One of the first questions a new member usually asks is “Which count should I use?” This often starts a long thread with individuals advising him on the advantages and disadvantages of a certain count. Some recommend extremely complicated counts and some go by the KISS or keep it simple theory. In this post, I’ll try to point out other factors that will help you decide on the count that is best for you.Which Count To Use
An open inquiring mind – The best thing you can do to increase your EV or expected value and decrease variance is to keep your eyes open and look around. You never know what you’ll find if you do this. When you walk into a casino, pay close attention. Watch the dealers as they shuffle. Some dealers will give you better penetration. A few cards dealt further in the deck can over ride any advantage you’ll gain from using a stronger count. Some dealers are faster and will give you more rounds per hour and some will sometimes give you a glimpse of a card every now and then. You should also be concentrating on learning. There are many blackjack sites that have had almost any question you can think of asked before and answered by the most knowledgeable players of the game. Spend time reviewing the archives of this forum and others.
Perfect play - You should be able to play your game perfectly. This means you know basic strategy, your count, your indices, and your betting strategy inside and out. You should also be able to do all of this while keeping up with payoffs and dealer errors. One or two incorrect payoffs or dealer errors can ruin any advantage of a stronger count. You should be able to do all of this without moving your lips, looking around the table, taking too long to make a decision or concentrating so hard you can’t act in a natural manner.
Your association with others - Are you a loner or do you have a friend you like to play with? The answer to that question may have a bearing on the count you choose. If you do play with others, more than likely it is to your advantage that all of you use the same count. Doing so will make signaling and future team play possible.
How often do you play – There are locations that don’t have good games or any games available at all. Difficult counts require practice to stay in top form. If you are one of those unlucky individuals and only take a few trips a year, you will find it difficult to use one of the more advanced counts without a lot of practice on a simulated game. However, if you have good games available and play often, an advanced count may suit you quite well.
Other opportunities – As you become more advanced, there may be opportunities other than straight counting that require thought. Some of these advanced tactics are hole carding, shuffle tracking and card sequencing. If you add the difficulties of these opportunities to the requirements of your count, in some cases it may be advisable to drop from a more difficult count to a simpler one. It all depends on your goals and opportunities.
Every individual is different. In all endeavors, there are people who naturally adapt and people who struggle to become proficient. No one can really tell you which count to use. They can tell you which count they use and why, but they are not you. You’ll make many decisions each day playing blackjack and you have to make these decisions yourself. Assess yourself, your opportunities available and make the decision of the count to use taking into account the above notes.
Now go out and play it “perfectly”.
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