1. #1
    biggie12
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    Blackjack card counters thread

    Is there any SBR members who count cards in BJ rec or pro. I'd like to hear from you.

    Feel free to post any questions about Black jack card counting in this thread.

  2. #2
    warriorfan707
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    Ive done it when my attention span will allow with pretty decent results. When the deck is + the dealer definitely seems to bust more often.

    As always though it comes down to unit sizing and br management. Card counting is the easy part.

  3. #3
    biggie12
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    If you currently play at a B&M casino with good penetration less then 1.5 decks please lets us know in the thread. I will start out.

    Toronto Area Based casinos:

    Fallsview Casino 6 decks 1-1.5 pen $100min $5000max (allow mid-shoe entry on some high tables)
    Port Perry Casino 8 decks $10-$100 1.2-2 decks pen
    casino windsor - not sure haven't been there in 3+ years
    Brantford chairty casino $10-100 1.2-2 decks pen 8 decks
    Casino Rama (8 decks) have been backed off for 2 years they used to offer 1-1.5 in the 8 deck shoes with $25.00-$1500 max (big room 6 decks with 1.2-2.5 pen)


    thats all for now feel free to add to the list.

  4. #4
    cardjunkie
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    Card counting is pretty brutal. What drives me nuts is when I put out table max bets, lose 6 in a row, then have to wait around for hours for an opportunity to make my money back

  5. #5
    biggie12
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    Quote Originally Posted by cardjunkie View Post
    Card counting is pretty brutal. What drives me nuts is when I put out table max bets, lose 6 in a row, then have to wait around for hours for an opportunity to make my money back

    what other game are you going to get an average 1% to 5% edge in the casino.

  6. #6
    ClimbSomeRocks
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    You can get 5 decks sometimes 5.5 at mystic lake in Minnesota if you look for it. Best value is 4 deck that allows mid shoe entry. Only problem is table min is $15 so you would need a $15,000 bankroll. Biggest thing I learned about blackjack is that you need a lot of money to back you. That's the only reason I'm not doing it professionally.

    If you have any black jack questions shoot me a message and I'll try to help you out.

  7. #7
    Ruifgalmeida
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    Quote Originally Posted by ClimbSomeRocks View Post
    You can get 5 decks sometimes 5.5 at mystic lake in Minnesota if you look for it. Best value is 4 deck that allows mid shoe entry. Only problem is table min is $15 so you would need a $15,000 bankroll. Biggest thing I learned about blackjack is that you need a lot of money to back you. That's the only reason I'm not doing it professionally.

    If you have any black jack questions shoot me a message and I'll try to help you out.
    I was a small rooler card counter, but had to quit because of small bankroll, had two big swings that almost kill me.

  8. #8
    biggie12
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    if you don't have a big enough bankroll your best bet is to start by back counting for a few months to build up your roll. you will get backed off quicker tho.

  9. #9
    ClimbSomeRocks
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    Quote Originally Posted by biggie12 View Post
    if you don't have a big enough bankroll your best bet is to start by back counting for a few months to build up your roll. you will get backed off quicker tho.
    Yea I believe it. I was back counting a 4 deck shoe when a buddy came up to talk to me. I kept the count just fine while we were conversing, he wanted to go play slots or something and asked very loudly if I was going to stay and count. The pit boss stalked me for the rest of the night

  10. #10
    xelemental
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    im going to vegas soon, any vegas hotels that have good deck penetration?

  11. #11
    Rob7168
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    Yes circus circus,,,,, stay low in bets and make a little chump change you ll be just fine. Start jumping around with large sums and risk being detected

  12. #12
    PAULYPOKER
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    Quote Originally Posted by biggie12 View Post
    what other game are you going to get an average 1% to 5% edge in the casino.
    Craps using martingale in the field to win minimum on every roll,the snake eyes and boxcars really pay off on this one,good chance they kick you out though............

  13. #13
    warriorfan707
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    Always hilarious to me that people act like if they win a few thousand they are going to get banned and beat up etc

    You have to win a shitton of cash before you are even on anyones radar

    And even then its not a big deal

  14. #14
    ClimbSomeRocks
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    Quote Originally Posted by warriorfan707 View Post
    Always hilarious to me that people act like if they win a few thousand they are going to get banned and beat up etc

    You have to win a shitton of cash before you are even on anyones radar

    And even then its not a big deal
    Circus Circus sweats action. If you were spreading $1-$10 they would probably back you off within 2 hours if you were playing at +EV. Even if you are losing... casinos do not welcome advantage play.

  15. #15
    PAULYPOKER
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    Quote Originally Posted by ClimbSomeRocks View Post
    Circus Circus sweats action. If you were spreading $1-$10 they would probably back you off within 2 hours if you were playing at +EV. Even if you are losing... casinos do not welcome advantage play.
    Bingo!

  16. #16
    warriorfan707
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    Dude I was betting 250$ a hand at the hand shuffle game at Circus Circus in Reno over the course of a weekend, hammered them for quite a bit and they couldnt give two shits.

    Granted thats different than playing singledeck... But its not like they were sweating my action.

  17. #17
    biggie12
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    last week i lost -$1800 after gas and everything on my trip. Went out to windsor casino again last night, they were spreading 6 deck $100-$25K not hundred.

    made 17k last night over 5 hours. Was not flagged and only asked for players card twice, 2nd time was because i had cashed in total over 10k.

    The penetration was really good only left out 1-1.5 decks over 15 shoot sample.

  18. #18
    JWalters
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    Quote Originally Posted by biggie12 View Post
    last week i lost -$1800 after gas and everything on my trip. Went out to windsor casino again last night, they were spreading 6 deck $100-$25K not hundred.

    made 17k last night over 5 hours. Was not flagged and only asked for players card twice, 2nd time was because i had cashed in total over 10k.

    The penetration was really good only left out 1-1.5 decks over 15 shoot sample.
    this was all at windsor?

  19. #19
    biggie12
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    yeah J all at windsor

  20. #20
    JWalters
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    Quote Originally Posted by biggie12 View Post
    yeah J all at windsor
    im sorry but which windsor location is this?

  21. #21
    biggie12
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    ceasers windsor

  22. #22
    xelemental
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    is it possible to count cards with a 8 deck shoe?

  23. #23
    xelemental
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    Quote Originally Posted by biggie12 View Post
    last week i lost -$1800 after gas and everything on my trip. Went out to windsor casino again last night, they were spreading 6 deck $100-$25K not hundred.

    made 17k last night over 5 hours. Was not flagged and only asked for players card twice, 2nd time was because i had cashed in total over 10k.

    The penetration was really good only left out 1-1.5 decks over 15 shoot sample.
    Hi If you dont mind me asking. what system do you use? Hi Lo? Wong?

  24. #24
    biggie12
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    xelemental

    You can do 8 deck or 6 deck it all depends on the "penetration for 8 decks for looking for shoes that the cut card is only at Most 1.5 decks back. (the less the more edge you can obtain)

    the system i use is called an Ken uston's advanced point count. Its a 3 point system with a side count for aces. It is one of the more difficult ones and if you are just starting on counting i would recomend learnig something like hi lo first to get a grasp of counting before moving on to a harder count.

  25. #25
    ClimbSomeRocks
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    I'd recommend the KnockOut system for new learners. Better have basic strategy perfect before you take to the tables though. There is only 1 right play EVER in each situation. You should be playing like a computer and without emotion, but acting as if you're playing on whims and that you're unsure of what to do when making index plays

  26. #26
    xelemental
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    Quote Originally Posted by biggie12 View Post
    xelemental

    You can do 8 deck or 6 deck it all depends on the "penetration for 8 decks for looking for shoes that the cut card is only at Most 1.5 decks back. (the less the more edge you can obtain)

    the system i use is called an Ken uston's advanced point count. Its a 3 point system with a side count for aces. It is one of the more difficult ones and if you are just starting on counting i would recomend learnig something like hi lo first to get a grasp of counting before moving on to a harder count.
    Thanks. My roommate and I are in our mid 20's, single and plan on doing this part time. we have this card room close by that uses 8 decks and its very slow because the card room uses a corporation to pay out the players which takes extra time. 1 deck left (penetration) which i guess is good. I havent mastered Hi-Lo (sometimes I lose count when I get distracted)

    Quote Originally Posted by ClimbSomeRocks View Post
    I'd recommend the KnockOut system for new learners. Better have basic strategy perfect before you take to the tables though. There is only 1 right play EVER in each situation. You should be playing like a computer and without emotion, but acting as if you're playing on whims and that you're unsure of what to do when making index plays
    I will check this system out. Thank you.

    I do play Basic Strategy correctly since I've been playing BJ for so long and have memorized everything by now. I Just realized that I might as well count cards while Im at this.

  27. #27
    xelemental
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    i bought the knock out book btw.

  28. #28
    biggie12
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    Quote Originally Posted by xelemental View Post
    i bought the knock out book btw.

    the next book your going to want to buy is.

    Blackjack: Play Like The Pros by John Bukofsky

    or million dollar blackjack by ken uston (out of print more expensive)

    both cover ken uston's advanced point count.

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