+2 and Higher Strategy

The biggest difference is insurance. When the count is high, we always take insurance. This is because a high count means that the dealer is more likely to have a ten in the hole, improving the odds such that they are in the player’s favor.

If the count is +2 or higher, we also stand, double, and surrender the hands in the table below. If the count is below +2, we don't.

So, with a 16 against a dealer 10, we stand if the count is +2 or higher since we are bound to bust with a shoe rich with high cards. We hit the hand with a count below +2 since there are more small cards. We double 11 against a dealer ace with a +2 or higher count. And we surrender with a 15 against a 9 with a +2 to avoid a bust.

Single-Deck

Since playing decisions are more important in single-deck games, we use all the modifications in the above table plus five more as follows:

 © 2009 Norman Wattenberger