POLL: What card counting system do you use?
- Thread starter SPX
- Start date
No --wasn't me. I'm the other Halves user -- been playing it since '81 and am too old to get away from it. Back then it was believed that if your count is super-structured, it must be a super performer. Subsequently developed sim software showed what a "minimal" truth that is. Halves is still probably the Cadillac of the "no-side-counts" systems, but by such a small margin that I don't think it's worth being learned by a newbie, or graduated to by a journeyman. Zen and Mentor really breathe right down its neck, and both are easier.
For somebody who relishes juggling card tags in their head just for sheer pleasure, the best overall (reasonable) system I've ever simmed is a level 3 that goes like this:
...2.....3.....4.....5......6.....7.....8.....9....10.....A
+2...+2...+3...+3...+3...+2....0....-1....-3....-2
It has a BC of 98.3% and a PE of 61.6% and outperforms Halves by a smidge.
For somebody who relishes juggling card tags in their head just for sheer pleasure, the best overall (reasonable) system I've ever simmed is a level 3 that goes like this:
...2.....3.....4.....5......6.....7.....8.....9....10.....A
+2...+2...+3...+3...+3...+2....0....-1....-3....-2
It has a BC of 98.3% and a PE of 61.6% and outperforms Halves by a smidge.
I don't know, I tested all these systems together and Mentor won by a fraction of a percent among the single parameter counts. It's also the name of a condom. RPC and BRH-1 were right behind it, followed by Halves, then Zen.
Of course, this is all dependent on game and spread, and even then, it's trivia. They all work, and the differences between them will not become manifest in a human lifetime.
Of course, this is all dependent on game and spread, and even then, it's trivia. They all work, and the differences between them will not become manifest in a human lifetime.
Better Means Better!
The better counts; given situation, would show superior performance in a NO. The mathematics show this but which count to use can be a subjective as well as objective decision.
Wonging and spreading in shoes Halves runs over (cadillac?) many other counts.:joker::whip:
I am very biased:joker::whip:
The better counts; given situation, would show superior performance in a NO. The mathematics show this but which count to use can be a subjective as well as objective decision.
Wonging and spreading in shoes Halves runs over (cadillac?) many other counts.:joker::whip:
I am very biased:joker::whip:
Mentor is relatively new compared to Zen, with
about the same PE and BC. Zen has a higher IC.
Sims show very little difference in the results of
using either count.
IMHO the symmetry of the Mentor tags is appealing.
Mr. Renzey has done a fine job presenting his work
on Mentor. Counters seeking additional EV should
consider either Mentor or Zen, over level 1 counts.
Additional EV can help offset 6D/8D liabilities, if shoes
mainly comprise your local games. They can, however,
be more difficult to learn and use.
Know your limitations. Simple is sometimes better.
BJinNJ
about the same PE and BC. Zen has a higher IC.
Sims show very little difference in the results of
using either count.
IMHO the symmetry of the Mentor tags is appealing.
Mr. Renzey has done a fine job presenting his work
on Mentor. Counters seeking additional EV should
consider either Mentor or Zen, over level 1 counts.
Additional EV can help offset 6D/8D liabilities, if shoes
mainly comprise your local games. They can, however,
be more difficult to learn and use.
Know your limitations. Simple is sometimes better.
BJinNJ
BJinNJ said:
Mentor is relatively new compared to Zen, with
about the same PE and BC. Zen has a higher IC.
Sims show very little difference in the results of
using either count.
IMHO the symmetry of the Mentor tags is appealing.
Mr. Renzey has done a fine job presenting his work
on Mentor. Counters seeking additional EV should
consider either Mentor or Zen, over level 1 counts.
Additional EV can help offset 6D/8D liabilities, if shoes
mainly comprise your local games. They can, however,
be more difficult to learn and use.
Know your limitations. Simple is sometimes better.
BJinNJ
about the same PE and BC. Zen has a higher IC.
Sims show very little difference in the results of
using either count.
IMHO the symmetry of the Mentor tags is appealing.
Mr. Renzey has done a fine job presenting his work
on Mentor. Counters seeking additional EV should
consider either Mentor or Zen, over level 1 counts.
Additional EV can help offset 6D/8D liabilities, if shoes
mainly comprise your local games. They can, however,
be more difficult to learn and use.
Know your limitations. Simple is sometimes better.
BJinNJ
I have Hilo down now and am learning new indices daily as well as specific hand indices.
I am however not having that great of luck and want a bit more of an edge. Mentor looks like a good system and I was wondering why there is only 1 person polled that uses it.
thanks for the reply.
BJinNJ said:
http://www.qfit.com/card-counting.htm
UAPC looks as strong as any. Just more difficult to learn.
There are some Revere APC players still around on these boards.
BJinNJ
UAPC looks as strong as any. Just more difficult to learn.
There are some Revere APC players still around on these boards.
BJinNJ
BJinNJ said:
Fred does a nice job of explaining why 2DTC is slightly better than 1DTC, for
most people. But I have no problem dividing integers, and decimals are my play-
ground. So indices like 6.5 or 3.5 are no problem. My only problem is counting
fast enough, right now. I hope top have another go at CT or AC before the holidays,
on some slow weekday.(skip out of work)
BJinNJ
most people. But I have no problem dividing integers, and decimals are my play-
ground. So indices like 6.5 or 3.5 are no problem. My only problem is counting
fast enough, right now. I hope top have another go at CT or AC before the holidays,
on some slow weekday.(skip out of work)
BJinNJ
Before there was practice software like NeUltra there was Revere count practice charts - I could do 6D in 70-secs (RPC). zg
Thanks, zg.
I think my main problem is that I don't practice every day. I have
CVBJ at home, but admittedly don't force myself to use it daily.
I can't seem to break 40 secs for one deck using my current
practice regime. And, I should start counting/canceling pairs, too.
I just have to find the best, most fun way for me to practice count.
Maybe I'll try Ne Ultra or SmartCards.
And to make matters worse, my employer is changing my work
schedule and I now have one less day off each week :cry: , which
I once viewed as my 'go to the casino day', either AC or CT.
BJinNJ
I think my main problem is that I don't practice every day. I have
CVBJ at home, but admittedly don't force myself to use it daily.
I can't seem to break 40 secs for one deck using my current
practice regime. And, I should start counting/canceling pairs, too.
I just have to find the best, most fun way for me to practice count.
Maybe I'll try Ne Ultra or SmartCards.
And to make matters worse, my employer is changing my work
schedule and I now have one less day off each week :cry: , which
I once viewed as my 'go to the casino day', either AC or CT.
BJinNJ
BJinNJ said:
I think my main problem is that I don't practice every day. I have
CVBJ at home, but admittedly don't force myself to use it daily.
I can't seem to break 40 secs for one deck using my current
practice regime. And, I should start counting/canceling pairs, too.
I just have to find the best, most fun way for me to practice count.
Maybe I'll try Ne Ultra or SmartCards.
And to make matters worse, my employer is changing my work
schedule and I now have one less day off each week :cry: , which
I once viewed as my 'go to the casino day', either AC or CT.
BJinNJ
CVBJ at home, but admittedly don't force myself to use it daily.
I can't seem to break 40 secs for one deck using my current
practice regime. And, I should start counting/canceling pairs, too.
I just have to find the best, most fun way for me to practice count.
Maybe I'll try Ne Ultra or SmartCards.
And to make matters worse, my employer is changing my work
schedule and I now have one less day off each week :cry: , which
I once viewed as my 'go to the casino day', either AC or CT.
BJinNJ
Multi-tasking is the way to go...
It took me about a month just to cut 1 sec off my speed, so be patient. Went from a steady 29sec down to 25sec. in four months,(2 level).
BJC
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That's what I do. I carry a deck with me at work, and use
CVBJ at home. The deck I carry has a box sooo worn out, that
I actually had to use packaging tape to keep it together last
week. Should be good for another 6 months, now. :grin:
Kevin Blackwood wrote that he did an intensive 3 day assault
to get his speed up. That might be just the ticket for some
rainy weekend. He just counted thousands of decks down.
BJinNJ
CVBJ at home. The deck I carry has a box sooo worn out, that
I actually had to use packaging tape to keep it together last
week. Should be good for another 6 months, now. :grin:
Kevin Blackwood wrote that he did an intensive 3 day assault
to get his speed up. That might be just the ticket for some
rainy weekend. He just counted thousands of decks down.
BJinNJ
BJinNJ said:
That's what I do. I carry a deck with me at work, and use
CVBJ at home. The deck I carry has a box sooo worn out, that
I actually had to use packaging tape to keep it together last
week. Should be good for another 6 months, now. :grin:
Kevin Blackwood wrote that he did an intensive 3 day assault
to get his speed up. That might be just the ticket for some
rainy weekend. He just counted thousands of decks down.
BJinNJ
CVBJ at home. The deck I carry has a box sooo worn out, that
I actually had to use packaging tape to keep it together last
week. Should be good for another 6 months, now. :grin:
Kevin Blackwood wrote that he did an intensive 3 day assault
to get his speed up. That might be just the ticket for some
rainy weekend. He just counted thousands of decks down.
BJinNJ
Not sure if I'm the right one to offer advice, as I've only
been to a casino once, since taking up AP blackjack.
I've thought of a few different ways to remember the RC.
Use a stack, or two, of chips. Use a couple rings and change
the fingers they're on to record the RC. Keep some coins in
one pocket and move them to another pocket. A dime, a nickel
and five pennies could keep a RC up to +/- 20, depending on
the pocket they're in. Use chewing gum and keep it on the number
of the tooth of the RC. (yes, teeth are numbered by dentists 1-32)
Hey, I like that last idea!
I'm sure you'll come up with better ideas.
BJinNJ
been to a casino once, since taking up AP blackjack.
I've thought of a few different ways to remember the RC.
Use a stack, or two, of chips. Use a couple rings and change
the fingers they're on to record the RC. Keep some coins in
one pocket and move them to another pocket. A dime, a nickel
and five pennies could keep a RC up to +/- 20, depending on
the pocket they're in. Use chewing gum and keep it on the number
of the tooth of the RC. (yes, teeth are numbered by dentists 1-32)
Hey, I like that last idea!
I'm sure you'll come up with better ideas.
BJinNJ