Where to start?

[BrodyJames]

I've been playing blackjack for 15 years and I found this topic and it broke my heart. I'm terrible at math not to mention counting 6 decks. Can anybody point me in the right direction on were a math idiot can try to learn the basics. I'm a lawyer and bypassed probability, statistics, trig on purpose but I love the game.

I need to start at the beginning.

Thanks

 

[Gamblor]

I've been playing blackjack for 15 years and I found this topic and it broke my heart. I'm terrible at math not to mention counting 6 decks. Can anybody point me in the right direction on were a math idiot can try to learn the basics. I'm a lawyer and bypassed probability, statistics, trig on purpose but I love the game.

I need to start at the beginning.

Thanks

Counting is really really difficult, you have to be a MIT mathematical genius or Rainman type who is able to add and subtract by one in your head!

Some forms of counting also call for division of small numbers in your head. How would humans even do this, you would need to be some sort of cyborg with a computer built into your head! But even if scientist were able to integrate your brain with a computer, the vast processing power needed to do such complex calculations would require a computer the size of a cabinet with today's technology. Surely the pit will notice this!

 

[Lonesome Gambler]

Knock-Out Blackjack is a light, easy-to-absorb read with an unbalanced counting system (doesn't require quick division) that will get the money. It doesn't really take much math finesse, honestly; it's also perfectly fine for 6-deck games.

 

[Dealer/Counter/]

Counting is really really difficult, you have to be a MIT mathematical genius or Rainman type who is able to add and subtract by one in your head!

Some forms of counting also call for division of small numbers in your head. How would humans even do this, you would need to be some sort of cyborg with a computer built into your head! But even if scientist were able to integrate your brain with a computer, the vast processing power needed to do such complex calculations would require a computer the size of a cabinet with today's technology. Surely the pit will notice this!

ROFL! This tickled me lol

 

[BJLFS]

I had three years of Math and Physics in College and I still miscount occasionally. The only thing I can say is to work on it. Again it's just +-1.

 

[Friendo]

Acquired skills: drill until second nature

Counting is a collection of a half-dozen acquired skills, some of which may take some time, but none of which is really truly tough.

• Addition and subtraction of 1 (or 2, or worse, but you can avoid this by sticking with level-1 counts)
• True-count conversion (unless you're using an unbalanced count, which is just as good anyway)
• Quickly applying basic strategy rules to play your hands, assuming the count does not overrule them
• Remembering a list of a dozen or more numbers telling you how to vary your play from basic strategy in certain situations
• Applying the count to your betting decisions
• Not acting like an anti-social stiff who is glued to the cards
• Adding up your hands, and the dealer's hand, while keeping the count, and correcting the dealer on mispays which do not go in your favor

This may look like a long list, but most people find that at least 4 of these become second nature fairly quickly.

After a few hundred hours of practice and play, I find only the last two to be challenging: I can now be basically social at the table, but I want to be more chatty; but adding up hands, while adding up the count, is still a total bitch.

 

[BJgenius007]

I've been playing blackjack for 15 years and I found this topic and it broke my heart. I'm terrible at math not to mention counting 6 decks. Can anybody point me in the right direction on were a math idiot can try to learn the basics. I'm a lawyer and bypassed probability, statistics, trig on purpose but I love the game.

I need to start at the beginning.

Thanks

You may choose a level 1 counting system which is much easier than level 2 one. Hi Lo is what I recommend. Initial running count is zero. If you see a high card (ten or ace), you subtract one from the running count. If you see a low card (2, 3, 4, 5 or 6), you add one from the running count. The best way to do it is to do the calculation in a pair of two cards, if one high and one low, they cancel each other so you do no calculation

Then calculate true count :

true count = running count / number of remaining decks.

For beginners, you only use true count to decide your bet size. For playing decision, you still use Basic Strategy. And hope overtime time, you can incorporate the index play.

This is what I recommend regarding the bet size: the easiest way is to bet the same number of big units according to your true count.

1 big unit = 2 units for DD
1 big unit = 4 units for 6D/8D

For example, you are playing 6D $5 table, then a big unit is $20. You bet the table minimal $5 when you have no advantage, i.e. when true count is negative or zero. You increase your bet size when TC is +1 or higher.

TC Bet size
neg $5
0 $5
+1 1 big unit = $20
+2 2 big units = $40
+3 3 big units = $60
+4 4 big units = $80
+5 5 big units = $100
+6 6 big units = $120
+7 7 big units = $140
+8 8 big units = $160

For double deck, the big unit is $10.

TC Bet size
0/Neg $5
+1 $10
+2 $20
+3 $30
+4 $40
+5 $50
+6 $60
+7 $70
+8 $80

If you are playing in a sweat house, you should bet only $60 on TC +7 or higher. For 6D/8D, spread 16 to 1 is acceptable in most casinos, especially if you play at $5, $10 or $25 table.

And the next step is to replace Basic Strategy with index play. Starting from the Illustrious 18. If you stick with Basic Strategy, you will only earn half of you winning potential.

 

[aslan]

I had three years of Math and Physics in College and I still miscount occasionally. The only thing I can say is to work on it. Again it's just +-1.

Plus or minus one!!!!??? How can anyone be expected to remember all that! It's impossible, I say!! Impossible!!

 

[Wookets]

You guys are brutal :grin:

 

[snorky]

You may choose a level 1 counting system which is much easier than level 2 one. Hi Lo is what I recommend. Initial running count is zero. If you see a high card (ten or ace), you subtract one from the running count. If you see a low card (2, 3, 4, 5 or 6), you add one from the running count. The best way to do it is to do the calculation in a pair of two cards, if one high and one low, they cancel each other so you do no calculation

Then calculate true count :

true count = running count / number of remaining decks.

For beginners, you only use true count to decide your bet size. For playing decision, you still use Basic Strategy. And hope overtime time, you can incorporate the index play.

This is what I recommend regarding the bet size: the easiest way is to bet the same number of big units according to your true count.

1 big unit = 2 units for DD
1 big unit = 4 units for 6D/8D

For example, you are playing 6D $5 table, then a big unit is $20. You bet the table minimal $5 when you have no advantage, i.e. when true count is negative or zero. You increase your bet size when TC is +1 or higher.

TC Bet size
neg $5
0 $5
+1 1 big unit = $20
+2 2 big units = $40
+3 3 big units = $60
+4 4 big units = $80
+5 5 big units = $100
+6 6 big units = $120
+7 7 big units = $140
+8 8 big units = $160

For double deck, the big unit is $10.

TC Bet size
0/Neg $5
+1 $10
+2 $20
+3 $30
+4 $40
+5 $50
+6 $60
+7 $70
+8 $80

If you are playing in a sweat house, you should bet only $60 on TC +7 or higher. For 6D/8D, spread 16 to 1 is acceptable in most casinos, especially if you play at $5, $10 or $25 table.

And the next step is to replace Basic Strategy with index play. Starting from the Illustrious 18. If you stick with Basic Strategy, you will only earn half of you winning potential.

Shouldn't the max bet be somewhere at a TC of +4 or +5?

 

[BJgenius007]

Shouldn't the max bet be somewhere at a TC of +4 or +5?

It doesn't affect much. And for newbies, take easy betting over optimal betting.

 

[jaygruden]

I've been playing blackjack for 15 years and I found this topic and it broke my heart. I'm terrible at math not to mention counting 6 decks. Can anybody point me in the right direction on were a math idiot can try to learn the basics. I'm a lawyer and bypassed probability, statistics, trig on purpose but I love the game.

I need to start at the beginning.

Thanks

Here's the "begining":

http://www.qfit.com/book/ModernBlackjackPage-10.htm

Read it to the "end" and you'll be fine.

Good luck!