Illustrious 18

I have a question about the Illustrious 18. In everything I have read about the I18, including Blackjack Attack, I only ever see a list of cards and indicies. For example, 12v3 (+2). I never see what the change in play is supposed to be at that point.

For some of them I have my idea of what I am supposed to do, such as hit in the above example. But I am not positive about all of them. Is there a chart somewhere that lists each index and the appropriate play change?

Thanks!

These are the numbers at which you should deviate from Basic Strategy. In you example, 12 vs 3 is a Hit BS. Once your true count reaches +2 you should Stand on this hand instead of hitting.

I believe Jude is wondering how to deviate. Instead of standing, does he now hit, double, or split?

Wondered about it myself there early on.

I liked the deepnet PDA software where I could look at the index plays and see index number, the standard play, and the deviation play.

Now, it's obvious but I understand the feeling.

You _deviate_ from BS when the TC reaches that index. BS for 12 vs 3 is hit. So you stand vs 3 when the TC is +2 or higher.

12 v . 4 index is zero. You do NOT deviate from BS when you reach the index or above. You continue to stand! You deviate from BS by hitting when you are below the index. Same for several other plays.

This way is easier to understand; Richard Reid and I came up with it some time ago: DILTTI = "Don't If Less Than The Index." If your true count is less than the index, Don't stand, double, split, surrender, or take insurance.

And yes, we leave it to you to know what you should do in those instances. Again, it may not always mean "follow basic strategy."

Don

That's exactly what I was wondering Wendel! I'll have to look at that deepnet software you mentioned. Thanks!

wasn't thinking. you are correct of course. I simply zoned in on the specific case he mentioned. I have taken all of the indices I use and converted them to one "standard" for each type of play. For example, I have on my "cheat sheet"

stand @

12 vs 2 @ 3
12 vs 3 @ 2
12 vs 4 @ 0
12 vs 5 @ -1
13 vs 2 @ 0
13 vs 3 @ -1
15 vs 10 @ 4
16 vs 9 @ 5
16 vs 10 @ 0

Hope those are correct. All are "stand if TC >= N" which makes it easier for me to remember. I got way too confused early on trying to remember stand if above or hit if below things... My error above was saying "deviate if above" which was not exactly what I meant after thinking about the indices above that I use without thinking.

is discussed in Don Schlesinger's book _Black_Jack_Attack_. For a full listing of the index numbers and how to use them, read Stanford Wong's _Professional_Blackjack_. The former can be purchased from http://www.advantageplayer.com/blackjack/ where you can get the "latest and greatest," 3rd edition, aka BJA3. For the latter, you can purchase it from Amazon, as is stated on the home page of bj21.com.

You can also find the I18 table at http://jay.purplewire.com/blackjack/ill18.html. Some of the numbers are different than what is in _Professional_Blackjack_, but I believe it is due to differences for risk adverse play. If I recall correctly, that is covered in BJA3.

I would suggest that you get both of the books since there is a wealth of information in them.