playing perfect BS in negative counts

[BenFranklin]

From what I have learned so far it seems that you should always play perfect BS unless the count signifies a departure...so does this mean you should always double 9's,10's and 11's when you are suposed to even when the count is negative? This makes no sense to me. Whenever I am in a negative count I occasinonally double down ...sometimes I win and sometimes I lose but it seems to me that I would lose alot more if I followed perfect BS during negative counts.

 

[Anthony]

I feel the same way....

In response to the aboves message. I don't see how it's bennifical to double down when the count is negative. For example it's single deck and the counts minus -7. Your looking into a 4 and holding a 7-4. Now the counts -5. Chances are that your going to get a low card and not make a standing hand. Plus, when the dealer flips his hole card, and let's assum it's a ten, now it's back to a -6. Here comes that 4,5,6,7 that makes it's a 18 19 20 or 21. Or combination of 2 plus a 3-6. All plus count cards. Not to mention that if you hit your hand get a low card without making a standing hand, hit again, a better chance of making a standing hand. I'm no expert and really love learning this game and making money (in the long run). What's the right answer?

Anthony

 

[Automatic Monkey]

There are negative indices that will solve the problem for you

Depends on how negative the count, and what the situation is.

If you want, you can learn all of the negative count indices for split and double down. They won't increase your win rate or advantage very much, but they will help reduce swings slightly and add some variation to your play that might make you look like a sub- Basic Strategy player. For plays like DD 11 vs. 6, the count has to be very, very, very low to make it not profitable to double because the odds are so heavily in your favor. But BS plays like DD 9 vs. 3 and DD 10 vs. 9, and a few of the split plays have negative indices rather close to zero so they might be worth learning if you are fine tuning your game (i.e., after you have mastered the more important parts of your game) Learning all of the surrender indices also have the effect of lessening your swings slightly.

If your spread is big enough, it won't bother you so much to put out an extra unit on a low count when BS calls for it. Save your fear and loathing for splitting and doubling your big bets! (But you still have to do it!)

 

[BenFranklin]

thanks monkey...

could you reccomend a book or site where I could learn these negative indicies?

 

[Automatic Monkey]

The best way...

... is to get the software (QFIT is very popular) and generate them for yourself. Some books have errors. The software is an excellent investment, it allows you to tune the game for your exact conditions of play and see what effect any kind of change has on your advantage.

 

[ShoelessMoe]

Waaaah!!!!

I'm new to the board. I expected a little bit higher level of discourse. Maybe posts like this should go on a "beginner's board".

Of course there are negative index numbers. Most shoe players just wong out of extreme negative counts. Unless you are an idiot savant or just a natural mathemetician or memorization expert, you don't need the negative indexes unless you're playing <u>single deck</u>. Why play a negative shoe????

If you don't want to learn negative index numbers, consider this: In your example you have a 7-4 in a neg 7 TC and you are afraid to double because you assume the dealer has a ten????? Stick to the science or go back to voodoo. Isn't the dealer just as likely to have a stiff under as you are to draw one?

It's all about the math . Put your energy into learning your count and forget all this other speculation. Unless, you're at the table. Then talk about it loudly!