If you have 16 and the dealer shows 10, the EV of hitting is almost the same as standing. It is so close that the true optimal play really depends on the card composition (do you have a total of 16 with just two cards, or with 4?), and the count. There is a detailed analysis in Griffin (The Theory of Blackjack) somewhere, I don't remember exactly where. I do remember offhand though that any time the count is favorable, it is correct to stand; any time the count is unfavorable OR NEUTRAL, it is correct to hit. So if you had to pick one, that's why it is "hit on 16", because of the neutral case.
A quick google found this wizardofodds.com article:
http://wizardofodds.com/askthewizard/57
06-25-2006, 02:33 PM
Re: Black Jack Ettiquete: Am I rude?
Threaded Mode