Help for a newbie to counting

[person1125]

there is a casino by me that offers a 2-deck game that i am interested in playing. however they deal face down. So when is the best time to count?? do i count as the others are hitting - if i don't my decision could be different base upon the count. Or do i only count if they bust and throw their cards in and then count the rest as the dealer turns the cards over to get the totals?? Any sort of tips would be great help.

[bj bob]

It's really pretty simple. Just follow the order of the "viewable" cards in this manner: 1) Your hole cards 2) Dealer's up card 3) Any exposed BJ's and double downs ,then direct your attention to 1st base for "hit "cards and busted hands as they are turned over, then 2nd etc. the last card you'll count is 4) the dealer's hole card and any dealer draw. If you maintain the same pattern it will be a piece of cake.

[NDN21]

You have said you are a newbie so I would like to ask a question.

Before you go into counting face down games (I don't play these much but just common sense tells me it's going to be harder than face up) how is you counting at face up games?

I would get face up games down before I try the seemingly more advanced face down games. Get to the point where you don't have to count all the cards i.e. pairs canceling (that saves you mucho time). I have read where many newbies will practice for a few hours, thinking they got it down, but then go the casino and get blown away. Sometimes they know they are in over their head, sometimes they deny it and cost themselves alot of money.

If you go to face down games too soon you could be causing yourself to make many mistakes but you wouldn't know you are making mistakes (ego, "it worked at home", etc.) and that could cost you alot of money.

But if you must continue to face down games then I offer this..................don't actually play when you are learning to count face down, just stand there for a bit, all the while practicing you face down counting.

[mdlbj]

I have found that playing the "face down games" Strengthens my game.. When I sit at tables that are face up, It is like a cake walk.

[ScottH]

Originally Posted by mdlbj

I have found that playing the "face down games" Strengthens my game.. When I sit at tables that are face up, It is like a cake walk.

Hey now, don't be so downgrading to cake walks! They are actually quite hard to beat... me and supercoolmancool developed a way, but we never got around to doing it. Maybe we can try again when the grade school's carnivals come around again...

[luvMY$$$]

I'm also new to AP. First off, great website, and kudos to you gurus of the game. I've been playin 6 deck, basic bj rules, 1-5 bet spread at my local sandbox for about 3 months.(one night a week) I've read Avery Cardoza's guide to bj and blackbelt in bj by Snyder. While tryin to use red 7 system, I've been able to finish my sessions a winner 10 times, even 1nce, loser 1nce. I'm well schooled by you guys and your storys to know that I'm on a good ride, and unless I get my AP down cold, I'm headed for a brick wall. My problem is I'm a social butterfly, the players, the dealers, pit personel, drinks girl, wink wink. I get half way throu the deck and blam I'm lost. I also have self inflicted short term memory loss from my younger days. I carry a deck and count on my lunch breaks at work, tryin to get my membrane to speed up. My question is, would I be better off counting tens and aces? I don't know how that system works (if it is one), but it sounds...here's that word...easier. If it is worth tryin, is there a link with the info I would need, or book I could read. I luvMY$$$ ,and would like to make more, so your advice would be greatly appreciated. thank you

[luvMY$$$]

I'm also new to AP. First off, great website, and kudos to you gurus of the game. I've been playin 6 deck, basic bj rules, 1-5 bet spread at my local sandbox for about 3 months.(one night a week) I've read Avery Cardoza's guide to bj and blackbelt in bj by Snyder. While tryin to use red 7 system, I've been able to finish my sessions a winner 10 times, even 1nce, loser 1nce. I'm well schooled by you guys and your storys to know that I'm on a good ride, and unless I get my AP down cold, I'm headed for a brick wall. My problem is I'm a social butterfly, the players, the dealers, pit personel, drinks girl, wink wink. I get half way throu the deck and blam I'm lost. I also have self inflicted short term memory loss from my younger days. I carry a deck and count on my lunch breaks at work, tryin to get my membrane to speed up. My question is, would I be better off counting tens and aces? I don't know how that system works (if it is one), but it sounds...here's that word...easier. If it is worth tryin, is there a link with the info I would need, or book I could read. I luvMY$$$ ,and would like to make more, so your advice would be greatly appreciated. thank you

[mdlbj]

Originally Posted by luvMY$$$

I'm also new to AP. First off, great website, and kudos to you gurus of the game. I've been playin 6 deck, basic bj rules, 1-5 bet spread at my local sandbox for about 3 months.(one night a week) I've read Avery Cardoza's guide to bj and blackbelt in bj by Snyder. While tryin to use red 7 system, I've been able to finish my sessions a winner 10 times, even 1nce, loser 1nce. I'm well schooled by you guys and your storys to know that I'm on a good ride, and unless I get my AP down cold, I'm headed for a brick wall. My problem is I'm a social butterfly, the players, the dealers, pit personel, drinks girl, wink wink. I get half way throu the deck and blam I'm lost. I also have self inflicted short term memory loss from my younger days. I carry a deck and count on my lunch breaks at work, tryin to get my membrane to speed up. My question is, would I be better off counting tens and aces? I don't know how that system works (if it is one), but it sounds...here's that word...easier. If it is worth tryin, is there a link with the info I would need, or book I could read. I luvMY$$$ ,and would like to make more, so your advice would be greatly appreciated. thank you

You should use a balanced count. And count in meaningful pairs. You lack dedication to the art of counting. If a ho talks to you brush her off and play your game..

[mdlbj]

Originally Posted by ScottH

Hey now, don't be so downgrading to cake walks! They are actually quite hard to beat... me and supercoolmancool developed a way, but we never got around to doing it. Maybe we can try again when the grade school's carnivals come around again...

I won 10 cakes in a cake walk. When I was 11. I doubled down...

[luvMY$$$]

balanced count requires converting to true count per decks left, correct? I'm poppin migrane pills just thinkin about that. I don't have percentages handy, but in snyders book he compared ko, red 7's, hi low, and while the balanced system showed better numbers, they weren't big enough for me to justify the harder of the systems. (I know I'm a panzy) But back to my original ? Is there a system where you count just the tens and aces, with some kind of advantage for the social butterfly player.

also when I practice with my deck I usually flip 3 or 4 cards at a time to practice canceling, is that meaningful pairs?