Listening to you gets me even more excited about counting cards. Got alot of work to do. I got basic strategy down but right now it takes me about 40 seconds to count through a deck without mistake so i still need to improve on that.
OK, maybe I'm a little late to the game on this video, but... Negative numbers were always a hassle in the count, especially going back and forth over zero. So, in six deck games I'd start the count at 20 and work up and down from there. It was easier to think "19" than -1. If I ever got down to zero, I suddenly needed to answer a text on my phone to let a few hands play out away from that mess.
That's good for unbalanced count's but that screwed me up when I tried to do TC conversions on Hi-Lo. Having said that, if you're new and you want some positive EV while you practice shoe games. There are some pretty powerful unbalanced count's that are worth looking into.
For the 'shortcut' of maintaining the running count, learning ASL for the numbers can be handy. This is because all the numbers in ASL are single hand, unique positions already.
Seeing that picture caught me off guard - the Cascade Lanes bowling alley was 5 miles from my house; I used to play there all the time (and actually bowled there a LOT when I was a kid). I'm willing to bet he played at all of the other small casinos in Renton/Skyway/Sea Tac I used to. Thanks for the great memory!!!!
If you could help me out: I'm playing in Europe and my bankroll is 1,000$ with a table min of 1$, the game rules are normal(H17, no surrender) double deck. What should my bet spread look like? What should I bet according to the true count? Back offs aren't a problem so I don't mind an aggressive spread. I would by the BJA pro-betting software but it's expensive and my bankroll is pretty small. Thanks 🙏.
@@Blackjackapprenticeship for your tip #2 in this video you say to repeat the count mentally, but if its like negative, do you literally say "-5" or do you have a tip to distinguish between a - and + count? Obviously unless the count is 0, it will no go from + to - in 1 single card. Also and this is big, so we all know when a dealer has the cut card come out, they never get to the end of the shoe. So lets say the cut card comes and the hand finishes at a -2.... Per hi-lo the count must start and end on 0. But how can it end on 0 if you can not see all cards in play? Or is there something im missing? Thank you sir
If negative numbers give you a hard time, instead of starting at 0, start your count at 30. That way if you have a count of 42, it's actually a count of +12 or if your count is 18, that's a count of -12.
I'm just starting to learn from your videos mostly and from other videos as well. I'm getting my bankroll next month hopefully starting at 500 bucks or something like that. If it works out, and I'm practicing a lot so it may do, I'm getting the elite membership to be a full time card counter. I don't have a lot of money so I can't afford your membership right now although I'd love to. Much love from Argentina and I hope I can be a part of this one day. Ty so much for your content.
@@felipebanchieri6034 my country went downhill and now 500 is like impossible to get. It was extremely hard for me to keep the count anyways, this needs a lot of practice, and I mean months
For #4, you could use binary counting. You can get from 0 to 31 with just one hand, use your other hand for the negatives, for example. Doesn't happen too often that the count goes outside 31 positive or negative, I don't think.
usually when im hand counting in general (not for blackjack) i count normally to 5, then 6 is only the thumb, 7 is thumb and index, 8 is thumb, index, and middle, and 9 is all but pinky. that way you can count to 100 (10 on both hands), quickly convert, and quickly update
I have trouble keeping track of running count in my head, so I use my fingers, in binary. In each hand I can keep track up to 31, left hand for negative, right hand for positive, and it works perfectly for me.
I feel like that would take more practice for me to learn then just doing the running count. That's just me though, new people should expirement and stick with the methods that make them money.
Practicing while watching a show, movie, podcast, etc. can help too. Multitasking isn’t very good for other things, but if you’re wanting to learn how to perform well even with distractions or engaging in conversation, it can be beneficial.
Does the running counter affect variants besides initial bets and insurance? I’m assume high positive counts lead to higher initial bets and using insurance. Are there times in the middle of round it would affect against basic strategy? For example, let’s say you had 13 and the dealer has 4, would you still want to hit if the running count was very low negative? At what integer value does the running count begin to really affect your decisions in a typical casino shoe environment?
2:48 "Make the running count the priority" Ha ha ha! This past weekend I was playing $25 min double deck blackjack and I was so focused on the count that I actually stayed on a 4 card hand with aces in it that added up to 10. I think my running count was high so I accidentally added that into the total in my head and 'stayed'. After it was done, the dealer and the pit boss said, 'You know you stayed on a 10, right?' "I did??" I just said I miscounted ( which I did as I was so focused on the running count!). We all had a good laugh at my 'mistake'. However, I got the last laugh because my $900 weekend gambling deficit I had while playing turned into a $315 profit when I walked out. :)
That's me too. I practice at home and do pretty well. 10 mins into the shoe, I lose track. I'm not sure if I'm meant to be a card counter. Back counting seem to be the best for me, but it just looks suspicious when there isn't many people at the casino I go to.
Look for a blackjack game that has a side bet with lots of players playing the side bet. This slows the game down and gives you enough time to keep up. This kind of game was the first time I was able to keep up and game me the push to keep going. It’s all about the speed.
Im contemplating a 2nd try. i was 21 living in LV. back in 01' i skimmed thru a book practiced high opt 2 for a few days till that Friday came. so i took $300 bucks thinkin i was ready but still had doubts but less then an hour later i had a couple grand in chips and started feeling surreal, what color T/A gonna buy,! but all that shattered About 20 min later i wasn't figuring out the true count, changed a couple rules with hands on hit or stand. like i said i was 21 and I knew everything! lol but I did get better over the few months but couldn't quit my job, I had a young wife. We were kids with kids.
came back to this video after counting for a few months, I've found that I'm always singing songs in my head and replacing the lyrics with the current count.
Might be a dumb question but can you only start card counting when the dealer refills the shoe or can you just start as soon as you get a seat at the table regardless of how many cards have already been played in the shoe?
I wouldn't do that unless you're back counting. If the table has a few ploppies you can take your time chatting getting your wallet out, pretending to be drunk etc (casino's love alcoholics!) By the time you place your first bet you can be to the cut card. Also, you can claim the seat then say something like "I'll join next shuffle. Don't want to mess with the flow of the cards."
sounds weird but I constantly chew gum so I'll chew on my left side if it's negative then right if it's positive. have a hard time in general with something as small as mentally saying minus/m/n/d + #
I got a question. If you find yourself mentally taxed and you know the deck is not in good shape (under zero count) would you recommend taking a turn off just to focus on the running count and avoiding a bad deck too?
I practice my skills while I’m at work. I know it’s terrible but there is something satisfying about investing in myself to make more money while I’m making money 😅
Card counting is more effective when it's 1v1. You can play way more hands than if there are 4 or 5 players before or behind you. It won't necessarily increase EV, but it absolutely can increase the number of hands per hour.
How do you count a Q + 4 + 10 = ? Im struggling to know if we count 0 or is 0 not a count number so we just go +1 to -1 skipping 0 ? Any help would be appreciated 👏🏾
Zero is just zero so yes you go -1 zero 1 for example if you were at -1 let's say and a 5 comes up your count is now zero because -1 + 1= 0. if a 2 comes up next, you are now at a 1. The whole deck it's self adds up to zero. There are 4 suits of 2-6 cards which is 20 cards all adding up to numerical count of 20. Same for 10 - Ace adding up to -20. Those cancel out and your remaining 12 cards 7-9 have a zero value. A whole deck should be at zero when you are done running through. I hope that helps.
Or because the most likely individual card will give a value of 10, infer that the burned card has a value of -1. I imagine that if you find yourself in a 2 deck game, the minus count strategy would be better, but because you'll probably be playing 6 deck shoes, the minus one effect on the true count will be negligible, so just do as the above reply says.
@@somedude1666 That is horrible logic. There are 5 card values that are negative(T-A), and 5 that are positive (2-6). The card is just as likely to be -1 as +1. Ignore any burn cards.
What if any is different between regular table blackjack and stadium blackjack? Does anyone know if that device used to load the cards increases odds for the house? Thank you.
Stadium blackjack is no good because it uses a Continuous Shuffle Machine (CSM), which means the deck is shuffled after every hand, which destroys the benefit of card counting.
Question: how do you convert to true count if your only playing with 1 deck? (I mean in general, obviously you won't be playing with one deck at a casino)
there's that ancient finger counting system, based on where your thumb nail touches your fingers. it's possible to do calculation with it, but that's irrelevant here, and i dont remember the name. :D to keep it simple: it's easy to mark a count between 0 and +/- 14 just on your index finger. (index + middle is easier though, using the middle finger for negative numbers) start at the center of the finger tip for "0" move up "1", advance half a phalanx "2", back towards the middle "3", to the crease "4", up the crease "5" so on. i may never play blackjack in my life. but this looks like such an obvious and easy method to NEVER forget the running count, without the compulsive distraction of constantly repeating a number in your head.
Question Which is better to play or presumably more profitable Plaing a 6 deck with 80% penetration with $10 min bet (i bet more) or a double deck with 60% penetration and a $25 min bet? Thoughts. Colin??
i just started counting after a bad beat. im not sure if this is a good tip or not cause at times it can get kind of distracting, but i use my head like a compass or a clock so north is 0, negative is west and positive is east., and have a mental image of it in my head. has any one else tried a similar approach and practiced it? i have a pretty bad memory, but im hoping its just something i can train like a muscle
I haven't heard of that. But the bottom line is this: You need to always be accurate at the running count. Running count and basic strategy are the foundation to beating the game.
Depends on how many decks have already been played and discarded. You divide the running count by the number of decks remaining to get a true count. For instance, if only one deck has been played then your +3 running count would mean a true count of 3/5 (or 0.6) If three decks have been played, +3 would be a True Count of 1 (b/c 3/3 =1)
If you really want to learn a handy shortcut for keeping the count locked it's connecting numbers with images. For instance "16" could be connected to your driver's licence. If you own two dogs think of a dog barking at you at the table when the count is at "2". "8" - think of a V8 engine or a sports car with a V8. Negative numbers - you flip the image in your head (the dog is upside down).
isnt the count ihigh when you have the advantage? (meaning lots of 10 and aces) isn't dealer going to have good cards also if theres a lot of 10s? cant understand :/
Do you restart running count after new shoe or keep it going? Ive started recently with basic strategy and im making major profits online gambling however im sometimes losing the count when it gets into negatives
How do you get faster and better because after the first hand I lose the count instantly because the dealers deal the cards so fast and it’s hard to actually keep up? Any tips and ideas
So do you always play basic strategy no matter what… I don’t know how to count cards but have had some some success playing BJ so idk if I count subconsciously or something because there will be times when I just KNOW what card or range of card is going to come out.. one time I hit a hard 17 because I just knew the dealer had 20 and pulled a 4. That got the pit bosses attention. Anyways had I played basic strategy obviously would’ve lost so as a card counter I would think you do veer off from basic strategy sometimes or no ??
Super newb tip: As a newb it helps to use your hand to keep the count inbetween hands. For example i use my right hand to handle the chips. So with my left hand, i break up the finger joints into 14 spots. Just look at you hand and the lines that divide the joints. 3 knuckles for each finger and 2 knuckles for the thumb. Keep your finger thumb on the count at the start of the hand. Dont change it until hand it over. For example if running count is +5 thumb should be at the very tip of index finger. If +14 it should be at tip of pinky. This is how you keep track of the count in case you get lost or distracted during the hand. You can always go back and recount the hand if u get lost. Just make sure NOT to adjust thumb until hand is done and youre sure of the new count. You're welcome
What about just practicing keeping the running count in an actual casino while flat betting table minimums? That way you don't have to worry about messing up bankroll management/bet sizing or getting backed off while still practicing in the actual environment.
Some people will do this, but it comes at a cost. You should be aware of exactly how much this in casino practice will cost you in terms of -EV bets placed.
Most casinos have a card shuffling machine and it’s not entirely impossible to count. You just have to constantly restart the running count every shuffle.
In principle you could have variations that minimize the Casino's edge with a negative count, but the issue is that when the count is negative, the strategy that the dealer is forced to follow just becomes much better, he will bust much less often and have much higher values, so it will be much harder for you to beat it.. I don't think it's possible to have a positive EV game even with some fancy variations when the count is negative
I have a little suggestion, this may not be for everyone, but it helped me to keep the count mentally. How you were talking about repeating the running total in your brain over and over. One thing I do is I associate the number with a Nascar driver. This is something I learned by reading a couple of memory books, one of the being "Moonwalking with Einstein". So if the running count is say a 5, I'll say "Kasey Kayne". Even though he hasn't driven that car in a while while. If it's 4, I'll think "Kevin Harvick", or Busch beer his sponsor. Count goes up to 15, I'll think "Clint Boyer". This is just for me since I follow Nascar, but it can be done for any sport you may like, or anything else with a number association. One thing that I did in the beginning alot, was lose the count due to people yelling out other numbers after the hand. You would hear something like "Damn, you had a 12 against my 9 and I doubled and only got a 3, but you hit 3 times, and made 21. How you gonna get an Ace, 2,2, then a 5, I lost 50 on that hand"? That sentence can really hose the number in your brain, if you aren't careful.
Blackjack Apprenticeship thanks you, by the way i send a email, asking a few things about the course, but i didnt recive an email back. So how can i do talk with you?
You should leave the table if the true count is -1.5 or -2 or even worse, because you gonna to make more money if you don't play this hands. You can use back counting if you want to just play hands with an edge.
Is it better to join in at the beginning of a new shoe? Or say 2 decks have roughly been played out of a 6 or 8 deck shoe, what should I start a running count at?
Got a quick question: Should I count the cards in one round and then add it up to the running count , or is it better to just keep the running count value and update it in real time?
That's funny I'm just learning about all of this becuse i loved to play blackjack just for pure enjoyment not to make money. But i wondered if I could just use fingers to lock my count in and let myself focus on having to look away or talk and that was literally the next tip
I see a problem when there is a negative to positive when you have positive number but you are still going from -4 to -3 when negative and when positive number going 4 to 5. there are 20 positive and 20 negative numbers in a deck. in single deck start with zero the plus or minus. it is much easier. double deck start with 40 and work your way up or down. for 6 or 8 deck start with 120 or 160.
I think I am quiet decent at basic strat and counting but at the casino I am playing, they deal so fricking fast that I am not done counting when they already want my decision. This little brainlag looks really suspicios - in those cases, do you just stop counting, make your bet and then continue or does that mean I am just too slow at updating the running count?
atXoR first you have to have basic strat down cold. Are you counting in pairs (canceling)? Its your money...dealer cant pass you up. Act like your thinking about your hand. But keep practicing
walkabout29 I do have basic strategy down - I don't count pairs like per box - I actually take each card separated and either cancel it with next one or add it up, otherwise I would be even slower because I can use the "deal phase" - and sure, it's my money... But if I even hesitate for 3seconds with a 6-2, it will seem weird to everyone on the table
Maybe I should mention that I win quiet a lot recently, and even use illustrious18 stuff - cudos to this channel for teaching me - nevertheless, my cover really sucks the way I am playing
I start my count when 1st base gets thier 2nd card. Soooo much faster. Thats how all the pros do it. Practice by dealing out 3 cards, face up, not looking. Then when you hit the 1st hand with the second card...start your count. K4 (ignor) 79 (ignor) etc. Dont get stuck in a habit. You have to change to get better.
Pit boss : "you look young, how old are you?"
Me : "-3!"
Lmfaooo
33
😂😂😂😂 OMG I must have laughed for like 3 hours
Pit boss says.. well son you don't look -3 you look more like about 2
Get your ass kicked
Hahahahahaha
waitress: "anything to drink"
me: "+2"
Lmfao me literally one night
I thought you were going to say you accidentally said you were 14 to the pit boss lol
me too
i though so as well
I've done that! In my excitement at winning, I've accidentally blurted out the running count after someone asked me a question!
hahaha. Love it.
I probably have before.
Pro tip... If you lose the count just ask the pit boss. They are there to help.
I did this and they kicked me out and banned me for life
@@LbgotyadripYou forgot to say ”please”
😅
😂
😂😂
Mr. Pit Boss, do you want my TRUE age or just my RUNNING age???
Underrated
🤣😂
LMAO
Ive never played blackjack or gambled in my entire life and Ive watched like 10 videos. Theyre just so nice :)
Scantily clad waitress brushes against my arm...... running count..... 38D.... 38D.... 38D
Hahaha actually I want her numbers 🤣
"how old are you? " minus 6"
Well I almost said d3😶😂😂😂
What kind of idiot stays at a table at a -6?
Serves you right to still be in the game at -6
Listening to you gets me even more excited about counting cards. Got alot of work to do. I got basic strategy down but right now it takes me about 40 seconds to count through a deck without mistake so i still need to improve on that.
When do you know to place a big bet?
@@Detroit923 when the true count is high
@justinzimmer9259 yea it's difficult. Do it in all your spare time. I'm at about 30 seconds now
@justinzimmer9259Currently down to 40 seconds for me
@@jessewright8556 how did it work out, you make any cash?
Crush: Hey
Me: 6
I dont think you can use hilo in a video game because you can't see the overall cards in the shoe
Sorry, the correct answer was 69
OK, maybe I'm a little late to the game on this video, but...
Negative numbers were always a hassle in the count, especially going back and forth over zero. So, in six deck games I'd start the count at 20 and work up and down from there. It was easier to think "19" than -1. If I ever got down to zero, I suddenly needed to answer a text on my phone to let a few hands play out away from that mess.
That's good for unbalanced count's but that screwed me up when I tried to do TC conversions on Hi-Lo. Having said that, if you're new and you want some positive EV while you practice shoe games. There are some pretty powerful unbalanced count's that are worth looking into.
Digging the style change, Colin.
That "touch of gray" look suits you.
Hahaha. Thanks.
For the 'shortcut' of maintaining the running count, learning ASL for the numbers can be handy. This is because all the numbers in ASL are single hand, unique positions already.
I'm training currently and know asl and I've used this tip before. Really useful
Seeing that picture caught me off guard - the Cascade Lanes bowling alley was 5 miles from my house; I used to play there all the time (and actually bowled there a LOT when I was a kid). I'm willing to bet he played at all of the other small casinos in Renton/Skyway/Sea Tac I used to. Thanks for the great memory!!!!
Idk how you guys are so good at card counting. I need to give up my gambling habits and stop giving the casinos all my money.. ;)
Lol
what basic strategy to use for dealer hit on 17? :-)
I smiled at tip #2...I thought I was going crazy on the way home from the casino...repeating numbers in my head. Good stuff, thanks for sharing!
If you could help me out: I'm playing in Europe and my bankroll is 1,000$ with a table min of 1$, the game rules are normal(H17, no surrender) double deck. What should my bet spread look like? What should I bet according to the true count? Back offs aren't a problem so I don't mind an aggressive spread. I would by the BJA pro-betting software but it's expensive and my bankroll is pretty small. Thanks 🙏.
My trouble comes with trying to keep count of the negative counts, because I get confused and will add numbers instead of subtract or vice versa
Yeah, that's a big one! Keep working on it and be aware of that tendency.
@@Blackjackapprenticeship for your tip #2 in this video you say to repeat the count mentally, but if its like negative, do you literally say "-5" or do you have a tip to distinguish between a - and + count? Obviously unless the count is 0, it will no go from + to - in 1 single card. Also and this is big, so we all know when a dealer has the cut card come out, they never get to the end of the shoe. So lets say the cut card comes and the hand finishes at a -2.... Per hi-lo the count must start and end on 0. But how can it end on 0 if you can not see all cards in play? Or is there something im missing? Thank you sir
@@bulletslider6897 refer to negative as 'Down' - count as such 2, 1, 0, D1, D2 etc....
If negative numbers give you a hard time, instead of starting at 0, start your count at 30. That way if you have a count of 42, it's actually a count of +12 or if your count is 18, that's a count of -12.
@@michaelm5734 great idea,never thought of that
Glad you gave the update on the player at the end of the video, it was my biggest question.
I'm just starting to learn from your videos mostly and from other videos as well. I'm getting my bankroll next month hopefully starting at 500 bucks or something like that. If it works out, and I'm practicing a lot so it may do, I'm getting the elite membership to be a full time card counter. I don't have a lot of money so I can't afford your membership right now although I'd love to. Much love from Argentina and I hope I can be a part of this one day. Ty so much for your content.
Como te ha ido bro, han pasado 2 años
@@felipebanchieri6034 my country went downhill and now 500 is like impossible to get. It was extremely hard for me to keep the count anyways, this needs a lot of practice, and I mean months
@@uma7d sad to hear that, hope you can get on track this or next year !
@@felipebanchieri6034 I'm moving to Spain man. Surely there I'm gonna have the chance at least
@@uma7d For sure man ! best of luck
...is the cut card in the discard tray at 1.75 decks? :)
Colin,
One thing to mention is to get down the system first. Speed will come along as a part of training.
For #4, you could use binary counting. You can get from 0 to 31 with just one hand, use your other hand for the negatives, for example. Doesn't happen too often that the count goes outside 31 positive or negative, I don't think.
That will be WAY too confusing in real life counting.
This is a strategy i use: i know binary better than radix 10.
I flip my palm based on sign
It works for storage not for rapid updating
usually when im hand counting in general (not for blackjack) i count normally to 5, then 6 is only the thumb, 7 is thumb and index, 8 is thumb, index, and middle, and 9 is all but pinky. that way you can count to 100 (10 on both hands), quickly convert, and quickly update
I use binary exactly as you say. Works perfectly.
@@Blackjackapprenticeship unless you're a computer engineer and you know binary almost as good as decimal lmao
I have trouble keeping track of running count in my head, so I use my fingers, in binary. In each hand I can keep track up to 31, left hand for negative, right hand for positive, and it works perfectly for me.
I feel like that would take more practice for me to learn then just doing the running count. That's just me though, new people should expirement and stick with the methods that make them money.
Do you automatically min bet when the count is negative? What kind of bet spread do you use when a positive count climbs?
Practicing while watching a show, movie, podcast, etc. can help too. Multitasking isn’t very good for other things, but if you’re wanting to learn how to perform well even with distractions or engaging in conversation, it can be beneficial.
Solid advice - few things in life are more distracting than casinos. Throwing a lot of randomness in the mix is an awesome way to prep.
I learned a lot from this guy I've been winning lately thanks for the advice
Does the running counter affect variants besides initial bets and insurance? I’m assume high positive counts lead to higher initial bets and using insurance. Are there times in the middle of round it would affect against basic strategy? For example, let’s say you had 13 and the dealer has 4, would you still want to hit if the running count was very low negative? At what integer value does the running count begin to really affect your decisions in a typical casino shoe environment?
“How old are you”
“Hold on let me write something down real quick”
2:48 "Make the running count the priority" Ha ha ha! This past weekend I was playing $25 min double deck blackjack and I was so focused on the count that I actually stayed on a 4 card hand with aces in it that added up to 10. I think my running count was high so I accidentally added that into the total in my head and 'stayed'. After it was done, the dealer and the pit boss said, 'You know you stayed on a 10, right?' "I did??" I just said I miscounted ( which I did as I was so focused on the running count!). We all had a good laugh at my 'mistake'. However, I got the last laugh because my $900 weekend gambling deficit I had while playing turned into a $315 profit when I walked out. :)
Any hand that adds up to 10 with an ace would be 20..... ? That didnt make sense
Anthony B Yeah, you are right. I have no clue what the cards were but apparently I stayed on 10
You should of turned your head dramatically and said, “I like to live dangerously..”
Thanks for the awesome tips, great video!
That's me too. I practice at home and do pretty well. 10 mins into the shoe, I lose track. I'm not sure if I'm meant to be a card counter. Back counting seem to be the best for me, but it just looks suspicious when there isn't many people at the casino I go to.
Look for a blackjack game that has a side bet with lots of players playing the side bet. This slows the game down and gives you enough time to keep up. This kind of game was the first time I was able to keep up and game me the push to keep going. It’s all about the speed.
@@mitchrc3 Thanks, I'll try it.
@@mitchrc3 wow that is big brain advice right there
@@Koum_Betsremember what they said? They deleted their comments
Wow I was about to use my chips to keep the count 😆 . Im about to go live in the next week
Great content as always, thank you!
I started watching all your videos this week and I'm on a bender. I can totally see myself saying can I get a n6 with lime please.
If you dont have an inner monologue is it possible to count cards if you need to repeat the running count in your head
Im contemplating a 2nd try. i was 21 living in LV. back in 01' i skimmed thru a book practiced high opt 2 for a few days till that Friday came. so i took $300 bucks thinkin i was ready but still had doubts but less then an hour later i had a couple grand in chips and started feeling surreal, what color T/A gonna buy,! but all that shattered About 20 min later i wasn't figuring out the true count, changed a couple rules with hands on hit or stand. like i said i was 21 and I knew everything! lol but I did get better over the few months but couldn't quit my job, I had a young wife. We were kids with kids.
came back to this video after counting for a few months, I've found that I'm always singing songs in my head and replacing the lyrics with the current count.
What is the riff you do in the beginning of the video, it’s amazinf
I understand that book strategy is important, but what about index plays? Wouldn't those be MORE important to a card counter?
Basic Strategy and counting account for roughly 80% of your edge.
I break it all down here:
ua-cam.com/video/tOEgqrwxVW0/v-deo.html&t
I figured that. I knew about that last index play, about hitting a 17 against an ace. But I thought that was when the running count was -4, whoops lol
Might be a dumb question but can you only start card counting when the dealer refills the shoe or can you just start as soon as you get a seat at the table regardless of how many cards have already been played in the shoe?
It has to be at the beginning of the shoe, but shoes are ran through fast. You don't have to wait long.
Some casinos allow mid shoe entry, some don't. My local casino allows mid-shoe entry
I wouldn't do that unless you're back counting. If the table has a few ploppies you can take your time chatting getting your wallet out, pretending to be drunk etc (casino's love alcoholics!) By the time you place your first bet you can be to the cut card. Also, you can claim the seat then say something like "I'll join next shuffle. Don't want to mess with the flow of the cards."
It does not have to be at the beginning of a shoe
sounds weird but I constantly chew gum so I'll chew on my left side if it's negative then right if it's positive. have a hard time in general with something as small as mentally saying minus/m/n/d + #
That's funny. The tip #2 is the same stratey I use to count rests when I play a symphony. Otherwise I easily lose track of my count.
I got a question. If you find yourself mentally taxed and you know the deck is not in good shape (under zero count) would you recommend taking a turn off just to focus on the running count and avoiding a bad deck too?
I practice my skills while I’m at work. I know it’s terrible but there is something satisfying about investing in myself to make more money while I’m making money 😅
Me rn 😂
Really enjoying your channel so far! God bless you all :D
Can card counting still be affective when it’s just you and the dealer?
Of course it can
Yes it's exactly the same
Card counting is more effective when it's 1v1. You can play way more hands than if there are 4 or 5 players before or behind you. It won't necessarily increase EV, but it absolutely can increase the number of hands per hour.
most definitely. you then only need to focus on your own and the dealer's cards instead of you, dealer and 1/2/3 other players.
How do you count a Q + 4 + 10 = ? Im struggling to know if we count 0 or is 0 not a count number so we just go +1 to -1 skipping 0 ? Any help would be appreciated 👏🏾
Zero is just zero so yes you go -1 zero 1 for example if you were at -1 let's say and a 5 comes up your count is now zero because -1 + 1= 0. if a 2 comes up next, you are now at a 1. The whole deck it's self adds up to zero. There are 4 suits of 2-6 cards which is 20 cards all adding up to numerical count of 20. Same for 10 - Ace adding up to -20. Those cancel out and your remaining 12 cards 7-9 have a zero value. A whole deck should be at zero when you are done running through. I hope that helps.
When a table switches dealers and the have to take a card out of the shoe, how do you compensate the running count for that?
Ignore it. If you can't see it, treat it like it's another card behind the cut card.
Or because the most likely individual card will give a value of 10, infer that the burned card has a value of -1.
I imagine that if you find yourself in a 2 deck game, the minus count strategy would be better, but because you'll probably be playing 6 deck shoes, the minus one effect on the true count will be negligible, so just do as the above reply says.
@@somedude1666 That is horrible logic. There are 5 card values that are negative(T-A), and 5 that are positive (2-6). The card is just as likely to be -1 as +1. Ignore any burn cards.
@@noex100 I base this on a card counting book called blackjack for blood. It was recommended by the author for inference when cards are face down.
@@somedude1666 And that is, I repeat, is horrible logic. No matter what the source is. Think for yourself, don't randomly trust a book.
6:17 is this your table or where from>???
Yes it’s on his website. Or the iPhone app blackjack card counter trainer
What if any is different between regular table blackjack and stadium blackjack? Does anyone know if that device used to load the cards increases odds for the house? Thank you.
Stadium blackjack is no good because it uses a Continuous Shuffle Machine (CSM), which means the deck is shuffled after every hand, which destroys the benefit of card counting.
Thank you!
It’s helped having to have masks on at the casino-I can quietly repeat the number to myself over and over and the mask covers my face :)
Question: how do you convert to true count if your only playing with 1 deck? (I mean in general, obviously you won't be playing with one deck at a casino)
Your count is already true on 1 deck, lol.
Hahaha Kenmore lanes? Used to play blackjack and Spanish there for fun.when I turned 18
I have a question for you. Is it advisable to have more than one card counter at a table at one time?
there's that ancient finger counting system, based on where your thumb nail touches your fingers. it's possible to do calculation with it, but that's irrelevant here, and i dont remember the name. :D
to keep it simple: it's easy to mark a count between 0 and +/- 14 just on your index finger. (index + middle is easier though, using the middle finger for negative numbers) start at the center of the finger tip for "0" move up "1", advance half a phalanx "2", back towards the middle "3", to the crease "4", up the crease "5" so on.
i may never play blackjack in my life. but this looks like such an obvious and easy method to NEVER forget the running count, without the compulsive distraction of constantly repeating a number in your head.
Question
Which is better to play or presumably more profitable
Plaing a 6 deck with 80% penetration with $10 min bet (i bet more) or a double deck with 60% penetration and a $25 min bet? Thoughts. Colin??
i just started counting after a bad beat. im not sure if this is a good tip or not cause at times it can get kind of distracting, but i use my head like a compass or a clock so north is 0, negative is west and positive is east., and have a mental image of it in my head. has any one else tried a similar approach and practiced it? i have a pretty bad memory, but im hoping its just something i can train like a muscle
I haven't heard of that. But the bottom line is this: You need to always be accurate at the running count. Running count and basic strategy are the foundation to beating the game.
yeah ive scrapped that idea hehe just doing it the old fashioned way
What s the true count on 6 deck shoe when running count is +3?
Depends on how many decks have already been played and discarded. You divide the running count by the number of decks remaining to get a true count. For instance, if only one deck has been played then your +3 running count would mean a true count of 3/5 (or 0.6) If three decks have been played, +3 would be a True Count of 1 (b/c 3/3 =1)
If you really want to learn a handy shortcut for keeping the count locked it's connecting numbers with images. For instance "16" could be connected to your driver's licence. If you own two dogs think of a dog barking at you at the table when the count is at "2". "8" - think of a V8 engine or a sports car with a V8. Negative numbers - you flip the image in your head (the dog is upside down).
Doesn't with for aphantasics, but a good idea for most people
When I repeat the numbers in my head I keep forgetting them as soon as I stop
then ur brain is dumb lol
Try to associate every number with an event. Usually that helps, according to science.
I think I figured out a full proof way to keep the count. But, what’s the highest number you’ve gotten to in a casino ?
With change of decks wouldn't you start a new count?
isnt the count ihigh when you have the advantage? (meaning lots of 10 and aces)
isn't dealer going to have good cards also if theres a lot of 10s?
cant understand :/
Do you restart running count after new shoe or keep it going?
Ive started recently with basic strategy and im making major profits online gambling however im sometimes losing the count when it gets into negatives
How do you get faster and better because after the first hand I lose the count instantly because the dealers deal the cards so fast and it’s hard to actually keep up? Any tips and ideas
I struggle a lot more with the true count, I completely suck at doing constant accurate division in my head.
So do you always play basic strategy no matter what… I don’t know how to count cards but have had some some success playing BJ so idk if I count subconsciously or something because there will be times when I just KNOW what card or range of card is going to come out.. one time I hit a hard 17 because I just knew the dealer had 20 and pulled a 4. That got the pit bosses attention. Anyways had I played basic strategy obviously would’ve lost so as a card counter I would think you do veer off from basic strategy sometimes or no ??
Do you ever get the Tetris Effect of wanting to count other stuff besides cards in a casino?
is card counting still effective if theres 8 deck and penetrentration is 50%?
It will not be effective enough to be a good use of your time, most online blackjack games are the way you described.
Bro I'll impress you with my skills however my biggest flaw is the sounds and background voices in a casino.....what can I do?
Tip #2 is a great tip thank you!
That intro music though! 🔥🔥🔥
Are fire emojis good or bad? I vote Bad since I turn off the volume during that noise.
Super newb tip: As a newb it helps to use your hand to keep the count inbetween hands. For example i use my right hand to handle the chips. So with my left hand, i break up the finger joints into 14 spots. Just look at you hand and the lines that divide the joints. 3 knuckles for each finger and 2 knuckles for the thumb. Keep your finger thumb on the count at the start of the hand. Dont change it until hand it over. For example if running count is +5 thumb should be at the very tip of index finger. If +14 it should be at tip of pinky. This is how you keep track of the count in case you get lost or distracted during the hand. You can always go back and recount the hand if u get lost. Just make sure NOT to adjust thumb until hand is done and youre sure of the new count. You're welcome
What about just practicing keeping the running count in an actual casino while flat betting table minimums? That way you don't have to worry about messing up bankroll management/bet sizing or getting backed off while still practicing in the actual environment.
Some people will do this, but it comes at a cost. You should be aware of exactly how much this in casino practice will cost you in terms of -EV bets placed.
What if the casino has a card shuffle machine, card counting doesn’t work does it
Mc Kraken no it doesn’t
Most casinos have a card shuffling machine and it’s not entirely impossible to count. You just have to constantly restart the running count every shuffle.
Tanner Durski all depends on which shuffle machine you are using because some have it where it shuffles on every hand
Mc Kraken You have to know how many decks are in the shuffler and how often its changed
education654321 try to look for ones with a shoe
Was that bowling alley/casino Kenmore or Roxy?
do you get a percentage of the players earnings as he goes thru his career or he just pays you for the training?
I NEVER celebrate blackjacks or a winning split or double down, I'M COUNTING. 🤣🤣🤣
Do you reset the running count after a new deck is shuffled?
Can't you use a negative count to your advantage as well as a positive one, to adjust from basic strategy according to the count?
In principle you could have variations that minimize the Casino's edge with a negative count, but the issue is that when the count is negative, the strategy that the dealer is forced to follow just becomes much better, he will bust much less often and have much higher values, so it will be much harder for you to beat it.. I don't think it's possible to have a positive EV game even with some fancy variations when the count is negative
I have a little suggestion, this may not be for everyone, but it helped me to keep the count mentally. How you were talking about repeating the running total in your brain over and over. One thing I do is I associate the number with a Nascar driver. This is something I learned by reading a couple of memory books, one of the being "Moonwalking with Einstein". So if the running count is say a 5, I'll say "Kasey Kayne". Even though he hasn't driven that car in a while while. If it's 4, I'll think "Kevin Harvick", or Busch beer his sponsor. Count goes up to 15, I'll think "Clint Boyer". This is just for me since I follow Nascar, but it can be done for any sport you may like, or anything else with a number association. One thing that I did in the beginning alot, was lose the count due to people yelling out other numbers after the hand. You would hear something like "Damn, you had a 12 against my 9 and I doubled and only got a 3, but you hit 3 times, and made 21. How you gonna get an Ace, 2,2, then a 5, I lost 50 on that hand"? That sentence can really hose the number in your brain, if you aren't careful.
Ok I get how to count cards but when do I bet more or less
I dont recibe the correo when i try to do the mini course..
Hmmm. Did you check spam folder?
Blackjack Apprenticeship thanks you, by the way i send a email, asking a few things about the course, but i didnt recive an email back. So how can i do talk with you?
email me. colin@blackjackapprenticeship.com
if the count is in the house favor in a shoe game and you decide to leave the table due to negative EV how then is it possible to keep the count?
You should leave the table if the true count is -1.5 or -2 or even worse, because you gonna to make more money if you don't play this hands.
You can use back counting if you want to just play hands with an edge.
What kind of cards can you split?
If you are talking about rules, any hand in which there are two cards and the cards have the same value.
Can we use the techniques on online casinos ?
What about them offering you drinks while you play? I Always say no when I'm at the poker table
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO JUST COME INTO A GAME AT THE CASINO AND FIGURE OUT THE COUNT? HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO PLAY BEFORE CATCHING UP ON THE COUNT?
Want to know this as well
wait til the shuffle
Is it better to join in at the beginning of a new shoe? Or say 2 decks have roughly been played out of a 6 or 8 deck shoe, what should I start a running count at?
Got a quick question: Should I count the cards in one round and then add it up to the running count , or is it better to just keep the running count value and update it in real time?
Personally, real time is better cause you might accidentally forget what your running count was.
That's funny I'm just learning about all of this becuse i loved to play blackjack just for pure enjoyment not to make money. But i wondered if I could just use fingers to lock my count in and let myself focus on having to look away or talk and that was literally the next tip
Can you count a autosuffler ??
Kikoss Kikoo no
I have blackjack live stream could you practice counting cards that way
I see a problem when there is a negative to positive when you have positive number but you are still going from -4 to -3 when negative and when positive number going 4 to 5. there are 20 positive and 20 negative numbers in a deck. in single deck start with zero the plus or minus. it is much easier. double deck start with 40 and work your way up or down. for 6 or 8 deck start with 120 or 160.
What do you do when you lose a hand? Double up the next game?
How do you keep track of count when they burn a card everytime they switch dealers? Do you have to ask to see the burn card or is that a giveaway?
The burn card doesn't matter,it's the same as having 1 more card in the shoe after the shoe is completed
So when are you going to make a video on your book?
When it's published. ;-)
I think I am quiet decent at basic strat and counting but at the casino I am playing, they deal so fricking fast that I am not done counting when they already want my decision. This little brainlag looks really suspicios - in those cases, do you just stop counting, make your bet and then continue or does that mean I am just too slow at updating the running count?
atXoR first you have to have basic strat down cold. Are you counting in pairs (canceling)? Its your money...dealer cant pass you up. Act like your thinking about your hand. But keep practicing
walkabout29 I do have basic strategy down - I don't count pairs like per box - I actually take each card separated and either cancel it with next one or add it up, otherwise I would be even slower because I can use the "deal phase" - and sure, it's my money... But if I even hesitate for 3seconds with a 6-2, it will seem weird to everyone on the table
Maybe I should mention that I win quiet a lot recently, and even use illustrious18 stuff - cudos to this channel for teaching me - nevertheless, my cover really sucks the way I am playing
I start my count when 1st base gets thier 2nd card. Soooo much faster. Thats how all the pros do it. Practice by dealing out 3 cards, face up, not looking. Then when you hit the 1st hand with the second card...start your count. K4 (ignor) 79 (ignor) etc. Dont get stuck in a habit. You have to change to get better.
walkabout29 thank you, will try to count in pairs like that - might be faster once I am used to it
is it ever okay to split tens with a dealer up card of 5 or 6?
Most say that it exposes you as a card counter but I've heard that sometimes you can get away with it.
Have you ever sat down at a table with the last running count from the previous session still in your head?