finally an AP

After about 8 months of bouncing around from one 'system' to the next I began learning HiOptII for double deck a few weeks ago.

Immediately prior to that I was using a level 2 version of OPP that I had developed independently, which is actually fairly strong. But simulations showed it to get about 12% less in winnings with about double the ROR(compared to HOII). So I looked for something better.

Now after using HOII at the tables I feel like a true AP, although I'm actually down in winnings after an initial bout of bad variance (and maybe overbetting and a couple too many beers) but I feel confident that will turn around as I've had 2 positive sessions since the initial negative one.

Funny thing is HOII is actually a little easier than OPP. With OPP you have to keep track of players coming in and out, which obviously is not necessary with traditional counts.

I feel like I'm on my way now to being a part-time player. At the moment I have about 12-15 hours a week available for BJ, about double the time I had available up until now.

And with 20+ casinos within a days drive I can keep a pretty good rotation going with maybe some travel mixed in.

I want to say I don't think this would have been possible on my own without this board. There have been so many of you who have been willing to help me out with all my questions and trying to keep me straight when I was just a ploppy progression player.

Thanks to all of you I've been able to get this far.

Keep it up !!!

Good Luck & Good Cards

P.D.

Congratulations on ho2. Dont forget to include the aces, for insurance decisions.

On the road to AP perhaps but it can be a long road



I wish you good fortune and the fact that you understand that bad variance can happen, overbetting can kill you and the beers might effect your count or judgement are all good signs that you can overcome most pitfalls.

You may feel like an AP right now but you admittingly are a novice. I often write that just counting is the easiest part of advantage play, the human emotional things you must overcome are probably the hardest. They are the reason that most who become cardcounters land up being net losers.

ihate17

Multiple Factors

Mastery of counting in itself without other important factors. This is the downfall of 99% of novice counters and why 99% of the people that go at this hard and heavy fail. Money management, optimal betting, bankroll considerations, experience to name a few things that you need to be equally well versed on.

You probably know all this already or have at least read of such things... the one thing is... beers? I never drink alcohol when playing, not a drop! This is not something you want even the slightest impaired judgement on in my opinion.

I knew better... and don't usually drink any alcohol at the tables. Not sure if it really made a difference this night. I was down about 8 units, switched tables and got a high count right off the bat that stayed high and lost 6 straight max bets in less than 10 minutes to put me down 32 units for the night. Ouch!

As far as money management goes I've been working hard on this. I have my game now to playing to between 3-5% ROR. And I think to the pit I look very much like an average gambler. I'm able to converse with the pit, dealer, players or cocktail waitress without affecting the count. And my bet spread looks pretty ordinary for a gambler.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought I'd read that HO2 without the side count is stronger than with a side count at double deck. But the side count is necessary in shoe games.

As it turns out I've taken insurance 3 times and its paid off twice.

Alcohol

Not implying that I'm better than anyone else but I regularly drink MODERATELY++ while APing.
Alcohol doesn't affect everyones judgement at the same rate. Some people are drunk at .08 and some aren't.
Beginners would be wise to abstain!

Billy C1

That's funny, you'd just die if you saw me playing then! :toast:

I drink a significant amount when playing, not to the point where I'm really drunk and shouldn't drive but I'm definitely drinking. The free drinks are part of my EV. Fortunately it doesn't affect my judgment. The worst side effect is that it makes me urinate, but if I'm playing a Wonging game that's not such a bad thing.

But I agree that you should avoid drinking on your first times out, until you are experienced with both AP and alcohol.

It is always stronger with the side count. Without the side count the BC drops down from about 0.99 to 0.91. Your PE is still strong either way assuming you use enough indices, but your betting decisions will be using weaker information of you don't use the side count.

-Sonny-

Unsure, if you're referring to the aspect of the sidecount, for betting or insurance purposes. Either way, its stronger in both games for betting.

Using the ace-count for insurance purposes, is an advanced move, that should be avoided until your comfortable with betting. *The reason is because you calculate opposite, of how you do betting are they're only worth -1+ each.

*This is not entirely true depending on which method you use.

Ok thanks for clearing me up on the side count. I know theres still much to learn.

I def will practice and use the side count as well as indices.