BASIC
STRATEGY FREQUENCY OF USE RESULTING BENEFITS
This
table also shows the relative benefits of learning
the vari-ous parts of the Basic Strategy. The figures
assume a single-deck game played with typical Las
Vegas rules (dealer stands on any 17, no surrender).
The player advantage of 2.45 per cent is a composite
figure for both hard and soft standing. The frequency
of 13.1 per cent for pair splitting applies whether
doubling is or is not allowed. The number of hands
that could be split stays the same; only the strategy
varies.
The
sequence in which the various strategy tables will
be presented in thiswebsectionis shown in the table
below. The recom-mended order of learning the standard
plays and options is based upon frequency of occurrence,
player benefit, and ease of learning. For example,
although insurance Basic Strategy gives you no additional
statistical advantage, it is so easy to learn that
every-one should use it in casino play because it
will save you money.
CUMULATIVE
ADVANTAGE WITH BASIC STRATEGY
I
believe that each person who plans to play should
learn the correct hitting and standing strategy.
This takes just a few mo-ments and reduces the house
advantage by half. One-time players who plan to
play more than a few hands should also learn the
simple hard-doubling strategy. This addition cuts
the advantage by over a factor of seven. For occasional
players, learning the first two rules in pair-splitting
tables lets you play what is nearly a break-even
game. If you plan to play more seriously or use
the Hi-Opt I, you should learn the complete set
of tables.
The
strategies in the next ten tables look very imposing
at first. The tables are presented in their complete
form for purposes of explanation only. The final
sections of thiswebsectionwill show how to organize
the information and learn it with the least amount
of effort. So don't try to remember what you are
reading at first; only make certain you understand
how to read the tables and how much the various
strategies will benefit you.
Information