Ace-5 Counting
Thanks!
someone else would have to answer your main question, but I'd figure it can't hurt to practice, even if the effect is minimal. Until you know you have it down, it probably doesnt matter.
Quote: fishersmanHi all. New member here. Been reading the Wizards site for a while, but just found the forums. After years of playing craps, I have decided to delve a little further than just playing basic startegy in Blackjack. Blackjack to me was just something I could do with the wife as she didn't like craps. In any case, I think I might try the A-5 method of counting mentioned on the site. The question I have is it says it is for the 4 or higher deck games. Where I am staying, they usually have 2 deck games. Is this workable in a 2 deck game, or should I travel and look for good 6 deck games.? I always like to play where I am staying and the 6 deck game here with decent ruls is $100 min according to the survey. A little rich for me.
Thanks!
Good question. I know that the Wizard devised the A-5 with a 4-6 deck shoe in mind. I'm interested in his response.
I am suspicious that you would find more liberal rules at a low-minimum 2-deck game, than at a 6-deck. I suspect the 2-deck game will only pay 6:5 on BJ. Please check it carefully, as 6:5 should always be avoided.
Just make sure it's a full 3:2. Any count devised for 3:2 is incorrect for any lower payout (in those cases where these games even are worth playing).
Quote: AyecarumbaGood question. I know that the Wizard devised the A-5 with a 4-6 deck shoe in mind. I'm interested in his response.
I am suspicious that you would find more liberal rules at a low-minimum 2-deck game, than at a 6-deck. I suspect the 2-deck game will only pay 6:5 on BJ. Please check it carefully, as 6:5 should always be avoided.
I am only going by what the Blackjack Survey shows. It says they have a 2 deck game at the Luxor (where I'm staying) with a $10 min. They also have better games there, but with MUCH higher mins. I was thinking of going across the street to MGM which has a 6 deck game with better rules for $15 min. if the A-5 method would make it more advantagous. I'll be there during March Madness in a few weeks, so a lot of that might not even be there as I knopw everything gets raised with the crowds. . Just going by the last update. As to the comment about basic. I have basic stratagy down pretty good as I have been using it for quite a while when playing with the wife. I very rarely get corrected using the wizards simulation software or another one I have used. That is why I thought I would try a simple counting. I don't get to play enough to really get that deep. Just seeing if it is worth going across the street. I'd rather stay at the Luxor and play there if I could. ,
Quote: JIMMYFOCKEREver tried the 2-6 reverse osmosis count?
No sorry. I haven't heard of it. Are you allowed to explain it here?
Quote: fishersmanI am only going by what the Blackjack Survey shows. It says they have a 2 deck game at the Luxor (where I'm staying) with a $10 min. They also have better games there, but with MUCH higher mins.
I would doubt the accuracy of that. I've never seen an MGM property with a 3:2, 2-deck game in that price range. Although it's possible they have such a game that's $10 at 10am on a Weds, but $50 when I happened to walk by.
Quote: dudestupidI would doubt the accuracy of that. I've never seen an MGM property with a 3:2, 2-deck game in that price range. Although it's possible they have such a game that's $10 at 10am on a Weds, but $50 when I happened to walk by.
How disappointing if true. If that is the case, I guess I'm back to craps. Anybody know how accurate the survey is at:
Quote: fishersmanHow disappointing if true. If that is the case, I guess I'm back to craps. Anybody know how accurate the survey is at:
https://wizardofvegas.com/guides/blackjack-survey/?sort=casino&dir=asc
The Wizard's survey gets its info from Stanford Wong's newsletter. A portion of the list is updated each month (e.g., latest update: M, Bally's and Paris).
According to the intro at the top, it only lists 3:2 games. It does include the double deck game at Luxor. While less decks is generally better for the player, this game has rules that make it much less attractive to players/counters than the six deck shoe game: (Hit all 17's, No surrender, no re-splitting Aces). Also, as mentioned by another poster, the $10 minimum will likely be during very slow times, if at all. You may want to go over to the MGM Grand and check out their 6 deck $15 shoe game where the dealer stands on all 17s (be sure the dealer stands on all 17's... they have the same game where the dealer hits all 17s, nearly doubling the house edge).
Quote: AyecarumbaYou may want to go over to the MGM Grand and check out their 6 deck $15 shoe game where the dealer stands on all 17s (be sure the dealer stands on all 17's... they have the same game where the dealer hits all 17s, nearly doubling the house edge).
I was thinking the same thing. I hope it stays at $15 and it's not too crowded. I usually don't go at busy times like this but it's my son's 21st. We promised him when he was 10 that this is what we would do. His birthday is exactly 3 days before we get there so his spring break coincided nicely. Thanks for all the advice.
Quote: Ayecarumba... (be sure the dealer stands on all 17's... they have the same game where the dealer hits all 17s, nearly doubling the house edge).
Not likely. I think you slipped a little in making your point. Maybe?
Quote: DocQuote: Ayecarumba... (be sure the dealer stands on all 17's... they have the same game where the dealer hits all 17s, nearly doubling the house edge).
Not likely. I think you slipped a little in making your point. Maybe?
Oops! Thanks for the catch Doc. It should read, "they have the same game where the dealer hits soft 17's, nearly doubling the house edge."
About my blackjack rule survey, I have been doing that myself for about six months now. I used to use Wong's CBJN but the revenue this site brings in (not much) could not justify the expense.
Quote: WizardI used to use Wong's CBJN but the revenue this site brings in (not much) could not justify the expense.
I hope you continue running this site, I enjoy the forums, articles,
and the exchange of information.
Quote: WizardI used to use Wong's CBJN but the revenue this site brings in (not much) could not justify the expense.
Thanks for the update Wizard. The "Rules Surveys" notes on the WoO Blackjack page (https://wizardofodds.com/blackjack) also need refreshing:
Quote: WoO Blackjack page
Rule Surveys
Las Vegas: I'm proud to feature up date blackjack rules for every casino in Las Vegas. The list is updated monthly, based on Stanford Wong's Current Blackjack Newsletter. Effective November 2009 the survey has been moved to my companion site, WizardOfVegas.com.
Are you open to regular members contributing updates to the survey? I can think of a few good things about spreading the load, but I can also think of some problems with letting it out of your direct control too.
Quote: WizardI recommend doing the A-5 count on six-deck shoes because there is less heat and you get greater ups and downs in the count.
About my blackjack rule survey, I have been doing that myself for about six months now. I used to use Wong's CBJN but the revenue this site brings in (not much) could not justify the expense.
Thanks for the update. In regards to the survey, are the table mins pretty accurate? I worry that these are slow time minimums and that when I get there all the tables will be $25 or better. How much do the limits fluctuate?
