Ace-five system in a "hit on soft 17" game.

I am new to gambling in a casino (about 5 months), and even newer to playing blackjack (first time in the casino today). I was reading up on the Ace-five card counting system. I didn't try it, cause I am so new at blackjack. I noticed that the ace-five system is listed as working best with a game where the dealer stands on a soft 17. At my local casino they hit on a soft 17 unless you are at a higher limit table. So my question is, seeing how the ace-five system only gives you a very slight edge compared to the other card counting systems, if the game is one in which the dealer hits on soft 17 then do you still have an edge over the casino?

You don't really get an edge with A-5 even with good rules, while maintaining realistic spread and cover. A fair game is what A-5 provides, in practical rather than perfect application. So you'll cut the edge down to near zero or a bit below zero if there is no heat, not a winning scenario.

Quote: Mijogi

I am new to gambling in a casino (about 5 months), and even newer to playing blackjack (first time in the casino today). I was reading up on the Ace-five card counting system. I didn't try it, cause I am so new at blackjack. I noticed that the ace-five system is listed as working best with a game where the dealer stands on a soft 17. At my local casino they hit on a soft 17 unless you are at a higher limit table. So my question is, seeing how the ace-five system only gives you a very slight edge compared to the other card counting systems, if the game is one in which the dealer hits on soft 17 then do you still have an edge over the casino?

You are already at break even on the S17 game with the Ace-five count. The H17 rule adds .22% to the house edge. That will decrease slightly in positive counts so get your max bet out at +4 and wong out of all negative counts.

If you are a casual player who wants to stretch your gambling dollar or wants to play for comps, Ace-five will probably get the job done. If you are looking for anything more, you'll have to step it up and since you are new to blackjack this is the perfect time.

You say since I am new to blacjack, this is the perfect time to step it up. Well, what system do you suggest? Has there been any comparison of the card counting systems? What is the most accurate? What is the easiest? What is most likely to keep me under the casino's radar?

If you want an unbalanced count try KO, KO Rookie or REKO. These require no true count conversion. For a balanced count with true count conversion there is the old standby Hi-Lo. It was used by the MIT teams but it is also used by most casinos to evaluate counters. Use Hi-Opt 1 for pitch games.

You won't have to worry about the casino's radar for awhile. After learning one of these counting methods you can look into cover play.

Thanks, I'm going to look more into those.

Actually, A5 is worse that other "methods" and is better than Basic Strategy. From what is found on the outside link provided at the Odds site, a spread of 1 to 4 units means an even-game more-or-less in the long run. I belive its value resides in intoducing the concept of favorable cards count -1 and un-favorable cards count +1. As one learns to count and play at the same time, with distractions, one then moves up the ladder to Red7, REKO, hi/lo, etc. Distractions are costly using any method of card-counting.

The problem with A5 in a H17 gane is at almost no time does the Player have an advantage... there may be the occasion of +5 that might bet 2-units, but as listed off-site, don't use it.

98Clubs