I'm a bit of a novice to BJ and counting as well. I play at the $5 table for practice. I've played thru some good shoes and some bad shoes too. My question is, with out doing shuffle tracking is there a technique to cutting to either maintain a good shoe or to change a bad one? Be it right in half, way deep or way shallow. Or by not doing shuffle tracking it doesnt really matter where the deck is cut?
Where to Cut
- Thread starter OhioTR
- Start date
Blue Efficacy
Well-Known Member
If playing vs an ASM or an untrackable shuffle, I like to place the cut card 1 deck in from the front, this acts as a subtle suggestion for them to place the cut card 1 deck in from the back, or just leave it there even! 5/6 penetration is rarely something to complain about.
I always thought that technically, if you are not tracking, it doesn’t matter where you cut, it’s a crap shoot. I’ve learned some great pointers on this board and the insight behind it. I really like Blue Efficacy’s and Renzey’s replies. Never thought of that. I will try that the next time I play particullarly with dealers that tend to give less than desired penetration. If it doesn't work I will simply move on and find a better table.
When the dealer offers you the cut; if you can see the back card, and it's a small card, cut it out of play and add it's value to your running count. If it's a large card, cut it into play.
This simple technique will add only a small amount when playing a shoe, but if you do it on a pitch game it starts to become significant. For example; if you can cut a five out of play on a single deck game with decent rules, you'll actually have about a 1% advantage off the top of the deck!
This simple technique will add only a small amount when playing a shoe, but if you do it on a pitch game it starts to become significant. For example; if you can cut a five out of play on a single deck game with decent rules, you'll actually have about a 1% advantage off the top of the deck!
zengrifter
Banned
ZGI page 18
One trick I use is borrowed from Ian Anderson’s Burning the Tables in Las Vegas: In double deck
games I tell the dealer that “today is my brother’s 29th birthday, so please place the shuffle card 29
cards from the bottom”. In shoe games, “my brother” is 46, so I ask that the card be placed 46
cards from the bottom, “for luck,” I add. I place a toke bet out as I insert the cut card and
demonstrate the penetration I desire, and proclaim, “Let’s make some money.”
One trick I use is borrowed from Ian Anderson’s Burning the Tables in Las Vegas: In double deck
games I tell the dealer that “today is my brother’s 29th birthday, so please place the shuffle card 29
cards from the bottom”. In shoe games, “my brother” is 46, so I ask that the card be placed 46
cards from the bottom, “for luck,” I add. I place a toke bet out as I insert the cut card and
demonstrate the penetration I desire, and proclaim, “Let’s make some money.”
Blue Efficacy
Well-Known Member
I have in fact seen this. And I have also gotten 83% pen at stores where 75% is the norm with this method.21forme said:
Blue Efficacy
Well-Known Member
Absolutely, the key is don't get too greedy. I never try to influence pen to be more than half deck more than the standard. If they routinely cut 1.8, shoot for 1.5. If 1.5 is the norm, try for a little over a deck.Renzey said:
And sucker, would they really 86 you for peeking at the bottom card? This seems like it would be a soft backoff type offense.
StandardDeviant
Well-Known Member
The first cut is the deepest.shadroch said:
It's certainly not illegal to; by using available information,cut the deck in such a way that it adds to your advantage. However; there are a couple of CHEATING moves in which the scammer uses the back card in order to ILLEGALLY gain an edge. The Griffin Book is full of people who are in there for this very thing.Blue Efficacy said:
If they see you peeking, there's a very good chance that they'll mistake you for one of these crossroaders. So what I'm saying is; it's always better to be safe than sorry.