Now I will admit again that I’m hardly an expert on the state of casino gaming, but since when can a dealer decide what a player will and will not be allowed to do, absent a rules violation? The player calls for a hit and the dealer will tell him he can’t have one? Bullshit.
It’s not really rules, just a strategy chart. The strategy for blackjack for any set of rules and amount of decks can be calculated to show how to play any hand that will give the lowest house edge. I like The Wizard of Odds for his extensive coverage of basically every casino game out there and color-coded, easy-to-read strategy charts for blackjack and blackjack variants.
Learn what the rules and number of decks are at your favorite casino and then memorize the appropriate chart. Most plays are obvious, so it’s mostly things like “do you double soft 17 against a dealer 2?” that might require looking up.
I have seen a dealer “recommend” a different course of action, but never overrule the player.
This is a point that usually has me disagreeing with most of the members of the board.
If you play basic strategy, what is the best outcome? (assuming you’re not counting cards)
You’ll loose slower. The house still had the edge with basic strategy. It’s called gambling for a reason ya know.
I will split 10’s based on what is showing on the table at the time. I can’t count cards, it’s too complicated for me, but I do look at what is laying on the table. If the majority of the hands are showing smaller value cards (<9), and the dealer has 2 - 6 I’ll split the 10’s. Same with doubling on a soft something.
While I’m not a professional player, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve walked away with less money than I sat down with. So this strategy works for me.
The math doesn’t lie.
In the long run, if you’re splitting tens based on the cards that are showing on the table, you will not make as much money as you would by playing basic strategy correctly.
On the other hand, gambling is, first and foremost, entertainment. So if splitting tens makes you happier, then by all means, split 'em.
But if anyone is asking what the numbers say… that’s a different answer.
Actually if you’re playing basic strategy, you’re just looking to loose slower. The math doesn’t lie about that either. A lot depends on a persons personal ‘cut off’. The point where they will walk away from the table. If splitting 10’s earns you a short term positive chip count, and that puts you over you’re ‘walk away’ amount, then it’s paid off. In the long run you’re right…but the long run is just that. And the math may not lie, but neither does the balance statement from my “gambling” account.
You’re right, Atrael, in that playing with basic correct blackjack strategy still means your net expectation over time is negative. But you’re overlooking the entertainment aspect of the game. If someone can get free casino drinks and have a good time while maintaining a house edge of only 0.4%, that’s a reasonably good bang for the buck.
And the word is spelled “lose.”
Thanks neuroman, I also used “you’re” instead of “your”. Perhaps I should redo the entire pose, as I’m sure those mistakes made it unreadable.
But as the OP did not indicate what his ultimate purpose was in playing Blackjack, I assumed that my perspective on why you could split 10’s, and when it might be beneficial to do so was just as valid as the arguments for playing basic strategy.