Any reason to participate in BJ Tourny as card counter?

There is a tournament near by $100 entry with 5k 3k 2k 1k 1k for 1-5 with 100 spots, only problem is they have not posted details as to the chips you get or continous or hand shuffle or anything along those lines... if its hand shuffled is card counting in a tourny even worth it? If not then what strategy is best in a tournament on a continous shuffler?

Quote: avenged43

There is a tournament near by $100 entry with 5k 3k 2k 1k 1k for 1-5 with 100 spots, only problem is they have not posted details as to the chips you get or continous or hand shuffle or anything along those lines... if its hand shuffled is card counting in a tourny even worth it? If not then what strategy is best in a tournament on a continous shuffler?

Google it. I forget the link and too lazy to find it (sorry, maybe I'll post it later).


But essentially, there will be like 20 rounds or so per session. Only the top chip count advances after 20 hands. There's other sh** too. But the #1 bit of advice is: bet the OPPOSITE of other players. After all, the table tends to win together or lose together (if dealer gets 20, most players lose. if dealer busts, everyone who's still in wins). Say you get $10K in chips. If everyone bets $100 at a time....your best chance of actually winning your table is by betting a lot (maybe $1K or $1.5K) in hopes that the dealer busts a lot and everyone wins. They all win $100 while you win $1.5K. **OR** If everyone is betting a lot, you should be minimum and hope the dealer beats everyone out. If everyone's betting a lot, they're losing a lot more than you are. So all you gotta do is "stay alive" while everyone else loses their shirt.

Remember you need more chips than everyone else at the end of the session. So weird sh** happens sometimes. On the final hand, you may end up in a situation where the only way to advance is by doubling down on your hard 18 against a dealer's T. Google it. You'll learn a thing or two.

Also, be prepared to violate basic strategy. For example, because of the limited number of hands, splitting tens is sometimes the correct play. Etc.

Quote: RS

Google it. I forget the link and too lazy to find it (sorry, maybe I'll post it later).


But essentially, there will be like 20 rounds or so per session. Only the top chip count advances after 20 hands. There's other sh** too. But the #1 bit of advice is: bet the OPPOSITE of other players. After all, the table tends to win together or lose together (if dealer gets 20, most players lose. if dealer busts, everyone who's still in wins). Say you get $10K in chips. If everyone bets $100 at a time....your best chance of actually winning your table is by betting a lot (maybe $1K or $1.5K) in hopes that the dealer busts a lot and everyone wins. They all win $100 while you win $1.5K. **OR** If everyone is betting a lot, you should be minimum and hope the dealer beats everyone out. If everyone's betting a lot, they're losing a lot more than you are. So all you gotta do is "stay alive" while everyone else loses their shirt.

Remember you need more chips than everyone else at the end of the session. So weird sh** happens sometimes. On the final hand, you may end up in a situation where the only way to advance is by doubling down on your hard 18 against a dealer's T. Google it. You'll learn a thing or two.

Great appreciate the advice :]

A second and maybe add-to what is above. What I deal is not organized, but the same idea. Limited time and idea is to have top chips (I deal parties where they give tickets or prizes.) Hundreds of hours of watching players has shown me:

1. You cannot grind out a win like you can at a cash game. If you think time flies in a poker tourney, this is like a poker tourney on liquid speed. At least in a poker tourney you have no bet limit, might or might not be the case in BJ.

2. Given that, counting is pretty useless. Even if you get a good count you have it for what, 2-3 hands? Not going to be enough, and if there is another counter there that will negate most of your advantage.

3. Given both, the key IMHO is you have to get as much money as possible when you can while grinding to the end. Seems contrary, sort of is. But what I mean is you need to split 10s, you might double against a 12 vs dealer 6. You totally have to get even more cash on the table in not as strong situations than in a cash game. Next, you have to go "Jeopardy" style in the last hands. Meaning if you have a big lead you have to protect it, if you are behind bet the ranch.

Never did a BJ tourney, maybe in 2015. But like in poker it requires different thinking.

Quote: avenged43

There is a tournament near by $100 entry with 5k 3k 2k 1k 1k for 1-5 with 100 spots, only problem is they have not posted details as to the chips you get or continous or hand shuffle or anything along those lines... if its hand shuffled is card counting in a tourny even worth it? If not then what strategy is best in a tournament on a continous shuffler?

So...there are 100 spots at $100 apiece, for a total of $10,000 in entry fees, and the total prize money is $12,000? Why bother counting when you have a 20% player advantage? Unless there's some other way they are making up the lost $2,000 and then some.

My basic experience usually these kinds of tournaments are meant for entirely promotional purposes not meant for profit and are good deals for the money. If the case, they should be played if convenient.