Two Cover Plays in Black Jack.

[cardcounter0]

Playing a big bet spread at blackjack, want to throw the pit off that you are counting?

Two cover play tips:
1) Never hit 16 vs T. Basic Strategy says hit, you should always stand. When the count is high and you have big bets, it is correct to stand on 16 vs T. When the count is low, 16 vs T is a very close play, you aren't giving up very much in EV, and you aren't betting very much anyways.

2) Always take insurance. When the count is high and you have big bets, it is correct to take insurance. When the count is low, you are betting very little, and you are only making 1/2 of that bet for insurance.

So the pit is wondering if you are lucky or counting? Well here is a guy who is always making the sucker insurance bet, and doesn't even follow basic strategy with 16 vs T.
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[SheetWise]

Yes. In most counts the critical index on 16 v 10 is 0. Doesn't matter.

I'm not sure I would recommend insuring everything -- just make it look like a decision rather than a reflex. Occasionally insure a 20 on a minus count, "because you should always insure a 20."

A7 v X is also a tell. I won't hit on small wagers. If the spread is big enough, I've been known to double on small wagers.

[NL Rounder]

16 vs. T is count dependent and even more correct to surrender if you have that option.

I prefer to mention playing hunches and other superstitions when "occasionally" taking insurance or making other non-book plays that are count-correct.

Bottom line, it's how you eventually get your big bets in the circle during a high count that's going to determine how quickly you catch heat...and that's a subject that I'm not discussing further.

[jba]

I always catch the worst heat in the world insuring a stiff hand. this seems like something non-advantage players never ever ever do.

[bpb]

I just ran a sim on 3 players using the KO count, with identical 1-10 bet spreads.

8D, DAS, DOA, LS, 1.5 decks cut off

Player A
Plays perfect basic strategy + about 20 index plays. Always insures correctly.

Player B
Same as A except always insures

Player C
Sames as A except
Always stands on multi-card 16 vs 10 (since 2-card 16 is a surrender)
Always stands on soft 18 vs dealer 9,T,A
Always stands on 12 vs 3
Always doubles 11 v A
Always doubles 9 v 2
Always doubles 8 v 6
Always insures BJ
Never insures <17
Insures 17-20 when correct

Results after 150K hands (winrate/100 hands)

A) 1.75
B) 1.43
C) 1.57

I personally think player C looks like a bigger goof to the pit and the eye than player B.

Always taking insurance just gives up too damn much in my opinion.

[cardcounter0]

Ugggh! 8 deckers, that sucks. If you are going to do 8 decks, then add wonging in at +1 and leaving with a negative count. Then you avoid a lot of bad insurance decisions.

I think you will improve results with Player C if instead of standing on 12 vs 3, instead always hit 12 vs 4.
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