PBA panic!

I'm trying to copy or print out a BS chart and 18 to 20 indices for a simple SD H17 NDAS game. But PBJ, PBA, and blackjackinfo.com all give different basic strategies. Furthermore, Wong's indices don't match PBA's, and PBA's selection of the "top 20" bears little resemblance to Schlesinger's I18. Aggh! I'm more confused now than before I bought PBA.

Whose information is most authoritative? Which 18 or 20 indices should I memorize? I'm in a total quandary.

Also, I'd like to obtain the same information for a DD H17 NDAS game (and DAS while I'm at it). PBA and blackjackinfo.com are the only sources I've found for DD BS, and PBA has the only DD indices I've seen. But I'm concerned about trusting PBA because its SD BS and indices are so inconsistent with Wong's and blackjackinfo.com's.

I hope someone can give me an answer...a simple and reassuring one if possible.... :-S

If PBA uses Wong's methodology exactly as described in Professional Blackjack [or at least the early edition, which is what I have], the indices are extracted from an arbitrarily fabricated subset which should represent a population of cards measured appropriately by a level count one count. The [unfortunately user unfriendly] SBA doesn't use an arbitrary subset, but simulates millions of depleted deck conditions to find the TC where the deparures from basic strategy become worthwhile. What SBA will not do is find the correct indices for groups of composition-distinct hitting and hard doubling hands. It will adjust the subset for pairs and soft hands but only removes the dealer upcard for the other indices, even for surrender, which is important. SBA will allow the user to derive indices for two card combinations, but it is a tedious process. But I recommend doing it, especially for single deck indices and for surrender. Additionally SBA will devine Risk Averse indices which will permit a player to earn more by wagering a larger fraction of his bank.

It is quite a task to master and time-consuming, but I now use SBA deived indices for the reasons indicated.

and not many answers either I'm afraid.

First, with respect to the indices, some will differ from those in PBJ (and Wong's Blackjack Secrets). Most differences should arise for negative numbers and are largely different by one. My recollection (probably faulty) is that there was a change in the way they were generated. If there are a lot of differences of 2 or 3 then I think something's wrong with how you set it up. All this applies to Hi-Lo indices and I'm not familiar with how PBA generated indices for other counts compare with those from other sources.

Second, with respect to PBA's top 20 and the I18, I don't think they are using the same criteria. The I18 are the ones you would typically want to focus on, not PBA's top 20.

Third, you might be interested in reading Leroy Nimka's post (RE: SBA 5.5 vs PBA) on the simulation page at bjmath.com from around December 2001.

Fourth, I would recommend you adopt the DD BS from blackjackinfo.com. If you are unable to find indices and are not in a rush, I would be happy to generate some for you and email them to you. You can compare them to what get with PBA to ensure yourself even more fustration:-).

Following on the post by Igor, I also use SBA for generating indices and would recommend you consider it.