Transition from Simulation to Live Counting

Y

Yaada

Member
I practice my BS and Counting on CVBJ. Occasionally I will use a deck of cards to practice my counting if Im not able to be in front of my computer. I do fairly well during the simulations. I probably count around 20 to 25 secs for a deck. Now I know many of you have said 15 secs is probably best. I know and do agree with you all.

But when I do play at the casino just flat betting and BS, I just try to see if I am able to keep count during live play. The mentality is just to see if I can and able - I do this especially with sloooowwwwww dealers or rookie dealers. I just can not keep up with the damn count. Or I lose track or something happens like Im sitting there wondering what the hell do I do when I look at my cards and the up card. I can some what do well counting with CVBJ even with the CVBJ dealer dealing fast. Now I know Im not ready by any means to begin counting under live conditions.

But Im curious - how do you transition yourself from simulation/practice play to live play when it comes to counting? Even though Im not ready and I still just try and do it, I can see how it can become a headache. And my thoughts are if I am able to count around 15 secs for a deck and do extremely well with CVBJ, what will it take do be able to do it under live conditions. Yea I know - practice practice. But practice under live conditions with money on the table seems an expensive cost. Any tips or suggestions to help with my transition period? I guess I could just keep flat betting and do BS while counting until I realize that I can finally do it with no problem????

Thanks
 
R

Running Count

Well-Known Member
Hey Yaada,

I think you should go test out your skills in a casino. I've seen you post here enough to know you have the basics down. Even if you haven't cranked your EV up to the top range yet, you certainly know enough to play an advantage game if you can find decent rules and pen.

Playing in the casino is the fun part! I started out in the casino long before I knew how much you seem to know. The transition is like adjusting to cold water -- you can prepare all you want, but the plunge will make your testicles shrivel no matter how long you wait.

RC
 
H

Hinoon

Well-Known Member
I think you're probably experiencing something that I was having trouble with as well. All the simulations and home-practice in the world won't prepare you for the level of real-world distraction that goes on in a casino. As long as you can focus on the count, you're golden...but what happens when there's a waitress asking you for a drink order, someone hit the jackpot on a slot machine, and that dude to the left of you keeps ashing his Marlboro on your knee?

The way that I prepare for this is not for everyone. I have a deskjob with a relatively private but BUSY office. I run simulations on my computer all day long. I keep it in the background and when I roll calls, I count cards. There are a lot of distractions here, not the same as a casino of course, but I think they trigger the same part of the brain. You're trying to train yourself to have the count be automatic, and the only way to do that is to train yourself to count while trying to focus on other things. Plus the attention of my boss is similar to that of the Pit Critter; the less heat I draw by being aware of where he is and what he's doing, the longer I can practice.

At first, this kind of thing will slow you down, big time. But it might help with your transition into the real thing. At least, that's what *I'm* gambling on.

Just don't lose your job. =)
 
T

terry

New Member
Yaada i fell your pain,not to long ago i was in the same place.The program you use is real good i also use it,if you have to think about BS you dont know it well enough yet. You need to get it down so you know what to do with out thinking about it,I read some where that AP dont know BS they KNOW BS.With that said,try practicing counting with some music or the ballgame on.This helped me a great deal when i went to the casino i could shut out the noise which can be distracting.good luck and good cards.My first post here have been lurking for some time but like what i see.
 
C

CC-Management

Well-Known Member
Hi Terry we are happy you have been lurking. So how about it! Stop being a shadow and join the group. Its free, no money down, no lease, only your promise to get involved. JOIN UP!
 
J

JR

Member
There's no substitute for 'live' play... so my suggestion is just to keep on flat betting at the minimum and so what have you got to lose in a nearly even game of basic strategy BJ? So just keep on practicing at the tables till your skills improve to the point where you KNOW that the count is favourable and then increase your bet and this will inspire confidence. Good luck to you. It worked for me.
 
L

learning to count

Well-Known Member
Being able to count down a deck of cards fast is very important. But the one thing that is a foundation to Advantage Play is playng strategy. In order to run you have crawl and walk first. You must know basic strategy perfectly. You must be able to go and play for hours and not make a mistake. This is why many pro players complain about the boredom. They play long hours and play perfectly. Perfect play means you know the game at hand and you know how you must play it to achieve the advantage. No Voodoo, no guessing, no good or bad feelings, just calculated play after play acording to the count(True Count if you convert Running count if unbalanced).

When I started I played BS for a year before I counted seriously. When I did start counting I was fast real fast. BUT you have to have the foundation of perfect BS play first. This does not mean you can't start learning and training how to count fast while you perfect your BS game. It does mean you need to learn basic strategy, then meorize it, then practice it then eventually go and actually play with it. JR is right you should go find a cheap game with a low casino vig and flat bet. Do this until you play fast and instinctively. You will know when you are there. You will look at the cards in front you and hit stand split or double without thought it will be a flick of the wrist.

When you are satisfied with your abilities at playing with BS then it is time to advance to counting. By now you should be fast. If you can stand it, back count, and try and play each hand as if it were yours. All the while betting and making strategy decisions according to the count. Do this a few times and if you are not satisfies with your abilities then keep playing a basic game. It will come believe me. Also while you are back counting you will start to see the advantage. Jump in and play a couple of rounds you will start to win. If you can keep the count when you jump in; jump out when the advantage leaves. For now jump in at a TC of +1 and ride it out until the TC goes below +1. For Ko I believ one deck is +2 and six deck is -4. I may be wrong but someone will correct it for me. Back counting is an excellent way to apply your counting abilities with a smaller risk. You get to play too! I hope this helps. Back countng can be addictive because you are always playing at the advantage. It can be boring if there few tables. So go somewhere and play where there is a lot of open tables. LTC

PS:www.bjinsider.com;Blackjack Insider Newsletter, May 2003, #40,"WORLD'S GREATEST JOB"

By Kevin Blackwood

...For the last two decades, I've lived what many would consider the American dream, earning big bucks while working only part-time. My profession? Card counter. My office? Blackjack tables all over the world....The truth is that anyone with an average aptitude can learn to count cards and become a winning player...Then, before ever setting foot in a casino, I disciplined myself to play like a machine, honing my skills with over a hundred practice hours at home, drilling relentlessly until all decisions and calculations became as natural as breathing. For example, I practiced talking while rapidly counting down decks, pushing myself until I could eventually fly through fifty-two cards in 12-14 seconds...
 
F

FLA Player

Member
I too practice on CVBJ, and I am new (4 months) to counting and AP- here is a tip I got off of one of the boards (I use Hi-Lo and play 6 deck)- start the running count at 100 instead of zero, so 110 is a +10 running count and 90 is -10- this has helped me as far remembering where the count is when the inevitable casino distractions arise (hot chicks, PB, etc)

You will soon know by the number the TC fairly accurately, and it is much easier for me to remember 115 (+15 RC) compared to "plus 15"

Good luck
 
C

CC-Management

Well-Known Member
Welcome FLAplayer

We would be honored if you would join our band of Advantage Players! It's free It's educating It's a great place to learn and teach how to play Black Jack with skill!
 
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