The Game Of 21 Part2
The bare rule-of-thumb basic strategy in the game is for the player to hit if his total is 16 or less when the dealer shows a 7, 8, 9, or 10 value card, or an Ace. With eight decks there are lots of 10 value cards in the shoe, so the player has to assume a 10 or a picture card as the dealer's hole card. On the other hand, if the dealer shows a 4, 5, or a 6, basic strategy is for the player to "stand," and to let the dealer draw and possibly bust.
When the dealer shows a 2 or a 3, you face a choice. Here's where I differ from many so-called blackjack experts. When single or double decks were more common years ago, I'd stand on the dealer's 2 or 3. Now, with the 8-deck shoe, I have to swim against the current of the prevailing wisdom mentioned above—to consider the dealer's hole card a 10 spot. With all the cards that can help the dealer's total on a 2 showing, I always hit my 12 or 13 count.
As for insurance, surrender, and "Let It Ride," forget it. All three are bad, bad bets. If you want more details about these three sucker bets you are welcome to read all about them in another blackjack book. I won't waste time on these shams.
While the dealer is rigidly constricted by his options, the player is allowed splendid leeway which, if managed properly, can be a decided advantage to him in the game.
First, there is the player's option of splitting pairs. When the player is dealt two identical cards, he may separate them, making them the first cards of two separate hands.
Sometimes it's an advantage and sometimes it isn't. The only hard-and-set rule for splitting pairs is with Aces and 8's, which the player should almost always split. Exception: Where the dealer shows an Ace, an 8, 9, or a 10 point card, I don't split 8's. If the dealer shows a 5 or a 6, it is advantageous for the player to split all pairs—I even split 10 point pairs in this case, which can be construed as either daring or lunatic. (Many times I shake up the pit boss when I split 10 pointers,- it's done so infrequently that they are often rattled by my move.) In some casinos you can split a third time (except with aces), and if the same card shows up a fourth time, some casinos will even let you split it still again. In the next section I will give you graphic examples of what can and does happen with multiple splittings.
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