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Hi Ken, I see under recent comments that you replied about the KO system, but I cant see the last few replies. I refreshed and restarted my computer but it seems I can’t see the last few relies, what can I do?
Thanks,
Glen
Sorry, I removed an unneeded comment to which that was a reply, not realizing that truncated the whole chain. It’s now back in place just above this pair of comments.
Ok, NP, Thank you.
You said “….this course from the GameMaster targets Hi-Lo…” so does the Basic Strategy or Betting Sequence/Spread different if I decide to use KO?
Thanks again,
Glen
No, KO is a completely different approach. While the basic strategy of course does not change, the betting method and the occasional deviation from basic strategy work differently in KO. If it interests you (and it should), my advice is to get the book: Knock-Out Blackjack.
I did buy the book, but I’ve been practicing with Hi-Lo on your trainer and am almost ready to give it a go. But in trying to find an easier approach (eliminating the division/deck count)
during casino play I came across KO and am not sure if I want to invest more time and effort in practicing all over again. Anyway,
Thanks yet again,
Glen
You don’t mention what dealer upcard you are looking at, nor what the rules of the game are. I’m going to assume that maybe you are looking at a single deck game, and the unusual advice of standing with (7,7) vs a dealer Ten. (Or Surrender if available!). Well, single deck is a lot different. The effect of removing each card is substantial in single deck. In this case, what card would you prefer to draw here? Another 7. But there are only two 7s left in the deck. That swings this decision to make standing better than hitting.
My usual caveats: This ONLY happens in single deck. Refer to the Strategy Engine for your exact game’s optimal strategy.
Most of the really nice blackjack tournaments are unfortunately a distant memory. Back in the 1990s, there were large open events held all over the country. Now you can count the number of casinos in the US who still host good open events on your fingers, maybe on one hand. To be successful on the tournament circuit today, you will need to get in to the high-end invitation-only events and even those are in sharp decline. So I’m afraid you’re late to the game for turning pro on the BJT circuit. It was never an easy way to make a living. I have to believe it is now impossible. Because the variance of events is so very high, you need to play a large number of tournaments to succeed. The events just don’t exist in great enough numbers any more. Sorry!
I play a lot here in The Philippines where I’m living, and I’ve noticed the casinos here are all using 6 decks. I’d always wondered why, and now I know.
My grandad won his house in a game of blackjack in the 80’s (yes, I’m serious), and I’ve always had a love for the game since I started playing. Let’s hope I can win a house, too 😀
Using your example, let’s say the correct play is to hit. When I get my new total, should I go back to the card and look up the next correct play? I.E., does this strategy refer to only the first two cards you are delt or to all new totals that come as a result of your “correct play?”
We have an Indian casino about an hour and fifteen minutes away where we play with no heat and very friendly dealers and pit bosses.
Both double deck and 6 deck games have great penetration…85% plus, no surrender but double on anything, split up to 4 times.
A couple of interesting notes. I was on a crazy run and had about $8k of $500 chips and the pit boss leans over to me and says “you know, it’s OK to leave with money…you don’t have to stay and give it back?”
Then on another trip one if the dealers who is a part time pit boss looks at the 6 deck discard and quietly says “there’s about 1 1/3 decks discarded” to me. He obviously assumed I was counting.
Just goes to show that not ALL of the casinos are alike, especially outside of Nevada?
Ken one question please !!!if for example in a very bad true count like -5 or -6 if the dealer has 5 or 6 and player has pairs of 6 the corect is to take one card ar two split?or when a player has pairs of 4 he shoud avoid split?thanks for your time
Hi Ken,
I really love the site but there is something I cant really understand:
According to the table you get a true count of 7 or better a 0% of the time with 50% deck penetration. But in a single deck game if the first 7 cards dealt are low you already have count of a little bit over 7. So you clearly have a true count of 7 or better over 0% of the time. Is the table wrong or am I doing something wrong?
I suspect that the table assumes six decks. You are far less likely to reach TC+7 in a six deck game with 50% penetration than a single deck at 50% pen.
Hi Ken
I’ve read the KO Blackjack book. I don’t know if it’s because I bought a digital download, but found it a bit confusing. I believe after converting the count for a 6 deck game that I could start with 6 and then the advantage will start when I reach 26. So I would raise my $10 bet to $15 at 26 when the advantage begins (I would go $15 instead of $20 as this is the key count, I think, and the odds are just about even) then go to $20 at 27, $30 at 28, $40 at 29, and my big bet of $50 at 30 or higher. Ken, can you or anyone else who knows the KO system, tell me if this is correct?
Thanks,
Glen
Hi Ken, I see under recent comments that you replied about the KO system, but I cant see the last few replies. I refreshed and restarted my computer but it seems I can’t see the last few relies, what can I do?
Thanks,
Glen
Sorry, I removed an unneeded comment to which that was a reply, not realizing that truncated the whole chain. It’s now back in place just above this pair of comments.
Ok, NP, Thank you.
You said “….this course from the GameMaster targets Hi-Lo…” so does the Basic Strategy or Betting Sequence/Spread different if I decide to use KO?
Thanks again,
Glen
No, KO is a completely different approach. While the basic strategy of course does not change, the betting method and the occasional deviation from basic strategy work differently in KO. If it interests you (and it should), my advice is to get the book: Knock-Out Blackjack.
I did buy the book, but I’ve been practicing with Hi-Lo on your trainer and am almost ready to give it a go. But in trying to find an easier approach (eliminating the division/deck count)
during casino play I came across KO and am not sure if I want to invest more time and effort in practicing all over again. Anyway,
Thanks yet again,
Glen
Sorry, not during casino play: during research after casino play
Why does your basic strategy recommend always standing on a pair of sevens, where as you hit a hard 14 when the dealer shows 6 or more ?
You don’t mention what dealer upcard you are looking at, nor what the rules of the game are. I’m going to assume that maybe you are looking at a single deck game, and the unusual advice of standing with (7,7) vs a dealer Ten. (Or Surrender if available!). Well, single deck is a lot different. The effect of removing each card is substantial in single deck. In this case, what card would you prefer to draw here? Another 7. But there are only two 7s left in the deck. That swings this decision to make standing better than hitting.
My usual caveats: This ONLY happens in single deck. Refer to the Strategy Engine for your exact game’s optimal strategy.
I’m embarrassed to tell you that I was looking at T-T, not 7-7. These 74 year-old eyes play tricks on me.
Sorry
How do I turn pro playing B J T? Is there such a thing? Thanks
Most of the really nice blackjack tournaments are unfortunately a distant memory. Back in the 1990s, there were large open events held all over the country. Now you can count the number of casinos in the US who still host good open events on your fingers, maybe on one hand. To be successful on the tournament circuit today, you will need to get in to the high-end invitation-only events and even those are in sharp decline. So I’m afraid you’re late to the game for turning pro on the BJT circuit. It was never an easy way to make a living. I have to believe it is now impossible. Because the variance of events is so very high, you need to play a large number of tournaments to succeed. The events just don’t exist in great enough numbers any more. Sorry!
Thanks for clearing this up!
I play a lot here in The Philippines where I’m living, and I’ve noticed the casinos here are all using 6 decks. I’d always wondered why, and now I know.
My grandad won his house in a game of blackjack in the 80’s (yes, I’m serious), and I’ve always had a love for the game since I started playing. Let’s hope I can win a house, too 😀
Quick (and probably stupid) question:
Using your example, let’s say the correct play is to hit. When I get my new total, should I go back to the card and look up the next correct play? I.E., does this strategy refer to only the first two cards you are delt or to all new totals that come as a result of your “correct play?”
Yes, use the strategy from the card each time you need to make a decision on the hand, no matter how many cards you have.
We have an Indian casino about an hour and fifteen minutes away where we play with no heat and very friendly dealers and pit bosses.
Both double deck and 6 deck games have great penetration…85% plus, no surrender but double on anything, split up to 4 times.
A couple of interesting notes. I was on a crazy run and had about $8k of $500 chips and the pit boss leans over to me and says “you know, it’s OK to leave with money…you don’t have to stay and give it back?”
Then on another trip one if the dealers who is a part time pit boss looks at the 6 deck discard and quietly says “there’s about 1 1/3 decks discarded” to me. He obviously assumed I was counting.
Just goes to show that not ALL of the casinos are alike, especially outside of Nevada?
Anybody else have good story?
Blodget
Ken one question please !!!if for example in a very bad true count like -5 or -6 if the dealer has 5 or 6 and player has pairs of 6 the corect is to take one card ar two split?or when a player has pairs of 4 he shoud avoid split?thanks for your time
Hi Ken,
I really love the site but there is something I cant really understand:
According to the table you get a true count of 7 or better a 0% of the time with 50% deck penetration. But in a single deck game if the first 7 cards dealt are low you already have count of a little bit over 7. So you clearly have a true count of 7 or better over 0% of the time. Is the table wrong or am I doing something wrong?
I suspect that the table assumes six decks. You are far less likely to reach TC+7 in a six deck game with 50% penetration than a single deck at 50% pen.
Hi Ken
I’ve read the KO Blackjack book. I don’t know if it’s because I bought a digital download, but found it a bit confusing. I believe after converting the count for a 6 deck game that I could start with 6 and then the advantage will start when I reach 26. So I would raise my $10 bet to $15 at 26 when the advantage begins (I would go $15 instead of $20 as this is the key count, I think, and the odds are just about even) then go to $20 at 27, $30 at 28, $40 at 29, and my big bet of $50 at 30 or higher. Ken, can you or anyone else who knows the KO system, tell me if this is correct?
Thanks,
Glen
In the classic KO version, in six decks you would start the running count at -20, and you could raise your bets starting at -4.
Yes, the values are strange. Most people add 20 to all of this so they can start at zero instead.
Here are a couple of references that might help:
https://www.blackjackinfo.com/knowledge-base/blackjack-card-counting/key-counts-in-the-k-o-system/
and for REKO:
https://www.qfit.com/rekostrategy.htm
For 6-decks, the normal IRC would be -20.