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Thread: Apologies: noob question

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    Apologies: noob question

    Hello, I've recently started trying to see if I can't make a few bucks counting cards or at least turn around those losses into wins but I'm having a bit of trouble and am wondering if any helpful experts who may/may not be around here might be of assistance. I just registered for this forum moments ago so that I might learn a thing or two. First off, I'm not quite up to par with all the jargon most of you are throwing around here. What type of software or books would you recommend to become more familiar with the nomenclature? When you're talking about standard deviations and EVs and CVs and what-not I tend to have an inclination but just not enough to be confident in my knowledge.

    Second, I started off just by looking up how to do this hi-low counting system online. I practiced for a while on an android app I downloaded and I think I pretty much keep the numbers in my head most of the time while playing at a 6 deck shoe at my local casino, but honestly, having the count doesn't seem to help very much. I tend to stick to basic strategy and sometimes alter my decisions based upon my counting but I don't seem to win very much. I don't think its the counting that is the rough part, but knowing what to do with it. Am I supposed to memorize an entirely new and complex "basic" strategy that is fluid with the count or is the old basic strategy good enough?

    I generally just sit down at 5$ minimum tables with $100 and place my minimum bets until its getting positive but if I get reckless and make a single 'gamble' I suppose it ruins the whole plan? At first I thought this might be easy because simple math is pretty easy, but adding in all the decision making I am having trouble finding information on is making it rough.

    Where does a novice go for initiation?

  2. #2
    Senior Member njrich's Avatar
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    Hopefully we will have a beginner section here soon but try this link.

    http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bb/showthread.php?t=9666
    Beware the fury of a patient man.

  3. #3


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    Also may want to check out the free Modern Blackjack ebook here:

    http://qfit.com/book/ModernBlackjackPage-10.htm

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    Quote Originally Posted by Preferrd View Post
    Hello, I've recently started trying to see if I can't make a few bucks counting cards or at least turn around those losses into wins
    There are tons of good books. In summary.

    1) Learn to keep the running count.
    2) Learn to calculate the true count (= running count divided by number of unseen decks)
    3) Lower and raise your bets based on the true count
    4) Deviate from BS based on the true count.

    There are obviously some details left for you to fill in but (with the right parameters), that's a winning game. The main point is to raise and lower your bet according to the true count which you seemed to be missing!

    Good luck!

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    Bet more when you are favored, bet less when you are not.
    It really is that simple. You can add many more levels of complications to this, but this is what it boils down to.
    Let me die in my sleep like my Grandfather.
    Not screaming in agony like his passengers.

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    Quote Originally Posted by redthetiger View Post
    Also may want to check out the free Modern Blackjack ebook here:

    http://qfit.com/book/ModernBlackjackPage-10.htm
    Preferrd, two more books that will help bring you up to speed on the fundamentals, whys, and when's, are:

    Professional Blackjack, by Stanford Wong
    Black Belt in Blackjack, by Arnold Snyder

    These are older than Modern Blackjack, but still very good for people starting out.

  7. #7


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    Many people recommend learning the full index plays, so if you want to see those, look at Complete Hi Low or Hi Low and let the software correct you. Look for the blackjackscience DVD, as the beginning will explain EV quite well.
    Last edited by NaLaAa; 05-13-2013 at 11:42 AM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by shadroch View Post
    Bet more when you are favored, bet less when you are not.
    It really is that simple. You can add many more levels of complications to this, but this is what it boils down to.
    This, basically. But be advised that any short-term results (for a hand, a session, a year or two worth of sessions) will be largely determined by luck.

  9. #9


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    Something you should also be aware of is variance -- ie: what Canceler said. You're increasing your bet when you have a very small edge (0.5% to 2.0% typically), so even though you do have the advantage, it can easily swing against you. The thing most people don't realize with card counting is that you don't always win! If you are serious about it, it'll take quite a bit of time to learn what a proper bankroll is, your risk of ruin (losing all your money), and plenty of other stuff. Good luck.
    "Everyone wants to be rich, but nobody wants to work for it." -Ryan Howard [The Office]

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tthree View Post
    They usually figure this one out pretty quick once they start to play in a casino.
    Yep yep yep

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    Wow, I'm really encouraged by your responses so perhaps I'll ask a few more.

    I'm discovering that this task requires quite a bit a discipline. I made a trip to a casino last evening feeling a little more confident in my skills. I had just discovered a list of what they call the "illustrious 18" and I thought having a semi-working knowledge of that might fix some of my previous errors. Things worked out well and I tripled what I came in the door with. However, about 4 hours in I got bored. And then I started gambling and lost everything in about 15 minutes.

    Leading to my question: If one can only expect to make a small % of his/her bets (seems to me it should be around $10-20/hr if I'm sitting at a $5-$100 limit table?) and the cost of 1 mistake can erase all gains instantly, how do you manage?

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    And thank you for all the suggestions I've now got new material to look into.

  13. #13


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    Quote Originally Posted by NaLaAa View Post
    Many people recommend learning the full index plays, so if you want to see those, look at Complete Hi Low or Hi Low and let the software correct you. Look for the blackjackscience DVD, as the beginning will explain EV quite well.
    What is this software you speak of?

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