REKO +2 Strategy Inconsistencies

[tawny]

It seems about once a month someone joins the forum and asks this exact or very similar question. They are always confused by Reko's strategy and its supposed contradictions with a few plays to basic strategy. The play that seems to confuse the most is 12v4. If you read Modern Blackjack and dont already have a foundation of understanding of counting or familiarity with how unbalanced counts are an overall compromise trading precision for simplicity, i can see where the confusion comes in for certain plays that seem to violate basic strategy.

[tawny]

"Actually there is a Basic Strategy table that shows 12v4 being Hit in Norm’s book: http://www.qfit.com/book/ModernBlackjackPage76.htm"

This is not a basic strategy chart, it is the ReKO chart.

[Fate]

@tawny: No, I did not miss that key word, Normally. I realize that you can read that statement different ways, but really it is likely saying "normally play basic strategy except with a count of +2" and NOT "normally basic strategy with a few differences, except when we have a count of +2."

If Norm wanted to say use mostly Basic Strategy except in certain REKO index conditions, then he should of said exactly that.

[tawny]

Yes you are correct i read it wrong.

[Fate]

@Norm: Partially clear. You say what to do for +2 conditions, "You surrender, stand or hit when the count is +2 for the listed hands" but you do not say what to do in under +2 conditions for those hands (is it Basic Strategy or REKO special Basic Strategy?).

[Norm]

You don't.

I have clarified the text.

[Fate]

@Norm: Using REKO +2 counting system, what would be the correct play with a REKO count below +2 for a casino table with 6 Decks, H17, DAS, Late Surrender, RSA?

Before answering, please consider what you already said: "You surrender, stand or hit when the count is +2 for the listed hands. You do not surrender, stand or hit when the count is below +2."

****, I forgot to list the hand: 15vA

[Fate]

Maybe REKO charts that show what you are suppose to do for the indexes with a count below +2 would be helpful.

Please correct the following if wrong.

For a REKO count of under +2 we do the following for the REKO indexes?:

15v9 Hit
15vA Hit
8,8vT Split
14vT Hit
11vA Hit
10vA Hit
10vT Hit
9v2 Hit
9v7 Hit
8v5 Hit
8v6 Hit
A8v5 Stand
A8v6 Stand
16vT Surrender else Hit
15vT Surrender else Hit
12v2 Hit
12v3 Hit
12v4 Hit

And what about 1 Deck hands? I guess I can logically figure out what to do for under +2.

[Norm]

Pages 75 and 76.

[Fate]

Just a friendly suggestion, to avoid confusion for others in the future, maybe the REKO section in the book should CLEARLY point out that you use Basic Strategy for MOST plays, but NOT ALL when the count is under +2, referencing the charts on page 76 for differences to the Basic Strategy. Just saying that would go a long way in dealing with future questions and in saving time.

[Fate]

Thank you for your patience with me. It's obvious that Norm along with many others have contributed a ton to the Blackjack community, and although I can be skeptical, I am very grateful for Norm's work and others.

Finally, I had seen these before and forgot about them, REKO Charts supplied kindly and generously by Norm (see below under Additional Info): http://www.qfit.com/book/index.htm

[Fate]

Alright, so I was hoping (along with I'm sure, others) this topic was resolved... but no, here I find issues again.

REKO +2 strategy with 1 deck adds 5 more indexes. However, these indexes are not shown on the REKO charts for 1 deck shown here: http://www.qfit.com/book/index.htm

Are we suppose to figure out how to play these indexes for under +2 on our own? Why are the REKO charts for 1 deck not comparable to those for multiple decks (showing the index points)?

Why? Doesn't anyone play the REKO strategy? Why haven't these issues been flushed out long before now? I will probably eventually play a harder strategy (like FELT if it doesn't have problems) but I am learning the easier strategy first, yet I run into problems that should have been found way before now.

[Fate]

So... according to the 1 Deck REKO +2 indexes, you Stand on 13v2, 13v3, 12v5, and 12v6; so it would make sense that your would Hit on these hands for a REKO count of under +2; just the REKO charts provided don't show this.

Please correct the REKO charts found on this page for 1 deck: http://www.qfit.com/book/index.htm

::ugghh::