DONALD SCHLESINGER AND HIS ILLUSTRIOUS 18 FROM BLACKJACK

Basic strategy play might not satisfy all the blackjack players out there.

Whether due to boredom or a drive for better results, players often want to knuckle down on specific situations when playing at a blackjack table, and basic blackjack strategy doesn’t completely cut it.

If you’re a blackjack player who has reached this point, don’t worry!

In this post, we’ll present you with a new dimension of blackjack that even the most devout blackjack fans don’t know about.

We have Don Schlesinger to thank for that, so let’s get cracking.

WHY ILLUSTRIOUS 18 BLACKJACK DEVIATIONS ARE SO AWESOME?

Donald Schlesinger, a renowned figure in the world of blackjack, introduced the concept of the Illustrious 18 as a set of key play variations to enhance the basic blackjack strategy.

He did so in his book called “Blackjack Attack”, whose second edition was published in 1997.

The Illustrious 18 is a collection of specific deviations from the standard strategy, each designed to optimise the player’s advantage in different situations.

This strategy’s deviations are considered great due to their ability to significantly impact a player’s expected return.

By deviating from the standard strategy in specific scenarios, players can gain an edge over the house, turning blackjack into a game of skill rather than pure chance.

These deviations will equip you with better knowledge about making the best move in the game’s complex situations, thus, granting you a better winning rate in the long run.

WHERE DID ILLUSTRIOUS 18 COME FROM?

Don Schlesinger, a member of the Blackjack Hall of Fame, developed the Illustrious 18 as an extension of Dr. Edward O. Thorp’s groundbreaking work on card counting, be it for Hi-Lo counters or otherwise.

Schlesinger’s variations provide players with a comprehensive guide on when to deviate from the basic strategy based on the count, enabling them to make more informed decisions and increase their chances of success.

CARD COUNTING SYSTEM WITH ILLUSTRIOUS 18 BLACKJACK

The Illustrious 18 is an integral part of advanced card counting systems, allowing players to adjust their strategy based on the current count.

By keeping track of the ratio of high to low-value cards in the deck, players can determine when the Illustrious 18 deviations should be applied, providing them with a powerful tool for gaining an edge in the game.

Card counting involves assigning point values to each card dealt and keeping a running count as the cards are played.

The Illustrious 18, by focusing on specific key deviations, aids players in making precise adjustments to their playing strategy as the count becomes more profit-oriented.

As the count increases, indicating a higher proportion of high-value cards remaining in the deck, players can confidently apply the Illustrious 18 variations to exploit the increased likelihood of advantageous situations.

Conversely, when the count is low, signaling an abundance of low-value cards, players adhere more closely to the basic strategy.

This dynamic adaptation to the changing composition of the deck is what sets such strategies apart, making it a superb tool for seasoned (Hi-Lo) card counters seeking to maximise their profitability when playing blackjack.

18 KEY PLAY VARIATIONS TO THE BASIC BLACKJACK STRATEGY FROM DON SCHLESINGER

While the specific recommendations of the Illustrious 18 can vary based on the source and the particular card counting system used, here’s a general guideline on what some variations may suggest:

1. Insurance Bet: The Illustrious 18 may advise taking insurance when the true count is sufficiently high, indicating an increased likelihood of a blackjack for the dealer.
2. Surrender Option: It suggests surrendering in situations where the true count is unfavourable, minimising losses when the odds are against the player.
3. Standing on 16 Against 10: The Illustrious 18 may recommend standing on a player’s 16 when the true count is high, as the likelihood of the dealer busting is elevated.
4. Standing on 12 Against 2: Players might be advised to stand on a 12 when the dealer has a 2 if the true count is more profit-oriented, exploiting the likelihood of the dealer busting.
5. Soft 18 Against 9: It may suggest hitting a soft 18 against a dealer’s 9 in certain situations, capitalising on the improved odds of getting a strong hand.
6. Soft 18 Against 10: The Illustrious 18 could recommend various plays for a soft 18 against a dealer’s 10, such as hitting or doubling down, based on the count.
7. Soft 18 Against Ace: Deviating from basic strategy, it might recommend doubling down on a soft 18 against an Ace in favorable conditions.
8. Soft 18 Against Ace in Single-Deck Games: In single-deck games, the Illustrious 18 may provide specific advice on how to handle a soft 18 against an Ace, considering the impact of card removal.
9. Soft 17: The Illustrious 18 could suggest various plays for a soft 17 based on the count, whether it’s hitting, standing, or doubling down.
10. Doubling Down on 11 Against Ace: It might recommend doubling down on an 11 when the dealer has an Ace, taking advantage of a potentially weakened dealer hand.
11. Doubling Down on 9 Against 7: The Illustrious 18 may advise doubling down on a player’s 9 when the dealer has a 7, seizing the opportunity to increase the bet in favorable conditions.
12. Split 4s Against 5: It could recommend splitting 4s against a dealer’s 5, recognising the improved chances of creating two stronger hands.
13. Split 6s Against 2: The Illustrious 18 might suggest splitting 6s against a dealer’s 2 to take advantage of the potential dealer bust.
14. Split 6s Against 3: Similar to the previous point, it could recommend splitting 6s against a dealer’s 3 in situations where the count is favorable.
15. Splitting 7s Against 10: It may recommend splitting 7s against a dealer’s 10 in specific scenarios, considering the potential to improve the player’s position.
16. Splitting 7s Against Ace: The Illustrious 18 might suggest splitting 7s against an Ace, recognising opportunities to take advantage of a potentially weakened dealer hand.
17. Splitting 8s Against 9: It could advise against splitting 8s when the dealer has a 9, recognising the potential for creating two weaker hands.
18. Splitting 8s Against 10: The Illustrious 18 may recommend splitting 8s against a dealer’s 10, recognising the potential for improving the player’s position.

In regards to the memorisation of card counts, negative counts correspond to minimum bet amounts, so failing to vary from basic strategy based on the count does not cost much.

Index numbers below -5, for example, have very little practical value, while any index number higher than that is worth remembering.

It’s crucial to note that the Illustrious 18 is designed for use in specific card-counting systems, and the recommendations can vary based on the specific rules of the game and the chosen card-counting strategy.

HOW DOES ILLUSTRIOUS 18 WORK IN DIFFERENT DECKS?

The Illustrious 18 is a set of key play variations to the basic blackjack strategy that is particularly designed to be applied in the context of card counting.

The effectiveness of the Illustrious 18 can vary based on the number of decks used in the game, and it is essential to understand how it works in single-deck games, double-deck games and multi-deck games.

• Single Deck Games: The Illustrious 18 can have a bigger impact in a single-deck game due to the smaller number of cards in play. Card removal has a more significant effect on the composition of the remaining deck. The recommendations within the Illustrious 18 take into account the nuances of single-deck play, providing specific guidance for scenarios like soft hands against an Ace, splitting pairs, and doubling down. The count becomes more critical in single-deck games, as each card’s removal has a more significant impact on the overall composition of the remaining deck.
• Double-Deck Games: With a balance between the impact of card removal found in single deck and the diluted effect in multi-deck games, players must choose a suitable counting system and adapt their strategy based on the true count. The Illustrious 18 offers specific recommendations for doubling down, splitting pairs, and altering the standard strategy in various situations unique to double deck play.
• Multi-Deck Game: In multi-deck variants, which are more common in modern (online) casinos, the Illustrious 18 remains relevant but requires some adaptation. In such variants, the impact of card removal is less dramatic, and the count becomes a bit more complex. This strategy still provides valuable insights into key play variations, such as standing on certain hands, doubling down, or splitting pairs, based on the true count. However, players need to adjust their decision-making based on the specific nuances of the card counting system being used and the rules of the game.

HOW MINOR CHANGES TO THE BASIC STRATEGY CAN AFFECT THE HOUSE EDGE

Minor changes to the basic strategy in blackjack can exert a significant influence on the house edge, ultimately shaping the game’s outcome.

The traditional basic strategy provides players with a set of guidelines for optimal decision-making in various scenarios.

However, the introduction of the Illustrious 18 brings forth a nuanced layer to this strategy, allowing players to strategically deviate based on the count.

By carefully incorporating these variations into gameplay, individuals gain the ability to adapt their approach in response to the changing composition of the deck.

These calculated adjustments, whether in terms of standing, doubling down, or splitting pairs, are strategically aligned with the true count, effectively shifting the odds to profit the player, with several practice, of course!

BENEFITS OF ILLUSTRIOUS 18 BLACKJACK

Here are some benefits you can expect when employing this strategy:

• Enhanced Decision-Making Capabilities: This strategy provides players with a set of specific guidelines for strategic deviations from the basic blackjack strategy, allowing them to make more informed decisions based on the current count.
• Increased Chances of Success in Specific Scenarios: By strategically incorporating the Illustrious 18 deviations into gameplay, players can capitalise on favorable conditions and improve their chances of success in critical moments, such as deciding when to stand, double down, or split pairs.
• Optimised Gameplay Based on Card Count: The Illustrious 18 is grounded in the principles of card counting, allowing players to adjust their strategy based on the count. This optimisation ensures that players are making decisions that align with the composition of the remaining deck, providing a dynamic and adaptive approach to gameplay.
• Improved Overall Advantage Play: As players consistently apply the Illustrious 18 in their blackjack strategy, they cultivate more favourable overall player winning odds. This contributes to a shift in the odds in favour of the player over the long run, enhancing the potential for sustained success in the game.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the Illustrious 18, pioneered by renowned blackjack expert Don Schlesinger, and by extension, Stanford Wong, stands as a testament to the fusion of theory and practical application in the realm of card counting.

Its importance lies not only in its strategic deviations from the basic blackjack strategy but also in its ability to bridge theoretical understanding with actionable gameplay.

As online casinos continue to evolve, this strategy remains a very important thing for players seeking to gain an edge when they bet at a blackjack table.

Its adaptability across different blackjack variations and deck sizes really highlights its significance in contemporary gaming.