What are the benefits of Illustrious 18?

[Julio88]

The Illustrious 18 is a set of playing indices or strategy deviations that can be used to gain a mathematical advantage while playing blackjack, even against a house edge. These 18 plays were first proposed by Don Schlesinger, a professional blackjack player and author, and have become one of the most popular and effective advanced blackjack strategies. The benefits of using the Illustrious 18 are that players can make more accurate plays in specific in-game situations, which can help them reduce the house edge even more. In other words, using these plays can help players win more money over the long term.

 

[CR7]

To elaborate further, the Illustrious 18 consists of 18 specific plays that deviate from the basic strategy chart depending on the true count, which is calculated by dividing the running count by the number of decks remaining. By utilizing these deviations, players can take advantage of the times when the deck is more favorable to them or less favorable to the dealer. For example, one of the plays in the list is to stand on a 16 against a dealer's 10 if the true count is +5 or higher. This deviation is considered a high-level play because it goes against the basic strategy of always hitting a 16. However, in this specific situation with a high true count, the odds are in the player's favor, and sticking with a 16 will result in more winning hands in the long run.

Using the Illustrious 18 requires a higher level of skill and proficiency than basic strategy, and it is recommended for experienced players who have already mastered the basics. However, for those who are willing to put in the time and effort to learn and apply these deviations, the potential benefits can be significant. By reducing the house edge even further, players can increase their chances of winning and ultimately, make more money.