GIJoe- Blackjack Strategy

Here is a chart showing the correct way to play blackjack hands. This chart is for a 2 deck game with the rules I believe the Golden Nugget has. You can print this and bring it to the table while you play for reference. Casinos have no problem with people using basic strategy charts while playing.

For anyone else going this weekend, if you print this out and bring it to the tables, you will have a better chance to win using this strategy than any other strategy with the exception of card counting.

sometimes other players will criticise some of these plays. Ignore their well-meaning or not so well-meaning advice. Most players are fools. Play like this and you are giving yourself the best odds possible.

This strategy is for a 2 deck game with dealer hits soft 17 which you will find at the Golden Nugget. It is also accurate for other standard blackjack games ( 1 deck, 6 decks, etc).
<CENTER>Here's your basic strategy chart, customized for:

</CENTER><CENTER>2 Decks, H17, DA2, DAS, OBO, No surrender

</CENTER><CENTER>Estimated House Edge for these rules: 0.40%

</CENTER>

<CENTER>

<TABLE width=400 bgColor=#ccccff border=2><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle colSpan=11>[size=+1]Pair Splitting[/size]</TD></TR><TR><TH>PAIRS</TH><TH colSpan=10>Dealer's Upcard</TH></TR><TR><TH>Your Cards</TH><TH width="8%">2</TH><TH width="8%">3</TH><TH width="8%">4</TH><TH width="8%">5</TH><TH width="8%">6</TH><TH width="8%">7</TH><TH width="8%">8</TH><TH width="8%">9</TH><TH width="8%">T</TH><TH width="8%">A</TH></TR><TR><TH>(A,A)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD></TR><TR><TH>(T,T)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD></TR><TR><TH>(9,9)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD></TR><TR><TH>(8,8)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD></TR><TR><TH>(7,7)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD></TR><TR><TH>(6,6)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD></TR><TR><TH>(5,5)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD></TR><TR><TH>(4,4)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD></TR><TR><TH>(3,3)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD></TR><TR><TH>(2,2)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=11> </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle rowSpan=2>Key:</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Y</TD><TD colSpan=9>Yes, Split the pair.</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=red>N</TD><TD colSpan=9>No, Don't split the pair.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER><CENTER>

<TABLE width=400 bgColor=#ccccff border=2><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle colSpan=11>[size=+1]Soft Totals[/size]</TD></TR><TR><TH>SOFT TOTALS</TH><TH colSpan=10>Dealer's Upcard</TH></TR><TR><TH>Your Cards</TH><TH width="8%">2</TH><TH width="8%">3</TH><TH width="8%">4</TH><TH width="8%">5</TH><TH width="8%">6</TH><TH width="8%">7</TH><TH width="8%">8</TH><TH width="8%">9</TH><TH width="8%">T</TH><TH width="8%">A</TH></TR><TR><TH>(A,9)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD></TR><TR><TH>(A,8)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Ds</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD></TR><TR><TH>(A,7)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Ds</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Ds</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Ds</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Ds</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Ds</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD></TR><TR><TH>(A,6)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD></TR><TR><TH>(A,5)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD></TR><TR><TH>(A,4)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD></TR><TR><TH>(A,3)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD></TR><TR><TH>(A,2)</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=11> </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle rowSpan=4>Key:</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD colSpan=9>Hit</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD colSpan=9>Stand</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD colSpan=9>Double if allowed; If not, hit.</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=green>Ds</TD><TD colSpan=9>Double if allowed; If not, stand.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER><CENTER>

<TABLE width=400 bgColor=#ccccff border=2><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle colSpan=11>[size=+1]Hard Totals[/size]</TD></TR><TR><TH>HARD TOTALS</TH><TH colSpan=10>Dealer's Upcard</TH></TR><TR><TH>Your Cards</TH><TH width="8%">2</TH><TH width="8%">3</TH><TH width="8%">4</TH><TH width="8%">5</TH><TH width="8%">6</TH><TH width="8%">7</TH><TH width="8%">8</TH><TH width="8%">9</TH><TH width="8%">T</TH><TH width="8%">A</TH></TR><TR><TH>17</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD></TR><TR><TH>16</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD></TR><TR><TH>15</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD></TR><TR><TH>14</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD></TR><TR><TH>13</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD></TR><TR><TH>12</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD></TR><TR><TH>11</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD></TR><TR><TH>10</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD></TR><TR><TH>9</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD></TR><TR><TH>8</TH><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=11> </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle rowSpan=3>Key:</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=blue>H</TD><TD colSpan=9>Hit</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=yellow>S</TD><TD colSpan=9>Stand</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=green>D</TD><TD colSpan=9>Double if allowed; If not, hit.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER><HR>

with 10,000 at stake, if you get a double down hand, unless you want to risk 10K of your money or can get a backer to risk 10K of their money on a double down, just hit.

Allowing a backer to double-down on say your 11 vs. dealer 7 hurts your chances. You get only one card. If not doubled you can draw more, say you get a 2 for 13, you'd want to hit again, but gave away your chance to do it.

Doubling is best play, but not if you don't get the money from it.

DougJ

You Sir are exactly right. This hand should be played following the normal BS guidelines. Granted the circumstances are unusual but the strategy remains the same.

Point is don't allow someone to double as a "backer" it hurts gijoe's chances !

A backer for a split is highly desirable.

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Correct me if I'm wrong (and I probably am), but by playing blackjack by "the book", you are basically reducing the house's edge in the long run.
Since GIJoe gets one hand, how he plays it is pretty much is a tossup.
I'm not saying he shouldn't play it by the book, but I think it's overrated in this weird scenario.

juice said:

Correct me if I'm wrong (and I probably am), but by playing blackjack by "the book", you are basically reducing the house's edge in the long run.
Since GIJoe gets one hand, how he plays it is pretty much is a tossup.
I'm not saying he shouldn't play it by the book, but I think it's overrated in this weird scenario.

Click to expand...

Deviating from basic reduces expectation every time ( unless counting). Doing something like standing on 15 vs, a 7 or better just lessens the chance of winning the hand. The effect is cumulative. He's already giving up splits ( I think). that could be deadly if you get 8's vs. a 6, stand, dealer has 16, and draws a 3, for example.

I want him to have best chance of winning. It's hard to get a split backer, though. Frequently you split as a defensive tactic, like 8's vs. a high card, backer gets iffy deal, but it goes both ways like aces vs. a 5 or 6.

Any deal would require negotiation. Best chance is to follow that strategy card really close, and have a reason to deviate such as stand 4-card 16 vs. 10 ( esp. single deck) because the count is now positive justifying the stand, even though basic says to hit.

You actually gain by not doubling down ( in terms of absolute chance to win one hand) but sacrifice winning double when you catch nice card.

The situation is unique because the amounts force some changes. I don't blame gijoe for playing it the way he is. The only thing I'd do differently is be more pro-active in arranging a back-up deal for a split. It needs to be with one, or a very few people, not a large group.

The situation is unique because the amounts force some changes. I don't blame gijoe for playing it the way he is. The only thing I'd do differently is be more pro-active in arranging a back-up deal for a split. It needs to be with one, or a very few people, not a large group.

Click to expand...

doug, has gigoe annouced in a thread that I have missed? how he will be playing this?

I believe he stated somewhere, that he's unwilling to pull out 10k or more and potentially take a hefty hit. That could happen on a split gone bad. I don't have a link, but it's more or less stated somewhere.

yes i will not put 10,000 of my own money for a split. i could lose both hands and end up losing 10,000 of my own money and i would be sick. i know the chances are slim that i would lose both hands but it could happen. thanks for all the advice and i hope to talk to a lot of you guys friday and saturday.

gijoe: Please consider me, as a real sharp advisor for you, I think I'm about the best you'll find here !

Dougj,...just read through this post and you really do seem like a "sharp advisor"...you really seem to know your sh*t re playing blackjack...look forward to meeting you and discussing stratgy w/you and even sharing taking some of the GN's $ at the tables.......


Da Creek:monsters-

Doug, I will look you up Sat befor I play my hand also.

Thanks , i do have knowledge of the game, hopefully you guys get nice hands and emerge victorious with great ease, but that may not occur.

Best luck ! I hope you catch a natural, which occurs roughly once every 20 hands !