Play Strategies with Card Counting

Abstract

The analysis leading to Basic Strategy calculates the expected return, R, for a large number of possible playing strategies and identifies the one that maximizes it. The hand values s and s ^′, at or above which Player should stand, are identified as well as the initial values for which he should double down or split. Taken together, the values for standing, doubling, and splitting – for each Dealer upcard – constitute a set of parameters that specify each possible strategy. The family of all possible strategies numbers in the millions, although only one is maximal. Designate the family as π.