Zen Count, Snyder's "True Edge" vs True Count

**HeavyBreading** · 02-19-2023, 03:26 PM

Hello, all.

I'm new to card counting but have been reading diligently. So far I've devoured Beat The Dealer, Play Blackjack Like the Pros, Blackjack Blueprint, Professional Blackjack, Repeat Until Rich, Modern Blackjack, 21st Century Card Counter, and finally Blackbelt in Blackjack. I'm nearly perfect with basic strategy with 99.8% accuracy over 5,000 hands and am learning deck estimation, as well as trying to perfect my BS. I have always been somewhat mathematically inclined and enjoy numbers. I have a plan to take my bankroll to the casino in about 9 more months of practice. All of this said, my research has given me some questions about which counting strategy I should use. Until now I have been set on using HL with the deviations prescribed by Blackjack Apprenticeship. After reading Blackbelt in Blackjack, I ran some simulations with the Zen Count he described. The jump in EV was significant and since H17, DAS, RSA, no surrender, are ubiquitous rules around me, I was considering if it may be beneficial to spend the hours learning a more difficult count, so that I can gain some EV against shitty rules. First I'd like to know if this Level 2 strategy is possible for a beginner to learn? Know that I am very fastidious with my practice and have no issues grinding as many hours as it takes to gain a skill. Secondly, I read that the older version of Zen Count with half-deck TC resolution is much stronger than the newer version. In my edition of Blackbelt in Blackjack (3rd edition), Snyder describes his "True Edge" method, and while I'm not concerned about fractions, I'm wondering if it is more practical to simply use a traditional TC with half-deck resolutions for betting? I have CVCX and can calculate my bet spreads, plus have no issue learning multiple spreads based on table minimums and deck penetration, since I am an avid mnemonic device user and can quickly recall information once practiced. Part of the reasoning for my decision is that I also have a small bankroll to begin with (10k at the completion of my savings over the next 9 months) and think the additional Playing Accuracy of Zen vs HL will help reduce my variance, as well as increase EV and lower RoR. Thoughts?

TL;DR: New counter here interested in learning Zen Count instead of HL to combat shitty rules. Is it possible for a dedicated newbie? Is "True Edge" as described by Snyder more practical than a traditional True Count for betting?

**DSchles** · 02-19-2023, 04:08 PM

You shouldn't wait nine more months before playing in a casino. And you shouldn't begin with a level two count. Learn Hi-Lo, play for small stakes, simply to gain experience and accuracy under real conditions, and then, eventually, with no rush, go to Zen, if you're so inclined. And yes, I'd forget true edge and use TC with half-deck resolution, as you mention, for betting and playing.

Finally, there are a couple of books by a guy named Schlesinger that you might find useful.

Don

**HeavyBreading** · 02-19-2023, 04:15 PM

I appreciate the input! I have spent some time in casinos so far, just getting comfortable in the environment and practicing keeping count without deviations or bet spreads. My current "practice bankroll" is seperate from the one I will use when playing my strategy with spreads and deviations. I think I'll take your advice, though. I tend to be very ambitious and it can sometimes backfire. Determination usually balances my naivety. Also, I already have Blackjack Attack 3 on the way, it was out of stock at my preferred shop when I was ordering other books!

I saw some books you recommended on another thread and have ordered all of them in addition to your most recent work The Hi-Lo Card Counting System - A Complete Guide to Index Play.