Quote Originally Posted by Below AVG IQ View Post
As a new player one of the first things you must do in order to count cards is obviously to pick a card counting system. My God... The search for this answer leads you down a vicious blood covered path that falls just short of people pulling down their pants and whipping out the rulers.

I think it's safe to assume that when trying to solve for x and "New" is in the equation, the advice will be to stick to Hi-lo or REKO. And I'll heed that advice, that being said I was drawn to Hi-Opt II. So, I was wondering if learning/starting at a more complex system is worth it for someone looking for a system with versatility or if a level 1 system is sufficient.

^Also since we're in the winter months of a pandemic I thought maybe with adjusting for taking away the usual opportunity cost of spending a few extra hundred hours learning (Or whatever hours) might make it closer?

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I played around with it for a bit just practising counting down a deck. (With ASC) Then I went to CVBJ to take a peek at the deviations to see what they were like and saw (I believe?) that they were all in a RC instead of a TC? It also dawned on me that I had no idea what to do with the information of the ASC. lol.
First, the count you use depends on what you are looking at doing long term. Are you looking at mostly shoe games, shoe and "pitch" (1 & 2 Decks), or simply "pitch"?

Second, for a beginner, I would recommend a L1 count to start with. I started with KO before going to HO2. The transition was easy...like learning a new language after learning a first. That's just me. You may be different!

Third, I would recommend you take heed that everyone has a personal favourite count. I like HO2 w/ ASC and 7SC. Again, that's just me though. I like to play DD games.

Consider that shoe games are abundant and you are a beginner, I would recommend a L1 count like High Low or KO and keep the 16 to 18 indicies you plan to use. I also recommend wonging out early when the shoe goes significantly negative, leave the game, leave the casino, and fuck-off into the sunset to the next place. In fact, learning mostly +TC indicies would serve you best and you should leave at either -1 or -2 TC in shoe games with a modest spread (whatever your current bankroll is, your min bet, and your risk tolerance is.)

Going to higher level counts require dedication and best reserved for at least a 6-12 month active counter after they have proved themselves. That's just the bare minimum, though. YMMV.