Want to start counting

[rennyboy]

I am a basic strategy player who is finally realizing that no matter how many times I win playing BS the losses always outweigh the wins. I just bought and have read half of Stanford Wongs book. I am leaning right now towards using the KO system. It seems user friendly. I play in AC, mostly 8 deck I believe, no surrender, double any 2 and resplit 3X, Aces split get only 1 card. I plan on practicing at home with 8 decks and my friend dealing to me. If I get really good and quick at counting, can I really "expect" to win most of my sessions? It seems really too good to be true. I am young and retired and have more than enough time to practice. Also, while I don't have unlimited funds, I can expect to bring several thousand a session. Please any info, suggestions and opinions will be greatly appreciated, good or bad. Thanks in advance

[SystemsTrader]

Welcome to the world of advantage play. Once you start counting you will wonder how anyone can play this game without counting. While its not too good to be true card counting is still a grind, especially against the 8 deck monsters. You can expect to win up to 2 of every 3 sessions over the long run. The swings in your account will also be more volatile as you will be using a large bet spread to beat 8 deck games. KO is a good place to start as it is easy to learn and can be improved upon once you gain more experience by true counting it or converting to another count. I would also suggest you mainly backcount shoes as it is more profitable and can be done with a smaller bankroll.

[blackjack avenger]

I agree with everything Systems Trader has said. However, if you have Wong's book why not use Hi Low? There is a lot of public information and studies done using Hi Low. Having said that you will be fine with KO. Be very prepared to take wild swings. In the long run you can win 2 out of 3 sessions but in any short run you will win just a little over 50% of the time.

Good Luck

[Mimosine]

I think KO is a perfectly good system to use.

If you're interested, go buy "Knockout Blackjack" by fuchs and that other dude.
it's about $13 on amazon and is a very good read for any beginner even if you decide not to use it.

[rennyboy]

I am ordering Knockout today, thanks for all the input so far. What does backcounting mean?

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by rennyboy

What does backcounting mean?

Backcounting (often called Wonging) is when you stand behind the table and count the cards without playing. Once the cards turn in your favor you sit down and start betting. That way you play every hand with an advantage over the house.

-Sonny-

[sagefr0g]

Originally Posted by Sonny

Backcounting (often called Wonging) is when you stand behind the table and count the cards without playing. Once the cards turn in your favor you sit down and start betting. That way you play every hand with an advantage over the house.

-Sonny-

as long as your not overbetting your bankroll then wonging allows playing with an advantage. whether the fruits of that advantage are realized or not remains to be seen over the long haul.

[InPlay]

Originally Posted by rennyboy

I am a basic strategy player who is finally realizing that no matter how many times I win playing BS the losses always outweigh the wins. I just bought and have read half of Stanford Wongs book. I am leaning right now towards using the KO system. It seems user friendly. I play in AC, mostly 8 deck I believe, no surrender, double any 2 and resplit 3X, Aces split get only 1 card. I plan on practicing at home with 8 decks and my friend dealing to me. If I get really good and quick at counting, can I really "expect" to win most of my sessions? It seems really too good to be true. I am young and retired and have more than enough time to practice. Also, while I don't have unlimited funds, I can expect to bring several thousand a session. Please any info, suggestions and opinions will be greatly appreciated, good or bad. Thanks in advance

Looks like a made up story. Young and retired but does not have unlimited funds. You would be better off going back to work and earning a paycheck the old fashion way. Have you ever thought about becoming a fiction writer?

[sagefr0g]

Originally Posted by InPlay

Looks like a made up story. Young and retired but does not have unlimited funds. You would be better off going back to work and earning a paycheck the old fashion way. Have you ever thought about becoming a fiction writer?

not necessarily InPlay. i retired early myself but i'm not young either lol. as far as unlimited funds thats really just a question of how much is enough. depends on the indivdual to a great degree. but i'd agree that going back to work would likely yield a better income if thats what he's after. lol, i went back to work myself, more so because i just wanted to than had to. but i also repaired a small hole in my meager bankroll by doing so and it's helping me through some finacial dealings that will pay in the long run but cost in the short term.

[rennyboy]

I retired at 34, because of an injury, no lawsuit involved. I am 39 now.Just living off my pensions and old real estate investment. So, while I do not have unlimited funds, I do have a "few" extra bucks. I cannot go back to work so that is not an option, and since I play at the casinos on average 3 times a month, why not try to play with an advantage?