Katarina Walker

[Blitzkrieg]

That count in her book is pretty weak. I didn't think that would be good enough to cause the casinos concern. Is her original count something that is available? I am sure today's custom counts are far stronger but it would be interesting to see what she used.

At the time before her book became published her counting technique may have been declared state of the art. It's like computers, after it comes out people are already designing a machine that is faster and more efficient so the old technology becomes obsolete. I'm sure her counting strategy would still give a player an edge today vs. playing pontoon and knowing nothing at all.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

While Katarina's published Level One Count is certainly weak,
with an aggressive bet ramp (spread) it will be fairly effective.

Before her book was published, the casinos felt that Span21 and Pontoon
were unbeatable; consequentially, "heat" was (virtually) non-existent.

That is NOT the case any longer.

[Blitzkrieg]

While Katarina's published Level One Count is certainly weak,
with an aggressive bet ramp (spread) it will be fairly effective.

Before her book was published, the casinos felt that Span21 and Pontoon
were unbeatable; consequentially, "heat" was (virtually) non-existent.

That is NOT the case any longer.

Do they have Spanish 21 games here in the U.S. that are SD & DD pitch games or is it all primarily 6D & 8D shoe dealt games?

[Three]

Do they have Spanish 21 games here in the U.S. that are SD & DD pitch games or is it all primarily 6D & 8D shoe dealt games?

S17 almost all are 8 deck. H17 version of Spanish21 have a mixture of shoe games, I believe I have heard of a 5 deck game but mostly 6 and 8 deck games.

[davethebuilder]

The reason she used Hi-Lo in the book is because it was familiar to most Blackjack AP's. It would have been difficult to assess her play using this count as it is unbalanced due to the missing 10's. The RC starts at -24(in a 6 deck game) so surveillance probably had no idea what she was doing. She used proportional betting rather than bet ramps and probably used a more advanced level 2 count which had a higher correlation co-efficient than Hi-Lo. I understand that she was going to publish a second book with more advanced strategies but I have never seen it.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

" ...so surveillance probably had no idea what she was doing ... she was going to publish a second book with more advanced strategies but I have never seen it".

I have had three Pit Critters (and one Pit Boss) accurately
describe Katarina's Count to me and to other players.

Katarina wanted to follow up with an expanded and advanced 2nd
edition, but very soon the oncologist had to deliver the sad tidings.

Curiously, I have had two (other) pit critters mention wizardofodds.com
for the correct source for one to learn the basic strategy.

Even more curious, I had been told (by two) players that they had found
the correct Basic Strategy there; and then promptly demonstrate that they
had no intention of playing anything but a general blackjack Basic Strategy,
rendering The House Edge approximately 5+% for their very improper play.

This may sound unlikely, BUT I played Span21 exclusively for > 2 years.
They were (relative to the diminished stakes permissible at Span21)
the best 2 years of my A.P. career.

[Three]

I have no doubt. The count you invented is among the strongest when taken to its full potential.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

"The count you invented is among the strongest when taken to its full potential."

"Flattery will get you ... "

[davethebuilder]

Thank you for clarifying the circumstances around the 2nd edition of her book.

The Wizard of Odds.com website does publish a generic basic strategy which then requires some adjustments according to the rule set you are playing against. It is also available on the internet and in the book. In Australia, the dealer does not take a hole card and unique rules apply for how split and doubled hands are played and resolved if the dealer has a natural. The big advantage is the bet is resolved if the player totals 21 prior to the dealer playing their hand. If you play Spanish 21 or Australian Pontoon like Blackjack your bankroll will not last very long as the two games have different properties and require different strategies.

[Norm]

I understand that she was going to publish a second book with more advanced strategies but I have never seen it.

She was planning on developing some more software. I don't know that she put any real effort into a second book. I have her Lulu password, assuming she hasn't changed it; but don't feel comfortable with looking at it. I downloaded the PDF from there years back and keep it for posterity. But, Paul owns it now.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

Note:

K.W. was mistaken, stating that there is no Index for taking Insurance.

In my Flash III Count playing a S17 game my Insurance Index is +12.5

[Freightman]

Note:

K.W. was mistaken, stating that there is no Index for taking Insurance.

In my Flash III Count playing a S17 game my Insurance Index is +12.5

I moly had 1 Spanish game in my general area, which us now csm. Regardless, would be interested in your tag values and indices fir your count.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

Freightman,You have my email; but my Flash III Count is geared toward the S17 game.

I will be on the road until Wed. so I may be slow to respond.