Ist pointers
SF21 - 1st pointers:
1. Due to reduced BJ value, HiLo gain per +1 is diluted 33% (ie, +.35 vs +.50), HiOpt1-2 w/o Ace side are acceptable as are 'comprised Ace' systems like ZEN and UBZ, but still, dilute your betting gain by 1/3rd.
2. Obtain the correct BS for SF (SFBS) @ www.thewizardofodds.com and familiarize with the special handling of A2-7 due to 5-6 card bonus hands, and for handling LS after doubledown (and resultantly more aggresive doubledowns).
3. Using the correct SFBS, figure an OTT housEdge of .75 (not Wong's 1.2
4. If you obtain indices for this game, forward them immediately to myself and Tinker.
I was one of the first to discover the viability of SF21 - lack of heat/hawking - %pene deeper than standard 1D - empty tables - ease to shunt others away... BUT all of that is changing, SF21 is more crowded/increasingly popular, and some clubs are more alert now.
Recently a craps dealer at a Station casino filled in to deal me heads up, deep, fast, AND FACE DOWN - jumping 1-20u w/little cover, I had a dream game for a good hour. At one point I caught a 4 card 11 and the dealer beamed "Now you can doubledown!" to which I replied, "naw me chicken, just hit" and got the 5 card 21 bonus.
In the early days of the game, I succeeded in "DOUBLE FOR MORE" on a few occaisions, but now the staff pretty much know the rules - the ONE RULE that they mostly do not know is that the game handbook preempt auto-win 1-1 and 2-1 BJ payoffs if/when the player buys insurance - so DO take advantage of this and buy insurance when appropriate even though you have an auto-win natural.
Over the past 12 months I have won 21 out of 25 SF21 sessions (which proves nothing).
G