What did you start with?

I am just asking because I am just learning and everyone here seems like they know a whole different language. Just tryin to get a feel for this exciting new game.
 
hi/lo, switched to ace/ten front count, switched back to hi/lo, switched to a blend of hi/lo & voodoo.
i'm a gambler not a professional advantage player.
 
My first system has Hi-Opt I, then Hi-Opt II. After a while I switched to Zen because it doesn't require a side count of aces. More recently I've been using HiLo but I still like Zen better. I think most people usually start with either HiLo or KO. Both system s are very simple and quite powerful.

-Sonny-
 
I started with Hi-lo, then switched to RPC a year ago. wanted the axtra advantage of a level 2 system.
 
Sonny said:
My first system has Hi-Opt I, then Hi-Opt II. After a while I switched to Zen because it doesn't require a side count of aces. More recently I've been using HiLo but I still like Zen better. I think most people usually start with either HiLo or KO. Both system s are very simple and quite powerful.
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Tell us why you are using HiLo of late. zg
 
Started with Hi-Lo and never switched.

The thing I like best about Hi-Lo is the incredible versatility. Wonging in, Wonging out, bet spreading, strategy changes, and shuffle tracking are all available to Hi-Lo counters with no additional steps or side counts required. There are better systems for all of the individual applications, but no one other system does a better job at all five.

The drawback is that Hi-Lo is a little more complex to learn starting off than KO or Red 7; you're most likely to make deck estimation errors which will cost you until you get that down pat.
 
I used

Hi-Lo for a couple weeks and then switched to Wong's "Halves" a couple years ago and never looked back. In the World of Blackjack, the most profitable theories are also the most difficult learn. Screw "happy mediums"--SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!
 
EyeHeartHalves said:
In the World of Blackjack, the most profitable theories are also the most difficult learn. Screw "happy mediums"--SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!
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Can't argue with that. ;)

Can you estimate how much time it took you to learn Halves in relation to how long it took you to learn Hi-Lo? I think it would be helpful for those of us who are casual players (<50 hrs/yr) decide whether it's worth the effort.
 
callipygian said:
Can't argue with that. ;)

Can you estimate how much time it took you to learn Halves in relation to how long it took you to learn Hi-Lo? I think it would be helpful for those of us who are casual players (<50 hrs/yr) decide whether it's worth the effort.
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50 hours a year is not enough (in my opinion and, though i havent checked the math to confirm, i am sure statistically speaking as well) to let the extra edge halves or any other higher level system gives you to shine through the variance of this game. i would stick with hi lo unless you want to do it for the personal challenge. BUT if learning a higher level system vs something like hi lo keeps you out of the casino (ie delays you from playing at an advantage), i would recommend sticking with hi lo. i think the posts here from long time APs like sonny who mention years later going back to something as "simple" as hi lo from hi opt I/II or zen is a testament to the simple truth that whatever system will get you playing in the casino the fastest and easiest with an advantage is the one to use.
 
Started with Hi-Lo and used that for a few years. Switched to Wong Halves and used that for quite sometime as well. About 3 years ago I switched again to KO and don't feel that I've given up that much do to it's simplicity. I would rather use a simpler system accurately than use a complicated system and make 1 or 2 mistakes per hour. :)
 
To callipgian & others,

callipygian said:
Can't argue with that. ;)

Can you estimate how much time it took you to learn Halves in relation to how long it took you to learn Hi-Lo? I think it would be helpful for those of us who are casual players (<50 hrs/yr) decide whether it's worth the effort.
Click to expand...

It took me literally a few days to learn Hi-Lo accurately. Admittedly, it took me a few months to learn Halves accurately but I went the extra mile to learn more than the Sweet 16 or Illustrious 18 that I did with Hi-Lo. I already knew BS to the 't' before even attempting Hi-Lo. Thus, Hi-Lo was pretty easy and admittedly, I thought Halves was going to be a lot easier than it was.

I'm not recommending this for everyone but here's what I did...

I tried to learn RAPC but couldn't even find proper BS deviations. This was after learning Hi-Lo. (It's part of my personality to do things the hard way.) I was trying to start with "the top" and work my way down. I then tried UAPC but after a while, I had to admit to myself that I just couldn't handle a "multi-parameter" counting system. Then I tried Halves and was so intrigued by the fact that I was only off by a couple RCs after my first fast-paced 8d shoe, I never went to a lesser system. A couple years later, I can brag that if I was a stock, I'd be rated "out-perform" but I'll admit, those first few months of training were brutal.
 
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