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Thread: Single Deck

  1. #1


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    Single Deck

    I see little AP discussion on it. Is it as exploitable as double deck given the typical restrictions? Is it monitored as closely?

  2. #2


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    Single Deck has been "monitored (very) closely" since 1962.

    In nearly all venues, Single Deck BJ pays only 6/5 on BJ's
    The result is nearly a 1,000% increase in the House Edge.

    To beat the game requires a very aggressive spread of
    15 or 20 to 1. There is a count called the "St. Judas Count"
    that is preferred for this game. Personally, it is bad game,
    unless you can do "Ace Location / Steering" and the pit will
    accept your "impolite" spread.

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    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by SkinnyBJplayer; 06-23-2019 at 05:57 AM.

  3. #3


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    The game is essentially a trap for the unwary unsophisticated players
    who cannot fathom the actual "cost" of a reduced BJ premium payoff.
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  4. #4


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    Good info Skinny. But what if I know of SD games paying the standard 3:2? Assuming >50% penetration, do I still need such a spread?

  5. #5


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    Quote Originally Posted by RTR2021 View Post
    Good info Skinny. But what if I know of SD games paying the standard 3:2? Assuming >50% penetration, do I still need such a spread?
    Just buy CVCX and model the game. Don't listen to Skinny. These game exists.

  6. #6


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    A spread of 4-1 in SD H17 DAS will get you shown the door.
    IF you really know how to play SD, a 3-1 spread in green
    will make you about $35 - $40 an hr. Just realize that your
    key is very accurate play, not bet-sizing. See: "The Theory
    of Blackjack, 6th ed." A VERY inexpensive reference book!
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  7. #7


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    Quote Originally Posted by SkinnyBJplayer View Post
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    A spread of 4-1 in SD H17 DAS will get you shown the door.

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    I have played single deck in Green Bay, Wendover, and Laughlin. I have played at least a 1 to 4 spread. I think when I played red chips I pressed that up to 1 to 8. I'm still good in all 3 locations.

    PS. I don't know of any single deck game that offers double after split, but I do know of some that allow rsa.
    Last edited by Midwest Player; 06-23-2019 at 01:58 PM.

  8. #8
    Senior Member bigplayer's Avatar
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    4 out of 4 members found this post helpful. Did you find this post helpful? Yes | No
    Quote Originally Posted by RTR2021 View Post
    Good info Skinny. But what if I know of SD games paying the standard 3:2? Assuming >50% penetration, do I still need such a spread?
    I'd suggest reading the Chapter in Uston's "Million Dollar Blackjack" called "The Art of Playing Single Deck". There is far more involved to beating the game than you think. The configuration of the table to the number of players to the number of rounds you get is far more important than a the normal conception of penetration. Think of penetration for single deck as the typical point where you get to make your final wager not the total amount of cards seen. (although that does matter in terms of playing strategies). Most important is whether the dealer is consistent with the number of rounds you get to each number of players. High counts arise because many small cards come out, negative counts arise because fewer big cards come out. This can cause the dealer to give you 1 or 2 more rounds per shuffle in negative counts than positive counts simply because negative counts eat through the deck faster. This is a real killer and makes many single deck games unbeatable no matter how big you spread. (unless you're spreading $25-$500 or something absurd).

    The spread required to win can be as much as 1-6 for an h17 d10 game with bad pen to as little as 1-2 for an h17 double any game where you are heads up seeing 8 rounds each shuffle. The real key to getting reasonable longevity at single deck is to be unpredictable with your spread. You mostly want to appear to be flat betting and varying your off the top wager and betting unit somewhat so that a skills check can't peg you easily. I prefer to spread 1-5 or 1-6 and alternate betting 2 or 3 units off the top and flat bet between -1 and +3 and parlay up to my max bet at +4 and down to my min bet at -2 (High-Low). To use a strategy like this you have to spread bigger. That said, I know some people who use a tight 1-3 spread and play like a robot and rely more on play deviations and index play. Another friend will spread 1x$25 to 2x$1000 at single deck and simply blasts one big count and hits the door win or lose. He lasted a long time doing this all over Reno.

    Regardless, if you play single deck long enough at any store you're gonna eventually fry, it's just a fact of life. Especially if your action is the biggest in the casino.
    Last edited by bigplayer; 06-23-2019 at 02:52 PM.

  9. #9


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    Quote Originally Posted by bigplayer View Post
    I'd suggest reading the Chapter in Uston's "Million Dollar Blackjack" called "The Art of Playing Single Deck". There is far more involved to beating the game than you think. The configuration of the table to the number of players to the number of rounds you get is far more important than a the normal conception of penetration. Think of penetration for single deck as the typical point where you get to make your final wager not the total amount of cards seen. (although that does matter in terms of playing strategies). Most important is whether the dealer is consistent with the number of rounds you get to each number of players. High counts arise because many small cards come out, negative counts arise because fewer big cards come out. This can cause the dealer to give you 1 or 2 more rounds per shuffle in negative counts than positive counts simply because negative counts eat through the deck faster. This is a real killer and makes many single deck games unbeatable no matter how big you spread. (unless you're spreading $25-$500 or something absurd).

    The spread required to win can be as much as 1-6 for an h17 d10 game with bad pen to as little as 1-2 for an h17 double any game where you are heads up seeing 8 rounds each shuffle. The real key to getting reasonable longevity at single deck is to be unpredictable with your spread. You mostly want to appear to be flat betting and varying your off the top wager and betting unit somewhat so that a skills check can't peg you easily. I prefer to spread 1-5 or 1-6 and alternate betting 2 or 3 units off the top and flat bet between -1 and +3 and parlay up to my max bet at +4 and down to my min bet at -2 (High-Low). To use a strategy like this you have to spread bigger. That said, I know some people who use a tight 1-3 spread and play like a robot and rely more on play deviations and index play. Another friend will spread 1x$25 to 2x$1000 at single deck and simply blasts one big count and hits the door win or lose. He lasted a long time doing this all over Reno.

    Regardless, if you play single deck long enough at any store you're gonna eventually fry, it's just a fact of life. Especially if your action is the biggest in the casino.
    Excellent explanation. I think, in sum, there are greener pastures elsewhere. Just wanted to know why.

  10. #10


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    bigplayer
    's post is extraordinarily excellent!
    Coupled with an old post by the "Las Vegas Bear"
    that is 'must reading' - someone should post it here.
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  11. #11


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    Quote Originally Posted by bigplayer View Post
    ...That said, I know some people who use a tight 1-3 spread and play like a robot and rely more on play deviations and index play...
    Saw my error on the deck depletion speed and edited...

    Bigs, are deviations/index plays that veer from BS good cover (idiot plays) or suspicious to an observer?
    Last edited by RTR2021; 06-24-2019 at 08:45 AM.

  12. #12


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    I imagine that it is time to talk about the
    damage done via the "Cut Card Effect."
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  13. #13


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    Quote Originally Posted by SkinnyBJplayer View Post
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    bigplayer
    's post is extraordinarily excellent!
    Coupled with an old post by the "Las Vegas Bear"
    that is 'must reading' - someone should post it here.
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    Thank you. I'll be immodest and post it myself -- I assume you mean this one:

    SINGLE DECK GAME SELECTION

    I certainly agree with bigplayer's comments.
    Last edited by LVBear584; 06-24-2019 at 01:31 PM.
    Opinions and Commentary on the Gaming Industry: The Bear Growls

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