Hiding Index Values on B.S. card?

[brandone]

When I was first learning to play blackjack, I used something similar to the Basic Strategy Engine located here on BJInfo and hand-wrote all of the plays for both double-deck and six-deck on two index cards; one per game. Later I designed it in Photoshop and had it printed and laminated on hard cards by a local print shop. Then, after reading 'Modern Blackjack' by Norm Wattenberger, in which he describes either providing a special background color or small notation on the card for plays for REKO. REKO has only one play modification; +2. So it makes coloring all changes that need to be made for counts +2 and above easy as you only have to have one color or denotation on your card.

HOWVER, TO THE POINT -- What about making a BS card for more complex systems where we have many different play variations based on the true count? I am learning Hi-Opt II and would really like to be able to somehow keep a B.S. card with me with a majority of the plays for different counts. A card will usually draw a pit boss over to take a quick glance, usually just a friendly gesture so they can see the kind of card you have and comment as to whether or not it's any good. This would make it quite a tough situation if they see '-7, +3, -2, +5, +8' etc. in small super-script font in the choice box.

So what options do I have for this (aside from complete memorization, which will haooen quickly)? I was thinking a mixture of colors, discrete symbols, 'scuff' marks, etc. But this would require almost just as much effort as memorization as I'd then also have to memorize what each coffee stain, tooth-paste fleck, colored marker slip, et cetera means. I've eliminated a lot of the more obscure indexes like plays at -24 and above (as I would NEVER have a bet at a table with a T.C. of -24 or below!) and even down to -10 (I wong out at -8 if I can). I also have eliminated those that say do above +12 and just put them to one color/marking as 'extreme condition' as they rarely happen. I normally find true counts between -10 and +10, with a few bouts of luck lately where I was sitting on +16 T.C. with an excess of 4 Aces (I side-count Aces)! I soon plan on side-counting 7s and playing the side-count of 7s also matters, so being able to mark down the special considerations for this would be helpful as well.

So, how do we be sneaky enough to mark the cards as appropriate without drawing any heat? The casinos love to see BS cards because it proves to them you aren't any kind of pro, especially if you pretend to reference it all the time with the 'tough' decisions (although as a casino I wouldn't like that a properly tuned card at the right game only gives the house a 0.40% edge!). They'll also think something is up if the card is telling you to hit that stiff 15 against that 8 but you're not because the count is so freakin' high, and your index tells you not to.

So what, oh what, to do to keep this under the radar? Anyone have any tricks they've used? I'm all ears.

 

[blackchipjim]

eye in the sky!

That could prove to be your downfall if the camerea focuses on your bs card and sees anything other than bs. I don't know for sure but have been told the camereas can focus on your drivers license and snapshot it with good clarity.

 

[Lonesome Gambler]

This is a very clever idea, but I can tell you that you will spend more time learning the marks on the BS card than you will learning the indices. I've had players memorize 1/4 of the full hi-lo indices within 2 hours, no BS card needed at the table. And furthermore, you want to play quickly at the table; you don't want to have to reference a card to know the right play. Which brings up another problem: if you are, in fact, playing quickly but an index play comes up and you suddenly have to consult your card for 16 v 9, a play that you've made many times up until that point without having to think about it. Do you think that will look natural?

I like the innovation, but as usual, I like to defer to the KISS principle.

 

[NightStalker]

Yes

That could prove to be your downfall if the camerea focuses on your bs card and sees anything other than bs. I don't know for sure but have been told the camereas can focus on your drivers license and snapshot it with good clarity.

They surely can.. I am aware when eye tries to zoom into the mobile..

 

[brandone]

Good points Lonesome. I was thinking about that, too; referencing hit/stay on a stiff 15 or 16 against a 10, when they of course know what 'the book' says AND I've made that play the same way repeatedly. Best to just spend time memorizing them and then look like a gambler making decisions by the seat of his pants.

And boy oh boy do I get some jeers and sneers from the plops when I don't hit a 15 or 16 against a non-bust card. Of course the guy next to me gets hit with a face card and of course the dealer may have a face card underneith since the count is so high, but hey, it's my money you ploppies!

This is a very clever idea, but I can tell you that you will spend more time learning the marks on the BS card than you will learning the indices. I've had players memorize 1/4 of the full hi-lo indices within 2 hours, no BS card needed at the table. And furthermore, you want to play quickly at the table; you don't want to have to reference a card to know the right play. Which brings up another problem: if you are, in fact, playing quickly but an index play comes up and you suddenly have to consult your card for 16 v 9, a play that you've made many times up until that point without having to think about it. Do you think that will look natural?

I like the innovation, but as usual, I like to defer to the KISS principle.

 

[tensplitter]

Make 2 copies, one with index numbers and one without. When they look at it, show them the one without the index numbers.

 

[Homeschool]

That could prove to be your downfall if the camerea focuses on your bs card and sees anything other than bs. I don't know for sure but have been told the camereas can focus on your drivers license and snapshot it with good clarity.

I recently had some training at an airport that allowed me some time checking out their surveillance consoles. They had the "bubble" type cameras similar to what most casinos have (at least from outward appearance). To demonstrate how good the zoom on the cameras were, they zoomed in on one of those little pedastal signs that advises you of security restrictions. Not the big poster sized signs, but the little 6x10 inch sized ones. From the other end of the terminal he could clearly zoom in on any single letter on that sign. Quality was VERY good too, not just some grainy black and white bank surveillance video......

Homeschool

 

[Brock Windsor]

Use different fonts or sizes for each true count. Keep it simple. I wouldn't sweat it, I used to print all my index numbers on the back of a bs card. When PC's would look at it they wouldn't notice. Bet spread is what gives counters away.
-BW