BJ card counting with computer

[rwesty]

What is the best counting system with the use of a non-powerful computer? What return would be expected for someone using this count?

[Iceman]

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What is the best counting system with the use of a non-powerful computer? What return would be expected for someone using this count?

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Theoretically, a computer could keep exact track of what cards were out (13 twos, 11 threes, 15 fours...), and then figure out the exact return from hitting, standing, and when possible doubling or splitting at any point given the remaining cards in the deck, and always make the optimal play. There would be no need to use a simple plus/minus count. When deciding how much to bet, it would know exactly what your advantage or disadvantage would be on that hand, so that you could use Kelly betting or some version of it to maximize your long-term bankroll growth. Depending on the bet spread it could get away with, I suspect returns of at least 2-3% would be possible.

However, a perfectly playing computer program would be of little use in practice, since online gambling sites shuffle after every hand.

[joshman1204]

Now put that perfectly playing computer in your shoe or back pack and rig up some simple I/O system and its just a matter of time before your a millionare blackjack player, or a prisoner of nevada.

[rwesty]

Would a computer that could be worn be fast enough to give you the information needed with no delay? How much advantage would be lost, as compared to the theoretical, if the computer instead implemented numerous counts and just used the counting system with the highest playing efficiency, betting efficiency, insurance count, etc...to tell you what to do.

[Iceman]

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Would a computer that could be worn be fast enough to give you the information needed with no delay? How much advantage would be lost, as compared to the theoretical, if the computer instead implemented numerous counts and just used the counting system with the highest playing efficiency, betting efficiency, insurance count, etc...to tell you what to do.

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Most of the advantage of counting systems comes from betting more when you have the advantage, and only a small fraction comes from modifying your play (and much of that fraction comes from just a few changes). The penetration and the bet spread you can get away with would matter much more than the difference between a complicated counting system and a straightforward counting system. Many blackjack games could not be beaten even with the help of a computer, even if you could somehow constantly use something like a Palm Pilot or Blackberry without being detected, and many others could only be beaten for a small amount.

[cardcounter0]

The simple one-level HiLo count has a betting correlation of .98 (knowing what to bet is 80% of the profits in blackjack). So if a computer was perfect it would have a betting correlation of 1.00, so you gain 2%. If caught with a computer in a Las Vegas casino, you also get the chance to spend the next 10 years in a State Lockup.

[wickedgoodtrader]

How is using a computer illegal? Technically... you walk into a casino.. I see no signs about not using a computer, how are you suppose to know it's illegal?

[Terry]

In Nevada, possession of the device is a felony – no need to actually use it.

Ignorance of the law is not a defense.

[Martin]

Aside from the legal difficulties, I think that the widespread use of continuous shuffling machines pretty much put and end to blackjack computers usefulness.