First Counting Experience Hi-Opt I

[Counting Baby]

I recently studied a alot and mostly learned the Hi-Opt I count (no ace side count) from World's Greatest Blackjack Book. I took a trip to the new Fallsview Casino at Niagara Falls. After 3 hours I walked out a winner, $65 up. I had never walked out a winner before from a casino. What a great feeling. I know I didn't play enough to really beat the probability. Also, it was a 6 deck game. So I'm sure there was a fair amount of luck involved. But now I've seen that you guys on here shy away from Hi-Opt I. I read that maybe it's outdated? I will play in AC about 15+ days a year and Vegas about 7-8 days per year. Is there a better level 1 even count system I should be learning?

 

[suicyco maniac]

Ace side count

If you're not going to side count aces you are WAY better off to learn another count. SM

 

[Kennilworth Kid]

Hi Opt I

Congrads on your win.

Hi Opt I needs Ace adjustment side count to rival Hi-Lo, KO, or Red 7 for betting advantage, and even then it falls short. Betting advantage, particularly for shoe games, is more important than playing advantage. Simulations done by D Schlessinger in Blackjack Attack show Hi Opt I is a little worse than the others above in shoe games, even with side counts.
Schlessinger's opinion is that side counting is a lot more work for little extra edge...from my own limited experience, I agree.

Hi Opt I is better suited for a single or double deck game because of its better strategy variations.

As you seem to play mostly shoes, KO or Hi-Lo might be a better fit. Certainly, Vegas is primarily shoe, with some double deck, and only a few playable single deck games currently.

Better for Hi Opt is to go to Reno/Sparks in Northern Nevada, where there are mostly single deck games. Also, Reno & Sparks casinos have been known to give favorable exchange rates on Canadian to US dollars in order to attracttourists from Canada. You might try going there.

 

[Sonny]

> If you're not going to side count aces you are WAY better off to learn
> another count. SM

Even if you are going to add the ace side count later you may be better off with a different system. It sounds like you are going to be stuck at shoe games for most of your time so a side count might get a little tricky. The increased playing efficiency is not worth as much in shoe games as a solid betting correlation, so you might want to consider an ace-reckoned count like Hi-Low or Zen.

I use Hi-Opt II and love it, but for your circumstances you might benefit more from a different system. The Hi-Opt I system without the side count is VERY weak.

-Sonny-

 

[Automatic Monkey]

Or maybe RPC

I've simmed it, and although HO2+A has a slightly better figure of merit on a computer in shoe games, the additional errors associated with multiparameter probably make RPC (Revere Point Count) a better choice for a shoe player.

 

[zengrifter]

You can keep your HO1 indices...

... and simply add the Ace-1 & 2+1 to your current card tags. zg

 

[questionmrk_man]

Playing at Fallsview, you should know they use 8 decks and not 6 in those ASM's. That could have an effect on your TC conversion. I believe there are only 6 deck games in the hi limit room. You should try Hi-Lo as suggested by zg, it has a better BC and PE than HO I if you're not side counting aces. Someone correct me if i'm wrong.

?man

 

[Counter Baby]

Hi - Low Choice

Thank you very much for your responses and the congratulations on my first winnings. It seems to me, based on your responses, that instead of using Hi-Opt I I should learn Hi-Low count for my situation (AC 15+ days a year, Vegas 7 days a year). Where do Hi-Low and Hi-Opt differ in effectiveness? Is Hi-Low usefull for 1 or 2 deck games also? What book should I use to learn Hi-Low? I want a good all-around count system preferably without sidecounts. I already know Hi-Opt 1, but it seems I should change to a different system.