This means the player should stand if the True Count is +4 or higher, otherwise hit. The following tables are known as the "Illustrious 18" and "Fab 4" respectively. They appear in Blackjack Attack by Don Schlesinger, and are republished here with permission. These are the most important index numbers to remember.

What is considered a high true count?

But when the true count is +3 or greater, insurance becomes a positive expectation bet. That's because as the ratio of high cards changes, the dealer has a better probability of getting a blackjack, too. When that probability gets high enough, insurance becomes a positive expectation bet.

What is H17 and S17 blackjack?

If the dealer stays when they have a soft 17 (S17), you are going to treat a few hands differently than if the dealer will hit until they have a hard 17 or better (H17).

Do you stay or hit at 13 14 15 in blackjack?

15 stands against dealer 2 through 6, otherwise hit. 14 stands against dealer 2 through 6, otherwise hit. 13 stands against dealer 2 through 6, otherwise hit. 12 stands against dealer 4 through 6, otherwise hit.

What is a hard 17 blackjack?

For example, an ace-5 is a soft 16 and a 3-ace-5 is a soft 19. The basic playing strategy for, say, ace-6 is much different than it is for, say, a 10-7. The latter is known as a hard 17 because it doesn't contain an ace counted as 11.

Does dealer hit soft 18?

If the dealer has a soft 18, soft 19 or a soft 20, then the dealer must stay. The dealer has no choice on how to play their hands. But not every house will display those words. Since every casino is different, there'll be some blackjack tables where you'll see the words “Dealer must draw to 16 and stand on all 17's”.

Does blackjack beat 21?

Does blackjack automatically win? A two-card hand of 21 (an ace plus a ten-value card) is called a « blackjack » or a « natural », and is an automatic winner. … If the player has blackjack and the dealer doesn't, the player automatically wins. If both the player and dealer have blackjack then it's a push.

Why is 16 the worst hand in blackjack?

In fact, the value 16 is said to be the worst hand one can have in blackjack. Since sixteen of the other fifty cards have a value of 10 and four have a value of 11, there is a strong chance of getting at least an 18 with either or both split cards. A hand totaling 18 or 19 is much stronger than having a 16.

Do you stand on 16?

It is best to hit when holding a hand of 10 or 12-16, and stand on anything 17 and over. An ace gives you a good chance of making 21 with a hit. When a dealer has a seven, eight or nine card it is impossible for them to make a blackjack, so your chances increase.

Why do you not split 10s?

Splitting a 10-10 hand is fine, but not a jack-queen hand, for example. After the first split, doubling down and further splitting of hands may be limited. After the first split, an ace and a ten-card may be regarded as a non-blackjack 21. After splitting aces you're generally not allowed to hit more than once.

Is it better if dealer hits on soft 17?

Dealers do not bust more often when standing on soft 17. After all, there is no risk of busting when they stand on the hand. When the dealer stands on all 17s, he busts about 29.1 percent of the time, and that increases to 29.6 if he hits soft 17. However, a dealer who stands on soft 17 can't improve the hand.

What is Das in blackjack?

DAS: Double After Split (verses: NDAS, which is NO Double After Split). A rule that is a benefit to the player that allows you to double down after you split a hand.

Why do dealers stand on 17?

Gambling scrub here. It's written on the Blackjack table. Dealer stands on "soft" 17, meaning that if it's 7 OR 17, then dealer stands.

Is 2 deck blackjack better?

One of the first things blackjack players learn when they start to get serious about the game is that fewer decks are better for players. The biggest reason is that the frequency of two-card 21 is higher with fewer decks, and you get paid extra on blackjacks.

Does counting cards actually work?

The answer is simple: Blackjack card counting is a waste of time. Does this mean that card counting doesn't work at all? No. In fact, it can give you a 0.05 to 1 percent advantage over the house.

Why is card counting not allowed?

Using Electronics or Machines to Count Cards:

This type of card counting constitutes cheating since you're gaining an unfair edge over the other players at the table. It's your prerogative to use your brain to count cards as a natural advantage, but once you use other means, the police can arrest you.

Should you ever surrender in blackjack?

Surrender is simply an optional rule in blackjack that allows you to give up half your bet after you have seen your first two cards and the dealer up card. If your hand has less than a 50 percent chance of winning against the dealer, then it's time to consider surrender.

When should I double down in blackjack?

When should I double down in blackjack? There's only one point in a game of blackjack when you have the opportunity to double down – directly after your initial two cards have been dealt. At this point there are three groups of hands where it makes most sense for you to double down on your initial bet.

Is card counting illegal?

Card counting is NOT illegal under federal, state and local laws in the United States as long as players don't use any external card-counting device or people who assist them in counting cards. In their effort to identify card counters, casinos can ban players believed to be counters — sort of.

Do you always double down on 11?

If the dealer is showing a lower card than a 10, it is good strategy to double down. If the casino rules dictate the dealer must hit soft 17, you should always double down on 11 no matter what the dealers up card.

What is the most common hand in blackjack?

Happily, this is the most common hand since tens include Jacks, Queens and Kings. Soft counts are also not that common at a bit more than 1% chance of any specific soft count. Again happily, A,T (Blackjack) is more common at about 4.75% due to the large number of Tens in a deck.

Who wins 21 in a tie?

If both the player and the dealer have a tie—including with a blackjack—the bet is a tie or “push” and money is neither lost, nor paid. 4. All other winning hands pay even money, 1:1. 5.

Does dealer win with 5 cards?

Chances are, you had a rule whereby if you collect five cards in your hand without busting, you automatically win – unless the dealer has a blackjack. The rule about five cards is so common in family games that most of us assume it must be a standard element of the blackjack games enjoyed in land or online casinos.

Does a dealer blackjack beat a player blackjack?

A player Blackjack beats any dealer total other than a dealer's Blackjack, including a dealer's regular 21. Total of both dealer and player hands are the same. Offered on the dealer's ace to insure the player's hands against the dealer's Blackjack.