Looking at some more decisions here in blackjack basic strategy and I feel that I need to point out why some of these decisions are what they are. They are not designed by me but from the use of computer simulations involving millions upon millions of hands. This was done back as long ago as the 1950’s and 1960’s and the mathematical nature of blackjack means that it is very difficult if not impossible to improve upon those figures……they simply are what they are almost like the alphabet.
So disputing basic strategy is futile although some people do but it is a bit like disputing that seven doesn’t come between six and eight……a fact is a fact at the end of the day. Sometimes some basic decisions seem counter intuitive like the following.
16 vs 10
This is a poor position for a player to be in and he will lose money irrespective of whether or not he takes a card or stands, you must accept that some positions are so bad in blackjack that you are –EV whatever you do…..a bit like playing out of the blinds in poker. The decision now is to choose the best line that loses less. Sixteen versus a ten is a close decision as many are in blackjack but the correct play most of the time is to take a card because it loses less money than standing.
However I am going to contradict myself here somewhat because in some instances depending on the count then it can also be correct to stand on sixteen but standing is an advanced play and you need to know when it is correct which is not the point of this article…..general rule is……take a card because it loses less money.
