Hi-lo system

**Bazin** · 02-26-2014, 09:30 AM

Hey guys, I'm new on Blackjacktheforum...

Whatever, I was reading a lot of books about blackjack and I really liked the HI-LO SYSTEM because isn't difficult and Its some strategy that really works but I have a question about that system..
I know how to count 2,3,4,5,6=+1...7,8,9=0...10,j,q,k,A=-1 but I'm on the game and I dont know how to use this..
For Example: I'm playing and my true count is +5, so what I need to do ? I dont know what I need to do, if I hit, if I stand, split, etc I just know if I look to basic strategy
Can anybody help me ? explain what exactly I need to do, or give me some table if exist..

Thanks, Help me please :P

**Norm** · 02-26-2014, 09:33 AM

Read Professional Blackjack by Stanford Wong.

KJ · 02-26-2014, 09:35 AM

You know Bazin, there are 'better' more powerful counts that hi-lo?

Just kidding....ongoing topic.

So you want tables hun? I think Norm and Don can help you with that. They have 'tables' coming out the wazzu.

**Bazin** · 02-26-2014, 09:45 AM

Read Professional Blackjack by Stanford Wong.

Thanks norm, but I have already read that book..
I took picture of some tables from there but I really didn't understand because I'm from brazil and my English is not that great haha
so can someone explain the table or something like that, when I should to hit or stand, etc

I have a lot of table here, I'm gonna post one just to you see

**ohbehave** · 02-26-2014, 10:46 AM

Ok so in that table the numbers are index numbers (TC numbers of importance to making play decision deviations). Typically for most tables, you will hit when the TC is lower than the index, and stand/double/split when the TC is at or above the index.

**SiMi** · 02-26-2014, 10:52 AM

Hi, Bazin

I think those charts are confusing, too. Looking at the chart you presented, it is from Appendix A in the back of Professional BJ by Wong. Specifically, we're looking at Table A-3. In my copy, it's on page 263.
Go back a few pages (in my copy, to page 254) and read carefully the "Notes to Appendixes A and B." Those notes say:

"Number Stand (or double or split) at a count per deck equal to or greater than the number; hit (or do not split) at a count per deck less than the number."

This means that when you see a number in the table, you should STAND (or DD or split depending on what section of the Table you're looking at) at a true count GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO the number shown and HIT (or do not split) at a TC less than the number shown. For example, in Table A-3, the very first number in the table is for HIT/STAND decisions and is -17 for a Player's Hand of Soft 18 (A,7 or whatever combination of cards gets there) against the Dealer's up card of 2. Since there is a number in the table and you are in the Hit/Stand part of the table, you should STAND if the TC is -17 or GREATER and HIT if it is less than -17.

What does this mean with a negative number? A number GREATER than -17 is -16, -15, -14, -13, -12 ... -3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, +3... because -16 is GREATER THAN -17 and so on. A number LESS than -17 is -18, -19, -20, -21 and so on.

So, if you had a True Count of -18, you could HIT a soft 18 against a Dealer's 2 up card because -18 is LESS THAN -17, the number shown in the Table. This makes sense because the extremely negative true count indicates that LOTS of high cards and aces have come out and you are somewhat more likely to get a low card that will improve your hand. With a soft 18, you'd like a 3, 2 or Ace to improve your hand. A 10 does nothing but eat up a good card and anything else makes your hand worse.

Each section of the Table can be carefully read in this way. I hope this helps and I didn't make it worse!

**Bazin** · 02-26-2014, 11:03 AM

Hi, Bazin

I think those charts are confusing, too. Looking at the chart you presented, it is from Appendix A in the back of Professional BJ by Wong. Specifically, we're looking at Table A-3. In my copy, it's on page 263.
Go back a few pages (in my copy, to page 254) and read carefully the "Notes to Appendixes A and B." Those notes say:

"Number Stand (or double or split) at a count per deck equal to or greater than the number; hit (or do not split) at a count per deck less than the number."

This means that when you see a number in the table, you should STAND (or DD or split depending on what section of the Table you're looking at) at a true count GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO the number shown and HIT (or do not split) at a TC less than the number shown. For example, in Table A-3, the very first number in the table is for HIT/STAND decisions and is -17 for a Player's Hand of Soft 18 (A,7 or whatever combination of cards gets there) against the Dealer's up card of 2. Since there is a number in the table and you are in the Hit/Stand part of the table, you should STAND if the TC is -17 or GREATER and HIT if it is less than -17.

What does this mean with a negative number? A number GREATER than -17 is -16, -15, -14, -13, -12 ... -3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, +3... because -16 is GREATER THAN -17 and so on. A number LESS than -17 is -18, -19, -20, -21 and so on.

So, if you had a True Count of -18, you could HIT a soft 18 against a Dealer's 2 up card because -18 is LESS THAN -17, the number shown in the Table. This makes sense because the extremely negative true count indicates that LOTS of high cards and aces have come out and you are somewhat more likely to get a low card that will improve your hand. With a soft 18, you'd like a 3, 2 or Ace to improve your hand. A 10 does nothing but eat up a good card and anything else makes your hand worse.

Each section of the Table can be carefully read in this way. I hope this helps and I didn't make it worse!

I understood now, thanks a lot man...It's a little bit hard but I'm goona practice everyday!
I just have one more question about that...Look at double "player 8 and dealer's upcard 6" its saying that I should hit on 3,4,+ but +3 is a little bit low right ? why should I Double on that ? oO Isn't that weird ?
Can I go right and win with that table from professional blackjack ?!?
and when the true count is 0 should I use the basic strategy right ?!

**SiMi** · 02-26-2014, 11:19 AM

Hi, again

Ok, in my copy, Table A3 on p.263: For DOUBLE, you are in the section about when to Double Down. Where the Player's Hand is a total of 8 and the Dealer's up card is a 6, I see an index of 2. This means double at a TC >= +2. This means that you should Double Down if you have a hard 8 against the Dealer's up card of 6 and the TC is 2 or greater.

This makes sense because you are counting on the Dealer being likely to bust with a 6 up and you are hoping to get a 10 or Ace to make your hand 18 or 19. With a TC of 2 or greater, you have a decent shot at BOTH things happening. That is, the Dealer is more likely to bust (with a 10 down and a 10 hit) for a total of 26 and you are more likely to get a 10 card for an 18. (I'll ignore the Aces for now...) You need to take advantage of this fact by doubling your bet.

As for winning with that Table... I'm not positive what you mean by that and I'd hate to tell you that you are now a BJ genius because you can read the table and understand it. There's SO MUCH more to it and, as far as I am concerned, you need to go VERY SLOWLY at first. I'm not sure if your English is good enough to understand this, but I would take BABY STEPS at first.

It may take you 1 year before you're ready to play with big money. If you practice a lot and buy and use Casino Verite and read LOTS of books, you'll start to get the idea. I personally do NOT think that one book is enough to get you to the point of betting actual money in a casino. Sorry...

**bjarg** · 02-26-2014, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by Bazin

I'm from brazil.

and where do you live? Or where do you plan on playing?

**Bazin** · 02-26-2014, 01:01 PM

SiMi, thanks a lot..
Now I understood everything that I need to know, and I won't go to casino early because in brazil is banned...
so I just go to play on casino in 2 years cuz Im going go to Las Vegas

Thanks, you helped me a lot and I will training a lot now ;p

and where do you live? Or where do you plan on playing?

I live in São Paulo, I think I will not play too son..just sometimes on hidden casinos here, after 1 year training HI-LO because I want to get better before go to casino ;p

**Norm** · 02-26-2014, 02:40 PM

Only been to São Paulo once -- but a "hidden" casino in SP sounds a bit risky. Maybe better a quick trip to Argentina.

**bjarg** · 02-26-2014, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by Bazin

I live in São Paulo, I think I will not play too son..just sometimes on hidden casinos here, after 1 year training HI-LO because I want to get better before go to casino ;p

i play at clandestine casinos... At places where many wouldnt dare travel. But playing at a hidden casino in one of the most dangerous cities in the world sounds a little bit crazy. Do you know any casinos there? Do you know the people or band that runs it? Do you have any ways to guarantee your safety? I can tell you a lot about playing at places like that. Pm me if interested.

**Bazin** · 02-26-2014, 05:26 PM

Yeah, I know about that but here is one casino from my friend..
so Its a little bit better than others...
but I don't know if I really pretend play here or just wait a little bit because I'm going go to U.S.A
so maybe I can play there..
thanks for everything, that suggestion and ideas are so usefully!!