers to most of the questions you raised, and I will get clear on surrenders before I go any further.

Ken
 
J

jay28

Well-Known Member
Ken Rogers said:
Many thanks for the help. I've engrained a generic BS into my skull, and I am now tweaking my strategy for the local casino (Wow, you really double on an A8 vs 6 ????) I have answers to most of the questions you raised, and I will get clear on surrenders before I go any further.

Ken
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I don't think there is any game/situation where BS would tell you to double A8. Although you might want to if you're in a positive count.

If you mean soft 18 (A7) v 6 then the answer is yes.
 
K

Ken Rogers

Member
cardcounter0 said:
basic strategy is doubledown on A,8 vs 6 when it is dealer hit soft 17 multiple decks, yes.
Click to expand...
Thanks for confirming that, cardcounter0. I have been researching this topic all over the internet, and there is a great deal of debate and confusion on this particular play. The BS engine on this site says double A8 vs 6 when it is dealer hits soft 17, 5 deck.

Another quick BS question:

The other day I split my 8's, then doubled one hand since I had 11. The dealer then drew his hole card and got blackjack. I only lost my original wager, not my split or double. Do I need to alter my BS for this rule? Should I play "Peek" BS or "No Peek" BS?

Ken
 
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C

cardcounter0

Well-Known Member
The BS engine on this site says double A8 vs 6 when it is dealer hits soft 17, 5 deck.

Then you can rest assured that it is correct. This is THE site for basic strategy.

If you only lose your original wager (and do not lose doubles and splits), then it does not matter when the dealer takes his hole card -- Use the "normal" basic strategy.

European "no hole card" strategy is for when you would lose all your bets when the dealer shows and Ace or Ten and draws a blackjack.
 
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