Because of the frequency of 16 vs. Ten

The strategy for this play is one of most intimate play in this game.

First round after the shuffle:
If you play a Single Deck game regardless of the rules and right of the top after the shuffle you will play this hand always like I�m telling you to:
Always HIT if you have two cards totaling 16 (i.e. 10,6 and 9,7) if 8,8 you�ve got to Surrender or Split.
If your first two cards is less then 16, you�ve got to take a HIT and if the hit card give you a total of 16 (made from 3 cards this time) you always got to STAND. Any three card totaling 16 combined with the dealer�s Ten up card will raise the count above zero most of the time.

After the first round the TC takes control of your play regardless of the composition of your hand. Unless your 16 has 5 or more cards and the count is still not zero after you extract 3 cards then you probably have an error in your count most of the time. But still don�t worry to much because you most likely have entered that hand in negative count and should have bet minimum.

Last hand before the shuffle:
If you have entered the last hand in a very positive deck, have the big bet out, get a 16 and even if the count is still above zero you will HIT that 16. Why? Because if the count was positive and the dealer�s T with your 16 (2 cards) didn�t drop the count under zero, this tells you that the dealer has pulled his hole card from a positive subset and more then 50% he�s got a big card under his Ten. So, you will have to HIT your hand regardless of the count at this point else you will lose most of the time on his pat hand. You�ve got noting to lose by taking a hit card. You�ve got a extremely slime chances of improving your hand but still better then standing against his probable big hole card under his Ten.

Puiu
PS: And don�t forget:
"When preparation and knowledge meets opportunity in a combination of events and circumstances, then sometimes the obvious can be a little hard to see. It's like rock climbing You drive a steel peg into the rock and move up a notch. You may go for a long while before you fall, but when you do, you only drop one notch. In the long run, you make it to the top. It may take you less time than others, or more time than others, but you do make it. ----- Puiu 7/19/02"

Until you got to the last hand before the shuffle.

"Because if the count was positive and the dealer�s T with your 16 (2 cards) didn�t drop the count under zero, this tells you that the dealer has pulled his hole card from a positive subset and more then 50% he�s got a big card under his Ten. "

So why doesn't this logic apply halfway thru the deck where you should stand on 16 vs 10 on a positive count? Why does this logic only apply to the last hand?

Get a life.

>and if the hit card give you a total of 16 (made from 3 cards this time) you always got to STAND.<

Here are the two "fine points of Basic Strategy" rules regarding 3+ card 16s vs Ten:

Stand UNLESS:

Rule #1: Your hand contains a Six and at least one other card greater than a Five. Examples: 673 and 664 hit; 655 stands. (There is one exception to this rule, but it's not worth remembering.)

Rule #2: Your hand contains a Ten and no other card greater than a Three. Examples: T42 stands; T33 hits.

Part of this is due to the fact that the removal of a Six reduces the chances of the dealer having a Six under his Ten. Another part of it is that these rules reduce the number of Fours and Fives available to the dealer to turn stiffs into hands.

These rules are valid for any number of decks up to 8 (and perhaps more -- I have only tested them for 1, 2, 4, 6 & 8 decks).

You may also wish to read the section on "Fine Points of Basic Strategy" in "Lawrence Revere's" _Playing_Blackjack_as_a_Business.

>...if the hit card give you a total of 16 (made from 3 cards this time) you always got to STAND.<

Here are the two "fine points of Basic Strategy" rules regarding 3+ card 16s vs Ten:

Stand UNLESS:

Rule #1: Your hand contains a Six at at least one other card greater than a Five. Examples: 664 hits; 655 stands. (There is one exception to this rule, but it is not worth memorizing.)

Rule #2: Your hand contains a Ten and no other card greater than a Three. Examples: T33 hits, T42 stands.

Part of this is due to the fact that the removal of a Six reduces the chances of the dealer having a Six under his Ten; and part of it is due to the fact that these rules make fewer Fours and Fives available to the dealer to convert stiffs into hands.

I have tested these on 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 decks, but they may also be valid for more than 8 decks.

For reference, I suggest you read the "Fine Points of Basic Strategy" section in Lawrence Revere's "Playing Blackjack as a Business."

Here are two "Fine Points of Basic Strategy" rules regarding 3+ card 16s vs. 10:

Stand UNLESS:

Your hand contains a Six and at least one other card greater than a Five. Examples: 664 hits; 655 stands.

Your hand contains a Ten and no other card greater than a Three. Examples: T33 hits; T42 stands.

I have tested these on 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 decks, and they may be valid for more than 8 decks.