A unique play in all of blackjack

[Freightman]

Secretariat said

Interesting problem. A6A would be an exceptional multicard S18 situation where hitting is still the better play. On the other hand if you get A7vA and somehow, you know that the burn card is A,2 or 3, standing would be the better

Interesting. You are referring to 3 separate situations VS. 1. In any of those situations, you still need to know the count. Further, where in the deck are you - what is the specific density of those cards in their specific situations. With a known ace burn card for example, you could adjust your insurance threshold given other factors. I would think that excluding high probability dealer blackjack, beyond strike point, that hitting would be the way to go. You would insure in that case. You should know the density of other card groupings as a whole before making that decision.

They’re similarities in decision making criteria comparable to 16 v dealer 10 in positive counts where the 6 is one of your cards.

[Secretariat]

Secretariat said

Interesting. You are referring to 3 separate situations VS. 1. In any of those situations, you still need to know the count. Further, where in the deck are you - what is the specific density of those cards in their specific situations. With a known ace burn card for example, you could adjust your insurance threshold given other factors. I would think that excluding high probability dealer blackjack, beyond strike point, that hitting would be the way to go. You would insure in that case. You should know the density of other card groupings as a whole before making that decision.

They’re similarities in decision making criteria comparable to 16 v dealer 10 in positive counts where the 6 is one of your cards.

The first two situations I mentioned were off the top. With only 3 or 4 seen cards insurance is not an option. At DD off the top we need to see 8 non tens before taking insurance. As far as the 3rd situation, it could be at any depth and I did not examine all possibilities but it's fair to say that any time we are faced with a close call (like 16 v 10) that the key cards are the biggest factor. If we have Soft 18 the cards that can help our hit the most are 3,2,A. With 16 v 10 (the more 4s and 5s left, the better). Note that I don't mention anything about the count. Don is looking for the optimal "fit all" approach and in that case standing Soft 18 vs A seems to be generally the better play.