Need Help with Index Numbers

Okay, at the risk of sounding really stupid, here goes.

I play single deck exclusively in Tunica and want to learn the Illustrious 18 for single deck. I have seen the listing in "BJ Attack", but do not think it's for SD. Where is a SD listing.

Okay, now here comes the stupid part...........what does the listed index number for a given situation mean that I am supposed to do? Hit if the count is that number? More or less that number? Do I stand if it's that exact count?

Fro example, in several posts below between SOTSOG and Coug Fan they are discussing index numbers and it looks like this...................13 vs 2 -2................what do you do if this is the situation and count? I sure hope someone can make it clear to me. Thanks in advance.

BTW......are they called INDEX NUMBERS or INDICES?

SOTSOG is (one of) the experts and I will let them correct me if wrong, but here goes.

I believe the I18 indexes listed in BJA are for 6 deck, they are not for SD. You can find Hi-Lo SD indexes in Professional Blackjack by Stanford Wong (another definite must have for any counter). I believe that the I18 plays are the same for SD.

The way that I remember what each index means is by thinking that when the count is low/negative, you want to hit (since there is a higher probability of a low card). When the count is high, you want to either stand (if stiff), surrender (if allowed), or double. Splitting indexes do not follow this general rule (i.e. in some cases a high count is good for splitting, in some cases it is bad). I know that some index listings are not real clear on this point, and initially it was a bit of a frustration for me as well. The nice thing is that most authors will usually have only one meaning for an index (only two possible actions). Unfortunately, there are exceptions to this as well.

For example, you would hit 16 v 10 if the TC is less than 0, otherwise you would stand. To add more confusion, I believe that some authors round their indexes and some truncate. Either way is fine, but you need to know so that you can play accordingly. The rule for soft hands is usually between doubling and hitting (or standing). Double with a high count.

I am still having difficulty understanding here. Learing to count and adding a side count of aces wasn't this hard! Thanks, though.

Anybody else want to try to teach on the subject of index numbers?

Do You have the second version? On page 195 there is a chart of index #'s for 8,6,2 or 1 deck games.

Very simply, all one has to remember to do is to HIT TO THE LEFT of the index number, otherwise make the appropriate strategy play for the given situation.

Telescopic

First off, indices is an alternate plural for index. You can call them indices, indexes, or index numbers. All are correct.

BTW, it is pronounced "in-dih-see's," not "in-dices." Just so you'll know. :-)

Note that nearly all the I-18 concern either hit/stand decisions, or hit/double down decisions. The only exception is splitting 10's, which you may not want to do anyway, due to the heat it draws.

I found it helpful to break them down into two groups: hit/stand and hit/double.

Then, just do as Telescopic mentioned - Hit if to the left of, or lower than, the index. If at or above the index, then you will either stand or double down, depending on the situation. If we are talking about splitting 10's, you split at or above the index.

Dear Parker,

I have never read a blackjack book. All my information is from the internet and the mathematical developement that I have done myself. I never assume someone else figured something out that I do not check out to the nth degree. I tested and found that I could believe and use Basic Strategy I tested and believe I can use the Indices but I have discovered that there are several indices in which surrender is involved. It is easy to see a miniscule difference say between (hit and stand) vs. Surrender and decide the thing to do is stand or hit(to simplify). I love surrender I use it any chance I get. It has implications in the game far greater than some tiny advantage or disadvantage. It stabilizes my game. It is the rock that my BS, Counting, and shuffle play game is built on. Where I play blackjack they only have surrender with two cards. I have seperate sets of strategys and indexes for 14,15, and 16. One set that it the optimum solution for 2 cards and one that is the optima solution for 3 or more cards. I have run all kinds of simulations to use surrender in any way whatsoever. I have discovered some surrender indices with 88 and 77. I go to my casino and play my perfect game no cammo needed they think I'm the moron of the year surrendering so much. One dealer I know even makes me say "Uncle" instead of surrender and laughs with me when I give up again. The pit boss calls me the surrender guy. Every saturday I go and every chance I get I sneak a few chips in my pocket and walk away an apparent small time loser. From the $600 tax rebate a lot of people received I now have a tiny bank roll of $1400 not much but my basic unit is $5. I practice every night after work and every week when I go to the casino I'm just a little bit smoother and faster than the last time. The strength of surrender is not in the EV which may be tiny but in the stability it brings to a tiny bankroll with small bets and an ambitous spread.

Indeed. Surrender is one of those rules that is of much greater value to the counter using a large bet spread than it is to a flat-betting basic strategy player.

My biggest problem is that I play mostly pitch games where surrender is not allowed. When I do play a game with surrender, I have to give myself a quick refresher course in surrender indices.

I would suggest, however, that you invest in at least one blackjack book, and that would be The Theory of Blackjack, by the late Peter Griffin.

Griffin was quite possibly the greatest expert on the mathmatics behind the game of blackjack ever to have lived, and this book remains one of the benchmarks in this area.

It is extremely math-intensive, but you sound like you can handle it. :-)