BS S17 vs. H17

Generic Basic Strategy, I believe, is usually given with respect to a game with S17 rules. Since H17 contains some different plays, then the generic BS is not quite correct for the H17 plays. OK, we know this.

I'm wondering why generic BS is NOT usually quoted with regard to the H17 game. This game seems to be more prevalent. I'd like to know what the separate disadvantages are when

1) using a generic S17 BS for a H17 game
1) using a generic H17 BS for a S17 game

Is there some reason why BS takes S17 into account more than H17?

I'm thinking it makes more sense for generic BS to be given for the H17 game in general.

then select "novice corner" (not directed at you), then scroll down till you see Basic Strategy. You can select either S17 or H17 and print the appropriate BS play for that situation.

I'm sure follow up posts will give you the rationale better than I could.

Additional resources can be found to your left under "Other links"

Generic Basic Strategy, I believe, is usually given with respect to a game with S17 rules. Since H17 contains some different plays, then the generic BS is not quite correct for the H17 plays. OK, we know this.

Who told you this? It's not true. We have a generic BS for S17 games and a generic BC for H17 games. "Generic" means that we don't take into account the player's hand composition. A player's hand composed with 10,6 is the same as one composed with 9,7 or 10,4,2. We just care about the total (16).

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Cacarulo

if you could only use ONE BS strategy for all types of games, would you choose a S17 or a H17 and why?

Does the majority of H17 games out there justify using a H17 BS and is the penalty of doing so higher, once you encounter a S17 game.

Or vice versa? Does anyone understand what I am saying?

The one you refer to for H17 is popular because so many places have that rule. In Nevada, you pretty much only find the S17 rule in the Las Vegas Strip casinos, but since this is a very popular place to play & millions of people visit The Strip, S17 is also well-known. But when you get ouside The Strip area most casinos (even those in other states) predominantly have the H17 rule. There are exceptions of course, but I believe H17 is more prevalent.

There is not just one Basic Strategy, there is a different one for each set of rules the game is played under. All the versions of Basic Strategy are similar, just some minor changes. It changes with the number of decks used, S17/H17 rule, double after split allowed, etc.

Some experts say you can use just one Basic Strategy when you are starting out, to reduce the confusion, since the differences are not terribly costly. But in a short time you will realize it is best to get all the edge you can and you will want to use the exact Basic Strategy for the particular game you are playing. It is not called Basic Strategy because just one strategy works for all, it is called that because it it the best way to play your hand if you have no other information (like from counting cards, peeking at the dealer's hole card, etc). You still have to use the specific Basic Strategy for whatever game rules you are playing under, and they vary from casino to casino.

To get the exact Basic Strategy for a particular set of rules, click here:

www.blackjackinfo.com/bjbse.htm