Rush, As usual what they don't tell you is more important than what
they do. For example: They are very likely talking about the High/Low
system and here are some examples:

- You need to learn about 42-43 index numbers so as to play your
hands correctly.

- You need to learn to correctly judge the number of cards/decks played.

- You need to learn how to "TRUE" the count RC/RD; Thats running ct.
divided by remaining decks.

- In counting so as to push the correct button, you need to learn card
recognition, cancellations and value. If you do all that, can't you keep the
running total yourself, after all, you already did 90% of the work.

Also, none of their get rich quick claims are valid......just my thoughts

Ray

I think Desert Dogs patented 'Phalanx Technique' is just as good. Seriously I have seen children being taught a finger counting method in which they could do remarkable add, subtract, multiply devide computations. I'm sure if someone sat down and thought about it they could come up with a one hand under the table count tracking technique much better that this gizmo.

Doc, Your oh so right. Lets move into "COMPUTER SCIENCE" just a
little as an example: We will call this, "Four Finger"; Binary Coded Decimal.
Starting with your little finger: 1,2,4,8 are the assignments: x000=1,
0x00=2, xx00=3, 00x0=4, x0x0=5, 0xx0=6, xxx0=7, 000x=8, x00x=9,
0x0x=10, xx0x=11, 00xx=12, x0xx=13, 0xxx=14, xxxx=15, and then
your thumb pulled in is a carry/16. Then start all over with the carry/16
stored. There are some more advanced methods called "HEX" that I want
get into but, you could count all the cards in the shoe in a convential
manner and for that matter all the cards in the Casino.

If the palm of your left hand is resting on the edge of the table, then any
finger touching the table is "ON"(e.g, little finger x000=1). This a great
way to do "A" side counts for the short deck games. Just look the board
and update your count. That's right "look the board", don't count anything.

Hope you find this interesting...............

Ray

Bug - I suppose it comes down to.....Do you want to be suspected of counting or playing pocket pool? 8)

Or.....you could just do it like us old f**ts who started before computers and gadgets used to do when having trouble with the count. Keep a couple chips in front of you and constantly 'dink' with them. Pick a spot on one of them (the "B" in a Bellagio chip for example) and keep that spot at pointed at an imaginary clockface corresponding to the count.....two o'clock = +2, ten o'clock = -2, etc.

BuGhOu§eMASTER said:

So Techman... is it really worth the $100 investing in one of those gadgets in order to easily take money from the casinos? Or... what? And why dont you just put one hand in your POCKET so you can operate the whole thing without being seen? When they see your fingers making some presses OUTSIDE your pocket dont you think they could be suspecting wtf you're doing?

I think it was well worth the price considering how often I play and the fact that I am mathematically challenged. It has paid for iteself many times over. Nobody has ever noticed what I am doing, (keep in mind where I play is not exactly the Bellagio)- I suppose I could keep my hand in my pocket, but this way just seems easier and that is just the way I feel most comfortable.

Ray/Techman/Bug - I wasn't thinking about six deck, running count players when I passed on that 'tip' about the clock. I guess it wouldn't work for that......although it works fine with double deck running count.

Grifter

Grifter, let 11:30 be minus one and away we go. Close enough when u
have a spot on the table for calibration. No worry

Ray

Hey! Good posts all...

Someone mentioned many different functions... I thought there was just 2 buttons for high/low count, and a 3rd button to tell you what the TC is... right?

Also, in addition to memorizing BS, one should also memorize the different indices (indexes) for playing while CardCounting, such as TAKING insurance when the TC is >= 3, stuff like that, right??

How long has this thing been in existence and besides playing Vegas, it should be perfectly fine to use right?

You ever think about putting it in your SHOE and just letting your toes control the buttons? Interesting...

Dawg – Sure, casinos are aware of the ‘clock’, and they are also aware of ‘computers’ and ‘finger counting’. The thing about using chips is that is so natural, especially at six deck tables like you play where the players have both hands free. Check it out yourself the next time you are in a casino…..Look at the tables and try to find one where at least one player is not constantly ‘toying’ with his chips.

Grifter

you are worried about nothing. other "bad" players cannot effect your odds of winning or losing. just play and dont worry about others at the table... the chances of one taking a card that will help is exactly equal to the chance of them taking one that would hurt you. its a myth. and while we are on the subject, 3rd base has no effect on eventual outcome of the game either.

there are some very good articles out there about blackjack myths. if anyone has any suggestions.

as for your counting woes... it doesnt take much intelligence. it takes "processing speed" but i think that just comes with practice. in my (very humble) opinion, if you cannot keep track in your head, you ought not to expect to actually win. problem is people learn the theory behind count strategies without practicing it, then want to become millionaires. i say, practice until you can do it without thinking about it

as for those devises... that is an exellent way to get your knee capped. as well as being useless.... when you actually count cards, most people (including me) do it pairs.... makes it much easier. with those devices you have to do it one at a time, which wastes processing time.

the last time i played an old, old man was playing. he was making all of the wrong moves. but i was winning. the dealer would just smile and often ask the old timer a 2nd time if he really wanted a hit or whatever.

the dealer was cool. she would just smile, cause i kept winning and i kept tipping her.

i was always confused by other peoples stupid play.
if playing perfect increases my chances, why wouldnt it increase my chances even more, if everyone played perfect??

that never made sense to me. but i can also read something about the fact that other peoples play does not make a difference and i can see that logic also.

but i can say, that if i kept a record of the dumb players helping me vs. hurting me, it would probably be about even.

and drew, you are exatcly correct about practicing on counting. when i 1st started trying to count. all i was doing was "trying". but the more i did it, the better i got at it. and i practiced a bunch at home and on the computer. and im better at it, but i still have a long way to go.

i have just introduced my wife to blackjack and she doubled her money in about an hour last time we went to the casino. she's excited and ready to go back for more. i told her "doubling your money is not the norm"
i like to think that if we team up, we can do better at the tables.
not sure about that though.

So on those notes, anyone come across any machines that they thought might be effective?

I saw one other machine, but lost the link, it may have been on this site, but it looked like a piece of crap.

I'm not considering using them, I'm just curious about all aspects of gambling.