14 Responses to “Deviation Chart – Soft Totals”

1. SK says:

   October 18, 2009 at 12:36 am

   Why are the charts in the video different from what you guys provide as a download? Which one is more up-to-date?

   Thanks.
2. colin says:

   October 19, 2009 at 4:48 pm

   SK,

   That’s a good question. We made the videos a couple years ago, and since then, have done more research into what deviations are worth teaching people to use. The deviations we have to download are the most up-to-date.
3. Tanner says:

   November 29, 2009 at 8:09 pm

   So in these playing deviation videos you sometimes say you should deviate at the true count and above or below and sometimes say you say you should deviate only at that number. Are they all aboves and belows or for example when you have two 10s against a 6 should you deviate at true four only or true four and above?

   Thanks

   P.S. these vids are awesome
4. jon says:

   December 30, 2009 at 12:39 pm

   Tanner,

   You almost always deviate at the TRUE COUNT and ABOVE. Situations where you deviate at a TRUE COUNT and BELOW are situations where the deviation is a NEGATIVE (-) number. If you have questions about specific deviations on the charts feel free to ask them. Otherwise, you can usually figure out how to treat the deviation by thinking through why the deviation exists in the first place. It is always the most common sense answer.
5. Max says:

   October 3, 2011 at 12:11 am

   guys a bit confused here…why would you typically double an A7 against a 2, the chart clearly shows it as yellow meaning you would typically stand, you double down when its 3-6, or have i been reading it wrong?
6. colin says:

   October 3, 2011 at 1:32 pm

   Max,

   Sorry if this is confusing. With A,7 v 2, if the count is positive, you will double down. If the count is negative, you will stand. If it’s at 0, you will follow basic strategy (which is to Stand on an S17 game, but to Double on an H17 game).

   Hope that helps!
7. Stephan says:

   October 19, 2011 at 4:38 pm

   Colin,

   I thought you always double down (instead of just hit) on a H17 game with an A,7 v 2 regardless of the count.
8. colin says:

   October 19, 2011 at 5:28 pm

   Stephan,

   Yeah, that was a typo by me. I wrote the wrong thing, but I’ve gone back and edited it. Thanks for pointing that out.
9. Stephan says:

   October 19, 2011 at 8:22 pm

   Colin,

   Come to think of it, on both the H17 and S17 downloadable charts, it advises to always double on A7 Vs 2 (there are no deviation numbers for this play). Am I reading the charts correctly? Colin & Ben, thanks for your help. You guys are great!!
10. colin says:

    October 20, 2011 at 11:39 am

    Stephan,

    Yeah, you’re right. I was referencing the deviation numbers I still have rattling around in my brain. We removed those numbers because they don’t really add any EV to the game. Just stick to the charts… always double A7 v 2.
11. Bill says:

    November 10, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    At a soft 19 vs upcard 6 do you double down if the true count is below 0? Because basic strategy says to stand
12. colin says:

    November 11, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    Bill,

    I know this is a little confusing, but here’s how it works:

    In H17 (dealer hits soft 17): Basic strategy is actually to double A,8 v 6. If it’s positive, you double. If it’s negative, you stand.
    In S17 *dealer stands on soft 17): Basic Strategy is to stand on A,8 v 6. If it’s true 1 or higher, you’ll double.

    We only have the S17 Basic Strategy on the site. We used to have both, but it got too confusing for people. So learn S17 basic, then learn the deviation chart (and what the numbers mean) for the game you’ll be playing. I have both charts memorized because I play both games regularly (esp. Vegas).

    Great question, though!
13. ContinuousShufflingMachine says:

    March 29, 2012 at 12:58 am

    Should I even double on a natural Blackjack against 4,5,and 6 at the high count? Does the casino allow me to do that?
    I don’t think it would not be more profitable because I’ve already been paid 1.5 times my original bet, I’m only doubling to risk the 0.5 times the money. Should I really double it?
14. Colin says:

    April 10, 2012 at 3:55 pm

    CSM- NO, You would never double on a natural blackjack!!! You’re getting 3:2, so to double would be to risk the guaranteed 1.5 bets on the hope of another .5 bet. Never worth it (unless you were certain you were getting a 10 and the dealer wasn’t going to get 21).