Attn: Blackjack players.

In a nutshell, how does the system differ from a basic hi-lo system?

 

explian, i dont know what your talking about. i play black jack all the time...

 

Is it based on low cards counting as +1, middle cards as 0 and high cards as -1? Did it take you a lot of practice to become proficient in counting?

TIA,

Jon

 

I usually play like the dealers do and do OK. It pisses a lot of people off at the table at times (Hitting on a 16), but hell, the dealers win at it!

 

Interesting twist, not having a running and true count. I'm guessing that because of the skewed count based on the number of decks in the game, you count a 7 as 1? Normally, you wouldn't count a 7 at all.

Also, do you vary strategy based on the count or just your betting?

I'd love to see the math of it.

 

Oh, and congrats on your win.

It always feels good to hit a streak at a table.

 

Who is the book's author, please?

Thanks,

Neil

 

even their website blurb doesn't propose you'll do that well though...

go do it again... you should be able to turn that $6500 into enough to get a Countach!

 

Are you sure these results are because of the book?

 

Definitely Red Definitely
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counting cards, definatley counting cards......
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[In a telephone booth with the door closed]
Raymond: Uh oh fart. Uh oh fart.
Charlie: Did you fart, Ray? Did you ****ing fart?
Raymond: Fart.
Charlie: [Trying unsuccessfully to open the door] How can you stand that?
Raymond: I don't mind it.
Charlie: How can you stand it?
Raymond: Ten minutes to Wapner. We're definitely locked in this box with no TV.

 

Sounds like a regular count system. Not for nothing, I used to be into the blackjack thing. I know the basic strategy and I know how to count cards. the -1, 0 ,+1 thing does work and you know when the odds turn to your favor to be a little heavier. Then you have to get into the various betting methods and systems for how much to increase or decrease your basic "unit" bet by how much the cards are in (or against) your favor.

The whole system is very deep, and there is a lot to it. I think its flockin great you turned $500 into $6500. Ive had days in A/C when I turned $500 into $2500 inside of 15 mins and packed up and went home a winner.. But even the best, even the MIT BlackJack team started to lose money in the long term. Lemme tell ya what, counting cards at a real casino blackjack table is HARD--takes months to get it down where you will have an accurate count. The cards move VERY VERY fast and never stop so you can catch up or double check yourself. I practiced at home with 6 decks for about 2-3 months and I still lost count on a few shoes.. Its very hard.

Bottom line is this; gambling is gambling. I can tell you how I split 8's on a dealer 6 up card, pulled another 8, spit again and pulled 2 elevens that i doubled down on and pulled an 18 on the last hand and the dealer flipped his down card (a 4) and pulled 20 and took me for about $1300 in under 30 seconds. Theoretically that should NEVER happen, but it does and it hurts you big time.

Im due for a trip to A/C for anyone in the NY/NJ area. Anyone up, let me know!!

 

lol... hit almost the exact same scenario my 21st birthday for slightly less money.

 

Just a follow up to my post..

I can honestly say, I did the best when I was clear headed and focused. Playing blackjack to win money is a job, not a game. And you need to look at it as a job. You cant let emotion or hunches take over. You cant have a hunch that because i lost 3 hands, im going to win the next. It just doesnt work that way if you follow basic strategy *AND* count cards. Facts are facts.

The problem most people have is they cant stop, greed is human nature. Let me put it this way.. if you sit down at the table with $1000.00 and find yourself sitting with $1150 at any given time, that is a 15% return on your money and that is pretty damn great! Where else in this day and age can you earn 15% on your money in +/- an hour??! No where! But thats when human nature will take you over. You want more! You figure you should leave with $2000, a 100% profit. Thats where you end up losing.

Based on my experience and education on the subject, go prepared to play with 20 units. If you have $1000, that is 20 units of $50.00. You will be $50 a hand until the odds change in your favor. Depending how much the odds do change in your favor will determine if you bet $100, $150, or $200 on your hand but never more than 4 units.

Never allow yourself to lose more than 12 units per sitting. This is another hard one because when you start to lose (and you will! Its inevitable) you will bet foolishly, upping your bet waiting to hit the one hand to get all your money back. Once again, it dont work like that!

I can get into a whole conversation about which casinos to play at because some use 6 decks, some use 8.. but i think youll notice the 6 deck casinos that ADVERTISE they have 6 decks to get a professional in will cut the deck much closer to the front, thus having an inaccurate count as you get to the end of the shoe. You would be better off on an 8 deck shoe with a cut closer to the back. The casinos do everything for a reason. They cut the shoe with that yellow card in the same place everytime for a reason! They will end a shoe in the same place everytime FOR A REASON! Its business. Its not a game!

If I continue with this, ill need to get published! I think you see where im coming from. I just dont want to see a fellow forum member go back to the local tables and lose the $6500 trying to make it $65,000. Cause the post you will write after that trip will be very depressing. Enjoy your winnings!

 

Ah, the grind. I've personally known 2 successful card counters from the 60s/70s back when the odds were more favorable. One in particular taught me basic strategy and counting.

I played for a while at the casinos with mediocre success, but I had neither the time nor the bankroll to do anything with it.

When it came down to it, I wasn't enjoying it at all. It is a job, its tedious, and I can't enjoy a night at a casino when I play Blackjack. Plus you need to play a LOT to overcome the swings.

I now look at going to the casinos as a night of entertainment. I'll bring money I can afford to lose, set stop limits, and play craps. Sure, the odds are against you (though the pass line bet is the lowest house-odds bet) but you get lucky every once in a while. I can win or lose the same as Blackjack, but craps is a much more social, fun, exciting game.

I still love reading about blackjack strategy and various counting systems.