I have been counting about 6 months now, started out with hi-lo, made 20 trips over a 4 month period playing around 80 hours and won approx 95 units. I switched from hi-lo to try that "color of blackjack" a few months back, have made 10 trips playing 35 hours and have lost approx 160 units. I know these are very small samples and but I have not had a plus session since I started with COB and am very frustrated. At what point do most of you say, "this doesn't work for me" and cease trying to use a system? TIA.
How long before "this isn't for me"?
- Thread starter Buddah B
- Start date
winr_winr_chicken_dinner!
Well-Known Member
Samples are too small to determine if there is anything "wrong". Just make sure you are as comfortable with the COB count as you are with Hi-Lo, otherwise you will always second guess it and yourself. Personally, I think if you are comfortable with one, stay with it. Your margin of advantage will quickly deteriorate more from counting mistakes than from count effectiveness between the two.
ExhibitCAA
Well-Known Member
I don't really understand what the statement "this doesn't work for me" means. If you execute the system correctly, then it works for you exactly the same way in which it works for everyone else who executes it correctly. A good system gives its user an edge in every system, but that does not guarantee a winning session. Regardless of your past results, when you walk into a session at the casino, you want to have the edge, don't you?
sagefr0g
Well-Known Member
on some counting system i think maybe if not a pro but still you want to win money sort of thing, then there would be at least two factors to consider:
A. what kind of ultimate results you can expect from it and does that fit what you want.
B. what is your comfort level using the system and how proficient are you with it.
so really, it just seems the original poster needs to decide his comfort level with the system and if it delivers what he wants.
A. what kind of ultimate results you can expect from it and does that fit what you want.
B. what is your comfort level using the system and how proficient are you with it.
so really, it just seems the original poster needs to decide his comfort level with the system and if it delivers what he wants.
StandardDeviant
Well-Known Member
Do a gut check, Buddah
Your system is fine. HiLo is fine. KO is fine. So are all the others. Some are easier to use than others, but for your purposes, pick one and stick with it.
The problem we all face is that even the best system only slightly tips the the odds in our favor. Any given session, or string of sessions, can result in a negative outcome. That's the nature of the statistics behind the game.
Changing systems will only frustrate you further when you experience the next losing streak. Pick a simple system and master it. Recognize that no system will guarantee that your results will be equal to the expected value (EV) result.
You may do better than EV, you may do worse. You have a 50/50 chance of being on one side of the EV line or the other regardless of system. There's still an element of gambling with even the strongest system.
So the key question is not "is my system OK?" Rather, it's "do I have a psychological profile that will allow me to keep playing even though I'm losing session after session?" Some people have it, others take up simple, less frustrating games, like golf...:laugh:
Your system is fine. HiLo is fine. KO is fine. So are all the others. Some are easier to use than others, but for your purposes, pick one and stick with it.
The problem we all face is that even the best system only slightly tips the the odds in our favor. Any given session, or string of sessions, can result in a negative outcome. That's the nature of the statistics behind the game.
Changing systems will only frustrate you further when you experience the next losing streak. Pick a simple system and master it. Recognize that no system will guarantee that your results will be equal to the expected value (EV) result.
You may do better than EV, you may do worse. You have a 50/50 chance of being on one side of the EV line or the other regardless of system. There's still an element of gambling with even the strongest system.
So the key question is not "is my system OK?" Rather, it's "do I have a psychological profile that will allow me to keep playing even though I'm losing session after session?" Some people have it, others take up simple, less frustrating games, like golf...:laugh:
creeping panther
Banned
Buddah
You cannot just get proficient at a count system and then sit at any BJ game and expect to win.
What you need beside the skillz is a fine game, a fine game. Counting does not give you that big an advantage in and of itself.
As to counting being simple, I have never bought into that especially in 6 deck or more games, not if you are implementing TC and heavy indice and tracking.
Buddah, most give up trying to do AP, maybe you will too, no shame in that. I do know of some 6d's so good a perfect Basic player can easily beat them. Find one.
CP
You cannot just get proficient at a count system and then sit at any BJ game and expect to win.
What you need beside the skillz is a fine game, a fine game. Counting does not give you that big an advantage in and of itself.
As to counting being simple, I have never bought into that especially in 6 deck or more games, not if you are implementing TC and heavy indice and tracking.
Buddah, most give up trying to do AP, maybe you will too, no shame in that. I do know of some 6d's so good a perfect Basic player can easily beat them. Find one.
CP
StandardDeviant
Well-Known Member
It's those "once in a weekend" high counts where I lose every hand that drive me nuts. There was this 4-way spit with 3 double downs -- 84 units in one hand. And...poof, gone. This followed by two more "great" hands at an even higher count. Poof. Poof. :cry:
That triple poofer was like a body blow. I'm still crawling back to where I was.
I can't wait till I win those three hands in a row one day!
daddybo
Well-Known Member
it'll be all right.
Okay Buddah B... You have my permission to be a winner... Quit betting like a bot and go win some money. But, first go see Katweezel over in the VooDoo department and and have him send you some of those feathers and such when you ask him for a Positive Outcome Incantation. if that doesn't work, I'll send you (or anybody that needs one) my lucky Baculum. It's Guaranteed to make things better.
Okay Buddah B... You have my permission to be a winner... Quit betting like a bot and go win some money. But, first go see Katweezel over in the VooDoo department and and have him send you some of those feathers and such when you ask him for a Positive Outcome Incantation. if that doesn't work, I'll send you (or anybody that needs one) my lucky Baculum. It's Guaranteed to make things better.
creeping panther
Banned
creeping panther
Banned
????? I don't even know what that is referring to I really don't think anyone answered my question, instead just telling me that I need to expect losing streaks and that everything works and it's my fault. I am well aware that was a small sample, that's why I said, "I know this is a small sample." I am also aware that it is me that it could possibly be my error that's causing my -EV when using COB, and that it could possibly be just a bad run. I know that all systems work if they are executed properly. All I was asking was when you were starting out and were trying to find a system that worked for you, how long would you stick with one (to give it a fair shot) before trying something else. I know all the systems work, but there must be a certain reason each person uses their particular one (comfort level, etc).
Automatic Monkey
Banned
Just something to keep in mind in the spirit of "this isn't for me"- this isn't for everyone. Never consider it a knock on your intelligence, courage or character if you discover that you don't find advantage play to be a worthwhile use of your time. Ask around a national laboratory or NASA facility how many people spend any time in casinos. These are the smartest and most capable people in the world and you won't find many card counters among them. Maybe not any, they're too busy.
The swings are real and inevitable, and losses of hundred of units or more are completely to be expected and are a consequence of the same mathematics that allows us to play with an advantage in the first place. No free lunch. You have to be a bit of a masochist to be willing to endure this, but like traditional sadomasochism, it has its rewards. If you have religious faith, it helps to acknowledge that the same Divine Architect that lay the line on the orbits of electrons and planets and keeps them stable, also is responsible for the laws of statistics that guarantee you will get your money back if you play right, and last long enough.
The swings are real and inevitable, and losses of hundred of units or more are completely to be expected and are a consequence of the same mathematics that allows us to play with an advantage in the first place. No free lunch. You have to be a bit of a masochist to be willing to endure this, but like traditional sadomasochism, it has its rewards. If you have religious faith, it helps to acknowledge that the same Divine Architect that lay the line on the orbits of electrons and planets and keeps them stable, also is responsible for the laws of statistics that guarantee you will get your money back if you play right, and last long enough.
daddybo
Well-Known Member
it was humor... (are you sure you're in the south? Tide country?). All the standard counts work. keep trying. Most people start with a count because they read a book or somebody suggested it. Go to http://www.qfit.com to see a comparision of the various counts.
Work on that sense of humor too... you'll need it playing BJ
StandardDeviant
Well-Known Member
Note to self, research this further :whip:
StandardDeviant
Well-Known Member
Yep. Yep. Yep.
I am trying to learn to "enjoy" the twists of probability. They teach me more, and are therefore more valuable, than the probable wins. It's a discovery of one's soul.
At least that's what I keep telling myself...
daddybo
Well-Known Member
Yep. Yep. Yep.
I am trying to learn to "enjoy" the twists of probability. They teach me more, and are therefore more valuable, than the probable wins. It's a discovery of one's soul.
At least that's what I keep telling myself...
more than that... it is an exploration of one's character. (and bankroll)
Finn Dog
Well-Known Member
Well said.
very good, thanks for the constructive feedback
sagefr0g
Well-Known Member
Buddah this is exactly what i was trying to state here:
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bb/showpost.php?p=154718&postcount=5
i mean like most everyone is saying including your self, one system or another is fine, so what it really boils down to is you. what do you want and what are you able to do (how proficient are you sort of thing) with the tools available.
but as far as the question of how much time to give one system or another, again i'd think that depends on the individual, some of us, like me are slow as molasses and others are quick to learn and master stuff.
lol, it's just sort of like your buying a pair of shoes, it's up to you.