Introducing the Ben Franklin Count

[Automatic Monkey]

Hi everybody here's a balanced level 2 system I've written up for use in shoe games, based on the old Revere Point Count. I call it the Ben Franklin count because all playing indices are rounded to 5, 10, or 0. This makes it a lot easier both to remember the indices, and to make a quick true count calculation for playing decisions. E.g., if the RC is +27 and there are 3.5 decks left, it might take you additional seconds to figure out the true count but you can tell right away it's less than +10 and more than +5. Using this system should earn you 5-10% more than High-Low, with minimal additional difficulty.

This is still a work in progress so let me know if there is anything to be added/subtracted/changed. Thanks to Ken for posting it on his site and to the people who have already looked it over for me.

Here's the link:
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/Ben-Franklin-Count.pdf

[shadroch]

Thanks for posting. How has the reactions been?

[nc-tom]

must say AM nice job with the system and the way you presented it. Will save the info and think about using it when i am ready to step up. very easy to understand, thanks.

[Automatic Monkey]

Originally Posted by shadroch

Thanks for posting. How has the reactions been?

Well the people who have seen it seem to like it. I'm waiting to hear from players who try to learn it and use it at the table, to see how it compares to High-Low and KO in ease of use.

[zengrifter]

This looks good. Its almost identical to GeoC's Rounded Zen, which he uses. zg

[Xenophon]

Automatic M., or does anyone have a set of rounded RPC indices using half deck TC conversion instead of whole deck conversion?

The system looks good, solid BC with the RPC, and strategy variation being simplified should free up time to think of other opportunities available while playing shoes.

[bj bob]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

Automatic M., or does anyone have a set of rounded RPC indices using half deck TC conversion instead of whole deck conversion?

The system looks good, solid BC with the RPC, and strategy variation being simplified should free up time to think of other opportunities available while playing shoes.

If the Monk converted the TC/ 1/2 deck then it would no longer be simplified as was his basic intent, instead you would be going from "Nickel & Dime" to Shillings, Farthings and Pence.
BTW, has anyone got to use it yet? It sounds easy to convert to for all you "shoe sailors".
After looking it over, the only thing that's puzzling to me is that he left out Reno rules in his comparisons, while at the same time posted those from Gopher Gizzard Minn.
And finally, hats off to The Monk. Your rendition has indeed demonstrated an example of the caliber of many of the forum members here! (That line should definitely get me a free advanced copy).

[zengrifter]

I would be inclined to compromise with -9 -6 -3 0 +3 +6 +9, etc. zg

[bj bob]

Zg, Do these tags(based on 3's) refer to 1/2 deck TC? And, if so, how would they correlate to Monk's 3 stage indices?

[zengrifter]

Originally Posted by bj bob

Zg, Do these tags(based on 3's) refer to 1/2 deck TC? And, if so, how would they correlate to Monk's 3 stage indices?

No, I was thinking 1D - 1/2D is somewhat inferior, for beting at least. My compromise would be 4-stage (0-3-6-9). zg