I see some of you have experienced some of the same crap I have while playing blackjack. However, I botched the story somewhat. I must have been having a brain aneuryism. I haven't played BJ in quite a while and my thinker wasn't thunkin' correctly. In my haste to get the story out I inadvertently put up a plus 3 count instead of a minus 3 count. You definitly wouldn't hit a 12 against a 4 with a plus 3 count. The board should have been showing just about all paint.
But I'm glad you got the gist of the story which is about how one can gain the enmity of opposing forces, both the house and the patrons, by simply making the technically correct move. The patrons think you're an idiot but the pit boss recognizes you as a pro.
I got to study compositional strategy when there were full play video blackjack plays around. The 12 against the 4 scenario is a great trick question. Single deck, first hand off, what should you do with a 12 against a 4? Answer: It depends on the composition of the 12.
I don't know the exact ER's but here is the stragegy:
10 and a 2........Hit
9 and a 3.........Stand
8 and a 4.........Stand
7 and a 5.........Stand
6 and a 6.........Split
Interesting how with just one 10 out of the deck you would hit the 10/2.
