Options when TC goes up or down on blackjack game

When the TC goes up, I understand that is when I should ramp my bets.

Table conditions: quiet (head-to-head) or not too busy (2-3 players on a 6-seat blackjack table) - I mention that because I wouldn't feel comfortable playing with a lively and crowded blackjack table. Min $5 bets, 3:2 payout.

My question today is:

"What are the possible actions when the TC starts going downhill, with the intention of returning 10 min later and hoping the TC has gone back up?"

The actions I can think of are:

1. Excuse myself to take an important phone call
2. Call of nature (use the bathroom)
3. Just color up and leave, especially if I plan to play only short sessions of 20-30 min.

For #1 & #2, it is my understanding that the dealer will place a lammer or disc on my betting circle, and that I have a 10-minute grace period to leave the table.

Thanks in advance for any other suggestions 🤔 !

How do you keep counting when you are far away ?
If you can't, you have to wait for next shuffle. So 1) and 2) are fine.

Quote: LostWages

My question today is:

"What are the possible actions when the TC starts going downhill, with the intention of returning 10 min later and hoping the TC has gone back up?"


Thanks in advance for any other suggestions 🤔 !

OK. First I'll say that I only count rather lamely when in live play and that I'd generally skip the odd game if I suddenly saw a flurry of face cards hit the table.

I almost always have a drink next to me. If I feel like skipping a small number of hands, or if maybe I've seen that the next card coming my way would be rubbish ( It happens ) then I pull any funds out of the betting circle, mumble "Please skip me this hand while I take a glug of my drink", then I swivel my chair 90 degrees to the table and do so. Never had any objections raised while I sit out for one hand or half a dozen, so long as I'm not keeping anyone else from playing. Twice now, I've had the dopey dealer deal to my position in spite of no stake being placed and in the UK, that results in cards being backed up, so you will know what cards are coming out. In the first instance I would have been heads up and the dealer gave me two aces, which the supervisor had to back up. All rather embarrassing and unexpected and I didn't capitalise on that spectacular AP opportunity that time.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/blackjack/20800-dealer-error-an-unusual-ap-opportunity-advice-and-comments-please/#post428009

Quote: PhilippeB

How do you keep counting when you are far away ?
If you can't, you have to wait for next shuffle. So 1) and 2) are fine.

Thanks, Philippe! Indeed, I can't count while I'm away - I'm just HOPING the TC will go up by the time I return, and I'm trying to save some minimum bets that in all likelihood I would lose with a negative TC. . .

So when I continue my "new" play, I'll have to start counting all over again - unless you or other experienced folks think that is not a good idea. . . or, as you mentioned, just sit tight and wait for a NEW shuffle. That is an option I will put in my checklist. Didn't even think of that!

🤗

Quote: OnceDear

OK. First I'll say that I only count rather lamely when in live play and that I'd generally skip the odd game if I suddenly saw a flurry of face cards hit the table.

I almost always have a drink next to me. If I feel like skipping a small number of hands, or if maybe I've seen that the next card coming my way would be rubbish ( It happens ) then I pull any funds out of the betting circle, mumble "Please skip me this hand while I take a glug of my drink", then I swivel my chair 90 degrees to the table and do so. Never had any objections raised while I sit out for one hand or half a dozen, so long as I'm not keeping anyone else from playing. Twice now, I've had the dopey dealer deal to my position in spite of no stake being placed and in the UK, that results in cards being backed up, so you will know what cards are coming out. In the first instance I would have been heads up and the dealer gave me two aces, which the supervisor had to back up. All rather embarrassing and unexpected and I didn't capitalise on that spectacular AP opportunity that time.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/blackjack/20800-dealer-error-an-unusual-ap-opportunity-advice-and-comments-please/#post428009

Season's greetings, OD! I added your "glugging" option to my checklist, even if I don't glug, Thanks for the very enjoyable read and bonus link to your other stories . . . The next blackjack visit is so far away . . . I'm thinking 8 months to "prepare" . . . 2️⃣1️⃣ !!!!!!

Quote: LostWages

Thanks, Philippe! Indeed, I can't count while I'm away - I'm just HOPING the TC will go up by the time I return, and I'm trying to save some minimum bets that in all likelihood I would lose with a negative TC. . .

If you're going to leave the table, you should plan/time your return to be at the end of the current shoe so you can start fresh on a new shoe. You should have a general idea of how fast the table is playing, and how long it would take them to complete the shoe. if you think it's gonna be 15 minutes, show back up in 12-13 minutes. You can always sit back down and say "eh, I'll wait for a new shoe, this seemed like a dealer shoe." or something of that nature... or simply "I'll wait for the new shoe."

Say the TC is -3 and you leave with 3 decks left and come back with 1.5 decks left. No way I'd play that game at that point and "start over" in my count. The fact that you left at TC -3 means all the more likely the count is still negative, or at least NOT positive enough to raise your bet so you're just coming back to a negative expectation situation... Simply by avoiding this and waiting for the next shoe you're going to raise your hourly EV by avoiding the negative expectation. Not to mention you'll just have to start fresh again in another .5 - 1 decks.

Another option is to sit out and not leave the table at all. As OnceDear pointed out one example of, there are ways of staying at the table and not playing for a few rounds. This way you avoid the negative expectation and you don't have to lose the count. I would only advise this when there's still 2.5-3 decks left to be played otherwise it might not be worth your time. One of my favorite excuses, especially as the count tanks and the dealer starts pulling "bullsh*t" hands, is to say "I've lost too many in a row, I'm gonna sit a couple out." or "I need to make my money last a little longer so I'm gonna sit a couple out." etc, etc. There are countless excuses and you'll learn more with time and experience. Past that then of course there's always the phone call (which you can step back, call a friend or fake a call, and still count the table), bathroom break, hop to another table, refill your drink, meet your buddy that just got here (then he went to play poker or something when you get back), etc, etc, etc.

Quote: Romes

If you're going to leave the table, you should plan/time your return to be at the end of the current shoe so you can start fresh on a new shoe. You should have a general idea of how fast the table is playing, and how long it would take them to complete the shoe. if you think it's gonna be 15 minutes, show back up in 12-13 minutes. You can always sit back down and say "eh, I'll wait for a new shoe, this seemed like a dealer shoe." or something of that nature... or simply "I'll wait for the new shoe."

Say the TC is -3 and you leave with 3 decks left and come back with 1.5 decks left. No way I'd play that game at that point and "start over" in my count. The fact that you left at TC -3 means all the more likely the count is still negative, or at least NOT positive enough to raise your bet so you're just coming back to a negative expectation situation... Simply by avoiding this and waiting for the next shoe you're going to raise your hourly EV by avoiding the negative expectation. Not to mention you'll just have to start fresh again in another .5 - 1 decks.

Another option is to sit out and not leave the table at all. As OnceDear pointed out one example of, there are ways of staying at the table and not playing for a few rounds. This way you avoid the negative expectation and you don't have to lose the count. I would only advise this when there's still 2.5-3 decks left to be played otherwise it might not be worth your time. One of my favorite excuses, especially as the count tanks and the dealer starts pulling "bullsh*t" hands, is to say "I've lost too many in a row, I'm gonna sit a couple out." or "I need to make my money last a little longer so I'm gonna sit a couple out." etc, etc. There are countless excuses and you'll learn more with time and experience. Past that then of course there's always the phone call (which you can step back, call a friend or fake a call, and still count the table), bathroom break, hop to another table, refill your drink, meet your buddy that just got here (then he went to play poker or something when you get back), etc, etc, etc.

Romes - thanks for taking time to clearly explain the waiting situation. I got my BJ initiation this past Oct, but will have to wait at least another year for a live card-counting initiation. Your scenario emphasizes that I only got a part of the card counting strategy: leave/stop playing when TC goes negative...the other part is WHEN to resume playing!!! If I sit out and wait at the table, I can monitor the TC so I know when to resume play...But if I leave, I should consider a goal of not immediately resuming play (not knowing TC), but time my play with a new pitch or shoe.

Hmmm...my observation of many of your posts make me imagine a Romes School of Blackjack 2️⃣1️⃣ one day ... ... 🤔

Quote: LostWages

...Hmmm...my observation of many of your posts make me imagine a Romes School of Blackjack 2️⃣1️⃣ one day ... ... 🤔

lol well I have mentored over a dozen people in the game, FOR FREE.

Remember this situation though, where you found out something new to learn. This will happen REPEATEDLY in your blackjack career. There is ALWAYS some new thing to learn about the game and you must be honest with yourself in what you know and what you don't know so when you come across something and go "hmmm I don't know anything about that" then you can do your research and you will know. Over time you will amass a great knowledge of the game and hopefully share some of that knowledge back to others, as others have done for you =). The circle of life...

Quote: Romes

lol well I have mentored over a dozen people in the game, FOR FREE.

Remember this situation though, where you found out something new to learn. This will happen REPEATEDLY in your blackjack career. There is ALWAYS some new thing to learn about the game and you must be honest with yourself in what you know and what you don't know so when you come across something and go "hmmm I don't know anything about that" then you can do your research and you will know. Over time you will amass a great knowledge of the game and hopefully share some of that knowledge back to others, as others have done for you =). The circle of life...

Hmm . . . we seem to share similar philosophies . . . when I retired after teaching part-time for 10 years (3rd & 4th year college students, 90% ESL), I enjoyed exchanges with just over a 1,000 international students. At the end of every class, many approached me with thanks or small gifts, which I tried (in vain) to refuse, saying it was my honor to be with them. In return, though, I told them that their legacy was in turn to share all the good things they learned with others, and to put the less applicable moments in their back pockets.

I'm thinking now of updating my newbie "initiation" blog with an "aftermath" section of my take-away experiences that I am compiling for my next visit.

Mahalo, Romes, for the continuous inspirations! 😄

1) Fake a phone call -- but make sure your phone is on silent or vibrate if you're faking a call. Especially if the casino is a bit quiet, you don't want your phone ringing while you're "on the phone". :)

2) Go to bathroom or go somewhere else -- go to bar to refill your drink because the cocktail waitress is taking forever or whatever other thing you can come up with. Or asking where the poker room / keno lounge / sportsbook / etc. is because your friend is there or something. You preferably want to go somewhere where you can see the table so you can see when the dealer is beginning the shuffling procedure and/or see how many rounds are being played and all that so you can make a nice return (instead of returning 3 or 4 rounds into the next shoe....or returning 5-6 rounds before end of the shoe you just wonged out of).

You wanna time your return so you can get back near the end of that shoe, then either sit out the last few hands of that shoe, or play min for the last 2-3 rounds (it ain't gonna kill you).

3) This works, too. When playing, be on the lookout for other tables around you...at least if the count is relatively neutral or going negative. That way when the table next to you is about to shuffle and your count is negative halfway through the shoe, you can switch tables and get directly back into playing, instead of waiting around 5 or 10 or 20 minutes waiting for another fresh shoe.


If you're near the end of the shoe and it goes negative, I would probably just keep playing through it or figure out a way to take a quick break (ie: "I'mma sit out a few hands, lost too many in a row" or take out your phone and pretend like you're texting someone or something, away from the table, of course, not playing). You mostly wanna wong out of a shoe if it's very early in the shoe and it has low chance of turning positive with several positive rounds to be played. No point in wonging out of a shoe that is -3 TC if there's only one round remaining. You can only move around so much (wong in, wong out, phone break, bathroom, "sit out a few" etc.), so be sure to leave or join the table at the appropriate times. Don't back-count a shoe and wong-in just to play 2 +EV rounds before the shuffle.

Quote: LostWages

Hmm . . . we seem to share similar philosophies . . . when I retired after teaching part-time for 10 years (3rd & 4th year college students, 90% ESL), I enjoyed exchanges with just over a 1,000 international students. At the end of every class, many approached me with thanks or small gifts, which I tried (in vain) to refuse, saying it was my honor to be with them. In return, though, I told them that their legacy was in turn to share all the good things they learned with others, and to put the less applicable moments in their back pockets.

I'm thinking now of updating my newbie "initiation" blog with an "aftermath" section of my take-away experiences that I am compiling for my next visit.

Mahalo, Romes, for the continuous inspirations! 😄

It would appear we do share similar philosophies in this regard =). Mahalo? Hey, I've taught 2-3 people from Hawaii to play =P. Maybe you'll run in to them... not sure what all of your options down in that area are lol.

Quote: Romes

It would appear we do share similar philosophies in this regard =). Mahalo? Hey, I've taught 2-3 people from Hawaii to play =P. Maybe you'll run in to them... not sure what all of your options down in that area are lol.

Deuces are Wild (new notes post-Las Vegas trip 4-8 Oct 2016)

Quote: Romes

It would appear we do share similar philosophies in this regard =). Mahalo? Hey, I've taught 2-3 people from Hawaii to play =P. Maybe you'll run in to them... not sure what all of your options down in that area are lol.

I would not be surprised if I've already run into the 2-3 people from Hawaii that you taught . . . many Hawaiians have adopted Las Vegas as the 9th island of Hawaii. My neighbor is the best example. He & his wife go to LAS every 4-6 weeks. With or without comps from mailers, they always get free food, lodging, AND a car for a long weekend (like Thu to Mon). They stay with his daughter, who gets a short staycay with hubby, goodies from Hawaii, and 2 free babysitters! What better deal could you ask for?

As you might already know, Utah & Hawaii are the only 2 states where LEGAL <hint! hint!> gambling is not allowed. With a president-elect who appreciates the casino aspect of business, who knows?

In the meantime:
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/14574773/gamblin

After you read the story above, it's hard to imagine why the cops openly allow card gambling games in broad daylight, just 20 paces away from this restaurant's door. While we enjoyed our dim sum for about an hour, not even one cop patrolled by. Look carefully in the reflection of the window. You'll see a bunch of guys standing. There are about 6 stone tables along the walk, each with a crowd of 12-15 players. I'm talking WADS of cash, bundled as big as your fist. I have no clue what the games are, maybe just high card wins (or low card wins), but they are a very vocal and animated crowd. I could have tried to take a picture, but I don't think that particular crowd would have appreciated it. Use your imagination and my description as best as you can. The average age of the players seemed to be around 50 years old, all Chinese-looking (after all, this is China town central). And they DO gather there every Sat/Sun, as early as 7:00 am (when the dim sum shops open).

Quote: RS

1) Fake a phone call -- but make sure your phone is on silent or vibrate if you're faking a call. Especially if the casino is a bit quiet, you don't want your phone ringing while you're "on the phone". :)

2) Go to bathroom or go somewhere else -- go to bar to refill your drink because the cocktail waitress is taking forever or whatever other thing you can come up with. Or asking where the poker room / keno lounge / sportsbook / etc. is because your friend is there or something. You preferably want to go somewhere where you can see the table so you can see when the dealer is beginning the shuffling procedure and/or see how many rounds are being played and all that so you can make a nice return (instead of returning 3 or 4 rounds into the next shoe....or returning 5-6 rounds before end of the shoe you just wonged out of).

You wanna time your return so you can get back near the end of that shoe, then either sit out the last few hands of that shoe, or play min for the last 2-3 rounds (it ain't gonna kill you).

3) This works, too. When playing, be on the lookout for other tables around you...at least if the count is relatively neutral or going negative. That way when the table next to you is about to shuffle and your count is negative halfway through the shoe, you can switch tables and get directly back into playing, instead of waiting around 5 or 10 or 20 minutes waiting for another fresh shoe.


If you're near the end of the shoe and it goes negative, I would probably just keep playing through it or figure out a way to take a quick break (ie: "I'mma sit out a few hands, lost too many in a row" or take out your phone and pretend like you're texting someone or something, away from the table, of course, not playing). You mostly wanna wong out of a shoe if it's very early in the shoe and it has low chance of turning positive with several positive rounds to be played. No point in wonging out of a shoe that is -3 TC if there's only one round remaining. You can only move around so much (wong in, wong out, phone break, bathroom, "sit out a few" etc.), so be sure to leave or join the table at the appropriate times. Don't back-count a shoe and wong-in just to play 2 +EV rounds before the shuffle.

Season's Greetings, RS!

Thanks for adding those little details to each of your 3 suggestions - they are good details that I've added to my "checklist" for a future blog. For example, I was already thinking how to do the "phone call" gimmick, leave my ringer on? Or on mute? You answered that for me. I also didn't even think of using the bar for my "drink excuse!" Again, good points, especially about my timing of the return (which I was worried about). Strategically, I like #3 the best because it combines a smooth move of timing, checking around for the next table (which I can also peek at on the way to use my "drink" excuse), and my first attempt at intelligently "wonging" out (if at -3 TC, but only 1 or 2 rounds left, just stay).

RS, I've enjoyed reading many of your posts and replies, even if some of the more technical ones are above my head. You might surmise from my questions/replies in this post that I am relatively new to the game, with only 5 days of real live blackjack play experience (no card-counting, . . . yet). If your time and attention is available, perhaps I could enjoy some additional pointers from you about my recent (Oct 2016) blackjack "initiation" blog https://wizardofvegas.com/quote/566997/
So far, only OdiousGambit left some very helpful pointers for my next trip in 2017 (I hope!).

May you always find a parking spot this season!

Quote: LostWages

. If your time and attention is available, perhaps I could enjoy some additional pointers from you about my recent (Oct 2016) blackjack "initiation" blog https://wizardofvegas.com/quote/566997/

HI LW I thnk you meant to link to https://wizardofvegas.com/member/lostwages/blog/#post1411

I like OG's tip for using bs card as a 'tool' Breaks the rules, but might be hard to detect and prove.

Quote: OnceDear

HI LW I thnk you meant to link to https://wizardofvegas.com/member/lostwages/blog/#post1411

I like OG's tip for using bs card as a 'tool' Breaks the rules, but might be hard to detect and prove.

OD! Yes, I totally agree with you with OG's tip. Today, for the first time, I am practicing counting down a real deck of cards, courtesy of the California Pit Boss! The cards still feel crisp and new, at least to my touch. The cards are not cut, but the one in charge of storing used cards has drawn a 1/4" wide black felt tip across the edges, so you know it's "marked". I am counting them 2 at a time, so I can get the hang of the "cancel-approach" (like K-4 cancels out each other, instead of first memorizing +1, then -1, and then adding in my SLOW mind that +1 and -1 gives you zero. In my first run, I got +1. In my 2nd run, I got -1. Finally, in my 3rd run, I did indeed get zero. It took me about 40 seconds. My goal is between 20 (The Flash!) and 30 seconds.

How embarrassing to put an incorrect link in my reply above! Thank you so much for the correction. Hope to hear from RS or any others who wish to shower my newbie blackjack mind with suggestions based on my blog experiences. I'm still in the sponge stage, absorbing as much as I can (and remembering to filter out the suggestions I'm not ready to try).

May your season be Merry, and if less than Merry, I hope you always find a parking spot for December!

LW

Tip when counting, if you havent already encountered it.
If the count is negative, then the time taken and mental capacity used makes the word 'minus' a bit to long even though you are not actually saying it.

so in your head abbreviate 'minus' to 'm'
in fact if you are serious, consider making new single sylsble words for negative numbers

one
nil
mon
moo
me
more
my
mix
mev
may
mine
men

No. seriously. it's faster.
Eventually, if you get really good you might not even need to verbalise it in your head and 'knowing' the count will be like breathing, as Romes says. (I'm not there yet)
If you can sign up for one of the online casinos which has a live table, you can practice realistic counting there without playing. Might need to get a vpn connection and pretend you are in europe.

Quote: OnceDear

Tip when counting, if you havent already encountered it.
If the count is negative, then the time taken and mental capacity used makes the word 'minus' a bit to long even though you are not actually saying it.

so in your head abbreviate 'minus' to 'm'
in fact if you are serious, consider making new single sylsble words for negative numbers

one
nil
mon
moo
me
more
my
mix
mev
may
mine
men

No. seriously. it's faster.
Eventually, if you get really good you might not even need to verbalise it in your head and 'knowing' the count will be like breathing, as Romes says. (I'm not there yet)
If you can sign up for one of the online casinos which has a live table, you can practice realistic counting there without playing. Might need to get a vpn connection and pretend you are in europe.

n

OD - Now that I think of it, just before my October trip, you had already suggested I try signing up for one of the online casinos with a live table, so I could practice realistic counting there without playing. I think I tried searching for some, but I never continued looking. Do have have some websites I could explore?

We were rained out practically the whole day yesterday, but the rest of the family went Christmas shopping. So this was a good time to practice counting a deck with the TV on louder than usual. That way I had visual, audio, and movement distractions; I should have cooked some curry or strong smelling food so I would have smell distractions too! I ate some PnB & celery sticks for oral distractions. I continued counting 2 cards at a time and got zero after a 40 second countdown. I was so surprised because I thought: "Hah! I should be able to count a deck in 30 secs when I deal myself one card at a time." Result: -2, +3, -1, +2, +1. . . Finally, by slowing down to about 40 secs, and 10 deals later, I finally got a zero.

Today I will try using a new 1-syllable word for "negative". My choices: nah, bad, uhh, nol.

Quote: LostWages

...Today I will try using a new 1-syllable word for "negative". My choices: nah, bad, uhh, nol.

There's a lot of methods, and OnceDear presents a good one. Personally, I use a foreign language for negative numbers... In my head it's the same as saying "one two three" but then I know if I'm speaking the foreign language the count is bad/negative.

This is usually easiest IF you already know a foreign language, or at least can count to about 30 fluently in the language =P. Then your mind doesn't struggle to process/remember what the word means and yet you know if it's positive or negative.

Quote: Romes

There's a lot of methods, and OnceDear presents a good one. Personally, I use a foreign language for negative numbers... In my head it's the same as saying "one two three" but then I know if I'm speaking the foreign language the count is bad/negative.

This is usually easiest IF you already know a foreign language, or at least can count to about 30 fluently in the language =P. Then your mind doesn't struggle to process/remember what the word means and yet you know if it's positive or negative.

I almost spilled my coffee while smiling as I read your reply that you use a foreign language for negative numbers.

In fact, I speak a handful of foreign languages, and I frequently find myself sub-consciously THINKING in that language, then translating back to English when I need it. For my choice of "nol", I recall from childhood that is Bahasa (Indonesian) for zero, or negative, or nothing. In my business/accounting classes, I now vaguely remember seeing the abbreviation NOL as net operating loss. For me, I think it's helpful to carry all those negative connotations.

Great minds think alike . . . it's just that some know card-counting (you), and others not (me . . . not yet, anyway).

Have a tremendous day - we are rained in again today with horribly, gloomy, overcast skies that insist on sprinkling showers every half hour or so. Luckily (????? 😉), for me that means for some of my day I can practice the "nol" technique with the TV on a little louder again!

P.S. Are you in Alaska? I drafted this reply around 7:56 am, and noticed your reply was posted 8:56 am. Just curious . . . .

Quote: LostWages

...P.S. Are you in Alaska? I drafted this reply around 7:56 am, and noticed your reply was posted 8:56 am. Just curious . . . .

Ha, nope... I'm in the MidWest. I think they updated the forums times to always show your timezone... So while you saw my reply at 8:56 am, it might have actually been more like noon my time =).

Quote: Romes

Ha, nope... I'm in the MidWest. I think they updated the forums times to always show your timezone... So while you saw my reply at 8:56 am, it might have actually been more like noon my time =).

Mystery solved . . . almost . . . If you drove to your fav casino, I would have expected to see something that looks more like an Anchorage background vice the "turnpike" cement & greenery shown in your TR. . . Ha! So the forum shows each user's time zone. Only Alaska had Hawaii + 1 . . .

Since my Oct trip to Las Vegas, I'm enjoying my 2nd set of revisits to Articles 1, 2, & 3 -- boy! It's a lot easier to connect the dots a second time around. I'm trying to finish reading again BEFORE I post my questions about estimating TC,RC, when to ramp, bet spread, etc. Funny, I've revised my questions about 10 times - about 1 or 2 changes after every re-read.😳

OK, may you always find a parking spot this merry season!

Quote: LostWages

Mystery solved . . . almost . . . If you drove to your fav casino, I would have expected to see something that looks more like an Anchorage background vice the "turnpike" cement & greenery shown in your TR. . . Ha! So the forum shows each user's time zone. Only Alaska had Hawaii + 1 . . .

Since my Oct trip to Las Vegas, I'm enjoying my 2nd set of revisits to Articles 1, 2, & 3 -- boy! It's a lot easier to connect the dots a second time around. I'm trying to finish reading again BEFORE I post my questions about estimating TC,RC, when to ramp, bet spread, etc. Funny, I've revised my questions about 10 times - about 1 or 2 changes after every re-read.😳

OK, may you always find a parking spot this merry season!

Ha, that just shows you're learning more and more as you're able to hopefully answer some of your own questions. Might I recommend though when you do want to submit your list of questions to start a new thread so everyone can see the Q/A. If you have questions, no doubt 10 other people have the exact same questions (or will in the future =p).

Quote: Romes

Ha, that just shows you're learning more and more as you're able to hopefully answer some of your own questions. Might I recommend though when you do want to submit your list of questions to start a new thread so everyone can see the Q/A. If you have questions, no doubt 10 other people have the exact same questions (or will in the future =p).

Yes, I am certainly learning more and more with each re-read and each practice session in card-counting. My next initiation (card-counting) should be less of a system shock, I hope.

For my new questions, I will surely start a new thread. It's getting rather lengthy, now that I've re-read Articles 1, 2, & 3. So I'm thinking of making a shorter thread of three 1-liner questions, and then put a link to the supporting scenarios/explanations in my blog - I was hoping too see more comments in my "Blackjack Newbie" blog, but only OG gave a lengthy comment. This way, if the reader wanted to know more about why I'm asking the questions, they will see my original blog plus the supporting scenarios for the new thread questions.

Alternatively, I wanted to ask you how to make the hyperlink within a thread that opens up a new window within that same block of the thread. Hope it's not too complicated. The specific thread I'm referring to is when you discuss EV in this thread: https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/blackjack/22244-first-time-counter/

That feature is really so cool! If I don't use it this time, I will in another posting.


LW

I think what you're referring to is what's called an Anchor Tag in the programming world. You want a "Permalink" as they call it in plain English.

If you look at the very top right corner of every post, you'll see the grey word "permalink". When you click that, it'll refresh the page to that exact post by adding the "anchor tag" to the URL. Then you can simply copy and paste the URL in another thread, and that will take you to that exact post from another thread.

Here's the permalink from your last post: https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/blackjack/27698-options-when-tc-goes-up-or-down-on-blackjack-game/3/#post567792

See how it references the page number (3) and then #post567792, which I'm assuming is your unique post # of some sort (per day, week, whatever). That's what takes people who click it directly to that post.

Quote: Romes

I think what you're referring to is what's called an Anchor Tag in the programming world. You want a "Permalink" as they call it in plain English.

If you look at the very top right corner of every post, you'll see the grey word "permalink". When you click that, it'll refresh the page to that exact post by adding the "anchor tag" to the URL. Then you can simply copy and paste the URL in another thread, and that will take you to that exact post from another thread.

Here's the permalink from your last post: https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/blackjack/27698-options-when-tc-goes-up-or-down-on-blackjack-game/3/#post567792

See how it references the page number (3) and then #post567792, which I'm assuming is your unique post # of some sort (per day, week, whatever). That's what takes people who click it directly to that post.

Here I am thinking this Anchor Tag thingie was something YOU designed . . . no worries, we still admire your work from afar.

I will play with that permalink. I'm hoping to add a symbol of some sort, and that will open a mini-window within the box one is currently reading, and without opening a NEW window altogether.

Thanks again!

Quote: LostWages

Here I am thinking this Anchor Tag thingie was something YOU designed . . . no worries, we still admire your work from afar.

I will play with that permalink. I'm hoping to add a symbol of some sort, and that will open a mini-window within the box one is currently reading, and without opening a NEW window altogether.

Thanks again!

The forum is designed to open everything in a new window ,I think so that you don't lose your place in a thread. Fwiw.

Quote: LostWages

Alternatively, I wanted to ask you how to make the hyperlink within a thread that opens up a new window within that same block of the thread. Hope it's not too complicated. The specific thread I'm referring to is when you discuss EV in this thread: https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/blackjack/22244-first-time-counter/

That feature is really so cool! If I don't use it this time, I will in another posting.
LW

I think LW is referring to the buttonised spoiler tag that went on to explain EV. The spoiler feature defaults to having the word 'spoiler' on the button, but that is editable like here...

Quote: OnceDear

I think LW is referring to the buttonised spoiler tag that went on to explain EV. The spoiler feature defaults to having the word 'spoiler' on the button, but that is editable like here...

Something written on the button

Here is a whole bunch of text to be revealed by clicking that button. To create it, I typed
[spoiler=Something written on the button]Here is a whole bunch of text to be revealed by clicking that button. To create it, I typed. . . yada, yada [/spoiler]

Yes, goshdurn! BUTTONISED SPOILER TAG . . . you guys are the best! Thanks always for your unselfish sharing! I hope to make good use of it in my future threads and blog updates.

Quote: LostWages

Quote: OnceDear

I think LW is referring to the buttonised spoiler tag that went on to explain EV. The spoiler feature defaults to having the word 'spoiler' on the button, but that is editable like here...

Something written on the button

Here is a whole bunch of text to be revealed by clicking that button. To create it, I typed
[spoiler=Something written on the button]Here is a whole bunch of text to be revealed by clicking that button. To create it, I typed. . . yada, yada [/spoiler]

Yes, goshdurn! BUTTONISED SPOILER TAG . . . you guys are the best! Thanks always for your unselfish sharing! I hope to make good use of it in my future threads and blog updates.

Eureka!

Today, Romes, BBB, & Once Dear taught me how to use permalinks and buttonised spoiler tags

Yay for learning... If you want to view all the formatting codes simply click Reply to this message, then on the bottom right of the window see "Click here for formatting codes", which will take you to the page with all of the different formatting options: https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/info/help/1-formatting-codes/

"Yay for learning... If you want to view all the formatting codes simply click Reply to this message, then on the bottom right of the window see "Click here for formatting codes", which will take you to the page with all of the different formatting options: https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/info/help/1-formatting-codes/"

Y'know, I've accidentally stumbled onto the WoO formatting codes in this forum, and the HTML-type looking instructions. They were a few levels over my head, so I just ignored them.

But at least I know my learning capacity, and when I make myself goal-oriented (learn how to use a buttonised spoiler tag), I'll get to it in a jiffy. Now that I learned the BS tags, I might explore some more on my own.

As coincidence would have it:

1. About two posts after you, JB, and OD explained permalinks and buttonised spoiler tags, the WoO himself posted a "banana game" featuring the buttonised spoiler tags. I didn't do any math, but I just jumped in with the first ideas that came to my mind so I could make my first "public" BS tags.

2. For learning, I now count 100% in Bahasa, when I run a deck card by card, or in 3s like you recommend. I also set aside 1 card face down before I start, and so far I've guessed the value range of the closed card correctly 3 out of 5 times (20 deals a day). Translation: I have to slow down just a tad till I get the hang of it. [Surely, you didn't mean the EXACT value of the card, like Jack of Spades, did you????????. . . gulp!!!!]