Anda1man wrote on 4/29/00 4:35 PM:
> Next time I play, I think I will ALWAYS refuse a card in cases where I
>could go bust (my first two cards being over 11). If it works, I will let the
>group know.
That is the essence of most playing strategies that minimize the house
advantage. When a complete optimal strategy is played, the house
advantage can be kept to less than 1%, depending on the number of decks
(with one deck, the house is at a disadvantage).
For instance, If the dealer's up card is one which suggests he is likely
to go bust (his down card is always assumed to be a 10) you should not
take a card. If the dealer is showing an up card that suggests he will
have a stand hand (7,8,9,10) you take cards even if you are likely to go
bust. Those are the major extra considerations. There are lots of details
about what to do with a few specific situations at the edges of these
broad considerations.
Here is a web page showing optimal strategies resulting from simulations,
accounting for the number of decks and rule variations.
http://www.thewizardofodds.com/game/bj.html
Paul
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