so it's just a little harder than i thought

[ChefJJ]

Normally it's recommended that if you rarely go to the casino that you should use the a more powerful counting system to get the most out of your little table time. If you play more often, it can be better to play a slightly weaker (and easier) system because it will wear you down less, and help you get in more hours.

Although I think Ko=Hi-Lo, so even in your situation I would still use KO.

OK. I would argue that what you've said is theoretical. I do see your point, but obviously strength or weakness is very subjective.

I would say that for someone who implements the skill relatively little in the casino, go with what is most comfortable. So, powerful to me is a system that is easy to do (no conversion of RC to TC) and has easy index plays. Whether it has .000323 less of betting effectiveness (that is not litteral...sarcasm) or whatever is really inconsequential if you mess up too much.

 

[Mimosine]

Then there is the false perception that you are controling the dealers hit card at third base. It is BS (bs does not mean basic strategy here) but if you are a bit meek, it could bother you because of the comments of other players. On the other hand, it could be easily looked at as an additional opportunity to thin out the table. Then there is a percieved advantage of making your hit/stand decision after seeing a few more cards.

ihate17

i've only clocked about 10 hours in a casino environment and have already faced that "problem." usually i try to blow off people with a good natured comment, but i've found that people who spell out their plopply logic, hoping for bust cards, saying the usual "you took the dealer's bust card", only help to slow down the flow so that i can be sure of my counting also this idle banter is easy for me to engage in when counting as it requires little thought, and thankfully i found i could keep the count through it.

i've also already seen 1 or two really agressive people at tables (people getting upset) and found that i could usually ignore them and they ignored me as there were far worse players at the table.

where i did run into trouble most with the count was when i was splitting and doubling with bigger bets out and winning (on the few chances i did), that is when i had trouble keeping count because i was so excited/nervous.... ha! the first time i won a hand in postive territory the count went out the window! but there were 3 or so rounds to go, so i didn't care so much, since i made it so far.

i like the idea of trying to clear out the table with my "bad play." can't wait to double for less on a 12!

 

[Mimosine]

I think you're on the right track.

That's why I roll with KO, because I've customized it to where the count hits 0--the action begins. I am a player that gets to the casino once a month if I am lucky, so ease of a system beats out losing a little bit of an advantage with a "weaker" system. Of course, strength and weakness of a system is in the eye of the beholder.

good luck

i've thought a lot about customizing my count, i just haven't yet. i'm don't have any dislike of negative numbers, but i did notice that I had a hard time counting in neg territory in practice sessions. i've gotten better..... also i only play 6D shoes right now. i'm really hoping to play double and single in vegas next month and i have the tables and info memorized well enough to do that now. no time to retool the count, i'll try playing live with the standard numbers for a little while more before coming up with a better system for me. i really like the idea of starting at 0. and i really love that you can customize KO to whatever you like almost instantly.

 

[ihate17]

have some fun with these know it all/nothings

i've only clocked about 10 hours in a casino environment and have already faced that "problem." usually i try to blow off people with a good natured comment, but i've found that people who spell out their plopply logic, hoping for bust cards, saying the usual "you took the dealer's bust card", only help to slow down the flow so that i can be sure of my counting also this idle banter is easy for me to engage in when counting as it requires little thought, and thankfully i found i could keep the count through it.

i've also already seen 1 or two really agressive people at tables (people getting upset) and found that i could usually ignore them and they ignored me as there were far worse players at the table.

where i did run into trouble most with the count was when i was splitting and doubling with bigger bets out and winning (on the few chances i did), that is when i had trouble keeping count because i was so excited/nervous.... ha! the first time i won a hand in postive territory the count went out the window! but there were 3 or so rounds to go, so i didn't care so much, since i made it so far.

i like the idea of trying to clear out the table with my "bad play." can't wait to double for less on a 12!

Sitting at third base with a 2,5 against a dealer 6, guess what, I hit. Get a ten and stay. Next card is a 4 making the dealers 16 a 20 and an idiot tells me I should have stayed because a ten was due. I smile and tell him that if I was as smart as he was and knew a ten was coming, then I would have been smart enough to hit my 17 because I would know a 4 was next. He grumbles something about people who know nothing about blackjack (that is people who do not know the next few cards out of the shoe I guess).
Next hand he gets a blackjack (no justice in this world), so I say to him, "your welcome!" Of course it goes right over his head.

The heat generally comes though when you make perfectly normal basic strategy plays that come out on the wrong end of variance and also are the plays that poor players never make. Things such as splitting your 9's, doubling or hitting soft 18, and hitting your 12 vs dealer 3. If the table lands up winning it will generally be ignored but if the dealer makes a hand and would not have if you did not do the correct thing, good chance you will hear about it.
Now if you are a big guy or most women, I suggest that if a player is really nasty about your play and making a lot of noise, that you should ask for his chips and tell him you will play exactly the way he wants you to play but only with his money. For the average guy, that statement might land you in the parking lot in a fight you have no interest in. My niece used that line in Vegas once to a guy who was about 6'5" and seemed full of prison tats. He got the word b*%^h in before leaving.

ihate17

 

[EasyRhino]

Have I mentioned that I have a crush on your niece, IH17?

Anyway, regarding using KO (or KISS or R7), I would look at it this way:

KO is good if you aren't very well or frequently practiced, since it's the easiest to relearn. It's also good if you're in a marathon session because it's less taxing.

However, if you're doing a lot of playing in general, but broken into short sessions, then a more advanced count would be good if you can swing it.

 

[ChefJJ]

Have I mentioned that I have a crush on your niece, IH17?

Anyway, regarding using KO (or KISS or R7), I would look at it this way:

KO is good if you aren't very well or frequently practiced, since it's the easiest to relearn. It's also good if you're in a marathon session because it's less taxing.

However, if you're doing a lot of playing in general, but broken into short sessions, then a more advanced count would be good if you can swing it.

That's exactly why I've switched over to KO...I get to the casino maybe once a month and will play BJ for 2-3 hours in a sitting. I find it great for that purpose, but not sure about wonging and other quick-hit techniques.

good luck