Blackjack game

The same abbreviations that were used in the tables and charts for

single- and double-deck games are used for four or more decks. Note:
The abbreviations also appear below each table and color-coded chart.

HOW TO USE THE STRATEGY TABLES AND CHARTS

Suppose you are playing a S17, DAS game and you are dealt 10-6 and the dealer shows a 10 upcard. If you refer to the Four-or-More Decks, S17, DAS Table, you will find the following rule for hard 16:

* Surrender on 9, 10, A***; Stand on 2 through 6;
Hit on 7 and 8

Since the dealer’s upcard is a 10, the correct basic strategy play is to Surrender. If the casino rules for surrender don’t allow you to do so, then you should hit. When you check the *** at the bottom of the table, it explains what to do if surrender is not offered.

If you refer to the Four-or-More Decks, S17, DAS chart, you will see that at the intersection of the 16 and dealer’s 10 upcard, the box states “Suh.” This means surrender if allowed; otherwise, hit.

Let’s try one more hand. You are dealt 7-7 and the dealer’s upcard is a 7. The rules are H17, DAS. How does the strategy table or chart say to play it?

The answer is to Split.

FOUR-OR-MORE DECKS, S17, DAS

STRATEGY TABLE

STRATEGY CHART

FOUR-OR-MORE DECKS, S17, NDAS

FOUR-OR-MORE DECKS, H17, DAS

FOUR-OR-MORE DECKS, H17, NDAS

INSIDER TIPS FOR PLAYING FOUR OR MORE DECKS

The cards are dealt face up from a dealing shoe. Be sure you know the correct playing etiquette and how to signal your playing decision to the dealer when the cards are dealt face up.

Most shoe-dealt games in land-based casinos use six-decks of cards. Next most common is an eight-deck game; the four-deck game, once quite popular, is now rather rare.

Some games dealt with four or more decks in land-based casinos pay only 6 to 5, instead of 3 to 2, for a winning blackjack. When the casino pays only 6-5 for a blackjack, the house edge increases by 1.4% (ouch!). I’ll have more to say about these dastardly 6-5 games in Chapter 6 but for now remember to never play any blackjack game that pays 6-5 on a blackjack.

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