Is there a site that tells HOW they made those Blackjack charts?

[bluetoast]

I understand that mathematically it is sound, but I want to know the hows and whys of the specific instances of the chart. Why do this when the dealer has that, etc. The chart tells you what to do, but I would like to know reasons behind the cards for those suggestions.

I've been searching for this, but results just tell basic rules.

[jdodd]

I think most of it is self-explanatory; each move on the chart has the absolute best odds of paying off.

Is there a particular decision on the chart that you're questioning?

[bluetoast]

I'm wondering about some of the "holes" in the chart where after a bunch of similar calls, it goes to something else, then back to the regular calls.

Such as the decidision to Stand at a Dealer's 7 on a 9,9; or a 4,5,6 on a 12. Stuff like that. I guess I also need to know about "average" card value, and how to factor both values of the Ace into that.

Since the site I'm talking about is on and off with direct linking, here is the link with the chart:

http://wizardofodds.com/blackjack

[El Scorcho]

I'm wondering about some of the "holes" in the chart where after a bunch of similar calls, it goes to something else, then back to the regular calls.

Such as the decidision to Stand at a Dealer's 7 on a 9,9; or a 4,5,6 on a 12. Stuff like that. I guess I also need to know about "average" card value, and how to factor both values of the Ace into that.

Since the site I'm talking about is on and off with direct linking, here is the link with the chart:

http://wizardofodds.com/blackjack

(all calculations done with an infinite multiple of decks)

Stand on 99 vs Dealer 7 = +0.3996 units of Expected Value (EV)
Split 99 vs Dealer 7 = +0.3648 units of EV

You split 99 against 2-6 for obvious reasons -- 2-6 you want to get as much money on the table as you can as the dealer stands a great chance to bust and even if he doesn't, you have a great chance to pull two hands > 17 with your 9,9.

But with 7, you stay because 30.7% of the time you will instantly win (dealer flips a 10-value). 7.6% of the time you will push (ace flips). 38% of the time, he will draw a card that puts him in bad shape (5,6,7,8,9). And only 23% of the time will he put you in a position where you need to sweat (2,3,4).

On a dealer 8, your 99 is going to push 30.7% of the time instead of win like with a dealer 7. You'll now lose the 7.6% of the time he flips an ace. Your best chance here is to hope for a couple ace/face cards to go with your 9s.

The +EV calc is close, but it's all math based and tried and true. Split the 9s always against a 8 but never against a 7.

[El Scorcho]

Also, with Dealer 2,3,4,5,6 against a 12:

EV for hitting 12 vs 2,3,4,5,6: -0.2534, -0.2337, -0.2135, -0.1933, -0.1705
EV for standing 12 vs 2,3,4,5,6: -0.2928, -0.2523, -0.2111, -0.1672, -0.1537

Getting dealt 12 is a long term loser no matter what the dealer has, but look at the bolded numbers above to see where the cross over point is from hitting and standing when it comes to losing the least -- it's between Dealer 3 and Dealer 4.

I know this all might not be what you're looking for. It seems you might be looking for some sort of quantitative reason like "there are more non tens than tens in the deck so do this" but it isn't that simple at all. These numbers are generated mathematical probability formulas. There really is no better explanation.

Memorize the table and use it if you want to lose the least, even if some spots seem counter-intuitive.

[Red Dog]

I like when I hit the 13 against the deuce and other people at the table look at me like I'm some kind of idiot. ;)

[El Scorcho]

I like when I hit the 13 against the deuce and other people at the table look at me like I'm some kind of idiot. ;)

they do that all the time

you just only notice it when you hit 13 against a 2 ;)

[Red Dog]

they do that all the time

you just only notice it when you hit 13 against a 2 ;)

You know - I did what I always do. Mix up the 13/2 vs. 12/3. :lol: I meant to say 12/3. That's the one I always have to pause on and strain to remember.