Looking for noob tips

[Theodore]

This is my first post on the forum so this can be my introductory thread too

I had always wanted to get into card counting, and finally read up on it last night. Right now, I'm working on getting my speed up for the hi-lo count.

Should I be learning that count or something different? Also, is there a good site that explains the terminology for counting (ie. third base? etc)

What are some other things I should know?

Thanks in advance

[Theodore]

Also...those strategy card things (http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bjbse.php) are you allowed to have those at casinos?

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by Theodore

Should I be learning that count or something different?

The HiLo is a good place to start. It is very simple and very powerful. Some people prefer unbalanced counting systems because they are a bit easier but the HiLo system is what most people talk about.

Originally Posted by Theodore

Also, is there a good site that explains the terminology for counting (ie. third base? etc)

You can look up any unusual terms in the Blackjack Encyclopedia here:

http://www.bjrnet.com/member/bjapr/Contents.htm

Originally Posted by Theodore

What are some other things I should know?

Eventually you will want to learn about playing strategies, betting strategies, bet sizing, risk management, long run expectations, and maybe some advanced techniques, but don’t worry about that stuff yet. There’ll be plenty of time for that once you’re ready for it.

Originally Posted by Theodore

Also...those strategy card things (http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bjbse.php) are you allowed to have those at casinos?

Sure. The casinos love to see people betting money when they don’t really know how to play.

-Sonny-

[Guynoire]

Those cards are allowed at the casino. Some ploppies might get angry at you for using them mostly because they slow the game down. It shouldn't really matter though because before you are even close to being ready for the casino you need to have basic strategy down pat.

Hi lo is the most popular count out there. As far as level one counts go hi lo, KO, Red 7, and Kiss 3, all perform about the same so it's really just a matter of preference. Some people prefer KO because there is no true count conversion, it's an unbalanced count and you bet based on the running count only.

[ReD40]

hey im also new and this is also my first post. I would guess Im in about the same position you are, i can count down a deck (hi-lo) in about 30 sec, i had a few noob questions too so i figured i'd put them here too.

to answer your question about the BS cards, i believe most casinos will allow them, but definantly ask the dealer/pit boss before you use it.

a few questions i have for more experienced players about starting out are:

1.what is a good starting bankroll? i'll be playing only $5 tables

2. how much time a day did you spend practicing and for how long (days/weeks/months) before you counted in casinos?

3. what expectations should i have? I know i wont be bringing home a lot, so what can i realisticly expect when i first start? either winning or losing


thanks for any info/help

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by ReD40

1.what is a good starting bankroll? i'll be playing only $5 tables

A good starting bankroll for that level would be around $5,000-$8,000. That would allow you to play a strong game with very little risk of going broke.

Originally Posted by ReD40

2. how much time a day did you spend practicing and for how long (days/weeks/months) before you counted in casinos?

I’ve been counting for almost 9 years and I still practice every single day. Some days I only practice for an hour or two, other days I might practice for 5-6 hours. There’s always more to learn. I practiced for about 3 months before I went to Vegas for the first time and I still managed to lose all my money. Counting cards is the easy part, becoming a successful player with the odds in your favor is the hard part.

Originally Posted by ReD40

3. what expectations should i have? I know i wont be bringing home a lot, so what can i realisticly expect when i first start? either winning or losing

Starting out you shold expect to earn about 1 unit per hour. At a $5 table that would be $5/hour with swings of around $150-$300 per hour.

-Sonny-

[Wineburg]

Originally Posted by Sonny

A good starting bankroll for that level would be around $5,000-$8,000. That would allow you to play a strong game with very little risk of going broke.



I’ve been counting for almost 9 years and I still practice every single day. Some days I only practice for an hour or two, other days I might practice for 5-6 hours. There’s always more to learn. I practiced for about 3 months before I went to Vegas for the first time and I still managed to lose all my money. Counting cards is the easy part, becoming a successful player with the odds in your favor is the hard part.



Starting out you shold expect to earn about 1 unit per hour. At a $5 table that would be $5/hour with swings of around $150-$300 per hour.

-Sonny-

Really 5,000$ - 8,000$ for a 5 dollar table? Ive read multiple places that you need at least 100X the table minimum which would be 500 and I can see an argument that you should have about 2,000$ but 5,000$ sounds a bit extreme.

I am just starting to learn though and you are right about how the counting can come with some practice but becoming an experienced player and using the odds to your advantage can be tough.

What do you think are your most effective forms of practice?

And have you just played by yourself or with others?

[mjbballar23]

Originally Posted by Wineburg

Really 5,000$ - 8,000$ for a 5 dollar table? Ive read multiple places that you need at least 100X the table minimum which would be 500 and I can see an argument that you should have about 2,000$ but 5,000$ sounds a bit extreme.

I am just starting to learn though and you are right about how the counting can come with some practice but becoming an experienced player and using the odds to your advantage can be tough.

What do you think are your most effective forms of practice?

And have you just played by yourself or with others?

100X table minimum for a session bankroll maybe but for a total bankroll a lot of sources will say something like 100 - 120 MAX bets

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by Wineburg

Really 5,000$ - 8,000$ for a 5 dollar table?

It all depends on how much risk you are willing to take. A 100 unit bankroll might give you somewhere around a 60-70% chance of losing all your money during a negative swing. It might be enough for a short trip but it is not enough for a total bankroll. Even a $2k bankroll (400 units) might have around a 15-20% lifetime risk of ruin. That’s more of a gamble than most APs are willing to take.

Originally Posted by Wineburg

What do you think are your most effective forms of practice?

Definitely computer software. Qfit’s Casino Verite has great drills for learning basic strategy, counting, betting and index plays. I wrote my own software for TC conversions and betting drills. Practicing on a computer is much faster than playing with real cards. There are some things, like deck estimation and casino comportment, that have to be learned on a table with cards. For everything else I like to use computer drills.

Originally Posted by Wineburg

And have you just played by yourself or with others?

I’ve played both ways. I usually play with at least one partner but sometimes I’ll play with several other players when I can.

-Sonny-

[Theodore]

What are the ideal table conditions like for a new guy? Slow dealer of course, but what about table size/minimum bet/etc?