What is the preferred strategy for going 2 hands? I'm always interested in the more seasoned players opinions....
By inference, you start the shoe with 1 hand.
With more than 1 player at the table
Your best SCORE is to go to 2 hands at true 1. The problem with this (if you robotically adjust to the count) is you may only play 1 round before dropping back to 1 hand, which looks really bad if you win both hands. Wait till true 2, or even true 2.5 as this gets you at least a couple of rounds.
Heads up, your best strategy is to maintain 1 hand thru the shoe. Two exceptions at plus counts - you’re butting up against table max - you’re anticipating the cut card coming out next hand, maximum 2 hands out.
edit add
Im assuming my standard rules with break even at true 1.0. Adjust comments to reflect house edge on your break even based on your rules.
Shoes I always play 1 hand to start and spot spread to 2 hands at +3 and stay at 2 hands while I have any edge. As soon as the count is back +1 and I lose I drop back to 1 hand. Exit the table at a - 8 HL Running Count for greener pastures or drop to a ½ unit bet while looking for a place to move to. Table exits extremely important for shoes as it not only changes the count frequencies but also exposes your lowest bet less to scrutiny. Better to bet $0 than $25 when you're mostly black chipping.
Heads up pitch play 1 hand always.
With other players I always start with 2 hands and play 2 hands 85% of the time. I do occasionally drop to 1 hand of a very low bet in deep negatives. Bathroom breaks, shorter sessions, and checking phone messages play a big role here.
Casinos seem to mind less dropping out a hand occasionally on double deck than spot spreading in big counts.
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One thing I would add is I had a good reputation at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood. I did a stupid thing and decided to go to Immokalee where they put some kind of note on my account.
I decided I’d play stupid back at the hard rock and spread to 2x higher my original one hand min bet in negative counts. What ended up happening is they backed me off anyway because I ended up winning, even though the count was bad. They obviously we’re not counting me down.
So yes, sometimes it can be a waste of time and EV for cover unless you’re certain you’re being examined like a casino manager is hawking your game.
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