CSM's

[CD]

My first post - hello to all, thanks for the good info. posted here!
I have recently started researching BJ - basic strategy, card counting, & purchasing BJ publications. I was quite surprised to realize how poorly I had played in the past, without knowing basic strategy - but now it is fun to go to the table having a sense of confidence on what the odds are, and what the correct plays are vs the dealer's hands - even though without advantage play, the house still holds the edge over basic strategy players.

We have just had an Indian casino move into the neighborhood, and unfortuneately, it has all King Master Shuffler machines installed at all BJ tables. Because it is so close to home, I would like to practice basic strategy & keeping a running count, but also minimize the cost of doing so. It seems that when the running count gets very high or very low, there should be some probability that the count will even out, and therefore offer some betting opportunities. The machines seem to run in cycles - with some tables paying out lots of chips to players, and other tables bare as the Sahara. Any thoughts of advantage CSM play from the membership? Thanks, CD

[Desert Dog]

My first post - hello to all, thanks for the good info. posted here!
I have recently started researching BJ - basic strategy, card counting, & purchasing BJ publications. I was quite surprised to realize how poorly I had played in the past, without knowing basic strategy - but now it is fun to go to the table having a sense of confidence on what the odds are, and what the correct plays are vs the dealer's hands - even though without advantage play, the house still holds the edge over basic strategy players.

We have just had an Indian casino move into the neighborhood, and unfortuneately, it has all King Master Shuffler machines installed at all BJ tables. Because it is so close to home, I would like to practice basic strategy & keeping a running count, but also minimize the cost of doing so. It seems that when the running count gets very high or very low, there should be some probability that the count will even out, and therefore offer some betting opportunities. The machines seem to run in cycles - with some tables paying out lots of chips to players, and other tables bare as the Sahara. Any thoughts of advantage CSM play from the membership? Thanks, CD

Let's make sure we're talking about CSMs vs ASMs. I forget which type the King Master Shuffler is. If it's a CSM, don't bother counting. Just use those tables for practicing your basic strategy. It's the equivalent of always being at the start of a five deck shoe. If it's an ASM, where the shuffled cards are then moved to a shoe, then by all means work on your counting.

[Mr. Ed]

If you're too cheap to buy BJ software (like I am) the best way to practice is this:

Get yourself 8 decks of cards. Play at your kitchen table with chips (or pennies, whatever). Make bets, pay them off, vary bets according to the count. Make sure you have a TV on. Have your kids and wife in the room and carry on a conversation while you're doing this. If you live alone, call up a friend (on speaker phone or a headset) and talk while you're playing. Go through all 8 decks. At the end your count should be zero. If not, you need more practice. (reality check: +/-2 or less should be ok)

It will be a lot cheaper than practicing in a casino. But most of all, when you count in a casino, you have no way of really knowing if you are right or wrong. With 8 decks at your kitchen table (or with software) you will!

Good luck!

[Desert Dog]

That's a pretty tough exercise, Mr Ed. Kids and wife in the room is about 10 times as distracting as the average casino.

[Mr. Ed]

Oh, I forgot - Have your wife dress in a skimpy cocktail waitress outfit and offer you drinks every 15 minutes. Oh, and tell your kids to act dumber and ruder than they normally do! :wink: