Blackjack - Uston SS running count vs. adjusting basic strategy

Hi,
I'm basically new to Blackjack, I usually play 8 deck, D stands on 17, 1 split per hand, 1 card only after split AA, no double after split rules and I use Uston SS counting strategy.

I've found only these 2 articles about how to adjust basic strategy in certain points of game:

And you can see my problem already - each of them shows different count when to adjust and both of them speak about true count. Which one should I use with Uston SS running count? Thanks for your answer, it would be much appreciated.

Quote: kryptex22

Hi,
I'm basically new to Blackjack, I usually play 8 deck, D stands on 17, 1 split per hand, 1 card only after split AA, no double after split rules and I use Uston SS counting strategy.

I've found only these 2 articles about how to adjust basic strategy in certain points of game:
https://www.inkling.com/read/blackjack-domination-jeff-ma-1st/card-counting/use-the-true-count-adjusted
http://www.how-to-count-cards.com/blackjack-betting-and-strategy-modifications.html

And you can see my problem already - each of them shows different count when to adjust and both of them speak about true count. Which one should I use with Uston SS running count? Thanks for your answer, it would be much appreciated.

Welcome to the forum! I must say, it's unusual to see a new blackjack player jump right into a level 3 count. Are you handling it okay? If you are unsure, I have some suggestions that will make your life at the table easier.

The count that you have chosen has a 99% betting correlation and therefore does not need a lot of index play. The SS stands for "Strong and Simple" but not everyone will agree.

I've never heard of the Efficient 18 that the link brought me to. I wonder if Don S has. :-) It's quite conservative. Sorry I couldn't give you anything more specific.

The blackjack game you describe is just awful. Can you find a better one?

Why is Jeff Ma's name in the link? Did I miss something? When my daughter was in college Jeff's father was one of her professors.

Quote: 1BB

Welcome to the forum! I must say, it's unusual to see a new blackjack player jump right into a level 3 count. Are you handling it okay? If you are unsure, I have some suggestions that will make your life at the table easier.

The count that you have chosen has a 99% betting correlation and therefore does not need a lot of index play. The SS stands for "Strong and Simple" but not everyone will agree.

I've never heard of the Efficient 18 that the link brought me to. I wonder if Don S has. :-) It's quite conservative. Sorry I couldn't give you anything more specific.

The blackjack game you describe is just awful. Can you find a better one?

Why is Jeff Ma's name in the link? Did I miss something? When my daughter was in college Jeff's father was one of her professors.

NDAS? i thought that's a really good rule cuz now I don"t split so many hands against a deuce, which is the dealer's Ace. And splitting 4s is less dangerous because I don't have to put as much money out there, especially when I'm splitting against a 4.

Quote: kryptex22

Hi,
I'm basically new to Blackjack, I usually play 8 deck, D stands on 17, 1 split per hand, 1 card only after split AA, no double after split rules and I use Uston SS counting strategy.

I've found only these 2 articles about how to adjust basic strategy in certain points of game:
https://www.inkling.com/read/blackjack-domination-jeff-ma-1st/card-counting/use-the-true-count-adjusted
http://www.how-to-count-cards.com/blackjack-betting-and-strategy-modifications.html

And you can see my problem already - each of them shows different count when to adjust and both of them speak about true count. Which one should I use with Uston SS running count? Thanks for your answer, it would be much appreciated.

You should use neither. Uston SS is a level 3 unbalanced. Those are for balanced counts with single deck divisors.

The first link, blackjack domination, could be used for balanced level 2-3 counts.

The second link, how to count cards, could be used for balanced level 1 counts.

If you are using advanced level counts, you are better off with Wong Halves or Hi-opt II. As a beginner, you should start with Hi-Lo. There is no reason I can fathom to use Uston SS for anything. Most counts were invented for the sake of inventing something, and trying to commercialize it, it seems like. GO SILVER FOX GO! KISS-es! Uston APC--everyone knows you don't count the 8s, the only reason this count would count the 8s!

Thank you Sonuvabish, very helpful. So for 8 deck and Wong Halves - should I somehow adjust the 1st link, BJ domination?

I'm actually trying to beat live dealer online (I know it's hard because of low penetration, in my case it's usually 55-60%). Using Wong Halves and betting spread:
TC lower then 0,5= no bet
0,5-1=$5(sometimes no bet)
1-1,5=$10
1,5-2=$15
2-2,5=$20
2,5-3=$30
3-4=$40
4-5=$50
5+=$60

Do I have any chance? :) Or betting spread needs to be also adjusted? And last question - what is the probability of online casino finds out that I'm counting and ban my account and confiscate my money?

Quote: kryptex22

Thank you Sonuvabish, very helpful. So for 8 deck and Wong Halves - should I somehow adjust the 1st link, BJ domination?

I'm actually trying to beat live dealer online (I know it's hard because of low penetration, in my case it's usually 55-60%). Using Wong Halves and betting spread:
TC lower then 0,5= no bet
0,5-1=$5(sometimes no bet)
1-1,5=$10
1,5-2=$15
2-2,5=$20
2,5-3=$30
3-4=$40
4-5=$50
5+=$60

Do I have any chance? :) Or betting spread needs to be also adjusted? And last question - what is the probability of online casino finds out that I'm counting and ban my account and confiscate my money?

No prob. The first link, BJ domination--the indices are not exact, but they are very close. You do not need to adjust anything.

You appear to be wonging in--not making a bet until it's at least an even game. Under these rules, you certainly are at a disadvantage at +1. You should make no bet until 1.5. You should increase your bet to $10 at +2, adjust your ramp accordingly, and follow it from there. You should quit playing at 0.

Live blackjack games specifically prohibit counting, so will likely catch you. To my knowledge, they also have never been verified as non-fraudulent. These are extremely poor rules and penetration for counting. You are much better off in a real casino...if you are not confident, you can use a much smaller ramp--so long as you know perfect basic strategy, your risk is minimal--it's how I practiced, and actually built a BR from a small disadvantage. It is not advisable to count online.

Your bet spread would theoretically give you an advantage in a fair game, but wouldn't be worth the time in anyone's book. It would be illegal to confiscate your money, but I wouldn't trust them. I can't give you a probability that they are fraudulent and would commit further crimes, but there's probably a good chance of it. If they are based overseas and you are playing for a small amount, there's nothing you could do.

Thanks again. OK, but wong in at +1+ and wong out at +1- should have same, maybe even better effect than wong in at +1,5 and wong out at 0, right? Why can't I do that?

In my city there are 2 casinos with BJ and there are usually no players which means I have to play every hand (no wonging), have to use Hi-Lo which is less accurate, will make more mistakes and after few good sessions will be banned for counting anyway. Also, online casinos have bonuses and other promotions, that should at least slightly compensate poor rules. On the other hand, a trip to live casino costs me gas and time so if we're talking about real $/hr EV, I don't think I would be better in live casino.

I play at 888 based in Gibraltar...

Quote: kryptex22

Thanks again. OK, but wong in at +1+ and wong out at +1- should have same, maybe even better effect than wong in at +1,5 and wong out at 0, right? Why can't I do that?

In my city there are 2 casinos with BJ and there are usually no players which means I have to play every hand (no wonging), have to use Hi-Lo which is less accurate, will make more mistakes and after few good sessions will be banned for counting anyway. Also, online casinos have bonuses and other promotions, that should at least slightly compensate poor rules. On the other hand, a trip to live casino costs me gas and time so if we're talking about real $/hr EV, I don't think I would be better in live casino.

I play at 888 based in Gibraltar...

You are better off if you wong out at +1 than at 0. But if you're going to play that way, you might as well wong in out at 1.5. You are at a disadvantage at +1. Bet the minimum at 1.5, and ramp up starting at 2.

If the casinos are actually in your city (rather than state), there's no reason to be concerned about gas. Depending on how big they are, a red-chipper like yourself could potentially play there for years. The rules are certainly better there; so long as they deal from a shoe the game is beatable, and the small expenses are justified. The online casino is no less likely to ban you. The possibility of fraud makes the online casino a bad option for most people. Even with poor rules, it would save me a ton of money just to put some money into that, and play from home once and awhile. I'm not gonna even consider it. i'm not here to stop you, however. Just to tell you that Uston SS is a stupid count.