Blackjack Counting Strategy Deviations and Index Plays 2

Question 1

The 'Illustrious 18' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The 18 most valuable basic strategy deviations for card counters

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Some hitting strategies become correct instead of standing

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

True count is 0 or higher

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

The Illustrious 18 capture 80-90% of the total EV from deviations

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

When true count is below +1 (or at basic strategy)

Answer

Surrendering 16 vs Ace is a basic strategy play that counters maintain at low counts but may deviate from at very high counts.

Blackjack Counting Practice Test