Single-Deck MBS
Proper single-deck basic strategy, for instance, is slightly different from proper shoe strategy, even when the rules are identical. You will probably never actually use this information, since single-deck games are offered so rarely; and when they are, their rules are so restrictive that you would be foolish to play them anyway. It is worth looking at the absolutely correct single-deck plays, though, if only for a better understanding of MBS theory. Here, then, are the modifications to BS that you should adopt for use under normal single-deck playing conditions:
1. 2s and 3s are not to be split versus the dealer’s 2, nor 3s versus 3. Split 4s versus 4, 5, or 6 only if doubling-down after splitting is allowed.
2. Double A,2 and A,3 versus 4, 5, or 6; A,6 versus 2; A,8 versus 6; 8 versus 5 or 6; 9 versus 2; and 11 versus A.
3. A,7 stands versus A.
You should note that even these changes to BS cannot be applied accurately to all single-deck games. Computer studies have shown that certain plays should be made only under very specific circumstances: whether surrender is offered; whether doubling after splitting is allowed; whether any two cards may be doubled, or only 10s and lis; whether the dealer stands on all 17s, and so on. Understand that every rule change theoretically demands its own picayune BS modification. For instance, you are sometimes required to double your 5,3 versus a 6, but just hit your 6,2 versus the same 6, depending upon which rules apply. (See tip 61 for other examples.) In a lifetime of blackjack playing, however, I have never once felt the need to learn such a detailed level of MBS. Please, be skeptical of any advice suggesting that you should.
All this does not imply that BS plays should not be modified in any way, regardless of what the playing conditions are. However, rather than blindly memorizing completely separate tables for every single rule variation that possibly may exist (as some blogs actually suggest), it is easier and much more practical to obtain some insight into why BS plays should differ from one casino to another. Armed with this understanding, you can more effortlessly adopt the appropriate MBS practically on the spot, no matter what rules happen to be in effect. Adapting your BS changes according to intelligent reasoning is for superior to blindly following some obscure table memorized by rote.
