How do you backcount?
- Thread starter karlmaj
- Start date
It helps to have a few vacancies at the table. What I typically do is stand right behind an open chair. This allows me a full view of the table and also acts as a deterrent to other players passing by who might try to sit down. Sort of like a box out in basketball. This way if the count turns there is always an empty seat. Also, it helps if the cards have large print, but it seems that more and more casinos are going to smaller print cards.
There is no easy answer to this question. How backcounters backcount is going to vary and some backcounters do not like handing out their secrets.
One thing for sure is that if you just stand there staring at the cards, you're going to attract attention. The main problem is that nobody knows whether you're eyeing the cards or the player's chips. Thievery is a pretty big problem in casinos and the surveillance team might think you're a chip snatcher if you loiter.
Here are two ploys I used to use, but no longer.
(1) When the basic strategy cards were a novelty, I used to hold one cupped in my hands (as if I'm trying to keep it a secret). I'd just stand about 3 feet away from the table, glancing down at my card on all the "hard" plays as if I were testing myself. Then I'd just sit down and play whenever the count got high.
Eventually, I gave up this ploy because I had used it often enough so that I was afraid that people might recognize me as no longer being a new player.
(2) At one casino I found a pair of nickel slot machines that were really close to a blackjack table and faced away (that is, the players at the machine faced the table). The space in between the machines was big enough to see about half of a blackjack table - I was able to sit at the machine and backcount.
I only used this a few times. Eventually the tables got moved further away.
One thing for sure is that if you just stand there staring at the cards, you're going to attract attention. The main problem is that nobody knows whether you're eyeing the cards or the player's chips. Thievery is a pretty big problem in casinos and the surveillance team might think you're a chip snatcher if you loiter.
Here are two ploys I used to use, but no longer.
(1) When the basic strategy cards were a novelty, I used to hold one cupped in my hands (as if I'm trying to keep it a secret). I'd just stand about 3 feet away from the table, glancing down at my card on all the "hard" plays as if I were testing myself. Then I'd just sit down and play whenever the count got high.
Eventually, I gave up this ploy because I had used it often enough so that I was afraid that people might recognize me as no longer being a new player.
(2) At one casino I found a pair of nickel slot machines that were really close to a blackjack table and faced away (that is, the players at the machine faced the table). The space in between the machines was big enough to see about half of a blackjack table - I was able to sit at the machine and backcount.
I only used this a few times. Eventually the tables got moved further away.
A few days ago, I witnessed one of the clumsiest back counting techniques. A guy was standing behind the players, obviously making efforts to see all the cards dealt, by constantly moving left and right. At one point (it just so happened that the TC was between +2 and +3, lol), he started waving to another guy, who was a few tables away. This other fellow rushes to the table and starts betting the 2 open spots, for about 3 or 4 hands, until the count goes down to below zero. Then he gets up and leaves the table.
These two guys went through the same procedure a few more times. The guy who was doing the counting wouldn't leave the table, just stood there, but never played. He was only moving between 2 or 3 tables. And when the count was favourable, he would be literally waving the other guy in, who would then play until the count goes down to minus.
It was so obvious, that I couldn't believe these guys were even thinking of doing it this way. But I guess, if it works, why not? The question is for how long?
These two guys went through the same procedure a few more times. The guy who was doing the counting wouldn't leave the table, just stood there, but never played. He was only moving between 2 or 3 tables. And when the count was favourable, he would be literally waving the other guy in, who would then play until the count goes down to minus.
It was so obvious, that I couldn't believe these guys were even thinking of doing it this way. But I guess, if it works, why not? The question is for how long?
I Still Think Monkey Gave the Best Advice
I think the original post is lost on some, need to read it carefully. To paraphrase "I stand and can't see the cards, what should I do"?
Monkey's advice, the best so far!
Get taller!:joker::whip:
The second best is probably mine! If I may be so humble:joker::whip:
Basically:
Stand where you can see the cards or move!:joker::whip:
I think the original post is lost on some, need to read it carefully. To paraphrase "I stand and can't see the cards, what should I do"?
Monkey's advice, the best so far!
Get taller!:joker::whip:
The second best is probably mine! If I may be so humble:joker::whip:
Basically:
Stand where you can see the cards or move!:joker::whip:
I would be surprised if this worked for any length of time. Physical signals are recorded by the cameras, so this scheme is pretty easy to catch, if not immediately, in retrospect.
If you're going to go with the super-obvious-let's-see-how-long-we-can-get-away-with-it approach, the better thing to do is get cell phones and use text messaging (set the ring tone to vibrate).
What limits were they playing?
If you're going to go with the super-obvious-let's-see-how-long-we-can-get-away-with-it approach, the better thing to do is get cell phones and use text messaging (set the ring tone to vibrate).
What limits were they playing?
I have determined that standing behind the table is so obvious that i have adopted the more ballsy approach of sitting at the table. Just walk up there, grab a chair and watch the game, if the tables not good, look at your watch say "oh crap" and run away. When people ask me if im playing i usually say something like, i only play when people are winning i wanna watch a few hands before i put up my money.