blackjack avenger
Well-Known Member
The Only Time, Ever!
Halves has underperformed is in this @#$%^&* Poll! :joker::whip:
Halves has underperformed is in this @#$%^&* Poll! :joker::whip:
We did one better than I thought we would.blackjack avenger said:Halves has underperformed is in this @#$%^&* Poll! :joker::whip:
No --wasn't me. I'm the other Halves user -- been playing it since '81 and am too old to get away from it. Back then it was believed that if your count is super-structured, it must be a super performer. Subsequently developed sim software showed what a "minimal" truth that is. Halves is still probably the Cadillac of the "no-side-counts" systems, but by such a small margin that I don't think it's worth being learned by a newbie, or graduated to by a journeyman. Zen and Mentor really breathe right down its neck, and both are easier.SPX said:Who's using Mentor?
I don't know, I tested all these systems together and Mentor won by a fraction of a percent among the single parameter counts. It's also the name of a condom. RPC and BRH-1 were right behind it, followed by Halves, then Zen.Renzey said:No --wasn't me. I'm the other Halves user -- been playing it since '81 and am too old to get away from it. Back then it was believed that if your count is super-structured, it must be a super performer. Subsequently developed sim software showed what a "minimal" truth that is. Halves is still probably the Cadillac of the "no-side-counts" systems, but by such a small margin that I don't think it's worth being learned by a newbie, or graduated to by a journeyman. Zen and Mentor really breathe right down its neck, and both are easier.
For somebody who relishes juggling card tags in their head just for sheer pleasure, the best overall (reasonable) system I've ever simmed is a level 3 that goes like this:
...2.....3.....4.....5......6.....7.....8.....9....10.....A
+2...+2...+3...+3...+3...+2....0....-1....-3....-2
It has a BC of 98.3% and a PE of 61.6% and outperforms Halves by a smidge.
A) Good point!Automatic Monkey said:Of course, this is all dependent on game and spread, and even then, it's trivia. They all work, and the differences between them will not become manifest in a human lifetime.
Mentor is also the name of a condom
Halves would be a terrible name for a condom. RPC might work, because of all the imagination it would inspire as to what it stands for.Renzey said:A) Good point!
B) That has a nice ring to it -- the "Condom Count".
Mentor looks relatively easy to me as compared to Zen or Revere.BJinNJ said:Mentor is relatively new compared to Zen, with
about the same PE and BC. Zen has a higher IC.
Sims show very little difference in the results of
using either count.
IMHO the symmetry of the Mentor tags is appealing.
Mr. Renzey has done a fine job presenting his work
on Mentor. Counters seeking additional EV should
consider either Mentor or Zen, over level 1 counts.
Additional EV can help offset 6D/8D liabilities, if shoes
mainly comprise your local games. They can, however,
be more difficult to learn and use.
Know your limitations. Simple is sometimes better.
BJinNJ
"Both are obsolete." --Ken Uston 1984BJinNJ said:http://www.qfit.com/card-counting.htm
UAPC looks as strong as any. Just more difficult to learn.
There are some Revere APC players still around on these boards.
BJinNJ
Use the right practice software and you'll easily break 120-secs for 6D.BJinNJ said:Fred does a nice job of explaining why 2DTC is slightly better than 1DTC, for
most people. But I have no problem dividing integers, and decimals are my play-
ground. So indices like 6.5 or 3.5 are no problem. My only problem is counting
fast enough, right now. I hope top have another go at CT or AC before the holidays,
on some slow weekday.(skip out of work)
BJinNJ
You dont need a computer to improve your speed. Buy a deck of cards. Carry them with you. If you take the train, count down a couple of decks. Drive to work, count down a deck at the light. Eating lunch, take a bite, count down a deck, then you'll be ready for the next bite.BJinNJ said:I think my main problem is that I don't practice every day. I have
CVBJ at home, but admittedly don't force myself to use it daily.
I can't seem to break 40 secs for one deck using my current
practice regime. And, I should start counting/canceling pairs, too.
I just have to find the best, most fun way for me to practice count.
Maybe I'll try Ne Ultra or SmartCards.
And to make matters worse, my employer is changing my work
schedule and I now have one less day off each week :cry: , which
I once viewed as my 'go to the casino day', either AC or CT.
BJinNJ
I probably should do what you do. I found that I am okay on the tables, so I never worked on speed, but I'm sure it would make me even better. The biggest problem I have is remembering the RC when there are major interruptions--they pause to replenish the bank, a friend spots me and comes over and starts a conversation, the dealer, the pit person or a player strikes up a conversation, someone spills a drink, the Yankees hit three back to back home runs, the list is infinite. My current practice is to imagine a physical picture of the number, which for some reason seems easier to recall. Have you got any tips on this?BJinNJ said:That's what I do. I carry a deck with me at work, and use
CVBJ at home. The deck I carry has a box sooo worn out, that
I actually had to use packaging tape to keep it together last
week. Should be good for another 6 months, now. :grin:
Kevin Blackwood wrote that he did an intensive 3 day assault
to get his speed up. That might be just the ticket for some
rainy weekend. He just counted thousands of decks down.
BJinNJ