blackjack software for counting

[threeonefour]

anyone know where i can find blackjack software that i can practice counting with (that will shuffle a set number of decks rather than just dealing out an infinite number of cards)



preferably i would like to find some free software but i am willing to pay. also, it would be great if the software would keep track of my longterm results so i can easily tell whether or not i am profitable.

i search this forum and could not come up with a relevant post.

[ssomega]

They had a cool little flashcard program linked off of bj21.com a few years ago. I dont know if its still available. You clicked on the count you used and it would flip the cards and keep the running count. You could adjust the time and also have it flip one or two cards at a time. It was free back then.

Theres also a great program called Casino Verite.

Go to bj21.com or rge publishing and ask about it there.

I played for a living for close to 4 years back in the 90's. What are your plans?

If you're just learning Id suggest using Hi-Lo.

I used advanced omega2, but I played alot of single and double deck at the time.

Where are you planning on playing?

How many decks?

Whats your bankroll?

Its a real grind if youre going to be playing 6 deck games.

Try learning shuffle tracking if youre playing the shoe games.

Hope this helps,
-Steve

[charlie_t_jr]

Casino Verite will do what you want, and much more. Excellent program. I have it myself, but it will cost you...its worth it.

[threeonefour]

well i am just starting out. i don't have a huge bankroll and don't plan on going pro. i have just always been good at counting cards (i usually know the last 4 cards to be laid out in a game of hearts) and i recently looked up some blackjack counting methods and it seems like i can handle them easily enough...

i just want to find a site where i can test out my counts to make sure i am a profitable player. if it turns out i am profitable then i guess i will take it from there. until then though, i am not going to worry about bankroll or going pro/semi-pro or where to play. also, i am not going to ever play a single hand of blackjack for money until i am absolutely sure i will have a long term advantage against the house.

[charlie_t_jr]

If you want to test yourself, just count down a deck of cards using your system. Basically, just take a deck of cards, without looking, remove 3 cards. Then flip over the deck, count it down. When you're finished, compare the count you got with the 3 cards you set aside.

If your using a balanced count like Hi/Lo, your count and the 3 cards should come to 0.

Thats an easy way to see if your keeping up with the card values correctly.

[kalooki45]

There are a couple problems, though.
Correct me if I'm wrong, you casino folks!
1. The 'shoe' at a casino these days is 6 decks.
2. If you can count this many, and do it consistently, you'll be known as a counter and they won't even let you in the door. A friend of my husband's was a bonafide card counter at BJ, (used to cart it off in paper bags..lol)
They get your pic, and even if you go to Vegas from UK, you'll be turned away! (he was!)
3. Sure you could play online, but then you're up against a RNG, and counting doesn't help /images/graemlins/frown.gif

[charlie_t_jr]

[ QUOTE ]
There are a couple problems, though.
Correct me if I'm wrong, you casino folks!
1. The 'shoe' at a casino these days is 6 decks.

[/ QUOTE ]

Shoes are most commonly 6D, some places have 8D.

[ QUOTE ]
2. If you can count this many,

[/ QUOTE ]

"This many"...# of decks doesn't matter. If you can count 1, you can count 20.

[ QUOTE ]
and do it consistently, you'll be known as a counter and they won't even let you in the door. A friend of my husband's was a bonafide card counter at BJ, (used to cart it off in paper bags..lol)
They get your pic, and even if you go to Vegas from UK, you'll be turned away! (he was!)

[/ QUOTE ]

Counting cards is not that hard(lots of practice though)... the real art, is getting away with it. But for the most part, if you are not a high roller, and you're not being obvious, there should be no problems...just keep your sessions short. An hour or so.

[ QUOTE ]
3. Sure you could play online, but then you're up against a RNG, and counting doesn't help /images/graemlins/frown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Very true.

[kalooki45]

[ QUOTE ]
"This many"...# of decks doesn't matter. If you can count 1, you can count 20.

[/ QUOTE ]

Really???
I can count one deck very well. This is due to my bridge playing--you have to be a demon counter to play it very well.
I never thought I could apply that though--just assumed that I'd bottom out against 6 decks--I'm assuming they are all mixed up, and not one deck at a time? Is that true?

I'd love to know your technique--mine is basically mental subtraction. Forinstance, I've seen 7 spades, so I now reduce the number to 6, and subtract from there as the game progresses. The denominations I have to sort of mentally tick off of a rank for each suit.

[charlie_t_jr]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd love to know your technique--mine is basically mental subtraction. Forinstance, I've seen 7 spades, so I now reduce the number to 6, and subtract from there as the game progresses. The denominations I have to sort of mentally tick off of a rank for each suit.

[/ QUOTE ]

What your doing is far to complicated and unnecessary for blackjack. When "counting" in BJ, you're simply keeping track of the high cards and low cards. When the deck, shoe, etc is rich in high cards, its favorable for the player, and you raise your bet.

For instance, with the Hi/Lo count system, 2-6 is counted as +1. Tens-Aces, counted as -1. 7,8,9 are ignored, as are suits. Every time you see a small card +1...big card -1. Number of decks have no bearing on the ability to count.

[kalooki45]

WOW-binary counting..lol
I'll bet this was invented by some computer guy.
I've never played BJ, but I may try this out on my decks at home and see how I do..
If I can do it well, maybe I'll learn the fine points. One thing I like about BJ is that you only take the House money, not the other players', so I imagine the tables are a lot friendlier.
I've got another question tho--at what sum do you increase your bet? Is it based on the number of decks in the shoe?

[charlie_t_jr]

[ QUOTE ]
WOW-binary counting..lol
I'll bet this was invented by some computer guy.
I've never played BJ, but I may try this out on my decks at home and see how I do..
If I can do it well, maybe I'll learn the fine points. One thing I like about BJ is that you only take the House money, not the other players', so I imagine the tables are a lot friendlier.
I've got another question tho--at what sum do you increase your bet? Is it based on the number of decks in the shoe?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, understand that I was oversimplifying for sake of discussion. The count "system" I described is refered to as Hi/Lo. When you count a shoe, you'll have a running count, as you track the high and low cards(+1,+1,-1,+1). The bugger for a lot of people, is you have to adjust your running count to a "True" count. Which is done by dividing your running count by # of decks left to play.

For instance, 6 deck shoe. 2 decks have played, your running count is 16. 4 decks left. 16/4 gives you the true count of 4. Hi/Lo is a "balanced" count and requires the true count conversion. There are effective "unbalanced" counts like KO that don't require the division.

If you're interested in learning more try this link:

http://www.blackjack-school.com/indexa.shtml

Good luck.