Hi-Lo card counting method??

Question

If this method only gives the player an increased chance of one percent over the casino (very little), then how did the MIT blackjack team profit so much?

If I am by myself and go to a casino to count cards, I cannot simply assume what the count is at any given table(because I just arrived). About how long do I have to be counting for (starting from the time sat down at the table), to make an accurate true count?

How do I determine the number of decks a casino is using?

Answer 1

You take profit in card counting by 1) having a large bankroll, making both you low and high bet large and 2) playing hours and hours of hands to allow the law of averages to give you a 1% edge.

I recommend starting a count after a shuffle.  If you start in the middle of the shoe, and the shoe has only X penetration, you are only counting a few cards in the middle which will not help you very much.

If you are using the Hi/Lo method, the "true" count is the "running" count divided by the number of decks left in the shoe.  You estimate the decks remaining by estimating how many decks are in the discard pile.  You subtract that from the number of decks the dealer started with in the shoe.  You ask the dealer how many decks are in the shoe to start with.  Your true count will be accurate at any time, assuming you counted correctly and have estimated the remaining decks correctly.

I personally don't like the running to true count conversion.  It's extra math that you need to mentally perform, and still keep track of the play.  Instead I like unbalanced systems like the KO Count, which has no conversion.  A basic system counted correctly is better than an advanced system counted wrong.

You can read more about card counting and practice card counting for free at...

http://www.card-counting-blackjack.com

There is an in depth article about the KO Count method, and a free game that assists you with over a dozen different counting systems, including the KO Count.

There is nothing to install and no java applets. Simply visit the website and start playing.

It assists with the multiple card counting systems. It keeps the count for you, which you can show or hide. That way you show the computers count only when you want to double check your own count. Plus, it tracks each card played as well.

It assists you with basic multi-deck strategy, instructing you how to play against the dealers upcard. The strategy matrix can be shown or hidden.

Answer 2

How did the MIT blackjack team profit so much?  Easy.

1% of an edge is enough to show a profit IF (and this is a big if) you have enough "trials."

In other words, you have to have a 1% edge for tens of thousands of hands.  (Anything can happen in the short run.  You can have a larger edge than this and still lose in the short run.)

For example, the game of craps doesn't have much more than a 1% edge for the house, yet all c**p tables make money for the casino, year after year.  Why?  Again, because 1% is enough to show a profit.. in the "long run."

Yes, you CAN start counting the minute you sit down, but the more cards that have already been played, the less accurate your count and true count will be.

Yes, just ask the casino how many decks they are using.  (But you'll be able to figure this out yourself with very little practice.)

Have fun playing and studying blackjack!  It was my hobby for many, many years.  (My blackjack collection contains about 40 different books.)  Also, you enjoyed the movie, read the book and watch the documentary.  The movie pales in comparison to both.

Answer 3

You can ask them how many decks they are using. Since every casino I've ever been in uses a even number of decks it is pretty easy to just see the difference between 4, 6 and 8 decks.

You can't start counting mid shoe. You have to wait until the shuffle and start a new shoe.

Things have changed a lot with blackjack and counting is not really possible any more.