Whos' On First?

[BFC]

Really basic question here, couldn't find it by searching archives.

Most everything I've read so far has said to sit at 3rd base for counting, but this would seem to have the disadvantage of getting a good count, putting your larger bet out, and then the schmucks ahead of you getting the cards you wanted.

Or, is it that when the count is positive, you still don't know where in the deck the advantageous cards are, so it doesnt matter if you're 1st of 3rd base?

So anyhow, if somebody can explain why to sit where, that would be helpful.

 

[Sonny]

Or, is it that when the count is positive, you still don't know where in the deck the advantageous cards are, so it doesnt matter if you're 1st of 3rd base?

That’s the answer right there. It doesn’t matter what cards the first few players get, you would expect the TC to be the same by the time the dealer gets to you. According to the True Count Theorem:

“Theorem: the expected value of the true count after a card is revealed and removed from any deck composition is exactly the same as before the card was removed, for any balanced count, provided you do not run out of cards.”

http://www.bjmath.com/bjmath/counting/tcproof.htm (Archive copy)

-Sonny-

 

[EasyRhino]

The advantage of third base is that you get to see more cards before you play. This has two advantages.

1) If you're slow in counting, it generally gives you time to get the count right before you have to make your play decision and look like a donk for deciding whether or not to hit a hard 18.

2) If you might have to make an index play, you get to see more cards before you make the play, so you can make a more accurate play.

Personally, I often play shoe games and use a super-simple count where every index play is made at the same count (and they're not that common), so there's not much benefit to third base. In pitch games, though, it becomes a bigger deal, because you can see people's cards as they're busting hands, splitting, etc, and the count just moves faster.

 

[Mimosine]

In pitch games, though, it becomes a bigger deal, because you can see people's cards as they're busting hands, splitting, etc, and the count just moves faster.

personally i like sitting at 2nd in pitch, because i can usually see at least one hand to my right and one hand to my left before anyone starts taking cards.

 

[Ringer]

Really basic question here, couldn't find it by searching archives.

Most everything I've read so far has said to sit at 3rd base for counting, but this would seem to have the disadvantage of getting a good count, putting your larger bet out, and then the schmucks ahead of you getting the cards you wanted.

Or, is it that when the count is positive, you still don't know where in the deck the advantageous cards are, so it doesnt matter if you're 1st of 3rd base?

So anyhow, if somebody can explain why to sit where, that would be helpful.

One thing to remember is that no matter where you sit, the dealer sits at the same place all the time, and frankly THAT's the hand you're playing.

 

[EasyRhino]

Oh, third base is a fairly stereotypical place for card counter, forgot to mention that.