Stiff Hands

Ok. So there is something that I don't quite grasp. Or, at the very least, I am uncertain if I'm doing this correctly. With basic strategy, say you have a X,2 versus a dealer's 8. According to what I've found you would hit. So say you get a 3 or a 4. Now you have a lovely 15 or 16 staring you in the face and my basic strategy chart says stand vs. 2-6 otherwise hit. My question is do you continue following basic strategy after you've hit that first time? It makes sense to me that you would. Hopefully that question wasn't too hard to follow.

...Just make sure you are using the correct basic strategy chart for the game you are playing (# of decks, double after split, etc). Things get a bit more complicated later on, but you have time for that.

Cobbson

Thank you! I'm still working my way through reading material and lessons and what not. I have nothing but time to learn as much as I can so I'm taking my time evaluating everything bit by bit.

Try to start keeping a side-count of Aces if you are not already. Playing multiple hands when the deck is ten-rich AND Ace rich has made all the difference in my win rate. Almost doubling it. Cut back to one large bet when you have the ten advantage but not Aces. There are many reasons of this we can discuss later. . . And don't forget that at the El Cortez you can eat those pancakes AT THE TABLE WHILE YOU ARE PLAYING BLACKJACK!

Since you are playing B.S., you would treat most 3- and 4-card stiff combos the same as you would a 2-card combo.

There are some "fine points" of Basic Strategy, which treat different combos differently, but instead of learning these you should invest your time and effort in learning to count.

However, if you just want to play B.S., one of the best sources of the abovementioned "fine points" is "Playing Blackjack As A Business," by "Lawrence Revere." The book is rather dated and devoted to a game which really doesn't exist any more, but his fine points are just as valid for 6- and 8-deck games today as they were for the SD games of his day.

I really appreciate all the great counting advice and tips. Not to mention the pancake advice! I'm sure I'll be back with more questions. To not question those with experience is like throwing gold down the toilet. Not only are you wasting money, but you'll be paying for a plumber. ... That maybe was not the greatest of analogies.

Before you even think about counting cards you have to understand completely the concept of BS which is to make the best move in every situation according to the laws of probability.
Compared to other casino games, the house edge in Blackjack is very limited, usually even less than 0.5 % but this applies only if you stick strictly to basic strategy. Mediocre players will lose on average 2% or more of their action. No card counter can win if he doesn't respect BS.
After having read some of your posts I understand that you have a very limited bankroll.In this instance it is pointless to count cards because you cannot raise your bets without going bust.
So my advice to you for the time being is to learn BS thoroughly and to flat bet minimum at the cheapest table available. You won't win but you will lose very little and have fun at the same time.
Before you can really attack you need not only a far bigger bankroll but also a deeper understanding of the game.

Francis Salmon

Learning IS the game at the moment. Sometimes experience costs money.