The S.E.X. Blackjack System vs. The Princeton Blackjack System

I am new at card counting, and am trying to master my first method- I was wondering if any of you know either of these books, and if so, which one do you think I should learn first? A friend of mine has both of these books, and doesn't mind giving me one of them to me... Thanks for any advice I am looking for a good introductory technique (not too difficult, etc)..

Never heard of either of them. You're better off sticking to some of the more reputable books. The FAQ thread has some good advice as well as some suggestions for good books.

-Sonny-

He doesn't mind giving them to you because he knows they suck.

wizardofodds.com claims that his Ace-five count pushes the edge just slightly over to your favor, but it is not a money maker. It keeps you from losing your shirt, and lets you get the comps at little cost. <read> Let's you have fun, if you enjoy gambling.

Check out KO or even REKO counts for a step up that has good efficiency and less index plays to memorize, as well as not have to learn deck estimation.

The very first blackjack book I was the S.E.X. book after hearing the author interviewed on a local radio show.

There's nothing wrong about the info except the author was from out east, so all the advise is only accurate for 8 decks whic was standard for Atlantic City then--late 80's.

I practiced card counting (Hi Lo) from the book. He only advised keeping a running count not converting to a true count.

A few months later I played my first hand of blackjack in Las Vegas in 1988.

While I had a winning trip, I discovered counting the single decks was different than counting 8 decks.

When I got home I bought other books, but for what it is, the S.E.X. system was a good primer for me, much like Thorp's book was a primer for those before me.

There's no reason for any one to start with it, as there are more recent, better books that more reflect the current state of the game.

When I began learning about blackjack and card counting, I read every book that I could lay my hands on, practically camping out at the libraries and bookstores. I read hundreds and hundreds of books, but only purchases a dozen or so initially.

I know I read the S.E.X. system, but honestly can't remember much about the book or even what S.E.X stands for. I tend to remember the books that I thought were full of garbage, like the Core system and most of John Patricks books and so many others that I am not going to trash, and I purchase the books that I find valueable resourses. This book fell into neither catagory. I think it covered the very basics of counting using hi-lo running count only, no indices. Very standard info, that could be found in dozens and dozens of other books and probably presented better.

I don't know the system, but what I do remember was that S.E.X. was a legitimate book & strategy disguising itself as a nonsensical system.

You all made me dig out my copy.

Alan Mandel is the author. Published in 1987.

I forgot this until I just pulled the book down from my shelf and read it.

S --- six through two valued at +1.

E --- eight, nine and seven valued at 0.

X --- tens and aces valued at -1.

and

S --- select a table

E --- enter the game

X --- exit the game, Mandel suggests at a shuffle after playing about 1 1/2 shoes.

Wow. If you need an acronym to remind yourself that you need to Select a table, Enter a game, and eXit the game, then I think you have bigger problems you need to fix, and shouldn't being playing 21. You probably can't be functioning as a normal human being if you need help remembering that you need to ENTER a game.

"Uhhhhh. I forgot what E stood for"

THE SEX BLACKJACK SYSTEM - Alan Mandel I wrote the book!

THE SEX BLACKJACK SYSTEM - Alan Mandel
I wrote the book! It is still Currently available and sold every week on Ebay and at our site sexbj.com.
NOTHING about the players has changed since I wrote and published the book! Everything in the book STILL applies today!
Almost ALL Blackjack players keep LOSING money in the casinos because they have their own way of playing and some new system that will help them win. Comps are for suckers.
As stated on the site--
The casinos KNOW that anyone can learn to play Blackjack well enough to win. The Blackjack player's chance of winning has little to do with his or her intelligence! The casinos also know that they have little to worry about, because...

1.--After a quick try at correct playing strategy or even card counting, most Blackjack players will go right back to playing by their hunches and "common sense."

2.--Most Blackjack players are intimidated by the casino. Also, few Blackjack players are in mental or physical shape to effectively use a Blackjack System in the casino environment to reduce the house advantage--in order to win!

3.--The Blackjack player MUST make their decisions based on statistics--if they expect to win. Most Blackjack players make their playing decisions on a hunch or even what seems to be "common sense".

I have no doubt that you are correct in your assertions. And most of the members here are grateful that they do revert back. We all joke about the ploppies. Are amazed at there antics at times. Annoyed at other times. But we all know that without them we could not and would not exist. Hail to the hunch player!! Hit that 14 vs dealer 6, a 7 of clubs is due!

Can you elaborate on this a bit? In particular, are you simply training people to play an "almost" even game, or to become AP's?

And how is "tracking cards" different than "counting cards"? Please tell me this isn't about clumping or other such nonsense.

Finally, how is using your system better than just playing basic strategy?

that was fast

I'm curious as to how you found out about the conversation going on about your book so quickly. Did you just randomly google yourself? Someone tell you? I'd like to know, because it was alarmingly fast, and is a cause for concern, since we regularly post info about casinos.

Certainly you aren't concerned about the fact that "countofmontecarlo" in a first time post makes reference to a relatively obscure publication, and then 48 hours later "ALANEM", in yet another first time post, claiming to be the author, defends and promotes the publication, are you Jack Black? :laugh:

What would be really suspicious is if the two first time posters were both from the same area of the same country. Wait a minute! Hmmm...my moderator senses are tingling.

-Sonny-

Holy crap! No...no, not at all.

I've often wondered this myself. Let's say you didn't convert to TC, at what point would you pivot? And then, how would you know you were in a positive enough count, or past the TC pivot point, to have an advantage? I feel it is easier to count Hi/Lo than even "easier" counts like KO. With some of the unbalanced counts I find myself missing certain cards or forgetting which card "balances" the count. When I started the KISS I, I was counting too many low cards, and found myself counting 10's, messing me up. I found it easier to just skip right to KISS III

He suggested a spread of 1-6.

Neg to +3 bet 1 unit. At +10 and up bet 6. Again this is for 8 decks.

And that's why I had trouble with the single decks of Vegas in '88, because the count seldom got over +3.

I find hi lo simple because that's what I first learned. I bought KO and it may be simpler for someone starting out but I was too slow in practicing at home and went back to the old reliable.

Yeah, above +3 seems like a very narrow window that hardly becomes available... I've been practicing KISS III, and I think I've found my system.... I'm counting two cards at a time. At first, I was counting red 2's on accident, but with practice, I've trained my eye to catch the black 2's instantly.... Everything else is bankroll, indices, and betting spreads

I also use that count for shoe games, works very well for me. Good luck!

The only drawback to the casino here is that for my BR, there are only 8-deck shoes.... Renzey suggested I back count and Wong... otherwise I'll be playing a mostly lean shoe....