noob with ?'s

[stigedis]

So I have just begun to scratch the surface of taking the next step in BJ. Played for a while, all the while with true BS play. Have begun to use hi-lo counting. Getting pretty good at counting a deck. Going to get a few more decks and continue to practice the count, running hands and counting etc.

I see very often the term "backcounting" on this forum. What is this term referring too? Is it simply counting a table that you are not sitting at?

Also (despite the fact I am far from ready to begin to apply technique at the casino) what is considered a good high count that one would start to think of increasing their bet? Both RC and TC?

Also I find myself occasionally off on my count (say by 1 either way when counting a deck down). If i find myself missing a count at the table, should one just pick up the count where he "thinks" it is, or just regress to only min. bet til the shoe runs?

Also, when (if any advantage) should a person sit doen at a table? Should he count and wait til a good number develops or sit, place min. bets til the shuffle and then begin the count.

Thanks and soory for this seemingly lame questions.

I have the desire to improve my game, and am excited about the possibilities....

stig

 

[EasyRhino]

I see very often the term "backcounting" on this forum. What is this term referring too? Is it simply counting a table that you are not sitting at?/QUOTE]
Yep. Also called "wonging" after Stanford Wong. You can "wong-in" to a table by observing and only jumping in when the count turns positive.. You can "wong-out" by playing at a table, leaving when the count turns negative. It's pretty great. It reduces both the cost and the volatitlity of playing in negative counts (even if it's just with minimum bets).

If you're using True Counts, a rough rule of thumb is that each TC gets you 0.5% advantage. So, if you're playing a game with great rules and a low house advantage, you can raise the bets, a little, at TC +1. If you're playing a game with crappy rules and a high house advantage, you may not have an edge until TC +2.

If you lose the running count by, say, 1, then you can probably keep playing. That error won't be big in the long term. If you catastrophically lose the count (off by 10), then you might want to minimum bet, or even leave the table. However, if you find youself often losing the count a little bit, that would argue for increased drill. Because if you lose the count in a practice environment, it's usually even harder to maintain it in a casino environment.

In an ideal world, you wouldn't place any bets when you don't have an advantage. Any amount you play in negative counts is going to cost you, it's just a matter of if it's worth the tradeoff. For instance, if the shoe is almost done, and you're the only guy at the table, playing a few hands to get a shuffle isn't that big a deal.

Blackjack Attack, by Don Schlesinger, probably has the lenghiest discussion of different ways of wonging, and its effect on the game.

 

[Persnickety1]

Also (despite the fact I am far from ready to begin to apply technique at the casino) what is considered a good high count that one would start to think of increasing their bet? Both RC and TC?

That depends on the game rules, on penetration, and on how good a person is at handling basic strategy and at thinking under pressure. Typically, at true count +2 the player begins to have a slight advantage.

Also I find myself occasionally off on my count (say by 1 either way when counting a deck down). If i find myself missing a count at the table, should one just pick up the count where he "thinks" it is, or just regress to only min. bet til the shoe runs?

The shoe is still salvageable at that point. Think of that card as just one of the many cards that have been cut out of play. Think of it as the penetration just got worse by one card. The question is how confident are you on your counting abilities when you multitask? If you reached the point where you lost focus, just flat bet minimum for the rest of the shoe or leave the table. If you lose a big bet while you know the count was accurate, you will accept it. If you lose a big bet on a count you just guessed, you will probably feel miserable about it.

Also, when (if any advantage) should a person sit doen at a table? Should he count and wait til a good number develops or sit, place min. bets til the shuffle and then begin the count.

In a perfect world yes, just play when the count is good, use big betting spread, and don't worry about pit critters.
In the real world, you may need to tone it down a notch. Maybe you won't have a place to sit down on a good count if the place is crowded, maybe you are going to find yourself banned from the game if you stand out as a successful advantage player. Maybe you are going to run out of money if you don't find the balance between aggressiveness and cover play.

...
I have the desire to improve my game, and am excited about the possibilities....

Seriously, don't play until you completely understand the concept of bankroll, self-discipline, playing and betting strategy. You must practice, practice, practice until you become proficient at counting and at the basic strategy for the games available to you.

Read a book, invest in some software.

 

[stigedis]

thanks for your thoughts guys.....

will continue to practice and practice more...