Abandoning a backcount

[Dopple]

I am always at a dilema as to when to abandon a backcount. It is not always comfortable to find a good spot to backcount from and when you see a new shuffle about to happen across the floor it is tempting to leave 3 decks in a shoe with a negative count but then if it is not too low it could turn and with less cards left you can get a good tc pretty quick.

How would you quantify this? Impossible. Feedback appreciated.

 

[moo321]

I am always at a dilema as to when to abandon a backcount. It is not always comfortable to find a good spot to backcount from and when you see a new shuffle about to happen across the floor it is tempting to leave 3 decks in a shoe with a negative count but then if it is not too low it could turn and with less cards left you can get a good tc pretty quick.

How would you quantify this? Impossible. Feedback appreciated.

Blackjack Attack has a whole section on exactly this question. In general, if you're at -1 TC and you see a shuffle elsewhere, it's best to move on. Be more likely to leave early in a shoe, and less likely late in a shoe.

 

[SystemsTrader]

It's more of an art than a science and you must include many factors. What's the pen like at your table? How many people are at your current table and how many are at the table starting a new shuffle? You must also consider the table minimums and possibly maximums of different tables. The speed of the dealers is another consideration. There is no perfect answer to your question but with experience you will just get a good feel for it eventually.

 

[prankster]

There's this one dealer at my usual casino who cuts out just half a deck or so from a 6 deck shoe. If I backcount his table I'm likely to stick around awhile-I've seen the count go from being in the dumpster to real nice late in the shoe.:joker:

 

[Blue Efficacy]

Personally I would go for the fresh shuffle.