Copy cat strategy,

I doubt this stategy would work, at least in the long run, but I still would like some feedback. If I'm playing at a table and I suspect a fellow player is a counter, couldn't I increase and lower my bets whenever he or she does? I know BS and play it flawlessly. I use KO as well (not flawless yet). Anyway, just curious.

If your suspicion is correct, I believe there would be value in that approach.

But also keep in mind that there are two components to card counting - adjusting betting size based on the deck composition (which you could mimic) and deviating from basic strategy based on deck composition (which you would not be able to mimic as well). If I remember correctly, appropriate variation of bet size is the greater contributor to the effectiveness of card counting than BS deviations. Perhaps some of the active counters in the forum can either confirm or refute me...

Yes, you could get an advantage over the house if you copied a known card counter. However the card counter would probably not like it! At the very least, he would move away and grimace at you. :)

Quote: waltomeal

If I remember correctly, appropriate variation of bet size is the greater contributor to the effectiveness of card counting than BS deviations. Perhaps some of the active counters in the forum can either confirm or refute me...

This is correct, although deviations from basic strategy are often considered a more blatant sign of card counting than varying your bet size. So you would not attract the same heat as the actual counter.

This appears as if it would be equivalent of your happening to detect a signal from a card counter to his fellow team member to step in and bet big while the counter stays betting low so as to avoid detection. If you raise your action you risk being thought of as a team-member and being backed off. I don't see how you would gain anything but the negative effects of your discovery.

Generally you'd be better off using KO count on your own. Most counters these days have to use camouflage, i.e. deviate from what is prescribed by the count so as not to give themselves away. I for instance emulate a betting system player, which has a much smaller BE loss than the increase-on-win method, at the expense of requiring a lower minimum for the same average bet. Mimicking a betting pattern that results from either this method or increase-on-win, or pretty much any other cover, should be done either perfectly or not at all.

Quote: sang9768

I doubt this stategy would work, at least in the long run, but I still would like some feedback. If I'm playing at a table and I suspect a fellow player is a counter, couldn't I increase and lower my bets whenever he or she does? I know BS and play it flawlessly. I use KO as well (not flawless yet). Anyway, just curious.

It's rare but I've had copy cats mimic my bets. I don't mind for one shoe because after the shuffle it's back to basics. The last time it happened we both got crushed. My bank roll survived- his didn't.

You've got basic strategy down, so keep working on your counting. You'll get it.

It's better not to have to depend on anyone especially in a casino.

Great feed back. Thanks everyone. It's back to hard work on my counting. It's not second nature yet but I'm determined to make it so.