Blackjack Counting Strategy Deviations and Index Plays 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The 'Illustrious 18' refers to:
- The 18 most valuable basic strategy deviations for card counters (Correct answer)
- 18 counting systems ranked by efficiency
- 18 casinos most favorable to counters
- 18 basic strategy rules never to deviate from
Correct answer: The 18 most valuable basic strategy deviations for card counters
The Illustrious 18 is Don Schlesinger's ranking of the 18 most profitable strategy deviations based on their impact on player EV.
Question 2: What happens to strategy deviations at extreme negative counts?
- Some hitting strategies become correct instead of standing (Correct answer)
- All deviations reverse to basic strategy
- The count becomes unreliable for all decisions
- Dealers must reshuffle immediately
Correct answer: Some hitting strategies become correct instead of standing
At very negative counts, the deck is low-card rich, making hitting more likely to produce non-busting hands and changing some standing decisions.
Question 3: A counter should deviate from basic strategy and stand on 12 vs dealer 4 when:
- True count is 0 or higher (Correct answer)
- True count is -2 or lower
- The running count is above +6
- Dealer has an Ace in the hole
Correct answer: True count is 0 or higher
Standing on 12 vs 4 is correct at neutral or positive counts; at deeply negative counts, hitting 12 may actually become correct.
Question 4: Why should counters focus first on the Illustrious 18 deviations before learning all possible index plays?
- The Illustrious 18 capture 80-90% of the total EV from deviations (Correct answer)
- The other deviations are illegal
- Other index plays require level-3 systems
- The Illustrious 18 are easiest to memorize
Correct answer: The Illustrious 18 capture 80-90% of the total EV from deviations
The top 18 deviations provide the majority of EV gain from count-based strategy changes, making learning beyond them yield diminishing returns.
Question 5: When should a counter take the surrender option on 16 vs dealer Ace?
- When true count is below +1 (or at basic strategy) (Correct answer)
- When true count is above +4
- Never; always hit 16 vs Ace
- Only at negative counts
Correct answer: When true count is below +1 (or at basic strategy)
Surrendering 16 vs Ace is a basic strategy play that counters maintain at low counts but may deviate from at very high counts.
Question 6: In Hi-Lo, at what true count should a counter deviate to double down on 9 vs dealer 2?
- +1 (Correct answer)
- +4
- -1
- +7
Correct answer: +1
Doubling 9 vs 2 becomes correct at a true count of +1, when the deck's ten-richness makes doubling more profitable than hitting.
Blackjack Counting Strategy Deviations and Index Plays 2
The 'Illustrious 18' refers to: