What do you think about these rules?

[Amigo Invisible]

I have recently began the practice of counting cards. I find that a few more weeks of practice and I will be ready for the casinos.

However, there is one problem. The nearest casino has some pretty weird rules. From my reading, I gather that these rules are not good for the player and should be avoided.

Here are those rules:

1 and 2 deck tables: Blackjack pays 6:5; may only double-down on 9, 10, or 11. May not double down after a split. These rules seem to be the casino seeking to compensate for the advantage the player may be getting my counting with the low number of decks.

6 deck tables: Typical Las Vegas rules. Blackjack plays 3:2, may double down on any cards, may double after splits.

My question at this point is what game should I play?

I believe that even thought it would be more difficult, the rules in the 6 deck tables make them a better choice than the 1 or 2 tables. I believe that the advantage I may get at a 6 deck table will often be greater than at a 1 or 2 deck table. That is, even though I may reach a +10 count in a 1 or 2 deck table, I will not be able to take full advantage of the high count, because of the many restrictions. Also, many people overlook this, but when Blackjack pays only 6:5, the player is really taking a bad hit when it comes to calculating his advantage.

So what do you guys think? Stick to the 6 deck shoe, even though it is 6 decks I'll be dealing with, but with good rules?

Or, also visit the 1 and 2 deck tables, with bad rules? Or, should I stay away from those 1 and 2 deck tables all together?

Paranthetically speaking, I read a book on blackjack (although the title/author escape me right now) that seemed to really abhor the 6:5 payout. The author strongly suggested to boycot these tables, going so far as to tell friends and family NOT to play at any table paying at 6:5.

Was he exaggerating or have you guys run into similar advice?

 

[rrwoods]

Don't play 6:5.

As far as 6 decker, it could be really good or really bad depending on a lot of stuff you haven't told us yet. Dealer 17s? Surrender? Resplit aces? Most importantly: Shuffle point? All the rules you've said (3:2, DA2-DAS) are good, but these other things are critical as well.

 

[johndoe]

6:5 reduces the player's edge substantially, so it's horrible for everyone, not just card counters.

So between 6:5 and "anything else", choose the "anything else", for sure. But like rrwoods said, it's hard to know if the 6D is a decent game from the info you provided.

 

[StandardDeviant]

6:5 is not worth playing, and single deck in general is very tricky for counters because of its volatility. One can't spread significantly without sending out obvious signals that she is counting.

As others are pointing out, 6D and 8D can be quite playable, depending on how the rules are set.

My suggestion, start with 6D or 8D. Try 1D later after you have mastered all the skills necessary to be successful as a counter.

 

[Amigo Invisible]

Thanks for reminding me to include this critical information.

To make matters worse, on a 1 and 2 deck table, dealer must hit on soft 17s. No surrendor. No resplitting As.

On a 6 deck table, dealer stands on ALL 17s. No surrendor. MAY resplit As.

The rules at the 6 deck table are obviously much more favorable to the player who can actually keep an accurate running/true count.

I think I'm going to beging practicing counting with 6 decks. I've only been practicing with 2.

 

[johndoe]

The 6D S17 rule is encouraging, that does help.

The H17 is of minor consequence on 6:5, it's already really bad, just makes it a tiny bit worse.

 

[StandardDeviant]

On a 6 deck table, dealer stands on ALL 17s. No surrendor. MAY resplit As.

The rules at the 6 deck table are obviously much more favorable to the player who can actually keep an accurate running/true count.

Can you tell us the penetration? That is, how many decks are cut off the back of the shoe? For 6D, it's usually somewhere between 1 and 2 decks. The closer to 1, the better.

 

[Cardcounter]

That is no contest the best rules is by far the six deck shoe. Anytime you have a choice between a 6:5 blackjack and 3:2 blackjack 3:2 always wins! No matter what! Not to mention that you can double on any two cards in 6 deck and are restricted to 9-11 in one deck. Even if the 6:5 table gave you the option to double down any two and double after a split the 3:2 table would still be better at least mathimatically!

 

[somtum]

If the penetration is at least 70% for the 6D game then it's a decent game to play.