Introducing myself

[aslan]

Whichever system you use, crossing over from positive to negative should be easier for you if you consider your starting point as "100" rather than "0". Then a -2 card would move your running count to "98" rather than "-2".
Thus, a Revere 14 layout of:

3...7....9...10...10.....5....2 would run:
2...3....1...98...95....99...1,

requiring no negative/positive crossovers. Just call any "0" count "zip".

And yes, I think you should choose a simpler system.

Fred, I started using your system of 100=0 more than nine months ago and it has really enhanced my game. I've tried other techniques, but for me it is easily the best. Kudos for you and your much appreciated tip!

Another help is to visualize (physically) the number itself, especially when there is a pause (ordering a drink, answering a question, going to your wallet, saying hi to a friend). Why? Because it makes it more indelible in your mind so that even if you get sidetracked with a conversation with the PB, a dealer, a waittress, a friend, or a fellow player, you are more readily able to recall where the running count stands. Also, sometimes I can "see" the numbers decreasing/increasing without actually counting.

BTW, I "see" the numbers going from left to right uphill, with negatives to the left and positives to the right.

Aslan's Stairway to Heaven

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------105<--10u
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------104<--10u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------103<--9u
----------------------------------------------------------------------102<--8u
---------------------------------------------------------------101<--6u
---------------------------------------------------------100<--5u
----------------------------------------------------99<--4u
----------------------------------------------98<--3u
---------------------------------------97<--2u
--------------------------------96<--2u
--------------------------95<--1u
--------------------94
--------------93
-------92
-91

Also, indelible in my mind is my betting progression for six deck, which I play in AC (1u means bet one unit, etc).

 

[callipygian]

I think I have to re-think my priorities for learning this.

Practice on free games (there are several listed in the FAQ's), save your money for when you need it.

 

[MFong]

Practice on free games (there are several listed in the FAQ's), save your money for when you need it.

Yeah, I was doing that. At the end of the BJ game here, it says 95% correct for BS. I'm almost there =D

~MFong

 

[Kasi]

This chart shows the relative effects of making counting mistakes versus making playing mistakes. As you can see, not playing basic strategy will cost you far more than not counting correctly.

None of those charts apply to BS - only to a card-counter.

And an incredibly poor one at that who not only can't accurately count, even once, but also can't even come close to applying an index departure let alone get anywhere close to estimating decks remaining.

Really, if any CC is that bad, I hope they don't reproduce.

 

[MFong]

Whichever system you use, crossing over from positive to negative should be easier for you if you consider your starting point as "100" rather than "0". Then a -2 card would move your running count to "98" rather than "-2".
Thus, a Revere 14 layout of:

3...7....9...10...10.....5....2 would run:
2...3....1...98...95....99...1,

requiring no negative/positive crossovers. Just call any "0" count "zip".

And yes, I think you should choose a simpler system.

Holy crap! Thanks so much Renzey. This has improved my time for counting 2 decks, and the bonus is that I have correctly counted the 2 decks, twice so far. Usually I always miss the count by -1 and +1, but the 2nd or 3rd time around I counted correctly.

I think I am seeing some real improvement. The problem that I'm having is this. Whenever in any BJ simulator, I get excited, and I start using BS. So I gotta learn how to count the cards, and not get excited. haha. If my cards were a Q6, and the dealer is holding a 2, I don't see a 1, I see that I have to stay.

AO2 is ALSO OBSOLETE.

ZEN is nearly identical except the Ace and 9 tags are reversed:

tags 2-A -

AO2: 1122210-1-2-0
ZEN: 11222100-2-1

Switching over to the Zen was easier than I thought. Also, I couldn't practice yesterday, and I picked up the cards today and I drew a blank for a second. Oh god.. but with enough practice hopefully I can have it down cold.

~MFong