This is a re-post from Green Chip.
It has sparked an interesting thread, replete with flaming insults.
Very few players are 100% correct on basic strategy. To be less than 100% correct is inexcusable folly.
Incorrect basic strategy plays carry penalties.
The cost to you, the player, ranges from nil to severe.
If you do not know EVERY basic strategy play - that is severely egregious.
You need to learn them or stop imagining that you are a serious advantage player.
There are two (2) definitively correct comprehensive Basic Strategy Charts that you need to know exist.
The first is found in Peter Griffen's "The Theory of Blackjack".
The second is found in Don Shlesinger's "Blackjack Attack", 3rd edition.
A serious player MUST have these seminal works close at hand and re-read them yearly at minimum.
Here are some pithy examples to demonstrate what I am referring to:
You are playing a H17 game (any number of decks) and you have a soft 19 against a dealer's 6. Your play is to Double Down. If the game is S17 what do you think your play is at double deck? How about at 6 decks?
Do you know that playing a 12 (composed of a face and a deuce) demands a different strategy in 6 deck compared to 8 deck play.
Basic strategy for a "3 card 16" is to NOT hit against a dealer face.
Do you ALWAYS split deuces against a dealer's deuce? Hmm.
Ever split 7's against a dealer 8? When is that correct? Single deck?
We all like to double down on our 11's against a dealer's Ace.
It is very incorrect in a S17 shoe game, BUT it is very correct in a H17 shoe game.
What is the closest of all Basic Strategy plays ?
Whether to hit or double down with a holding of Ace-Deuce against a Dealer's Five !
At a true count of exactly ZERO one may be better off violating B.S. as a risk-reduction measure if bankroll size and Risk of Ruin are personal considerations. Also, "misplaying" adds a modicum of cover value to your play.
If these surprised you -- start studying -- and do not stop any time soon.