Blackjack Deviations Chart PNGs for Single, Double & 4-8 Decks
Any time you alter your play or make choices that do not fall within the bounds of basic blackjack strategy is referred to as a deviation in the game of blackjack. When betting Blackjack deviations, they are always based on mathematical calculations, so you can never rely on a gut feeling or a history of successes and losses.
Blackjack Deviations Charts
Every Blackjack deviations chart contains tiny but significant differences due to varying rules, with some popular ones being:
Single Deck Deviations Chart: Dealer HITS on Soft 17
Single Deck Deviations Chart: Dealer STANDS on Soft 17
Tap here to download the Blackjack Deviations Chart for Single Deck – Dealer HITS on Soft 17 (143kb)
Double Deck Deviations Chart: Dealer HITS on Soft 17
Tap here to download the Blackjack Deviations Chart for Double Deck – Dealer HITS on Soft 17 (177kb)
Double Deck Deviations Chart: Dealer STANDS on Soft 17
4 to 8 Deck Deviations Chart: Dealer HITS on Soft 17
Tap here to download the Blackjack Deviations Chart for 4 to 8 Deck – Dealer HITS on Soft 17 (138kb)
4 to 8 Deck Deviations Chart: Dealer STANDS on Soft 17
There is no such thing as an all-encompassing chart. Keeping that in mind, you must choose the most suited chart for your current game. Using the wrong chart may compromise your ability to play perfectly, but you will still be ahead of the game if compared to players who don’t use any chart or strategy.
Getting Started with Deviations
To maximize your advantage over the casino, there are some circumstances when it becomes important to stray from the basic strategy charts.
Still, you cannot go in blindly.
As mentioned earlier, deviations are backed by mathematics and thus offer solid info about optimal moves.
Blackjack players are likely to encounter a broad range of departures from the rules. For the most part, there are two basic types to choose from. These are:
Betting Deviations
These kinds of blackjack variations are all about how you switch up your bets at the table. By altering your betting strategy, sometimes you get to get a better handle on your bankroll. If you intend to make a profit from playing blackjack, you will want to maximize on various betting deviations.
Card counters, in particular, know how important it is to keep track of bet variations. They will always tell you that a sure way to give the house an edge over the long run is to place a flat bet on the whole game.
Any time the odds are in your favor, you should increase your bet.
Betting deviations are also often a tactic that advanced players use to blend it. This is especially true if they are counting cards. Simply put, using betting deviations, you may pass as an inexperienced or casual blackjack player. That way you can strategize on the best time to make a winning move.
Playing Deviations
Players may occasionally deviate from the core strategy when the true count changes due to changes in the card composition. Such a move is known as a “playing deviation“. These playing deviations may be used for card counting in the same way that betting deviations are.
There are a few things you need to take into consideration before making a decision. To begin, you must first calculate the true count. The real count should still be recalculated when it’s your time to decide how to play, even if you did so at the beginning of the round. Since the running count will have changed, recalculating will help in deciding whether to deviate or stick to the basic strategy.
The Illustrious 18
The Illustrious 18 blackjack deviations represent eighteen different strategies that are exceptionally effective versions of the basic strategy. By modifying their fundamental approach as needed and using the card counting system’s essential information, players will be able to optimize every hand. These variations can only be used effectively by players who understand the chart’s index numbers to the fullest extent possible.
The table below summarizes all the 18 different deviations that you will want to get acquainted with.
| Order | Play | Index |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Insurance | +3 |
| 2 | 16 vs 10 | +0 |
| 3 | 15 vs 10 | +4 |
| 4 | 10,10 vs 5 | +5 |
| 5 | 10,10 vs 6 | +4 |
| 6 | 10 vs 10 | +4 |
| 7 | 12 vs 3 | +2 |
| 8 | 12 vs 2 | +3 |
| 9 | 11 vs A | +1 |
| 10 | 9 vs 2 | +1 |
| 11 | 10 vs A | +4 |
| 12 | 9 vs 7 | +3 |
| 13 | 16 vs 9 | +5 |
| 14 | 13 vs 2 | -1 |
| 15 | 12 vs 4 | 0 |
| 16 | 12 vs 5 | -2 |
| 17 | 12 vs 6 | -1 |
| 18 | 13 vs 3 | -2 |
Fab Four
Don Schlesinger, the man responsible for creating the Illustrious 18 blackjack deviations, was also the one who first presented the Fab Four. Based on the Hi-Lo card counting technique, this defines the appropriate measures to take while surrendering.
The four moves are summarized in the table below:
| ORDER | PLAY | INDEX |
| 1 | 14 Vs. 10 | +3 |
| 2 | 15 Vs. 10 | +0 |
| 3 | 15 Vs. 9 | +2 |
| 4 | 15 Vs. A | +1 |
Do You Need Blackjack Deviations?
The basic blackjack strategy is a great way to get started in the game, but you cannot rely on it to always work. Using deviations when playing online blackjack is critical especially if you are in it to make some profit. They aid in ensuring that you are constantly acting in your own best interests. In addition, the expected value of your hand in blackjack increases when you have deviations.
Even if the rule divergence suggests you will lose money, the people who made the chart took into consideration every conceivable information, data, and circumstance. As such, it is way more likely that you end up saving some money in the long run.
It is true that you do not have to always think about Blackjack strategy or variations while you play. For those who seek an advantage, studying deviation charts and other tactics might help. This is what separates casual blackjack players from the blackjack pros and die-hard enthusiasts.
When To Use Blackjack Deviations
Determining when and how to employ blackjack deviations is another essential skill. Regardless of whether you’re playing blackjack at a land-based or online casino, timing is an important factor in winning.
While gambling in a traditional brick-and-mortar establishment, it is possible to conceal the fact that you are counting cards or otherwise exploiting the deck by using betting and playing deviations.
Also, in addition to helping you save money, deviations may help you manage your finances more effectively when you utilize them online. When it comes to maximizing your session’s earnings, little variances might make a big difference.
Be sure to keep that in mind.
Summary
A blackjack deviation chart tells you how to proceed based on the current state of your hand. But if you want to become better at blackjack, you’ll have to put in some significant effort. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve looked at a chart if you still don’t understand it. Using a strategy repeatedly until you know it with your eyes closed is the only way to properly master it.
That is what you should be aiming for if you want to be an expert at blackjack.
Try your hand at real money blackjack when you’re ready to hit the tables and test your deviations knowledge.
