Southpaw
Well-Known Member
Hello all,
After checking up on these forums for a few months now, I finally decided to create an account, in the event that I might something meaningful to add to today's AP conversations.
A little about my experience as a card-counter now. My first system was the Hi-Opt I system without an ace side-count. I later started using an Ace side-count. Then, I upgraded to the also Hi-Opt II system without an ace-side count. Later on, I added the side-count into the mix. I played this system (on CVBJ V5) for a long-time without error, but after having read into zengrifter's and Snyder's rhetoric explaining why Hi-Opt II is "antiquated" or even "obsolete," I decided to switch over to the Zen Count. I, however, decided to keep using the 90 some indexes that I was using with Hi-Opt II, instead of learning the ones in the complete Zen Count. (The only indexes I switched were the ones for the insurance count and soft 18 v. A). It was surprising to me (at the time, but no longer now) how negligible the penalty was for using indexes that were meant for a different level 2 count. My results of 1 billion hand simulations (with CV Data) were as follows if you're interested:
Penalty for Using Hi-Opt II indexes with the Zen Count
Single Deck, S17, Split to 4, Resplit Aces, 3:2 BJ, DOA2, NS, .75 Pen, DAS, Head-On
BSE: +0.034%
Zen Count Proper Indexes (Flat Bet): +0.722%
Zen Count with Hi-Opt II Indexes (Flat Bet): +0.691%
Penalty = 0.031% (31 cents for every $1000 wagered)
Benefit of Using Hi-Opt II indexes as opposed to none: 0.657% ($6.57 for every $1000 wagered)
Six Decks, S17, Split to 4, Resplit Aces, 3:2 BJ, DOA2, NS, 0.80 Pen, DAS, Head-On
BSE: -0.292%
Zen Count Proper Indexes (Flat Bet): -0.175%
Zen Count with Hi-Opt II Indexes (Flat Bet): -0.181%
Penalty = 0.006% (6 cents for every $1000 wagered)
Benefit of Using Hi-Opt II indexes as opposed to none: 0.111% ($1.11 for every $1000 wagered)
(Yes, I do realize that these benchmark games are overly good and are not found in today's gambling environment, but the conclusion of the experiment remains unchanged)
The books that I have read include The World's Greatest Blackjack by the pseudonamed Lance Humble and Play Blackjack Like the Pros by Kevin Blackwood. Blackjack Attack by Don Schlesinger and Burning the Tables in Las Vegas by Ian Anderson are in the mail, on the way to me, though.
One last thing. I have not stepped foot in a casino yet, despite card-counting being a hobby that I devote around 4-6 hours of each day to. This is simply because my bankroll is only $2500, and as my simulations indicate, I cannot make enough money to make the hobby even worth while ($10/ hour is somewhat dismal) after paying fixed costs (gas and etc.), without assuming a very high RoR. So for now, I plan to just save money, keep using CVData and CVBJ and counting down my 8-deck shoe in the meantime. P.S., those two programs are God's gifts to AP's. I cannot tell you how many poor playing strategies I've eliminated through using these programs.
I look forward to conversing with you all on the forums.
P.S., I'm from MI, so if you're in the midwest, get at me.
After checking up on these forums for a few months now, I finally decided to create an account, in the event that I might something meaningful to add to today's AP conversations.
A little about my experience as a card-counter now. My first system was the Hi-Opt I system without an ace side-count. I later started using an Ace side-count. Then, I upgraded to the also Hi-Opt II system without an ace-side count. Later on, I added the side-count into the mix. I played this system (on CVBJ V5) for a long-time without error, but after having read into zengrifter's and Snyder's rhetoric explaining why Hi-Opt II is "antiquated" or even "obsolete," I decided to switch over to the Zen Count. I, however, decided to keep using the 90 some indexes that I was using with Hi-Opt II, instead of learning the ones in the complete Zen Count. (The only indexes I switched were the ones for the insurance count and soft 18 v. A). It was surprising to me (at the time, but no longer now) how negligible the penalty was for using indexes that were meant for a different level 2 count. My results of 1 billion hand simulations (with CV Data) were as follows if you're interested:
Penalty for Using Hi-Opt II indexes with the Zen Count
Single Deck, S17, Split to 4, Resplit Aces, 3:2 BJ, DOA2, NS, .75 Pen, DAS, Head-On
BSE: +0.034%
Zen Count Proper Indexes (Flat Bet): +0.722%
Zen Count with Hi-Opt II Indexes (Flat Bet): +0.691%
Penalty = 0.031% (31 cents for every $1000 wagered)
Benefit of Using Hi-Opt II indexes as opposed to none: 0.657% ($6.57 for every $1000 wagered)
Six Decks, S17, Split to 4, Resplit Aces, 3:2 BJ, DOA2, NS, 0.80 Pen, DAS, Head-On
BSE: -0.292%
Zen Count Proper Indexes (Flat Bet): -0.175%
Zen Count with Hi-Opt II Indexes (Flat Bet): -0.181%
Penalty = 0.006% (6 cents for every $1000 wagered)
Benefit of Using Hi-Opt II indexes as opposed to none: 0.111% ($1.11 for every $1000 wagered)
(Yes, I do realize that these benchmark games are overly good and are not found in today's gambling environment, but the conclusion of the experiment remains unchanged)
The books that I have read include The World's Greatest Blackjack by the pseudonamed Lance Humble and Play Blackjack Like the Pros by Kevin Blackwood. Blackjack Attack by Don Schlesinger and Burning the Tables in Las Vegas by Ian Anderson are in the mail, on the way to me, though.
One last thing. I have not stepped foot in a casino yet, despite card-counting being a hobby that I devote around 4-6 hours of each day to. This is simply because my bankroll is only $2500, and as my simulations indicate, I cannot make enough money to make the hobby even worth while ($10/ hour is somewhat dismal) after paying fixed costs (gas and etc.), without assuming a very high RoR. So for now, I plan to just save money, keep using CVData and CVBJ and counting down my 8-deck shoe in the meantime. P.S., those two programs are God's gifts to AP's. I cannot tell you how many poor playing strategies I've eliminated through using these programs.
I look forward to conversing with you all on the forums.
P.S., I'm from MI, so if you're in the midwest, get at me.
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