What Do You Memorize Beside Basic Strategy & Indices

[Thirdbaseman]

After a counter commits to memory basic strategy & index plays, it seems that there are other things he can memorize that will be useful.

1) When there is a misdeal and you have the choice to pull out of a hand, it is important to know for each hand combination whether it is +EV or -EV.

2) For match play coupons which allow you to keep the coupon when you surrender, it is helpful to know additional hand combinations that you would surrender.

3) It is good to know which scavender plays are +EV which includes all basic strategy double downs as well as double downs that are not basic strategy, and splits that are not defensive.

4) If you mostly play S17 but also play some H17 for example, it is good to know what hand combinations you would play differently.

5) If you play mostly DAS but also play NDAS, it is good to know what splits you would play differently.

6) If you play both pitch and shoes, you need to know what hand combinations you would play differently.

What else would you add to this?

[mofungoo]

You should memorize all the basic strategy rules variations for the games you play, or might play. This includes DAS or not, surrender, H17 or S17, bonus rules, and number of decks. Learn both basic strategy and index numbers for these rules variations.

[BramSToker]

Hey I like this list. This is kinda specific but I think there could be other situations like it, what about when you have two 4's vs a 5/6 with a Tc of 1 or 2 (with DAS) what are you supposed to do with conflicting play options. Could be a split, could be a double. I also remember reading something on wizard of odds about A7 vs a dealer A, and how if you have more than a 2 carded soft 18 you're slightly better off to stand. I'd like to learn more about those close calls, like 10,5A vs 10. Also I learned the 18 index but my new goal is to expand to the next closest calls that can be deviated at with a certain true count. So maybe the next most useful index?

[Three]

1) When there is a misdeal and you have the choice to pull out of a hand, it is important to know for each hand combination whether it is +EV or -EV.

2) For match play coupons which allow you to keep the coupon when you surrender, it is helpful to know additional hand combinations that you would surrender.

3) It is good to know which scavender plays are +EV which includes all basic strategy double downs as well as double downs that are not basic strategy, and splits that are not defensive.

4) If you mostly play S17 but also play some H17 for example, it is good to know what hand combinations you would play differently.

5) If you play mostly DAS but also play NDAS, it is good to know what splits you would play differently.

6) If you play both pitch and shoes, you need to know what hand combinations you would play differently.

What else would you add to this?

1) YES

2) YES

3) If you intend on getting scavenger plays, YES

4) YES

5) YES

6) You should at least know the indice for any game you will play

Learn the regs for misdeals and procedural mistakes etc so you at least get what is required by law. You will likely find many times you are getting a better deal than is required.

Options are some of your best plays. Know what hands to play and what to pull back on an option. Know what to do with next card information. I have had dealers expose a card that would be my next acrd and I say I wish I was paying better attention. More often than not the dealer will tell me the value of the card.

Learn to read the dealers you play against regularly. Sometimes they will forget to offer insurance before checking for blackjack. Many dealers are easy to read and some are intentionally easy to read. It amazes me when a dealer is practically telling the table to take insurance in a situation like this and I am the only one to take it.

I guess that's not memorization though is it.

Match plays change doubling and splitting strategy as well. Memorize the correct plays for using a match play.

[Nikky_Flash]

this is smart , thanks for posting

[stopgambling]

yes , now go and learn them . you should think about other plays and situation ,no need to post about it as it can get sensitive.

[KJ]

Besides the components of card counting (index plays and such), the biggest thing I need to memorize is pit and casino personnel. I play a regular rotation of stores. It is larger than most players regular or home base rotation with 2 dozen to as many as 30 stores that I visit at least twice a month, some as much as twice a week. My whole game is based on identifying and playing within the tolerance and comfort levels of each casino. But not just each casino, each casino for different circumstances, day of week time of day and even each pit person's individual tolerance levels.

Sometimes I misjudge the situation , sometimes, I get greedy , and something things occurs that takes me outside of that level or the level that I intended to play, that just happen, unexpectedly. A large quick run and win would be an example of this . It's these times that I sort of temporarily back myself off and take a break from that casino or often just certain pit people and or dealers. I have detailed records of this at home, but when I am out and about, playing, I need to remember who I am trying to avoid at the current time.

[Thirdbaseman]

1) YES

2) YES

3) If you intend on getting scavenger plays, YES

4) YES

5) YES

6) You should at least know the indice for any game you will play

Learn the regs for misdeals and procedural mistakes etc so you at least get what is required by law. You will likely find many times you are getting a better deal than is required.

Options are some of your best plays. Know what hands to play and what to pull back on an option. Know what to do with next card information. I have had dealers expose a card that would be my next acrd and I say I wish I was paying better attention. More often than not the dealer will tell me the value of the card.

Learn to read the dealers you play against regularly. Sometimes they will forget to offer insurance before checking for blackjack. Many dealers are easy to read and some are intentionally easy to read. It amazes me when a dealer is practically telling the table to take insurance in a situation like this and I am the only one to take it.

I guess that's not memorization though is it.

Match plays change doubling and splitting strategy as well. Memorize the correct plays for using a match play.

I had never thought to look for BJ regulations until I read this post.
I found the regs for the state I play in the most.
Interesting reading and learned a few things.
Thanks Tthree.

[Exoter175]

Besides the components of card counting (index plays and such), the biggest thing I need to memorize is pit and casino personnel. I play a regular rotation of stores. It is larger than most players regular or home base rotation with 2 dozen to as many as 30 stores that I visit at least twice a month, some as much as twice a week. My whole game is based on identifying and playing within the tolerance and comfort levels of each casino. But not just each casino, each casino for different circumstances, day of week time of day and even each pit person's individual tolerance levels.

Sometimes I misjudge the situation , sometimes, I get greedy , and something things occurs that takes me outside of that level or the level that I intended to play, that just happen, unexpectedly. A large quick run and win would be an example of this . It's these times that I sort of temporarily back myself off and take a break from that casino or often just certain pit people and or dealers. I have detailed records of this at home, but when I am out and about, playing, I need to remember who I am trying to avoid at the current time.

Can't emphasize your points enough.

This game is more than just learning a count, learning indices and a spread, and playing the game. Knowing your own tolerance levels, as well as the CASINO's tolerance levels is important, and getting to know each and every individual on a first name basis, if you're a regular, is pretty important if you are sure the casino "knows", or if you even have the slightest "feeling" of heat.

[Nikky_Flash]

kj , since you are a regular at most the places , how do you or regulars like you - know when to play rated or not ? I personally don't think getting mailers and comps is worth having another goonball like; mo green, having my name and address on his list ... I never filled out one of them forms yet , and don't really want to

[LVBJ]

Basic strategy, the illustrious 21, and keeping a good count is really all you need in my opinion. Using those to get the biggest spreads you can get away with is where %99 of your EV is at. In my opinion too many people are focusing on that additional %1 of EV you can get by memorizing so much more stuff and running a so much more complex system. After a few years counting I think Keep It Simple Stupid is the way to go. Card counting really isn't rocket science unless you make it out to be. Hell I even read a paper that said you can throw every index into either one of three categories (-3, 0, +3) and you are still getting like %95 of the advantage as if you played every single index as it is suppose to. Hell you can even do away with indexes all together and you are still making most of your money. The vast amount of your money is from using an accurate count to make as big a spread as you can get away with. Anything after that is just peanuts you are talking about in my opinion.

[KJ]

Basic strategy, the illustrious 21, and keeping a good count is really all you need in my opinion. Using those to get the biggest spreads you can get away with is where %99 of your EV is at. In my opinion too many people are focusing on that additional %1 of EV you can get by memorizing so much more stuff and running a so much more complex system. After a few years counting I think Keep It Simple Stupid is the way to go. Card counting really isn't rocket science unless you make it out to be. Hell I even read a paper that said you can throw every index into either one of three categories (-3, 0, +3) and you are still getting like %95 of the advantage as if you played every single index as it is suppose to. Hell you can even do away with indexes all together and you are still making most of your money. The vast amount of your money is from using an accurate count to make as big a spread as you can get away with. Anything after that is just peanuts you are talking about in my opinion.

Ok, what exactly is "the illustrious 21"?? Is it Don's Illustrious 18 with 3 extra index plays added? Or the Illustrious 18 with 3 of the fab 4 included?

Other than that bit of 'nit-picking' on my part, I completely agree with the premise of your post. Those percentages that you threw out there (99%, 1% and 95%) might not be completely accurate, but they are close enough to make your point, of which I agree with. You my friend have been accepted into the KJ pro-simplicity club.

kj , since you are a regular at most the places , how do you or regulars like you - know when to play rated or not ? I personally don't think getting mailers and comps is worth having another goonball like; mo green, having my name and address on his list ... I never filled out one of them forms yet , and don't really want to

For the most part I don't play BJ rated, with a few exceptions, Nikky_Flash. Playing unrated preserves my longevity and I have not found playing unrated creates any additional heat issues as others members have. I think part of this is due to the fact that I try to send the signal that I am not going to be there long. I do this through body language, small buy-ins, and a couple other tricks.

I am not missing out on comps or offers because most places really give you very little for blackjack play, especially short session BJ play. So, I save playing rated for a limited amount of video poker play that my partner and I do, which earns us decent mail offers and covers our food needs.

[Nikky_Flash]

For the most part I don't play BJ rated, with a few exceptions, Nikky_Flash. Playing unrated preserves my longevity and I have not found playing unrated creates any additional heat issues as others members have. I think part of this is due to the fact that I try to send the signal that I am not going to be there long. I do this through body language, small buy-ins, and a couple other tricks.

I am not missing out on comps or offers because most places really give you very little for blackjack play, especially short session BJ play. So, I save playing rated for a limited amount of video poker play that my partner and I do, which earns us decent mail offers and covers our food needs.

thanks kj , helpful answers here . I appreciate the response