6/8 deck vs. 2 deck Blackjack

Unexplainably, I seem to have more success at 6 and 8 deck Blackjack than I do at the doubledeck game. I am not sure why this is the case. Perhaps the reason for this is that with 6/8 deck, you can see all the cards having been dealt and then make a more exact analysis and decision on what actions to take. Whereas with the 2 deck game the cards are turned down forcing you to make decisions without considering these cards. I am just not sure what the reason(s) are. Any input would be helpful.

I believe u play outside of Vegas, right? If so, cheating may be a problem at the 2D game, while it is quite rare at the 6 & 8 deck games. That's why you'll win more often at the shoe games...

most seriously skilled players play 1 and 6 deck and do not play much 2 deck.

Not seeing the down cards of other players marginally effects your playing accuracy, but not your betting accuracy, so I don't think that is a sufficient reason for your lack of success. What kind of pen, rules do you have at your DD game? A DD game with 75% pen I would choose anyday over a 6D game with 80% pen. Penetration and betting spread are much more important than small rule variations (such as rsa,ls). But most DD games in LV anyways give a pitiful 50% pen, this game is unplayable.

Bigplayer,

Can you explain why?

Wantabe

Check your betting strategy in the two deck game.

The six deck has the true count change gradually, while the two deck changes quickly.
As the count changes slowly in six deck, if you lose a bigger bet on a six deck game, the count often stays high enough to justify another bet of the same amount, and there is a chance to even up right away. In double deck, often there is no chanced to even up on the next hand after losing a big bet hand. This is tough on the nerves and a test of your confidence.

For me, I cope by using a more conservative betting strategy in 2 deck than most others might recommend. I increase my bets at one true count higher than what I see in print. For example, Schlessingers book often says to use a bet ramp of <2:1 unit; 2-3: 2 units; 3-4: 4 units: 4-5: 6 units; >5: 2 hands @ 6 units. I bet 2 units at 3-4; 4 units at 4-5; etc. It may not be optimal, but it slows down the rate of loss and is easier for me play on.

at the two games has been this way for you. Seeing the cards is not the factor, I can assure you of that. If play decisions based on seeing the other players cards is any degree of help to you at shoe games then your spread is much too small.

If you do better at shoe games than 2D over the long term it is probably because you play a stronger game at shoes... less cover, bigger spread, getting out of more negative decks. In a lab enviornment you will do much better at double deck than six or eight. This may not be the case in a live casino.

most 2D games today are terrible. H17 DAS with 60% pen is a bad game and requires a pretty blatant spread. Couple this with the fact that it's harder than ever to get heads up play on 2D games means that blatant jumping of bets is required. Pretty hard to hide that.

Most serious players do not play much double deck...they play six deck where they can sit out negative counts, get better rules, and many more rounds per hour. They will also play single deck where a good game does not require a big spread (a great single deck game can be beaten with flat bets). I will only consider playing a 2D game if the penetration if fantastic or the casino allows blatant spreads...that rules out 90% of the double deck games out there.

Bigplayer gives out excellent advice regarding number of decks.

He has been saying this about DD for some time. When I first saw him post this, I thought there was something to what he saying. But the more I reflect on it, the more I think he has hit the nail right on the head.

Just one other point to add: If you get booted from a DD game, you will also lose the shoe game (or SD game) at that casino. I would not play DD at a store that had other reasonable games.

You may call it the thinking mans game. Nothing against 6d, it is nice to see all the cards laid out face up, but after a few years of steady play, you can just about go on automatic. That is never the case with 2D.

It is also very possible to wong in and out of many 2D games.

Iggy.

Seeing more cards is effectively giving you a little more pen just prior to having to make play decisions.

If you always sit in the seat just upstream from 3rd base, you will have an opportunity to see more cards there than from anywhere else on the table. This seat often gives effectively the deepest pen prior to having to make your play decisions. I believe it is the most advantageous seat at the table for that reason. Also, you often have an open spot to either the left or the right for spreading to 2 hands. Whereas, 3rd or 1st B only alow for a 2 hand spread to only one side.

Thanks for you very useful information. What do you think of the one deck H17 games as being offered in places like Tunica?