Dan: Questions from a beginner

[Dan]

1) I am just learning a count system..KO. It seems like it will be easy to learn, but I have a little concern over the fact that appears to be thought of as a "beginners system". The only negative comments I have read seem to dwell more on the author than the power of the system.

SD KO preferred has an expectation of %1.53. In blackjack for Blood, Carlson tells the story of Dr. J, and the perfect parlay. Where the calculated expectation is about %1.6. It seems that an additional 10 - 15 minutes per 3-4 hour session would make up that difference. Although I don't know how accurate that story actually is.

Q: Since at MOST I would make 2 outings a month (weekend or equivalent), is continuing the path I'm on consistent with the parameters mentioned above. Also, I will start with SD then add DD, and finally move to 6D if skills permit. Any answer should apply to all.

2) The BS chart in KO is slightly different than other charts I have seen. (In fact, comparing any 2 charts is usually different). How much am I giving up with using the KO BS.

3)How do you know what the rules are for a given casino or table. Does one just watch to see how key plays are handled, ask the dealer, or something else.

Thanks in advance, I'm sure I will have other questions later.
Dan

[phantom007]

Answers/Suggestions:

#3...Rules are often posted on a little sign in one corner of the BJ table. Certainly, you can always ask the Dealer. Certain publications, such as Trackjack and others, are available for a nominal fee, and should have accurate info., at least for popular sites. You could also post a question here "I am going to XYZ Casino next month...like to know games, rules, limits, pene., etc.?"

I have learned NOT to call the Casino and ask. On several occasions, I have did this and got the wrong info....maybe when I asked for the Pit, they put me through to the Big Wheel pit.

#2...I am not that familiar with KO, however, strategy charts usually vary between systems, as each puts different weight on different cards. All common counting systems have some give and take...some are better for playing, others for betting, etc. Some accuracy is usually lost in trade for "ease of use"...conversely, if you make even a few errors per session, you may be better off using the simpler count.

#1...May I suggest learning on 6D. In general, many more games to choose from, lower limits, little to no heat, face-up, slower pace, easier to spread, etc. If you get good at 6D, then SD and DD are "childsplay" in comparison, and in general, you will be playing higher limits in these games.

Avoid 1st base on 6D when you are starting out...the Dealer and the Whole table, and eventually the PC, will be staring at you, wondering why you are staring at the 3rd Base Cards, and not playing your hand.

Develop a weak bladder, that acts up in Negative counts, so as to increase your advantage.

#0...Based on Mr. Carlson's reputation, I suspect that "Dr. J and the Perfect Parlay" is a true story. It appears that the subjects of this story also did their damage with weekend trips and a few vacations. For this to work, all profits must go back into the Bankroll, and bet levels only increased when justified by the Bankroll.

Hope this has been helpful. Good Cards!

phantom007

[Sun Runner]

> 1) I am just learning a count system..KO. It
> seems like it will be easy to learn, but I
> have a little concern over the fact that
> appears to be thought of as a
> "beginners system". The only
> negative comments I have read seem to dwell
> more on the author than the power of the
> system.

Parker played it for years with apparent great success. When I first began I liked the idea of an unbalanced count so I would not have to true-count while learning, and of all the un-balanced sytems I looked at, I liked KO best.

However, I think Viktor makes many excellent points in his recent posts elsewhere about Arnold Snyder's systems in Blackbelt in Blackjack.

I would give the HiLo Lite system a read before making a final decision.

> SD KO preferred has an expectation of %1.53.
> In blackjack for Blood, Carlson tells the
> story of Dr. J, and the perfect parlay.
> Where the calculated expectation is about
> %1.6. It seems that an additional 10 - 15
> minutes per 3-4 hour session would make up
> that difference.

You would just be playing an add'l 15 minutes with your same expectation, either way. Of course if you palyed the weaker system longer it should catch the longer system. But what if you played the stronger system the same amount of time?

> 2) The BS chart in KO is slightly different
> than other charts I have seen. (In fact,
> comparing any 2 charts is usually
> different). How much am I giving up with
> using the KO BS.

I personally would learn the BS chart for the predominate game I was going to play and then learn Don's Illustrious 18/22 basic strategy deviations.

Hope this helps.

SR