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Ask The Wizard #96
Hello, wizard. I really appreciate your website and hope you continue to maintain it. I have two questions I would like to ask.
1) Is card counting exclusive to blackjack? Does it have no value or is it simply less effective for other card games such as baccarat?
2) In your section on card counting for blackjack, you mentioned that Ken Uston’s Plus/Minus strategy treats cards 3-7 as low. Wouldn't it make more sense to classify 2-6 as low and 7-9 as neutral?
I appreciate your kind feedback. Regarding your first question, baccarat isn’t feasible for card counting in any practical sense. I have had similar thoughts about your second question. I previously used Uston’s Plus/Minus method but transitioned to Wong’s Hi/Low system. Upon reflection, I don’t believe Wong’s system is significantly more advantageous, but there is much more material available about it. My analysis indicates that removing a 2 from a deck enhances the player's return by 0.39%, while excluding a 7 only increases it by 0.29%. So, if you can only track one card, the 2 is the better option. blackjack appendix 7 The strategy I employ keeps tabs on both the 2 and 7. In my view, if you haven’t yet started counting cards, the 2-6 Hi/Low approach is marginally superior. However, if you're already using another strategy, it might be wise to stick with it. Knockout Count According to the basic strategy chart for blackjack, a player should hit if they have a total of 16 and the dealer is showing an ace. I'm curious if the chart factors in that once it is known insurance does not payout, the dealer cannot have a hidden ten-valued card? This would clearly reduce the dealer's ability to form a strong hand, but would it be enough for a player to consider standing on a 16?
Yes, the basic strategy presumes the dealer does not hold a ten underneath. Even in European casinos, where the dealer doesn’t check, the hit/stand strategy remains the same because if the dealer has a blackjack, the player’s chances are nil. When the dealer has an ace, assuming there is no blackjack, the likelihood of achieving 17 or higher is 83.3% if the dealer stands on a soft 17. Therefore, hitting is statistically the better choice, and standing is not even close.
Does cracking your knuckles lead to larger knuckles?
Despite common belief, I find that cracking your knuckles is completely harmless. My chiropractor has frequently cracked my back and neck, and I’ve benefited from it.
While playing blackjack at Casino Niagara, I increased my bet from $15 to $300 by using an improvised counting method whenever I noticed a surplus of low cards in the deck. Both times I did this, the dealer shouted 'table max' and the pit staff suddenly started observing the game closely. In your opinion, how close was I to being escorted to the backroom?
I can't speak extensively for Canada, but backrooming a card counter is illegal in the United States. Such actions are only permissible in cases of cheating. Nonetheless, there have been instances where counters successfully sued in similar situations. From what I gather, Canada has a more relaxed approach compared to the U.S., suggesting a lower likelihood of being backroomed there. Additionally, abruptly increasing your bet to twenty times the original amount raises a significant red flag. Most counters who aim to avoid drawing attention only double their wagers at most. That’s my policy too, unless I feel entirely safe.
Is it a fact that casinos circulate oxygen to keep players feeling alert and energized?
No, that’s entirely inaccurate. It’s just an urban myth.
I prefer the orange property set the most, as it yields the best return on investment. For instance, a hotel on the orange set costs $500, whereas the average rent is $966.67, giving a rent-to-expense ratio of 1.93. The only set with a higher ratio is the light blue set at 2.27, but the maximum rent there is only $600. When there are three houses on orange properties, they have rents equivalent to the hotel rents on light blue, yet they cost 20% less and allow more construction. Furthermore, landing on oranges is quite advantageous right after coming out of jail. Therefore, my suggestion is to prioritize the orange set when trading.
What set in monopoly is the best?
Do you believe the Jacks or Better strategy available on your site would be effective in live poker?
In a 5-card draw game, if a player is not participating but accidentally gets dealt in by the dealer, do the odds shift? Or do they remain unchanged since the card distribution is random?
No! Absolutely not!
Accurate mathematical strategies and valuable information for various casino games such as blackjack, craps, roulette, and hundreds of others.
The odds are the same.