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Card counting is not much of an option online, although the possibility does exist in the live-dealer games that a few places offer. Even there, the penetration is poor, usually 50% or worse of an 8-deck shoe. The bonuses and promotions can also be profitable sometimes, but these days it is tough to get an actual positive play at online casinos. If you’re a recreational player on the other hand, the games online often have better rules than their land-based competition. So it really depends on what you want from the game.
Very strange, I’ve been practicing playing the game and counting using KO for SD. Never came to the endl count of +4., always “0”. Is that because of penetration or ???
Sorry, for the confusing post above, it’s me – Ive been practicing playing the game (SD) and using the “The Blackjack Strategy Trainer”, while counting with the KO for SD. Again, I am sure about my counting and the only thing would be a shallow penetration or software that does not use randomly a full deck of cards. Or where am I wrong?
It’s now 10/5/16 PM(Pre-Matthew) and it’s not fixed at all. The recommended casinos pop-up hides the free game! I’m not a competent computer programer, but surely you could find one.
Wheelmarks
Things can certainly change quickly. BlackjackInfo has a new owner who took over this month. I know the new team has some excellent resources available for blackjack trainer software. I expect they will be rolling out enhancements pretty quickly, but I’m not involved in that process now.
You mention wanting to “wait and get the latest”. If you are referring to the other product on this page, Casino Verite is not involved in these changes, and the latest version is available as always at the provided Amazon links.
Now, on to your final comments… “Going against the grain” can be a very expensive plan. Like any strategy, it can certainly work on any given hand. But I strongly encourage you to learn the correct strategy for the game, and stick to it. Standing with stiff hands against strong dealer upcards does indeed keep you from busting, but you will lose a lot more money in the long run by playing this way.
Will you post something in this section when the new version is out? I want to wait and get the latest. In the mean time what book or video do you recommend on winning at blackjack? I have only played about 5 times (not counting cards) at the casinos on the 21 plus 3 card tables and have had some decent luck, especially the 3 card bet and would like to learn a bit more about that betting too. Thanks for your practice game, it has been helpful. I tend to go against the grain and do not draw to anything above 14 even when the dealer has a high card and have not done bad. My thoughts are to make the dealer beat me not me busting and beating myself.
Ken, I have agreed with you wholeheartedly on this issue. There are some hard-headed individuals posting here who seem to be unable to buy into this concept, for various reasons which hold no weight on their own.
In your case you should give more thought to playing only if you can be 3rd base. Then what you described can never happen, which should keep you happy.
So let’s assume the player at 3rd base does use proper strategy and does not hit his hard 16. The dealer then takes the next card, a five, making dealer’s hand a 21, wiping out the table – – including your hand. I don’t believe any of the players will blame 3rd base for not taking a hit, which would have kept the dealer from getting the 5.
Ken’s whole point was to show that however Johnny Clueless plays his action will hurt you just as often as he helps you. And this holds true even if 3rd base plays basic strategy.
What does karma have to do with putting money in your pocket? It’s just an emotion or mood. One can lose or win with good karma; similarly with bad karma.
@tommy ; Wrong! Ken is 100% correct, although I am unable to understand your obstinacy. As Ken said a poor player affects your winning half the time, AND helps you to win the other half time. This actually translates to any other player at the table, whether a good one or not.
Whoa here. I understand that varying one’s bet raises a red flag that you are probably a card counter. How does one camouflage bet variations to avoid being caught?
Not true. Your only true statement is embodied in the last sentence regarding splitting of Aces and tens. It does not matter one iota where one sits. Since the cards are not marked one has no way of knowing the value of the next card being dealt. It is true that the dealer has to take a hit with a 6 face up, but one never knows if the next card dealer takes is a bust card or a card that helps the dealers holding.
I’ve played 3rd base for many, many years. Have always used the standard basic strategy that improves one’s chances of winning. Many times I’ve agonized that the player to my right takes a hit and gets the card that would have been a perfect fit for my hand. But that’s just part of the game.
It is a good feeling to be sitting at a table where everyone knows how to play using proper strategy – – – everyone feels comfortable in this knowledge. Even if a newbie who doesn’t know how to play joins the table his presence has no effect on everyone else’s chances of winning; but it is exasperating.
Win stop points can make you feel good about your chances, but they don’t actually affect the math of the game. If you are playing a losing game, they’ll save you a lot of money, because they reduce your play time. Conversely, if you are playing a positive-expectation game by accurately counting and betting with the count, a stop-win point (or even a stop-loss point) will cost you money for the same reason. Fewer hours of play equals fewer dollars of expected win.
I usually tell players to not bother with counting in tournaments, because there are so many other things you can concentrate on. But it is also nice to be able to make your riskiest bets when you know that the deck is rich in face cards and aces. To be honest, it probably helps less than you think. The percentage chance of winning a hand in plus counts is only a little higher than in negative counts. The difference is smaller than most counters realize. Check this out: https://www.blackjackincolor.com/truecount5.htm
But if you feel that you can keep track of your opponents’ bankrolls and still keep a count for this purpose, it will help some. It certainly feels good to put that huge bet out and catch a blackjack! 🙂
I really enjoy your practice platform. I was wondering, can we play online and make money or should we avoid that and only play in casinos ?
Card counting is not much of an option online, although the possibility does exist in the live-dealer games that a few places offer. Even there, the penetration is poor, usually 50% or worse of an 8-deck shoe. The bonuses and promotions can also be profitable sometimes, but these days it is tough to get an actual positive play at online casinos. If you’re a recreational player on the other hand, the games online often have better rules than their land-based competition. So it really depends on what you want from the game.
Thank you from the Latest Casino Bonuses team 🙂
The Strategy engine free game is working again. No more recommended casinos pop-up. Thanks, I was beginning to have withdrawal symptoms.
Wheelmarks
Very strange, I’ve been practicing playing the game and counting using KO for SD. Never came to the endl count of +4., always “0”. Is that because of penetration or ???
Sorry, for the confusing post above, it’s me – Ive been practicing playing the game (SD) and using the “The Blackjack Strategy Trainer”, while counting with the KO for SD. Again, I am sure about my counting and the only thing would be a shallow penetration or software that does not use randomly a full deck of cards. Or where am I wrong?
Hi Mark,
We’ve narrowed down the issue and it shouldn’t be happening anymore. Thank you for your patience and my apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Cheers,
Tim
It’s now 10/5/16 PM(Pre-Matthew) and it’s not fixed at all. The recommended casinos pop-up hides the free game! I’m not a competent computer programer, but surely you could find one.
Wheelmarks
Things can certainly change quickly. BlackjackInfo has a new owner who took over this month. I know the new team has some excellent resources available for blackjack trainer software. I expect they will be rolling out enhancements pretty quickly, but I’m not involved in that process now.
You mention wanting to “wait and get the latest”. If you are referring to the other product on this page, Casino Verite is not involved in these changes, and the latest version is available as always at the provided Amazon links.
Now, on to your final comments… “Going against the grain” can be a very expensive plan. Like any strategy, it can certainly work on any given hand. But I strongly encourage you to learn the correct strategy for the game, and stick to it. Standing with stiff hands against strong dealer upcards does indeed keep you from busting, but you will lose a lot more money in the long run by playing this way.
Will you post something in this section when the new version is out? I want to wait and get the latest. In the mean time what book or video do you recommend on winning at blackjack? I have only played about 5 times (not counting cards) at the casinos on the 21 plus 3 card tables and have had some decent luck, especially the 3 card bet and would like to learn a bit more about that betting too. Thanks for your practice game, it has been helpful. I tend to go against the grain and do not draw to anything above 14 even when the dealer has a high card and have not done bad. My thoughts are to make the dealer beat me not me busting and beating myself.
Ken, I have agreed with you wholeheartedly on this issue. There are some hard-headed individuals posting here who seem to be unable to buy into this concept, for various reasons which hold no weight on their own.
In your case you should give more thought to playing only if you can be 3rd base. Then what you described can never happen, which should keep you happy.
So let’s assume the player at 3rd base does use proper strategy and does not hit his hard 16. The dealer then takes the next card, a five, making dealer’s hand a 21, wiping out the table – – including your hand. I don’t believe any of the players will blame 3rd base for not taking a hit, which would have kept the dealer from getting the 5.
Ken’s whole point was to show that however Johnny Clueless plays his action will hurt you just as often as he helps you. And this holds true even if 3rd base plays basic strategy.
Not quite correct. If you have a 75% chance of winning you can’t also have a 75% chance of losing. These numbers have to add up to 100%.
What does karma have to do with putting money in your pocket? It’s just an emotion or mood. One can lose or win with good karma; similarly with bad karma.
@tommy ; Wrong! Ken is 100% correct, although I am unable to understand your obstinacy. As Ken said a poor player affects your winning half the time, AND helps you to win the other half time. This actually translates to any other player at the table, whether a good one or not.
Whoa here. I understand that varying one’s bet raises a red flag that you are probably a card counter. How does one camouflage bet variations to avoid being caught?
Not true. Your only true statement is embodied in the last sentence regarding splitting of Aces and tens. It does not matter one iota where one sits. Since the cards are not marked one has no way of knowing the value of the next card being dealt. It is true that the dealer has to take a hit with a 6 face up, but one never knows if the next card dealer takes is a bust card or a card that helps the dealers holding.
I’ve played 3rd base for many, many years. Have always used the standard basic strategy that improves one’s chances of winning. Many times I’ve agonized that the player to my right takes a hit and gets the card that would have been a perfect fit for my hand. But that’s just part of the game.
It is a good feeling to be sitting at a table where everyone knows how to play using proper strategy – – – everyone feels comfortable in this knowledge. Even if a newbie who doesn’t know how to play joins the table his presence has no effect on everyone else’s chances of winning; but it is exasperating.
Win stop points can make you feel good about your chances, but they don’t actually affect the math of the game. If you are playing a losing game, they’ll save you a lot of money, because they reduce your play time. Conversely, if you are playing a positive-expectation game by accurately counting and betting with the count, a stop-win point (or even a stop-loss point) will cost you money for the same reason. Fewer hours of play equals fewer dollars of expected win.
I usually tell players to not bother with counting in tournaments, because there are so many other things you can concentrate on. But it is also nice to be able to make your riskiest bets when you know that the deck is rich in face cards and aces. To be honest, it probably helps less than you think. The percentage chance of winning a hand in plus counts is only a little higher than in negative counts. The difference is smaller than most counters realize. Check this out:
https://www.blackjackincolor.com/truecount5.htm
But if you feel that you can keep track of your opponents’ bankrolls and still keep a count for this purpose, it will help some. It certainly feels good to put that huge bet out and catch a blackjack! 🙂