Any Card Counters Around? (1 Viewer)

[augster123]

This past summer, I discovered Blackjack Apprenticeship on Youtube and decided to learn how to count cards. Given the overlap in disciplines I was wondering if anyone else counts cards? I started playing poker seriously in around 2002 and only starting counting cards recently, so I have limited experience in the casinos. But I thought it would be fun to compare notes if anyone else is into it.

I generally find Blackjack is more mentally grueling (especially 6 deck), but far easier technically since the "right move" is straightforward. At the higher levels, it's more about hiding your play so you don't get 86'd from the casinos.

 

[iLogik]

I’m a Dory… if I could I would.

I love watching card counters on YouTube tho, good luck on the learning process! Wish luck!

 

[Timmah]

I count cards on a weekly basis. I was taught at my first casino I worked at 25 years ago. When we believe there might be an advantage player, I am called on to run down the decks. I am also trained on the 18 main variations of basic strategy, also know as the illustrious 18.

 

[augster123]

*awkward silence*

only kidding. there will always be a cat & mouse game between the casinos and the APs. my main goal is for the 1-2 times a year i visit the casinos, to even the playing field a little bit. i happily lose it back playing craps for entertainment.

 

[TheJestyr]

I count cards on a weekly basis. I was taught at my first casino I worked at 25 years ago. When we believe there might be an advantage player, I am called on to run down the decks. I am also trained on the 18 main variations of basic strategy, also know as the illustrious 18.

This is awesome!

 

[TheJestyr]

When I was in my teens and twenties and really practicing card magic and gambling demonstrations, I learned how to count cards. Though I naively didn’t realize that was only part of the puzzle. At the time I was unaware how to change my betting given the info I had from the count, or that there was a true count, or any different kinds of counting.

I admire the stories and the people to whom it comes as second nature. Good luck and keep us posted!!

 

[elemeno]

run down the decks

What does this mean?

So card counting still works even with 6 decks and a random reshuffling point?

 

[DrStrange]

I am a bridge player too. Keeping track of the cards is essential to winning play.

Same thing with stud players. Knowing what cards died in folded hands offers a huge edge to those who count them.

"Board" games don't offer the same benefits for the observant players. Many of us have gotten lazy or never even learned the skill in the first place. It does take practice. You can't drink much at all. No watching the game on TV. But the rewards can be significant.

I have to think the "house" spreading blackjack has more automated ways to track down card counting rather than rotating in a special sort of dealer to check it out.

DrStrange

 

[merkong]

The moment I take off my shoes and socks is my dead giveaway.

 

[Timmah]

What does this mean?

So card counting still works even with 6 decks and a random reshuffling point?

Running down a deck is a casino term for counting down the shoe.

Every card has a value of +1, 0, or -1. If a 2-6 comes out, that’s +1. If a 7-9 comes out, that’s 0. If a 10-ace comes out, that’s -1.

As the cards come out the count changes. This is called the running count. You need to convert this number into the true count. To do this, you have to estimate how many decks are left in the shoe. Take the running count total and decide by how many decks are left. This will give you the true count. Example: 3 decks are left with a running count of +9. 9/3=3. So the true count is 3. This number is what an advantage player will use to increase/decrease their bets or alter their hits.

 

[allforcharity]

I can count up to 52 if I'm at the felt.

 

[Frogzilla]

This past summer, I discovered Blackjack Apprenticeship on Youtube and decided to learn how to count cards. Given the overlap in disciplines I was wondering if anyone else counts cards? I started playing poker seriously in around 2002 and only starting counting cards recently, so I have limited experience in the casinos. But I thought it would be fun to compare notes if anyone else is into it.

I generally find Blackjack is more mentally grueling (especially 6 deck), but far easier technically since the "right move" is straightforward. At the higher levels, it's more about hiding your play so you don't get 86'd from the casinos.

Counting sure. Playing +EV blackjack, I’m open to it but haven’t found anything reasonable. Things like correlating your bet size to the count and the count based strat adjustments…those seem insane to try to pull off in 2024 with their obviousness. The team approach, well after the book and the movie, doubt that still flies under the radar. I prefer to enjoy -EV gambling and the comps/perks along with it rather than risk it for whatever piddly amount of EV you could milk before they’re onto you.

 

[spartan037]

I am trying to learn to count. But I am not really interested in playing with real money. With casinos moving to 6:5 and $50 min for 3:2 plus the continuous shufflers; but for a $100 I can play at home with my own equipment. As the dealer I can challenge all my friends who "insisted the took the house." I am still trying to master the basic strategy for 8 decks.