<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RPM:
off a 5 or 6 deck shoe, i would say it has to be VERY hard to master.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Actually it's easier to do from a larger shoe. You don't have to remember each individual card. Just keep a running count on how positive the shoe is. It's really not all that hard. Trying to utilize that info while managing a bankroll and not getting caught is the hard part.
off a 5 or 6 deck shoe, i would say it has to be VERY hard to master.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Actually it's easier to do from a larger shoe. You don't have to remember each individual card. Just keep a running count on how positive the shoe is. It's really not all that hard. Trying to utilize that info while managing a bankroll and not getting caught is the hard part.
Card Counting itself is so easy a teen-ager could do it. Doing while in a social setting at high speed, without looking like it is tough.
The easiest system is the + - system. A, K, Q, J, 10 are all –1. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are all +1. 7, 8, 9 = 0. 1 complete deck = 0. Take the count you have at that time and divide it by the estimated number of decks remaining in the shoe. That number is the true count. If your true count 1.5 – 2.5 double your bet. Up to 3.5 triple. 3 to 4 or more in a true count is rare in strip hotels. The probability of a high true count drops for every deck that is put in the shoe. Also the fact all casino’s only use half of each shoe also will reduce the number of high true count opportunities. Also if the true count is over 2 buy insurance. If the true count is less than –2, only double down and split on the best of opportunities, (i.e. you 11, dealer has 6) don’t force it. Card-counters are discovered not necessarily by winning a lot of money because that could happen to anyone. They are found out by their strategy in the game that goes against normal strategy, such as the 2 situations above. Normal players never buy insurance yet if you buy it and win 60%-70% of the time something is amiss.
Practice card counting with a deck of cards just by turning them over and coming up with the total of 0. Make sure you can accurately count them about as fast as you can deal them at a poker game. You may need a deck estimation chart which just takes the average number of cards a player uses times the number of players times # of hands. But I have typed enough for now you get the idea. One last thing card counting is all work and no fun.
The easiest system is the + - system. A, K, Q, J, 10 are all –1. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are all +1. 7, 8, 9 = 0. 1 complete deck = 0. Take the count you have at that time and divide it by the estimated number of decks remaining in the shoe. That number is the true count. If your true count 1.5 – 2.5 double your bet. Up to 3.5 triple. 3 to 4 or more in a true count is rare in strip hotels. The probability of a high true count drops for every deck that is put in the shoe. Also the fact all casino’s only use half of each shoe also will reduce the number of high true count opportunities. Also if the true count is over 2 buy insurance. If the true count is less than –2, only double down and split on the best of opportunities, (i.e. you 11, dealer has 6) don’t force it. Card-counters are discovered not necessarily by winning a lot of money because that could happen to anyone. They are found out by their strategy in the game that goes against normal strategy, such as the 2 situations above. Normal players never buy insurance yet if you buy it and win 60%-70% of the time something is amiss.
Practice card counting with a deck of cards just by turning them over and coming up with the total of 0. Make sure you can accurately count them about as fast as you can deal them at a poker game. You may need a deck estimation chart which just takes the average number of cards a player uses times the number of players times # of hands. But I have typed enough for now you get the idea. One last thing card counting is all work and no fun.
not exactly on the subject, but close. I just finished a book called BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE by Ben Mezrich. It is about how a group of MIT students took Vegas for over 3 million over a couple of years. The book does explain how the counting works and some things they did on top of that to increase profits. It is a well written book and I couldn't put it down until i finished it. Of course there was plenty of time since I was on a flight to Vegas.....
It is not that difficult to learn, but I would not reccomend it to anyone right now - way easier ways to make $.
I would guess that less than 1% of people who learn make $ at it lifetime.
90% + of the games out there today are unbeatable by any counter, mainly due to poor deck penetration and pit paranoia.
The bankroll swings are also much worse compared to any other advantage play, due to your small advantage over the house (1% at best). The bankroll fluctuations are HUGE.
Mike
I would guess that less than 1% of people who learn make $ at it lifetime.
90% + of the games out there today are unbeatable by any counter, mainly due to poor deck penetration and pit paranoia.
The bankroll swings are also much worse compared to any other advantage play, due to your small advantage over the house (1% at best). The bankroll fluctuations are HUGE.
Mike
the size of the shoes make it very tough...6 or 8 decks games, where you have to cut at least 2 decks into the shoe...that means that AT MOST 75% of the cards will be seen.
Also, you cannot usually get the spreads down that you require without attracting major attention.
Best way is to watch the deck until it is favorable and then jump in...however, many places are now prohibiting anyone from joining in mid-shoe.
Much easier ways to make money, unless you can find a very favorable game...
Also, you cannot usually get the spreads down that you require without attracting major attention.
Best way is to watch the deck until it is favorable and then jump in...however, many places are now prohibiting anyone from joining in mid-shoe.
Much easier ways to make money, unless you can find a very favorable game...
There are many myths about card counting.
The first is that only intelligent people can do it.
Unless you want to get into things like the Revere advanced point count, where you maintain two running counts - it's very easy. The average person could learn to do it within a week.
The second big myth, is that card counting is fun.
Card counting is work. Despite all the novels where counting is romanticized, and the players are made out as larger than life characters.
Counting is work. Long, boring, tedious work.
In order to make a profit you have to be willing to play thousands of hands. In the long run it really isn't worth the effort.
A lot more money was made writing books about card counting, than was ever won by card counters.
The first is that only intelligent people can do it.
Unless you want to get into things like the Revere advanced point count, where you maintain two running counts - it's very easy. The average person could learn to do it within a week.
The second big myth, is that card counting is fun.
Card counting is work. Despite all the novels where counting is romanticized, and the players are made out as larger than life characters.
Counting is work. Long, boring, tedious work.
In order to make a profit you have to be willing to play thousands of hands. In the long run it really isn't worth the effort.
A lot more money was made writing books about card counting, than was ever won by card counters.
I agree with Da Funk. Mastering 21 is somewhat difficult. Getting to the point where you have a small advantage is easy........well it's easy compared to trying to become just a C rated Chess Player, or a decent bridge player.
Bj21.com is a great website.
I think Max Rubin's Comp City is the best thing out there. It shows you how to play 21 evenly with the house, but kill em with comps. This is likely the best way to enjoy blackjack, IMO.
Bj21.com is a great website.
I think Max Rubin's Comp City is the best thing out there. It shows you how to play 21 evenly with the house, but kill em with comps. This is likely the best way to enjoy blackjack, IMO.
FYI, even if you master card counting, do it perfectly and strike at the right time, don't you think the eye in the sky is lookinbg for people like you? On top of doing it perfectly, you better be one hell of an actor too. Add to this the fact that if you are on a roll the casino has the right to ask you to stop playing and try another game at any time they want if they are suspicous of you. Before you know it, your banned from ever casino on the strip..
GOOD LUCK!
GOOD LUCK!
