shogun: new approach

[shogun]

I have a new thought (new to me at least) on how to increase my win rate. I am a small time player...generally I stick to the five dollar tables, and I noticed that even if I end up with a losing session I was usually up 10-15 units at some point during my play. My thought is now to content myself with smaller winnings and more frequent play. My question to anyone who has the software (and inclination) to run simulations is what kind of results do you get if you assume a 100 unit bankroll and that the moment I get 15 units up I stop play what is the ration of winning sessions to losing sessions....I am using KO blackjack counting system...preferred version. If anyone can run this simulation and let me know the results I would appreciate it, also I would be interested in any comments (good or bad) people might have about my "new approach"

thanks, shogun

[Don Schlesinger]

Your approach is not new, and it won't change your overall win rate. The cards don't know what time of day it is, or whether you are ahead or behind.

All of your life's play is just one long session. How you choose to break it up into individual segments can't possibly change your ultimate outcome.

Don

[Leroy Nimka]

You've adopted a fine, rationally conceived blackjack card counting system in K-O. Please don't spoil it all by embracing such silly gambler's superstitions as "stop wins" or "stop losses", and try to get the meaningless concept of "sessions" out of your head if you can. It's all just one long game.

Leroy Nimka[email protected]

[BJEWE]

[BJEWE]

I concur 100% with Don & Leroy. Your "new approach" was espoused in a book published in 1994 by Henry J. Tamburin entitled "Blackjack: Take The Money & Run". While Tamburin,s primary thesis does not "hold water" mathematically it does address (perhaps inadvertently) the psychological pressures of playing advantage blackjack. Read what Tamburin writes if you are so inclined, but IMHO you would enhance your game & psychological fortitude more by: 1) re-reading pp. 106-109 of "K-O BJ" on 'Risk of Ruin' 2) thoroughly read & understand "Blackjack Attack" by Don Schlesinger, especially Ch. 10 (easily the most valuable book in my BJ library) and because I have the 1997 edition of "BJ Attack" I also recommend 3) the summer 1999 issue of "BJ Forum" on Don's SCORE research. I am also a low stakes player, but standard deviation can be psychologically "trying" at any level of betting. Arm yourself with a good mathematical understanding of standard deviation & you will find it easier to dismiss non-mathematical ideas like your "new approach" which we entertain as a result of having failed to conquer the psychological beatings we encounter in BJ. If you happen to read Tamburin's book you should thoughly read & understand his ch. 7 on 'Risks of Playing BJ'. His simplistic standard deviation formula is easy to understand. Good cards & try to remember that armed with your mastery of K-O & BJ Attack you are the favorite in the BJ sessions you carefully select to do battle. BJEWE

[In Hiding]

As Don alluded, the approach is as old as the game.

Some players use it because it makes them feel safer, but in the long run BJ really is one life-long game. The cards don't know if you've left the casino, gone to lunch or taken a six month break from the game.

Ever the trouble maker, though, I will say that when I get up 30 units in a session, I pocket 20 and continue to play with the remaining 10. If I lose them - I'm gone. If I keep winning I use a method of pocketing some chips and adding to the playing pile. THEN, when I lose that playing pile I'm gone.

OTOH, I play several days a week so if it's true that it makes no difference, I'm just continuing the game tomorrow.

With all due respect to the "life is one long BJ game" theory, the little psyhological mastrubation is part of a strategy that's let me be successful for five years in a row. OR maybe it just makes me feel better. I'll stop using it if it ever stops working.