Karl D: BJStrike 2.4 Blackjack simulator released

[Karl D]

I have just released a new version of BJstrike Blackjack simulator/index generator
with support for some ace tracking analysis. BJStrike is available for Linux, Windows, Max OS X and Solaris operating systems. For information and demo versions please visit:
http://www.dftsimulab.com/bjstrike/

Major new features in 2.4:

[*]A deck segment manipulation engine for analysis of shuffle
tracking/ace prediction. Run your own independent analysis
of win rate of various ace prediction techniques[*]Support of score maximization in index generation (commonly
referred to as risk-averse indices) in addition to EV maximization.
Generate optimal indices for your own customized betting ramp and count
systems.[*]Analysis of some common side bets including Royal Match
and associated suit count systems with index generation[*]Generation of Risk-of-Ruin reports and optimal betting
ramps[*]A new comprehensive 90 page reference manual that describes
all methodologies and user commands in details with examples and
user templates[/list]



BJStrike 2.4

[Myooligan]

Karl,

Who are you? Do you have any references?

Interesting looking software, anyway.

-M

> I have just released a new version of
> BJstrike Blackjack simulator/index generator
> with support for some ace tracking analysis.
> BJStrike is available for Linux, Windows,
> Max OS X and Solaris operating systems. For
> information and demo versions please visit:
> http://www.dftsimulab.com/bjstrike/

> Major new features in 2.4:
> A deck segment manipulation engine for
> analysis of shuffle
> tracking/ace prediction. Run your own
> independent analysis
> of win rate of various ace prediction
> techniques Support of score maximization
> in index generation (commonly
> referred to as risk-averse indices) in
> addition to EV maximization.
> Generate optimal indices for your own
> customized betting ramp and count
> systems. Analysis of some common side bets
> including Royal Match
> and associated suit count systems with index
> generation Generation of Risk-of-Ruin
> reports and optimal betting
> ramps A new comprehensive 90 page
> reference manual that describes
> all methodologies and user commands in
> details with examples and
> user templates

[Karl D]

Myooligan wrote:
> Karl,
> Who are you? Do you have any references?
> Interesting looking software, anyway.

Thanks for your interest in the software,

I have a Ph.D. in computer engineering with a background
in logic simulation and microprocessor design.
I'm a part time BJ player and I have been participating
in the BJ internet groups over the years since they
were started and before that the RGBJ.

As regards references for BJStrike, reviews are
currently underway and will be posted on the web
site when ready.

I developed the core of the sim in the early 90's
for my own BJ strategy analysis but it's not until
last year I have made it available to the public. It's
a complete re-design with many new features.
A lot of work has focused on the documentation and a
user interface that is easily portable over all
OS platforms.

/Karl D

BJStrike 2.4

[MJ]

Karl,

This software seems powerful. 2 questions for you though: Does it support unbalanced counting systems such as KO? Also what are the advantages of your software over other software such as BJRM 2002 or CVCX? Thanks.

-MJ

> Myooligan wrote:
> Karl,

> Thanks for your interest in the software,

> I have a Ph.D. in computer engineering with
> a background
> in logic simulation and microprocessor
> design.
> I'm a part time BJ player and I have been
> participating
> in the BJ internet groups over the years
> since they
> were started and before that the RGBJ.

> As regards references for BJStrike, reviews
> are
> currently underway and will be posted on the
> web
> site when ready.

> I developed the core of the sim in the early
> 90's
> for my own BJ strategy analysis but it's not
> until
> last year I have made it available to the
> public. It's
> a complete re-design with many new features.
> A lot of work has focused on the
> documentation and a
> user interface that is easily portable over
> all
> OS platforms.

> /Karl D

[Myooligan]

> As regards references for BJStrike, reviews
> are
> currently underway and will be posted on the
> web
> site when ready.

I'll be watching for them.

Best of luck to you, as I understand you have some pretty strong competition!!

[Karl D]

> Does it support unbalanced
> counting systems such as KO? Also what are
> the advantages of your software over other
> software such as BJRM 2002 or CVCX? Thanks.
>
Yes, it supports any running/true count systems
for which the point values are integers including
KO, R7 for simulation and index generation.

I haven't used any other BJ simulation software and
have only seen what's listed on their Web sites.
Most of the features needed in standard simulation
are probably comparable between the products.

For more specialized analysis types, I can mention some
strong points of BJStrike:

- Multiple OS support. I'm not aware of similar products
that run on other OS than MS Windows.

- Multiple count systems can be used independently
for betting and strategy. Rich feature set in playing and
betting declaration for single or multiple hand play.

- Advanced deck composition manipulation including
segment handling and ace/face card density management

- Penetration dependent index generation in running
and true count for multiple card hands for fully
customized deck compositions

[Parker]

First, an apology is in order. Several months ago Karl was kind enough to send me a copy of BJStrike for evaluation purposes. Unfortunately, I have been too tied up with other projects to give it the sort of in-depth testing that a product of this magnitude deserves. After all, it's not every day that the AP community gets a new simulator to play with.

My apologies, Karl.

My first impressions have been overwhelmingly positive. The installation on my Linux system was a snap (Karl even provides a little program to check for the necessary dependencies), and the user interface is clean and intuitive, if perhaps not as elegant and polished as CVData.

Questions e-mailed to Karl received prompt and informative responses.

Perhaps the most exciting feature of BJStrike is that it is available for operating systems other than Windows. Mac and Linux users finally have a blackjack simulator that will run on their systems! Now, if someone would just develop a good card counting practice program . . .

Sometime in the not-too-distant future I hope to post a detailed review, and perhaps a head-to-head simulator comparison. Meanwhile, I can say that BJStrike definitely deserves a look, especially if one is running a non-Windows operating system.

[Sun Runner]

How big of ya'll to tell the truth about BIB3 and this piece of software.

Obviously the author of BIB3 is no friend to this site, in my considered opinion has taken exceptional lengths to see it fail. But yet you tell the truth about the book.

Again, obviously, the software competes with QFIT.com products but yet it is given a fair shake.

Well done.

[Karl D]

Parker, I'm glad to hear that you had a positive
experience in using the software. This was version 2.2.
I'm very thankful for all the tests you did. It really
helped me a lot in improving the software and documentation.
No apology needed there.
Getting beta versions tested is very valuable as any
software developer knows. A lot has happened with the
software since version 2.2.

> Now, if someone would just develop a good
> card counting practice program

Right now, I have no plan of developing a full feathered
BJ practicing program, primarily because I personally
find simulation and mathematics more interesting to work
with but that can change. I may add a simple practice
option in next release as I already have an undocumented
debug feature that allows a user to control betting and
playing decisions to some extent during play.

I will continue to release new versions of BJStrike
simulator every 6 months with new features based on
what is helpful for players.

/Karl D

[ES]

I think that this site will always give a good review to any good product, whether the developer is one of AP's Masters of Blackjack, a new entrant to blackjack products, a competitor or a cutthroat competitor.

[Brick]

and why do you think Karl is trying to bend over backwards to see this site fail?

Parker is giving a sincere opinion and I appreciate it. Sometimes I wonder why people see things the way they do, and not for what they are.

kudos'

[ES]

It is the current and the 3rd edition of Arnold Snyder's "Blackbelt in Blackjack." I recommend it.

[Sun Runner]

> and why do you think Karl is trying to bend
> over backwards to see this site fail?

Hopefully, you read the ES post, know what BIB3 is, you know who wrote it, and now know I was not talking about Karl wishing to see this site fail.