would I split or double against dealer 5or 6 with the count high? Double, right?
Also, on page 180 "Tale of the Tape," (Tape?) what are the wins and losses they refer to? Individual sessions? Is a session the hour they spend at casino "x" or the several days they spend hitting Vegas? Either way, it looks like a disproportionate number of wins. Any explanation for that? Maybe I've just had a disproportionate string of losses.
scarab
Basic strategy says split 4s against a dealer 5 or 6. KO preferred has you doubling down on an 8 against a dealer 5/6, but it doesn't specify what to do if your 8 is a pair of 4s. I assume you double for the 18 instead of a pair of 14s. Can anyone confirm or run a sim for me? BTW I play DD DAS S17 DA.
Thanks a lot!
scarab
The answer to your query is elementary. Splitting always takes precedence over doubling whenever DAS is allowed. Also, expect that you're gonna have losses and lots of them. It's the nature of casino Blackjack.
But sometimes in home games you can find excellent rules. My favorite home game is Super Fun 21 where redoubling is permitted and the last card is dealt. The method used to avoid running out of cards is that each player plays against a separate dealer hand. And it's dealer rotation. With this game, you an understand why I don't play Blackjack in a casino very often.
"Splitting always takes precedence over doubling"
I think I understand it this way too. Why?
You have to think that the dealer holds "15" or "16" and must hit. Lets say you double your 8 and get a 4, all your eggs are in one basket "12" and it's a small one. Let's say you split your 4's and the first one catches the 4 we talked about, well then your have 8 and with your high count you should be looking at a 10 for your next card for a nice 18 then we'll say you get another 10 for your other 4, the dealer should bust and you still get your double payoff. but what it the dealer draws for a 17? Well, you still win one as you lose the other for a push. where the first "12" (the double) would have left you with a double lose.
