So though counting is not technically illegal, what
the casino can, and will do, is take simple measures to combat counters by putting
more decks
on the game, burying more cards on the shuffle, stopping mid-entry
shoe betting, having the dealer shuffle half way through the deck, and when
all
else fails, they can legally bar the counter from playing by backing them off
the game. And where it is permissible to
count, Atlantic City for instance, they impose tougher blackjack rules, multi-deck
games and limit deck penetration
to keep the skilled counter at bay. Compare
this, Pete, to playing perfect basic strategy. Using this legal system against
the house will reduce
the casino advantage to much lower than the two percent
you mentioned in your inquiry, more like 0.15% against a single deck, .35% on
a
double deck, and .58% with a six-deck shoe. To a large extent, that is why
I recommend using basic strategy. You get to avoid all the
cat-and-mouse games
you've got to play against the casino.
But
since you asked, and as I have written about before, here is some Card Counting
101.5 for those interested. Card counters, theoretically,
have an inherent
advantage of between .5 and 1.5 percent against the casino, accomplished by tracking
the changing imbalance of big to little
cards in a diminishing deck. When the
cards remaining favor the player, you bet more money. When they favor the dealer,
you bet less. Big
cards (10s, aces) favor the player; small cards (2-6) favor
the dealer.
The simplest count to learn
is a one level count, also known as the Hi-Lo counting system. It assigns the
following count values to each card.
2,
3, 4, 5, 6 (small cards)...................... +1
7, 8, 9 (neutral cards)............................
0
10, J, Q, K, Ace (big cards).................... -1
To
use the Hi-Lo method, you need to add and subtract the above counting values for
every card exposed on the blackjack table. By mentally
keeping an updated running
count from one hand to the next, you vary your bets according to the positive/negative
value of the upcoming hand.
For example,
you have played a bit, and now the deck is half gone -- 26 cards remaining. You've
been counting, and the current imbalance
figure that you have been quietly
tracking lies plus 7 to the player. If the dealer has to hit his next hand, the
remaining 26-card deck is short seven
of the cards he needs to rely on. But
let 's say the dealer catches his/her hand with two small cards, and the count
goes to plus 9 with 24 cards
remaining. Most card counters would bet mucho
dollars on the next hand.
As. illustrated
above, all the counter does is vary bets up or down, from one hand to the next,
guided by the constantly updated imbalance figure,
which predicts whether the
next hand favors the counter or the dealer.
Is it easy to count?
Yeah, with a little practice it is. But the bottom
line, Pete, is that the casino is not going to be
too keen with blackjack players
who know how to beat the house. They much prefer
players who wing it, who use no strategies at all.
Thus, Pete, is the additional one percent
edge you get counting worth the effort versus using
a strategy card? Without prejudice, I'll let you,
and the other readers decide.
Good
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