Counting in 2017

[ZeeBabar]

Excellent post Bosox. Im fairly certain your post was related to shoes. Here is where I struggle. All the work and research that went into card point values and how they affect BC/EOR which is an important aspect for shoe game's.

I mean the one thing a newbie is going to do is count. Do they not owe it to themselves to count according to EOR? I assume you went through the blackjack school of hard knocks. Perhaps because there were no other viable options at the time you started. I just can't get beyond that considering all the legwork that's been done for the new or inexperienced player that they can't/won't bring a little more to the table than a Level 1 count. No offense meant.

Instinct is hard to teach and experience is acquired not given.

Perhaps if I was starting new, was young, I might have started with another count. However, after so long, at my age, having gotten the HiLo count down, learned it's strategy, the comfort level where I can count through a long day, I can just screw myself up learning another count because, to learn another, I would have to unlearn the one I am using.

Doubts about the count would creep in. Did I count all the 5's as a -2 or did I count a couple as -1? Did I calculate TC correctly, etc.

[Joe Mama]

Perhaps if I was starting new, was young, I might have started with another count. However, after so long, at my age, having gotten the HiLo count down, learned it's strategy, the comfort level where I can count through a long day, I can just screw myself up learning another count because, to learn another, I would have to unlearn the one I am using.

Doubts about the count would creep in. Did I count all the 5's as a -2 or did I count a couple as -1? Did I calculate TC correctly, etc.

Don't underestimate yourself. I started counting at age 67 and have learned a new count recently with about 25-30 indices. It took about 1-2 weeks. I have been playing VP successfully for a while, and I am able to switch back and forth between different game strategies with very few errors (wild game strategies are quite different than JOB and bonus games). I hate the frustration when first learning something new, but get a very good feeling when it all starts coming together. I want to read about the new strategy and come out of the gate with zero errors, but have to train and watch the errors diminish. I also hate to start something new physically, but get a good feeling afterwards. I feel that learning new counts, VP strategies, etc. keeps my brain in shape and functioning younger.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

Yeah, as a septuagenerian, I fully empathize.
Teaching Old Dogs new tricks is rough going.

[Joe Mama]

Yeah, as a septuagenerian, I fully empathize.
Teaching Old Dogs new tricks is rough going.

Father Time always wins in the end, but this old dog is not going down without a spirited fight!

[moses]

The main problem with the count debate is there is no end. There cannot possibly be an end without a beginning. The answer is within each individual. But it's not difficult with a step by step process.

Are you a thinker?

A. Skipper's racquet costs $2 less than Pooch's racquet? What is the cost?

B. Pooch's racquet costs $3 plus ½ the cost of Callie's racquet. What is the cost?
C. Callie's racquet costs $2 more than Holly's racquet. What is the cost?
D. Holly's racquet costs $6

Your ability to quickly solve these equations may well speak to your blackjack counting ability. There is nothing wrong with Hi Lo. The wrong is to discourage those capable of more by knowing the SCORE. Especially, with the tools available from Norm.

The SCORE from a simulation is real great. However, the mission is to keep it “real” instead of great. A great SCORE reflects a game of cards played by people. Remember you are playing a game of people with cards. There is no greater tool to compare tag values than CV Data. So, rather than start from one and working your way up? Consider starting at the topand working your way back to your comfort level.

Wong Halves offers the most streamlined approach because you only have to remember one number. If you can remember two, then Perfect Insurance is second in line. Now, you are working with a 994 BC, 565 PE and 1000 IC. In worst case scenario, if your lose the 2nd count, your IC is still 725. It may be possible to adjust the tag values to get a higher SCORE. But consider this your starting point as opposed to the end result. Most will tag variations will run about the same in a sim. But sometimes there is that one that stands out by 10%. A streamlined approach without the bottleneck is the way to the most efficient structure to YOUR game.

Good engineers understand complex equations. Great engineers make complex equations simple again.
Stanford Wong is the epitome of this statement with Wong Halves in relation to the effect of removal study by Peter Griffin.
Don S is the epitome of this statement with the Sweet 16 and Fab 4.
Norm is the epitome of the this statement with his software products.

Casino tolerance is the primary consideration because EV is always $0 if you are not allowed to play. So when selecting the data for your sim, do not include an index that will get you kicked out, shuffled up on, or incur wrath from others at the table. Most realize betting strategy increases should not exceed casino tolerance. But few consider the frequency of bet increases will draw attention as well. A 10% frequency should keep you under the radar and still make a pitch game worthwhile. This is
a key barometer when comparing tag values and systems. The beauty in CV Data is it shows you how to win without all the glitter. Don't forget to have fun!

Casino Verite is a mirror as to how you perform at your game. Play the same way you play in a casino.

The long run is about 59% probability after 10 hours or about 1000 hands; 75% probability after 100 hours or 10,000 hands. 94% after 500 hours 50,000 hands. 99% after 1000 hours 100,000 hands.

So, in order for you to see yourself in the mirror, about 10K hands puts you in pretty good shape. A commitment of 10 hours per day and 100 hands per hour is far more prudent than grinding out lessons with your hard earned dollars. Two weeks and you've learned more about yourself and the game than most guys in 6 months of casino play.

[Joe Mama]

I think when I was younger, I could learn new technical things quicker than I can now. It just takes longer now. However, I think I can pick up on nuances and read people a lot better than when I was younger. I can better sense what I can get away with and what I can't, though I still screw up at times but not as much.

[BoSox]

I have had a tough life financially and survived by being cheap, taking few financial risks and for a guy who skipped soda or French fries, frequented White Castle during the survival years for financial reasons, just getting to $25 tables took a while, playing a max bet of $200 and lose it in seconds is hard to overcome but I am getting there.

I appreciate the advice.

This applies to anyone who has goals of playing at higher level tables. First you better have a damn good logical reason for doing this such as deeper cuts, better rules like S17,or LS, maybe fewer decks or less people at the tables. You need to ask yourself, what are you giving up in exchange for going to higher tables? Lets start with possibly less heat on the lower tables. I consider this next one very important, as an example: you now consider your own personal unit $ 25 fine just as long as you understand if you go play at $25 dollar tables, your unit is the minimum bet on the table. On a lower table your unit can still Be $25 but you still have a great option of using waiting bets below your unit to cut down on some negative and even some neutral counts for less variance swings, this also helps disguise a spread increase. The bottom line if everything else is equal it all boils down to what is your own minimum, and max bet spread, can you make your max bet at a lower table? If you can and change anyway to play at higher tables for the primary purpose of bragging to family and friends, you need to re-evaluate your priorities.

[ZeeBabar]

This applies to anyone who has goals of playing at higher level tables. First you better have a damn good logical reason for doing this such as deeper cuts, better rules like S17,or LS, maybe fewer decks or less people at the tables. You need to ask yourself, what are you giving up in exchange for going to higher tables? Lets start with possibly less heat on the lower tables. I consider this next one very important, as an example: you now consider your own personal unit $ 25 fine just as long as you understand if you go play at $25 dollar tables, your unit is the minimum bet on the table. On a lower table your unit can still Be $25 but you still have a great option of using waiting bets below your unit to cut down on some negative and even some neutral counts for less variance swings, this also helps disguise a spread increase. The bottom line if everything else is equal it all boils down to what is your own minimum, and max bet spread, can you make your max bet at a lower table? If you can and change anyway to play at higher tables for the primary purpose of bragging to family and friends, you need to re-evaluate your priorities.

I am a terrible introvert and no one, outside of my wife, knows of my attempts to be an AP. The only reason I play on DD, min. $25 games is because they do not offer DD games at below $25 in the places I play in MO and MS. If a 6 deck game is available for heads up or 2 players, I might play that but usually, ploppies, side betters and such makes it a short session. When I do play the 6 deck,m$10 min. Game, I try to play two hands of $20 at neutral count, drop down to one hand of $10 at negative, move up to 2 hands of $40 at TC2 and then up to $75 at TC3, $90 each hand as max. Anything more gets called out usually.

[Freightman]

When I do play the 6 deck,m$10 min. Game, I try to play two hands of $20 at neutral count, drop down to one hand of $10 at negative, move up to 2 hands of $40 at TC2 and then up to $75 at TC3, $90 each hand as max. Anything more gets called out usually.

Zee
Your 6d comment of 2x90 is max as anything more gets called out, is actually, quite wise. The point is simply knowing house choke point. Depending upon your actual rule set, you might consider 1x20 for your off the top bet, dropping to 10 at -1.

Assume .5 he fir following comment, adjusting to compensate for your actual he. If true 1.0 is even with the house (1x20), and true 2.0 is .5 advantage (2x40) , then true 3.0 doubles your advantage at true 3, and your bet is 2x80, which doesn't leave much room for your max 2x90.

This is your opportunity to use your CVCX to view optimal strategy, and the cost of deviating by using the custom bets function. It will also, based on rule input, calculate cgphanges to the proposed strategy, based on actual house edge.

Do this yourself, and play with the custom bets, to see how that affects SCORE, win rate, etc, etc.

[ZeeBabar]

Zee
Your 6d comment of 2x90 is max as anything more gets called out, is actually, quite wise. The point is simply knowing house choke point. Depending upon your actual rule set, you might consider 1x20 for your off the top bet, dropping to 10 at -1.

Assume .5 he fir following comment, adjusting to compensate for your actual he. If true 1.0 is even with the house (1x20), and true 2.0 is .5 advantage (2x40) , then true 3.0 doubles your advantage at true 3, and your bet is 2x80, which doesn't leave much room for your max 2x90.

This is your opportunity to use your CVCX to view optimal strategy, and the cost of deviating by using the custom bets function. It will also, based on rule input, calculate cgphanges to the proposed strategy, based on actual house edge.

Do this yourself, and play with the custom bets, to see how that affects SCORE, win rate, etc, etc.

Thanks, will try it.

[Freightman]

Thanks, will try it.

Good, and get back. Your spread is not optimal. Note that my semi suggested spread is also not optimal, though it does provide some cover, which you want. It will also provide a higher SCORE than your ramp. CVCX will adjust SCIRE and win rate on the spot by any change you make in the custom bets sections.

Not withstanding that hole in your pocket, this will give you something else to play with