NORM and REKO

[DD11]

So I have a question for Norm after reading countless threads about Reko. The reason I am even asking this is becasue I networked with someone you uses Reko and claims to make a decent living off this.
I have always overlooked other counts as I just wanted to learn 1 and stick with it and the extravagant pissing matches that go on when the discussion is brought up is disappointing to say the least.
So I read where Moses made a post on 12-22-16 about the evolution of the game ect. one particular line about norm developing Reko as a possibility of anticipating the changing landscape of the game, posed this question.
Why do you devolpe it? What made you want to? Do you find it a viable count for a semi serious player or even a very serious one? I was just shocked by this gentlemans claims using it as I suppose I have been brainwashed a tad by the people with pitchforks ready for a 1600's style inquisition on any count other than the one they use.

For everybody besides norm please do not reply if you have any comment referring to why it's better to use the count you use vs Reko. Comments on pros and cons of Reko only please

[Scuba]

The MIT Blackjack team and others made plenty of money using HILO.

REKO is as good as HILO and much easier.

[Norm]

There are some counts that are too simplistic (e.g. Speed Count) and some that are much too complex (Revere 14 Count). Most counts in between are just fine. REKO is a bit easier and is still a legitimate count.

[Scuba]

Yes, that's what I've thought myself. I've seen some posts on this board about the Speed Count, the goofy dude on youtube recently, and all sorts of voodoo systems and such trying to claim some short cut, some quick fix and path to blackjack profits.

I just slap my head every time and ask myself why, WHY? Why does anyone listen to these folks when there already is REKO, a very simple and powerful system?

I've got to tell you, Norm really created quite an innovation, a better mouse trap so to speak, with his creation of REKO. In New York parlance, REKO is friggin' easy. Really easy! Scary easy. What's even scarier is that the sims show it is as powerful as HILO, which as I mentioned is a real count used successfully by many to make real money.

REKO is the Iphone of card counts.

I just don't understand folks seeking any further shortcuts at this point in the development of blackjack card counts. For those who want the simplest, easiest, yet considerably powerful system, there is nothing better than REKO.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

Scuba,

The MIT teams, including those still working, used Hi-Lo because
it was the easiest to "pass" along the count to "call in" Big Players.
The 'spotters' $5 Hi-Lo play was meant to break-even.

A.P.s who are actual Pros do not play SOLO with a Level One Count.
Especially as the pit will use Hi-lo to 'clock' their play, and profits will
be low.

YES, REKO is "easy" but you must be in your 20's as you are not yet
old enough to know that "nothing easy is worthwhile."
Yes, your local Community College is easy, but M.I.T. is hard.

DD11,

Not only was there nothing left to the Spanish Inquisition by the 1600's;
you mentioned the "changing landscape" of BJ. What has happened is that
casino BJ has gotten worse and worse.

I have played professionally for over 25 years, and that is probably before
you were born. TRY to learn from your betters.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

Hi-Opt II with Side Counted Aces will perform 20% better than Hi-Lo
in a shoe game, and even more in a DD game. That is a big difference
~ often the difference between a losing and a winning session.

Wake the f*ck up! I have trained dozens of people who held incorrect
beliefs about what count to use. Several have gone on to become actual
full-time professional players. None have ever gone back to a Level One
card counting system.

Develop a healthy skepticism. Learn that a book's publisher want's to sell
books to make money. To do so they generally emphasize just how SIMPLE,
EASY and PROFITABLE their system is.

[Norm]

Develop a healthy skepticism. Learn that a book's publisher want's to sell
books to make money. To do so they generally emphasize just how SIMPLE,
EASY and PROFITABLE their system is.

Hah, if you're referring to me, I have never in my life said anything of the sort. Besides, my book is free.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

I apologize for my strident tirade.

What I should have posted is this:

REKO is fine for the recreational player who wants to

visit their local casino once a week, have a few beers,

impress their girlfriends, and have a reasonable chance

of 'breaking even' or even maybe winning a few dollars.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

"Hah, if you're referring to me, I have never in my life
said anything of the sort. Besides, my book is free."

NO, not you Norm. I didn't say all authors.

I said "generally" and that is certainly true in the

vast majority of cases, as you most certainly know.

BTW I am glad that I bought Vol. II of your book

though that was not free. It correctly discloses that

Hi-Opt II is the most powerful of the practical counts.

Of course, it is quite easy for those who can count

as high (and as low) as +2 (and -2.)

Such big numerals! Oh My! [sarcastic comment]

[Scuba]

- "The MIT teams, including those still working, used Hi-Lo because it was the easiest to "pass" along the count to "call in" Big Players."

Yes, that is true. But that does not negate what I said. What I said was that you can make good money using REKO or HILO for that matter. If that were not the fact, then the MIT teams would have been passing the count left and right, up and down all day, and still wouldn't make money. If the count (in this case HILO) was not effective, then they wouldn't have made any money no matter how effectively they passed the count.

- "A.P.s who are actual Pros do not play SOLO with a Level One Count. Especially as the pit will use Hi-lo to 'clock' their play, and profits will be low."

That still doesn't negate what I said. Yes, if you are a pro doing this all day, then it makes sense to invest the time in the strongest count you can handle. But still, you can make money using just REKO, KO, or HILO. Lots of people have done it. And made pretty nice sums.

- "YES, REKO is "easy" but you must be in your 20's as you are not yet old enough to know that "nothing easy is worthwhile."
Yes, your local Community College is easy, but M.I.T. is hard."

Zen, you are funny. Far from my 20s. In fact you can double that. And I have nothing against community colleges, but let's just say...I have lots of those degree thingies.

And sorry, I disagree with you. "Nothing easy is worthwhile" makes for a nice bumper sticker but it's just not true. Investing in an index fund in the 1990s was easy, uncomplicated, worthwhile and effective. Learning Jacks or Better Strategy is easy and worthwhile to the casual casino goer who just wants to hang out a bit, score some free drinks, and even get some room comps at some casinos. And compared to the other counting strategies, yes, REKO is easy, effective, and worthwhile.

Can you do better? Of course. But the performance-to-effort ratio is insane with REKO.

[Scuba]

"Develop a healthy skepticism. Learn that a book's publisher want's to sell
books to make money. To do so they generally emphasize just how SIMPLE,
EASY and PROFITABLE their system is."

And Zen...this is exactly my point.

Usually, promises like this are BS. Total BS.

But with REKO...hehe, it's amazing. It's friggin true! It's like one of the few times in my life I've seen this dynamic in action.

I give Norm a lot of credit for being a serious man and scholar of the game.

I actually think that if Norm had less integrity (???), he COULD market this system in this bombastic way and make some fast sugar-high cash and actually NOT be lying!

But of course, Norm has integrity and has taken the long view of things and would rather make contributions to the game that endure.

I much prefer that path!

[stopgambling]

Are we at it again ? round 25!

[stopgambling]

i agree with all the hard core high level player if counting is all you want to do . if one wants to Ap , i think too much time is spent on higher level count that can be put into other AP plays or develop other AP skill set. That is it for me back to playing , i don't have enough time to scout and play .