Newbie Here!

[Mimosine]

Not that this helps you with your exact question, but I recommend just doing it by hand. On the coffee table with say, 6 or 8 decks, deal out a simulation game with several hands and the dealer's hand. At first, you can have your BS chart right there with whatever other cheat sheet you may want to have for KO and go from there. I've never used a computer sim to learn counting or BS, and I'm sure it works for many, but I prefer cards and chips to practice the trifecta: BS, counting, and betting. It's more like the casino environment rather than the laptop, so that's how I roll.

good luck

i'm in complete agreement. i learned KO without the use of a computer. Though you should check out some of the "FREE COUNTING RESOURCES" thread.

Buy 6 decks of used casino cards from ebay it will cost you $7 or less. I bought one brand for SD, one brand for DD, one brand for 6D. I practiced counting and learning KO using those three sets of cards.

Doing something similar to Chef, I just deal and count to myself at the coffee table. If you can play three hands properly + play the dealer's hand and keep the count, and keep track of when you should raise bets and make index plays, then and only then are you ready to give the casino a shot. I think this type of training will leave you in good shape, maybe a little more than you might need, but you can't be too prepared for counting IMHO since you never know what will happen or who will sit down next to you when playing.

 

[Kasi]

Oh come on guys the answer is either yes you can count online ar no you can`t!

No, u can't.

 

[Kasi]

I still have a lot to learn, but if I were asked for one thing that needs to be firmly implanted in a new counters mind, it's "I will win over the long run". 'Cause you're gonna need that reminder when the 'odds' say you should win and you're getting stomped! And you will!:whip:

Mine would be, no matter how perfectly u count, nothing matters if u bet like an idiot.

 

[Kasi]

Doing something similar to Chef, I just deal and count to myself at the coffee table.

My only question would be is how do u know u have not made a mistake?

I guess deal to last card?

Even then, u don't know if u have made offsetting mistakes thru the decks.

Always preferred a computer - faster and more accurate.

 

[ChefJJ]

My only question would be is how do u know u have not made a mistake?

I guess deal to last card?

Even then, u don't know if u have made offsetting mistakes thru the decks.

Always preferred a computer - faster and more accurate.

You don't have to deal to the last card...just stop at a typical pen cutoff and then count down the rest to see if you are correct. Of course, the real reveal comes when it's time to check out the burn card.

To your third point, I'm not sure whether offsetting mistakes in a shoe game is going to kill you, but I prefer real-life practice. Don't really know how the computer sim works, but I'll pass. I'm going to have to play the game with cards, casino chips, and people eating up other cards in the deck, so I practice that way.

Plus, I have modified the KO count to work with my playing and tracking style, so I'm not sure if a computer would work for that.

It's all personal preference, so that's good that newbies get some options on how to practice.

good luck

 

[Kasi]

You don't have to deal to the last card...just stop at a typical pen cutoff and then count down the rest to see if you are correct. Of course, the real reveal comes when it's time to check out the burn card.

To your third point, I'm not sure whether offsetting mistakes in a shoe game is going to kill you, but I prefer real-life practice. Don't really know how the computer sim works, but I'll pass. I'm going to have to play the game with cards, casino chips, and people eating up other cards in the deck, so I practice that way.

Plus, I have modified the KO count to work with my playing and tracking style, so I'm not sure if a computer would work for that.

It's all personal preference, so that's good that newbies get some options on how to practice.

good luck

No big deal and u practice anyway u want.

But it does sound like u do count to the last card to verify count.

Basically I think u'd enjoy a computer program. Personally I think Norm's product is great.

And here's my reasons why.

It'll tell u anytime u make a mistake. It'll deal to full table as fast as u want or just to one person. It'll tell u if u make a mistake in ur bet amount for ur system. U can check the count anytime u want. It'll give u drills so u don't have to deal 100,000 hands to see a 4,4 vs 4 like maybe less than 40 times. It'll stack the deck for early high positive or negative counts. It'll change penetration levels. Basically anything u can imagine. Ace side counts, whatever. It'll graph ur results to identify weaknesses. U can specify any game with any rules. It'll measure ur mistakes. Blah Blah Blah

I don't know specifically about adjusting a KO count, perhaps others might, but I suspect strongly it would since you can specify ur own hit/stand/split/double etc matrix.

Basically, when u can rip thru a multi-deck shoe several times, u have alot of confidence.

As always, counting is the really easy part anyway. How u would ever know u bet a different amount than what u wanted escapes me.

I just don't see how dealing by hand will let u know how u stand after 5 hours and more of play. If ur down, were u playing good and having bad luck or were u making bets different than what u specified? Were u hand-dealing the exact same game for those 5-100 hours?

The $100, or whatever u spend, will be made up a few times over just because u will be ready to play weeks sooner than u otherwise would.

Plus, it's a lot fun.

Am I getting this right - u want to make lots and lots of money over ur lifetime counting cards but don't want to spend a dime on any computerized aide?

I don't mean u personally, just prospective card-counters in general.

Spending $42 for 6 decks of cards? Guess u better spend $14 more in case u ever play an 8D game.

I think by now I've spent less than $1/month on one and I still use it

Good luck to u 2 lol.

I've said it before, so I guess I'll say it again.

If u want to count, invest in ur future!

So endeth the silly sermon lol.

 

[ChefJJ]

If you are not a 15 year old girl, stop using "u" so many freaking times! :grin:

In the true meaning of "counting down to the last card", I guess I do. I stop playing at 70 - 100 cards on a 6D practice, but then take the rest of the shoe and speed count them. If I messed up (which is rare that it is off by more than 1), then I obviously need more practice! And who pays $42 for 6 decks of cards?!? Besides the many decks of assorted/collected cards I've accumulated, you can go to the dollar store and buy 2 decks of decent cards for $1. So that's $3, or $4 if you want to count down 8 decks.

The computer sims sound fine...but as you say, counting is the easy part...but so should knowing basic strategy plays. So then, you may ask, what is it that an AP would drill? Counting CARDS as they are dealt to six/seven "players" on the coffee table relates better to me than fake cards on a screen. But there is no doubt that it works for many (especially those who have posted around here).

I will say that taking along 6 decks of cards and some chips to the hotel room wherever I'm going to be playing is a great warmup. Chips, cards, and I'm ready to do it live. Another reason why I like the coffee table practice is that I use my chips to track the count after each hand...and that's based on the KO that I've adjusted (as you mentioned).

But, for anybody with questions on how to practice looking at this thread, you are truly getting a couple good opinions on this.

good luck

 

[EasyRhino]

Heck, I've been able to get a lot of use out of just one deck of cards while waiting at an airport during a flight delay.

Another strategy, if BS (or indexes) is still iffy, is to *draw* your own chart out on paper. For me, I tended to visualize the chart when I was remembering dodgy plays, so this worked great. You could also mark in all your indices.

 

[ChefJJ]

Another strategy, if BS (or indexes) is still iffy, is to *draw* your own chart out on paper. For me, I tended to visualize the chart when I was remembering dodgy plays, so this worked great. You could also mark in all your indices.

I've caught myself doing that several times as well. I find that using several highlighters with different colors helps the different plays "pop" in my head at the table when I have those moments where recall is difficult (after double-digit beers is an example :flame: ). Of course, I use the compact version of KO where that lump of index plays are focused on one point...but it works for me.

good luck