Card Counting

[slim100_us]

What is the best card counting system to use when playing at a regular table? (Not a tournament) I am currently using the KO, and am just wondering if it would be worth learning another system, If there is something A LOT better than the KO?

KO (Knock Out) (un-balanced) (This is what I am currently using)
Hi/Low (balanced) ?
Uston SS (un-balanced) ?
Silverfox (balanced) ?
Any other suggestions on counting systems?

One more qustion, What did the MIT Team use in 1994 when they where bringing down the house?

Thanks,

Slim

 

[Hollywood]

Depends on what games you are playing & how difficult you want your counting system to be. For most purposes, Wong's Hi-Lo is the best, most versatile, and easiest to use. It is also the system used by the MIT crew. And believe it or not, it works surprisingly well in a 6 or 8 deck situation compared to other systems.

For single- (and to some extent double-) deck games, other count systems that use a 2-level count (certain cards get +1/-1 or +2/-2) and even a side-count of aces are somewhat more effective against these smaller games, but the difficulty of learning (and flawlessly applying) them is exponentially more difficult. And since most single deck games are garbage these days, you will not often see the additional edge you receive. One or two mistakes an hour in this new system costs you more than just using Hi-Lo perfectly the whole time.

But if you want to step up anyway, I recommend using the Advanced Omega II system found in the 'Blackjack for Blood' book by Bryce Carlson. The book is also very good in terms of talking more in depth over the need to camouflage your play & methods for combatting casino heat. Other systems (such as Uston and Revere) are even more advanced without offering a discernable edge. AOII balances a simple 2-level count with very effective playing/betting decisions & was very helpful to me in my years of raiding the casiono coffers for cash!

-holly d.

 

[KevinBlackwood]

The best system

Surprisingly, there is little difference between the major card counting systems (at least in how they impact the average players). The MIT team used the Hi-Lo system, not because it yielded the strongest edge, but because it provided uniformity and simplicity for such a huge team that constantly rotated new players in and out of the equation.

If you are proficient with the KO system and play mostly shoe games, then I wouldn't recommend you switch to a different system. However, if you play better games (deeper penetration or a lot of handheld games) or if you plan to become a high roller, then moving up to a multi-level count can become financially worthwhile. Yet it still depends on how often you expect to play as to whether the extra work will result in any meaningful financial difference to your yearly bottom line.

Personally, I used the HI-Opt II system. This is generally considered the best all-around count to use, although it is strongest in one or two deck games. If you primarily play shoes, the Zen count or the Hi-Lo will be better choices. I plan on excerpting sections covering this same topic from my upcoming book (Play Blackjack Like the Pros) on Ken Smith's popular site www.blackjackinfo.com in the near future. But in the meantime, feel free to let me know if you have any additional questions. Also, please make sure you don't confuse my new book with the inferior title written by Rick Jensen, which is appropriately called Play Blackjack Like a Texan.

 

[TXtourplayer]

Damm this is a rough group

Hell Kevin I catch enough SHI- from joep without you jumping in helping...LOL.

Thanks for all your help on the cruise ship tournaments, looks like things are coming together. Norwegean cruise line looks to be are best bet. The only problem with them is no ships out of New Orleans until October. I will check other possible ports like Galveston, LA, and Florida and see what the best deals will be for everyone.

By the way everyone will get a discount (good one) for the cruise that signs up for the tournaments.