How does multihandling affect the number of hands played per hour and your expected v

[LT Isaac]

How does multihandling, when playing multiple hands simultaneously, affect the number of hands played per hour and your expected value (EV)?
Any help and insights would be greatly appreciated!

[JohnGalt007]

How does multihandling, when playing multiple hands simultaneously, affect the number of hands played per hour and your expected value (EV)?
Any help and insights would be greatly appreciated!

I recommend reading Schlesinger's BJA3 on this topic, specifically the analysis offered in response to a reader's "The Gospel According to Don" in Blackjack Forum, June 1989, found in Chapter 2.

[awesomeblue7]

Playing Two Hands

Whether or not one should play one or two hands is more a factor of opportunity than strategy. If there is no space available at the table for a second hand, I obviously must play only one. Neither am I going to play two hands when the true count is below 2, nor am I going to play two hands if I’m alone with the dealer. The reason for that last rule is twofold: First, by playing a second hand, more cards are used and — since I only go to two hands on positive counts — I’ll be ‘eating’ good cards. That’s okay, but when head-to-head with the dealer, my two hands represent an increase in the total bet of about 150% but I’m also using up 150% more of the cards. Second, the game has a high maximum bet, well above my maximum so I don’t need to spread to two hands in order to get more money on the table. So, whenever I’m alone and the table limit is above my top bet, I’ll always play one hand.
If there is at least one other player besides me at the table, I’ll then spread to two hands whenever possible. In that case I do want to ‘eat’ the good cards; why give the opportunities to others when I can get them for myself? Mercenary, perhaps but this IS about money, you know.
Lots of gamblers play two hands, so the maneuver won’t draw a lot of attention to you unless you make a big deal about it. First, most casinos allow two hands only if they are located in two adjacent betting circles. If you’re sitting at ‘first base’, don’t try to place a second bet at the empty spot on third base. Also, I don’t ask people to move to the next spot over in order to accommodate my second hand and I never refuse to allow someone else to sit down and play in the spot I was using for my second hand. You have to look indifferent about the idea of a second hand — just like a gambler would. One neat trick is to spread to two hands when a new player joins the table (assuming of course that the count justifies it); gamblers seem to think that doing so ‘keeps the cards in proper order’ when someone is jumping in and out. Naturally it’s BS, but anything that makes me look more like a gambler is welcomed.

source: Blackjack School ? Lesson 20 - A Field Trip with the GameMaster (blackjackinfo.com)

[awesomeblue7]

I personally just play 1 hand for a few of the reasons in my above copy and paste. If I know its the last round before shuffle card comes out, I will always add an additional hand in positive scenarios.