Twenty One

Does card counting really work?

2012-05-11T10:32:57-07:00

Hello,
I’m new to the world of blackjack and I have a few questions I’d like to ask. These are probably “super-beginner” questions, but that would be really nice if you could enlighten me !

My first question is about card counting and its efficiency. I did a research and found out about the different counting system (I chose to use Hi-Lo). So, the higher the count is, the better for the player. This is because more high cards remain in the shoe , and high cards benefits the player. The dealer is more likely to bust and the player is more likely to get two high cards (19,20,Blackjack). To me the problem is here. Sure, the player has big chances to get high cards, but the dealer could also get them instead of the player. So in my opinion, the high cards in this situation could benefits either the player, either the dealer or even both. I don’t know if I’m right about this, so I need your help here.

I also have a question about the use of the counting system in the game. I’m putting aside my doubts about the card counting here. How do you use the card counting? Do you combine the count with basic strategy (the tables you can find on the internet)? Do you only play accord to the count? What are you suppose to do with the count?

Thanks a lot for your time!

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2012-05-02T14:07:26-07:00

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Does playing Blackjack on free sites help with real play?

2012-04-25T08:16:52-07:00

Just wanted to throw this one out there. Yes, I know practice does help, but are the odds on free blackjack sites reflective of those on real money sites? I have been trawling the web for free sites that best mimic this so I can practice without losing real money and came across this role playing game Blackjack Treasure. What do you think?

Betfair exchange blackjack dead heat rule? Please explain!

2012-04-19T16:48:58-07:00

Hi guys,

First of all, first post on this forum. Hope to get some help on this one.

My question is about the dead heat rule for blackjack at betfair exchange games. More to the point, what happens if you LAY the dealer and it’s a tie? I have read the betfair blackjack dead heat rules and I have a question to ask you. The rule states that if the dealer is tied with the player, the BACK bet for the player is halved. For example, I back a player £ 10 a odds of 3.0. If the dealer ties, I only get HALF my payout, £ 10 x 1.5 = £ 15. But what happens from the LAY THE DEALER side of the bet in case of a dead heat? In this case, the LAY stake is £ 10 at odds of 3.0 and the liability is (£10 x (3-1)) = £ 20. Does it mean that if I LAY THE DEALER to lose and it’s a tie, do I get HALF my LAY SATKE (£ 10/2 = £ 5) or do I lose HALF my liability ( £ 20/2 = £ 10)? Sorry but I couldn’t clarify this question. Similarly, If I LAY a player to lose and the dealer ties, what happens to my LAY bet? Do I get half my lay stake or do I lose half my liability?

In the screenshot attached, deler is “tied” at 17 along with player 1 and player 4, but the results page shows dealer ELIMINATED. Does it mean that the dealer did, indeed, lose? What happens to your stake or liability if you’ve layed the dealer?

I hope anyone can shed some light on the subject.

Best,

Dealer - Hints?

2009-01-12T02:55:15-07:00

What do you guys find to be evident hints or tips as to whether or not a dealer will be of your liking before even sitting at the table? What do you find will indicate whether or not the dealer will deal cards fast or slow?

Flat Betting

2012-04-15T18:06:44-07:00

I am somewhere in the middle of forums. By no means a beginner but some of the advanced stuff goes over my head so I’ll post here. For two years My big bet was $10…min was 5. Average was probably 5.15 over the course of two years. I would sit there and the floor were nice but they would say “You don’t bet much”. I managed to get several rooms a month and countless meals. I would also see people around me losing 300, 500 and one lady on a 5 dollar game went 100, 100 at two hands, 25, 250x2, and then 500…every hand lost. She dropped 5000 in under an hour and she wasn’t a bad player but the cards came out not in her favor. My goal was to take 100 with a 100 in reserve (just in case) and walk when I hit 100 in profit. So many times I could have gotten more but if we all left when we were up the casino would change the rules again. My point is this…I built up a positive bank of profit so that when I went 5-25 on a good count even if I lost I was still ahead. My bankroll went to 200 with a reserve 100. Now I stroll in with 300 to start and a reserve 300 if I feel I might get it back. I also know that I can and have walked away down and it doesn’t matter in the long run. My biggest loss occurred on 25 double deck and it was $1400 over 3 hours of play. It hurt to write in my log -1400 but I did it so I knew where I was in P&L, and making it easier it was early profit this year (4500) that went into a loss of 500 and is now currently up 2200. It is possible to win but there are going to be losses.

if i get caught counting?? what will they do??

2011-06-28T02:29:49-07:00

ok i was just wondering for the worst situation. if i get caught counting card by the pit boss. what will they do other than ban me or kick me out. is it possible that they ll rough me up? i heard from my friend that someone go to jail for counting card and winning about 30k from that particular casino. i was WDF! i did not quite believe my friend’s words. can you guys tell me what the worst situation if they catch me counting card?? thanks

Should you split 7’s if the dealer has an 6 showing?

2011-08-25T07:28:30-07:00

Hi Guys,
I new here, and I need some advice to be a better BJ player.
I will ask you guys a lot of question`s.
Grateful for your answers

regards/ standAT21

how much you’ve won in one night at a blackjack table?

2011-11-01T09:42:58-07:00

My biggest win is 550 euro In four hours.

Marathon Session

2012-04-15T17:36:23-07:00

Hi, New to forum and have been playing for two years now without working so I am doing something right. Total years of play 25+...last year in October played 22 hours with one meal period (to me it’s work) and it was an event night which meant large cash givaway and loads of bad gamblers…as crowded as it gets. I like Superfun and singledeck 6-5 versus the 6 deck shoe or double deck. I got stuffed $500 early on, about hour 4…had a bankroll of $1000…never got above $60 ahead and ended up walking out down $15. Why would I tell this? It was an accomplishment to be stuffed in a hole, fight with determination and not lose composure at any time to come out close to where I started and seeing dealers I saw the day before and their surprise I was still there. If I had a room I could have set a new record for myself but I had a one hour drive home and made it but very tired. The funny thing is the whole time I was keeping conversations and the way I counted then was tens and aces with observations on other numbers. Since Superfun is dealt face up it is easy for me to see that there are no 5’s or 6’s…or only one 3 and no 2’s and I use that knowledge on my next hand. Since then I now do a Hi-Lo count and still do my observation of all cards as I only need to keep the info for a short time. On six deck the Hi-Lo is the only way I can store the info and I don’t mind playing the six deck but I know I am wired for the single. Lucky for me I play at a casino where I have never seen them shuffle after a 20x or more bet by myself or others. Of course the dealers call certain people by their name (such as David, you know, the card counter) and their hobby. I won’t spoil it by revealing the name but it might slip out sometime. No real question here just like to chat about what intersts me at the time…take care, pv apollo