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For those very serious readers who may be interested, however, a fairly extensive MBS-4 table is included below. It was compiled by collating information from a wide range of reputable sources. Where discrepancies between various tables occured, the integers finally chosen were “averaged” to arrive at the compromised figures shown on the chart. A conscious effort was made to err on the “conservative” side whenever possible. Keep in mind that absolute accuracy is never possible when dealing with MBS plays at any time, since they are necessarily just an “estimate” at best. After all, TC’s can only be determined by “guessing” how many unseen decks remain in the shoe.

In any case, this MBS-4 table is definitely the most comprehensive amalgamation of all MBS advice presently available from all known blackjack literature for Hi-Low TC’s ranging between 20 and + 20. The reader may be completely assured that every effort was exerted to make this the most reliable MBS data that could reasonably be required by any conscientious blackjack player today.

Nevertheless, for even further precise plays, see Wong’s Professional Blackjack, which includes tables showing such minutiae as how every specific two-card total should be played in order to wring out the last possible drop of advantage for the dedicated professional. For example, playing in a four-deck shoe game in which the dealer hits soft 17, if your 7 consists of 4,3 you should double versus a 4 when the TC is 11 or more, but if your 7 is comprised of 5,2 then a TC of at least 12 is required before the double is warranted. Again, keep in mind that this knowledge would be useful less than once every 1.6 million hands on average. Even for the most serious of players, learning such a sophisticated level of MBS play is impossible to justify, but the reader should be aware that the research has been done and that the information is available, just in case.

Modified Basic Strategy Table 4 (MBS-4)

For Hi-Low TC’s in shoe games where dealers must hit soft 17s, and where doubling-down on any two cards is allowed even after splitting. No surrender offered.

The DEALER is showing a:

(Double, if the TC equals or is greater than, and hit if the TC is less than, the integers in the section above.)

(Stand, if the TC equals or is greater than, but hit if the TC is less than, the integers in the section above.)

(Double, only if the TC equals or is greater than the integers shown in this “soft doubling” section; otherwise, hit or stand as BS dictates. The possible exception is A,7 versus A; stand if the TC is I or better.)

(Split, only if the TC equals or is greater than the integers in the section above. Otherwise hit or stand as BS dictates. The one exception: Do not split 8s versus T if the TC is 8 or more; when surrender is not an option, just stand instead.)

MBS-4 Notes

1. Only Revere, Humble, and Cooper advise players to stand with A,7 (or any soft 18) versus an Ace when the TC is I or more. Cardoza alone suggests doubling A,6 versus 7 if the TC = 11 or more. Although these plays are reasonable and should likely be followed, they are listed as “questionable” since there is no corroborating data to support their claims.

2. Another obscure blackjack writer, Silberstang, recommends standing with A,7 or 7,7 versus 10 with any positive count, but his “proof” is completely unsubstantiated, and since these plays seem somewhat less rational they should probably be ignored.

3. Flat betting (same-sized bet every time) even while playing proper MBS will not win you more money in the long run than merely correct TC bet-ranging played with ordinary BS, unless you are being somewhat conservative and playing, for example, only with TC’s of + 3 or more (see Griffen’s Theory of Blackjack). Therefore, to gain the full advantage of your MBS knowledge, you must also combine it with the TC bet-ranging outlined in chapter 6.

4. It should be noted that when the TC is 4 or more, insurance is generally a good bet; however, in shoe games where many Aces may have already appeared (thereby canceling a similar number of small cards in the count), a TC of 3 or less can often justify taking advantage of the insurance proposition. Employing Thorp’s Ten-count system precisely is the only way to be absolutely sure of when accepting the insurance wager is a good bet.