dudders said:
without counting this puts the player at a slight advantage with basic stragedy ( i think). my question is, what are the best tables to sit at using the hi low and is it even effective against cs?
Sit at the busiest table. Here is why...
Games where a basic strategy player can have an advantage do not exist anymore. The Detroit games are bad but can be good for a beginner. If you want to gamble (not advantage play) CSM are great. You can learn how to play perfect BS. Get one of the little cards with the BS printed on it. Make sure you get one that suits the game as a multi-deck H17 or multi-deck S17.
Once you master basic strategy and are comfortable playing and betting try using Hi-Lo count on the cards that you can see on the table while playing a Contiuous Automatic Shuffler. Then learn some indicies. Indecies are the basic strategy deviations that depend on the count. Some basic strategy moves are very, very borderline mathematically. The ones that are this marginal are usually called the 'zero-block' and they can change with the removal of one card.
They are
if there are more little cards (2,3,4,5,6) out
stand 16vX
stand 12v3
double 11vA
double 9v2
if there are more big cards (10,J,Q,K,A) out
hit 13v2
hit 13v3
hit 12v4
hit 12v5
hit 12v6
hit 10v9
hit 9v3
hit 9v4
If you know these you will shave off some of the edge always bet the minimum never raise your bet. The strongest one is knowing what to do with 16v10 as it is the most common hand you will see. You will still not be an Advantage Player but you will be a very, very tough player. CSM games cannot be beaten by counting.
The reason you should sit at the busiest table as it will give you the best sample size to apply count adjusted basic strategy. Playing a full table you may be able to see upto 25 cards.
Many practise techniques can be found online for free. Practise learning basic strategy this way. I feel the best way to practise is to be at a casino. Feel how it feels to lose. You know you play at a disadvantage, the game is crooked and how shameless the casino will take your money at a fixed game. It will make you appreciate winning at the same advantage the casino ground you out at before. However when you win as an AP your wins will far outweigh your losses as a beginner. If you want to be an advantage player you have to get used to betting money. Your money. The first time you bet a day's wage on the turn of a card your heart will be in your throat, the first time you bet a week's wage on the turn of a card you should feel it again.
The one thing that separates Advantage Players from people who believe that casino's can be beat is the ability to place their money on the felt to support what you beleive in. The same person who makes a donation to their church every Sunday and believes that card counting can beat BJ may not be able to stomach buying $100 worth of red chips. I know I will be damned for such a blasphemy but I say what I beleive.
So I hope you take my advice. If you really want to be an AP the learning curve can be immensly steep. In a year, if you practise and read it is not unfeasable to be betting $1000 on the turn of a card.
