The irony of "don't go out there half baked" while watching this..... higher than Sir Smoka Lot, required a subscribe and comment.

You should always surrender 16 vs 10 if it is available. Surrender 16 vs 9-A and 15 vs 10. Surrender alone boosts your EV tremendously.

@derekowen9098

5 ай бұрын

That’s only at MGM casinos, SURRENDER is not a Ranger word 🇺🇸

@CompletekTraining

3 ай бұрын

Surrendering takes place above ALL deviations based on both counts correct?

You don’t get drunk while counting but I definitely recommend always sipping on beer to reduce heat

Great video thanks

i am playing a 6D s-17 balckjack game with no hole card. does that change the deviations I should use at all? I know that since the dealer does not check for blackjack I should not double my ten/eleven against dealer ten /ace, what else I should adjust for it?

I am 4 years late but do you think there is any way to beat the top 3 side bet?

Where can I find these indexes? I'm learning basic strategy right now but when you mentioned how you would split tens on a positive count. That's clearly against basic strategy so where can I find these deviations?

@DarkStarBlackjack

3 ай бұрын

There are several books that have this. So I might as plug my own. You can get my book "DarkStar Blackjack" on Amazon for less than $10. A lot less if you get the Kindle version.

@LScofield1

3 ай бұрын

You can find indexes for Hi-Lo (which is what he's using) by doing a Google search.

@PapaGrimm

2 ай бұрын

Look up s17 or h17 deviations

Yesterday I asked my dealer what to do in this exact situation, and he told me to stand. Thing is, I know he's also a counter, so when he told me to stand it was a clear signal that the count was positive!

@MX-CO

3 ай бұрын

I won't spilt 7's I feel it's a bad hand the same as a 15 or a 16, Depending what I think the count is I'll hit or stay and either get lucky or take the loss and move on to better hands, rather than throw more money on a bad hand.

Saw this dude spilt 10s and he walked away with 21 on each hand. Dealer was like “has anyone ever seen that? It worked for that guy?!!” Of course some drunk next to me was huffing and puffing “damn good thing he left! You never split 10s you could have busted the rest of us!!” And blah blah blah It’s amazing to me how so many will chime in but have no clue about running count or deviations to basic strategy.

What if you can Surrender? Does Surrendering *always* supersede hitting/staying in the 4 basic Surrender spots no matter the count?

@DarkStarBlackjack

3 ай бұрын

It's possible that when the count gets very negative it might be correct to hit instead of surrender but I never learned those. usually you are betting a small amount and the tiny EV is not worth the effort. Short answer, Yes. With positive counts there are additional surrenders for 15 and 16. Never surrender a 14.

So, if the True Count is 6 or higher- are we saying we should never go past 6x our original bet? I’ve had shoes that are a True 12 and I raise my bet 12… is this a losing betting strategy?

@DarkStarBlackjack

3 ай бұрын

It depends on your bankroll. If your bankroll is infinity, then absolutely bet 12 with a true 12. But I wouldn't bet 12 units if I only had 60 units on me.

@CompletekTraining

3 ай бұрын

@@DarkStarBlackjack right. Because I need 6 bets behind (single hand) and that would be 72 units. But if you HAVE the units… do you spread above 6 units on a >True 6? What if all I had on me was 72 units when I raised to 12 units on the True 12. If I lose I’m done on a shoe that still has several more hands to go….

@DarkStarBlackjack

3 ай бұрын

@@CompletekTrainingExactly! Have a plan before you start. I've learned this the hard way. Say you are going to start a 6 deck shoe. You don't care about getting barred because they can bar you even with 1-2 spread. So the question is how much should I spread. If you want to spread 1-10 then you should have at least 500 units on you. You don't want to have to change your spread strategy mid-shoe.

@brnmcc01

2 ай бұрын

@@DarkStarBlackjack They might not bar you with a 1-2 or even a 1-5 spread, but they might come and flat bet you. If you're stuck at a flat bet, then that pretty much ruins any EV if you chose to stay.

I used to win at blackjack until I learned how to play.🤗

16:50 “most misplayed hand” had it been misplayed dealer busts - just sayin

The last 3 times Ive went I got up $100 very quickly after starting with $100. So I quit ahead all 3 times

Why do you double on 11, or 10, because you have better chances with a lot of 10 coming out next, then why you keep hitting when you have 16, 15

@DarkStarBlackjack

9 ай бұрын

If the dealer has a 7+ and there are a lot of unseen 10s. There is likely one under her up card. Standing means watching an obvious strike cross the plate without a swing.

@Konformation07

3 ай бұрын

​@@DarkStarBlackjackSo basically you're fucked so you might as well go down on your own terms by taking a card?

@brnmcc01

2 ай бұрын

@@Konformation07 The idea if you have a shitty hand like a 15 or a 16, is not trying to win that hand. What you're doing is trying to lose less, ie. Damage control. Colin from BJA says this is like getting into a fight with a vicious dog or a bear. Obviously neither are very good choices, but you stand a much better chance of not dying by choosing to fight the dog rather than the bear, so you hit the 16 if there's a chance that there's a lot of small cards in the shoe.

I gotta fart

Dont hit on 16 period. Not even 15. Don't beat yourself

@DarkStarBlackjack

9 ай бұрын

Why stop there? Why not stand on 12 or more? If you are a batter playing baseball maybe just watch all the pitches without taking a swing and hope for a walk.

@mmefett5122

8 ай бұрын

That's just not mathematically true, where have you heard 'never hit 16'? I'm guessing not from someone who knows how to count cards or knows about play deviations. Mathematically you're more likely to win your hand if you hit 16 vs 10 at a true 0 or higher

@Fede_uyz

7 ай бұрын

Ok, lets look at this 16 v 10 In a normal deck the options are you get an ace (total 17) 2 (total 18) a 3(19) a 4(20) a 5(21) a 6(22) and 7+ bust every time. So 8 busts vs 5 non bust. But the dealer may have: 10(20) a 9(19), 8(18), 7(17) -6 must hit. So a total of 5 hit against and 4 17+. So the chance for the dealer to have a 17+ and thus beat you without drawing another card is 4/5, and if the dealer draws again has a similar change to not bust. So in total some 8/10 chances to end up with a 17+ You on the other hand have a 8/12 chances of busting. So not hitting leave you in a 8/10 chances the dealer beats you anyways with a +17 or draws a second and gets a +17. If you draw again and end up drawing a small card and you end up in a 18-21 then the dealers chances of beating you reduce to maybe 2/10 hands working for them depending on what hand you get exactly. So yes, hitting will always lead to loosing LESS. This is why surrendering is a must if you get a 16v10 and you can surrender, because you will most often loose money, so loosing less money but every time works out to loosing less overall since not only you need to not be beaten, but also to not get a push.

@derekowen9098

5 ай бұрын

Wrong

@lostinphil

4 ай бұрын

False

Great vid man keep it up

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Great video!

Fantastic explanation!

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much

Great video. You really hit on alot of good points. I've been an AP for over a year now and my favorite line i hear over and over is 'Either hit 16s or stand on them, but do the same everytime'.... I just laugh inside because of course we know when to hit and when to stand (16 vs dealer 10).

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

Be consistent. Blackjack is a team sport (Really? We're splitting the profits?) Flow of the cards! I try to pretend I agree with them but sometimes its hard to keep a straight face.

I have to agree that it doesn't matter how another person is playing.The other player hitting and taking your card cannot effect if you win or lose.

Hey Darkstar, when you play do you play rated or unrated? I know some AP's try really hard for comps and can be really successful with that, and others play unrated to stay out of databases. I know there are pros and cons to both but I'm not very aware of what those pros and cons are.

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

I usually play unrated. The comps can add up to real value. In some cases it makes sense to play rated but the risk is your real name and very good picture get added to a database of undesirables. One time a casino manager actually called me an undesirable. I've been called a lot of things but that was a first.

Well done

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks

Splitting 10s draws attention - other players at the table will gripe and the pit bosses look for that as a counter/AP giveaway. One of that hazards of counting...

@derekowen9098

5 ай бұрын

Why split when you are 1 point from 21, absolutely stupid

@derekowen9098

5 ай бұрын

That’s like hitting a pair of aces instead of splitting, obviously they don’t understand the game of blackjack or standing on a pair of 8s

@dominicthedefiant3210

5 ай бұрын

@@derekowen9098 When you split tens on a high true count you have a good chance of turning one of your hands into a black or another 20

@uzbekstanic6812

4 ай бұрын

@@dominicthedefiant3210not blackjack just 21 but yes you’re right

@CompletekTraining

3 ай бұрын

When splitting 10’s (DUC 4,5,6 when the True is 6,5,4)… do you re-split 10’s if the True Count is still in our favor after splitting the 1st time?

Great video, was their bankroll too small for a 25 minimum?

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

I don't know what their bankroll was. I just don't think they know enough to attempt card-counting. Many people can keep the count in a 2 deck shoe but do they know how much to bet or how to play their hand if and when the count goes up?

Do you play asm double deck games? Do you feel handle shuffle is better than an asm game?

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

I play some dd. If it's dd I don't really care if it's asm or hand shuffle.

@bjccounter5810

4 жыл бұрын

As a card counter. You'd rather want a ASM due to "hands per hour". Hand shuffling takes longer meaning less hands per hour, lower EV/AV/ longer to N0.

@terrybellowes908

4 жыл бұрын

@@bjccounter5810 If your'e in a hurry (just kidding - I know what you mean). I'm just not that good yet.

@bjccounter5810

4 жыл бұрын

@@terrybellowes908 I haven't been playing for a bit myself. I'm actually going out for a session right now. I'm only seasonal. Winter time is bj season. Warm weather is for fishing.

I've once had a ploppy split his 10s, 4x vs a dealer 10 on negative count but wouldn't let me hit my 12. I LMFAO. The plops I see at the tables.

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

LOL - I don't think I have ever seen someone complain about other players that actually knew basic strategy perfectly. I love when they complain about hitting A7 vs a 9.

To your point of a little knowledge being dangerous, a bored seasoned boss told me on a slow night he rarely backs off card counters as most don't know what they are doing and drink or lose bigger than flat betters and Basic Strategy players. The good ones are about 1 in 10 and do cause him concern but the bad ones make up for them.

@bjccounter5810

4 жыл бұрын

I got backed off from a small joint playing heads up playing 1x5 - 2x50 and that wasn't even max bet!! I used to play 2x150 there. Ran into a sharper pit boss that night. Just my luck.

@terrybellowes908

4 жыл бұрын

@@bjccounter5810 There seems to be no absolutes on who gets backed off. I have never been to Vegas but hear there are different standards among their own casinos. Free enterprise, I guess.

@bjccounter5810

4 жыл бұрын

@@terrybellowes908 Vegas is a complete junk to play cards. 6:5 everywhere. Csm. Rules are bad. Gotta play outside the strip and even so. They're quick to back off or counter measure. Very unplayable.

@terrybellowes908

4 жыл бұрын

@@bjccounter5810 Good t know. Even if I flew there t play Blackjack I wouldn't play 6.5 - time to leave, babe, their games suck!

@bjccounter5810

4 жыл бұрын

@@terrybellowes908 go to downtown Fremont at the El Cortez. Their single deck and double deck is quite juicy with favorable rules. Just see how long you last tho haha. "Cheque play" is what you'll hear.

Hi. Do u mind making another video with u showing on the software , playing 2 hands against 1 hand on those true positive counts . The difference on EV and ROR . I would appreciate it. Thanks

@bjccounter5810

4 жыл бұрын

Certainly your EV and your RoR will be higher. Your swings will be higher playing two hands. High risk high rewards. There's no way of telling "what" your EV/RoR is based on your BR and the game rule you play.

@pigmeusim

4 жыл бұрын

I was just wondering how would look like on that $5000 bankroll simulation that you did. I know the swings will be higher

@bjccounter5810

4 жыл бұрын

@@pigmeusim what RoR percentage are you comfortable to play with? Max bet? Kelly? Games you're playing/rules.

@pigmeusim

4 жыл бұрын

I would add $10 per true count. Being true 5 , 2 hands of $50 . $50 is top bet even on true 6 or higher. Hit S17 ; double any ; NRA . 8 decks shoes

@bjccounter5810

4 жыл бұрын

@@pigmeusim despite your bettings. S17 8D? Wow don't think I ever ran across or heard of that before haha. I'll have to run SIM on that "just because". So no DAS? Whats pen looking like.

Great video. Why do you have numbers written on numbers on cards?

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

That is to practice something a little beyond card counting that I can't really talk about. But some people do that to practice deck estimation.

@terrybellowes908

4 жыл бұрын

I have wondered that myself.

@andyhandyman2118

4 жыл бұрын

Shuffle trucking?just a guessing. I don't know...just mouth diarrhea

I have a superstition. I know it's probably not true, in fact, I think simulations show its slightly the opposite, but... I don't like sitting at third base when the table is full. I feel like when the count gets high, more often than not, the high cards get depleted on the first 5 players and I get left with junk (some sort of stiff) at that end of the table. Like the earlier players seem to get first dibs on the 10s and Aces. Now I know it's statistically either not true, or negligible, but I can't help feeling that way. I know that according to sims, you have a microscopically small increase in EV if you play at third base because have slightly more information about the cards that came out (leading to slightly better playing accuracy) than the players to your right. Either way it's not the most harmful superstition.

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

It is not the most harmful superstition. That is true but you already know it is slightly harmful. The tiny edge that shows up in sims is only part of the harm. What if you walk up on a table just after the first round is dealt and see that it's all small cards on the table. The only open seat is third base. Will your superstition cause you to pass on the opportunity? Will you play but play less aggressively?

@jacobbrooks7670

4 жыл бұрын

@@DarkStarBlackjack Oh for sure no. I would never let that superstition get in the way of taking advantage of a positive shoe. Also there's a chance I can catch a sloppy dealer's hole-card from 3rd base so there's that added advantage. Even though I have that superstition, I trust the math way more than some gut feeling I have which is clearly incorrect haha.

@okiefreemen

4 жыл бұрын

real life changing ap, happens from first base not third base, now you know, and some day you will understand why young grasshoppers. that casinos think aps like thirdbase is good for us :)

Hey AP, what's good?Do you play shuffle master or does the Casino have the advantage with that machine?

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

I assume you mean shuffle masters ASM not CSM. I have no problem with an automatic shuffler. I don't play continuous shuffle games.

@brnmcc01

2 ай бұрын

@@DarkStarBlackjack I think CSM is even worse than a 6:5 game.

7 showing against a 16 I stand about 50% of the time because the dealer will have to hit in less he turns over a face or ace especially with a six deck shoe

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

That is exactly what I told my mentor before I knew how to count or anything about advantage play. I mean no disrespect and thank you for your comment but his response was to laugh at me. Lucky for me I knew he was and is much more intelligent than I. It is true that most of the time the dealer will have to hit with a 7 up but she will still make a hand more than bust.

Casinos have automatic shuffling shoes nowadays can you beat them with basic strategy and card counting?

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

Yes. ASM is fine CSM is not. I do not know of a way to beat continuous shuffle machines but I play against ASMs all the time.

What area do you play in. Are you anywhere near OH

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

I've actually never played in Ohio.

@terrybellowes908

4 жыл бұрын

I've been trying to narrow down where he lives for months - good luck! It wouldn't make his work any easier - there are casinos who would also like to know.

@kodywilliams8606

4 жыл бұрын

Terry Bellowes wouldn’t matter where he lives all you got to go off of is a voice. I just like trying to find other AP

@terrybellowes908

4 жыл бұрын

@@kodywilliams8606 Agreed. I was once asked by a boss at the casino I go to who he was and how I knew him. Freaked us both out - I can't go int it but they thought I knew him and I didn't lie when I didn't know his real name or where he lived and I'm glad I didn't. They were clever but sounded stupid in the end..

@mr.stacks9393

2 ай бұрын

@@terrybellowes908 Sounds just like Al franken to me and he is from Minnesota

Is there a strategy for playing against a clumped game? I heard that basic strategy is useless against a clumped game. Is this true?

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

So I'm seeing comments about clumps and I'm not sure I understand what you are all talking about. When I hear "clumps" I think of what is usually called slugs by shuffle trackers. That's what I thought at first but now I think you mean something different. Please educate me. What do you mean by a clumped game"?

@okiefreemen

4 жыл бұрын

@@DarkStarBlackjack no there is a big debate among real players who know this is real thing, versus these math sim guys with the popular forum names arguing their math is perfect and this is no such thing. well the math guys are wrong and have a true lack of understanding there is a secret art at play here i dont want to post publicly. but year if face cards are clumped and the aces are clumped among low card, you are fcked as a counter, and there are reasons why this happens and in some situations can stay that way. I wont say more on here. Maybe i will enlighten the world someday but now is not the right time.

Is clumping a myth?

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

If you mean tracking a clump of cards through a hand shuffle, no. It is not a myth.

@blackjackaustralia6327

4 жыл бұрын

@@DarkStarBlackjack I suspect they mean card clumping on ASMs. The so called "beast mode".

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

Okay. Now that I did a little research and know what you mean by clumping, YES. I believe clumping is a myth. IF I thought the casino was cheating, I would not play there. I don't think casinos cheat and I don't think Shuffle Master or any company that makes an ASM would allow the machine to do that.

@okiefreemen

4 жыл бұрын

@@DarkStarBlackjack its not a myth, math guys dont understand why it happens and why it stays that way in some situations, i can tell you more but not in public. clump effect with aces away from faces and faces grouped is death to ap, who deny its real and get wiped out.

"Anybody can count a double deck". Ah yes, I've heard that one before. Or a bunch of young guys at the table and one of them has seen the movie 21, so he's explaining how card counting works to his buddies. His cringy monologue ends with "but it's impossible to count six decks", as I have two hands of my max bet and am doubling my 9 against a 7, sincerely hoping the pit boss believes the same. Hey DarkStar, what do you think "counter bait tables" are a thing? Tables that casinos put there, figuring "well if a card counter comes in, OF COURSE he'll play this double deck with DAS RSA LS and half deck pen. Why would we even sweat our six decks with this game in the house, when we can just watch this one table." Do you take it in consideration when you travel, or do you always just go for the best game you can find?

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

Well, I think some casinos have very good dd games that they know counters will prefer. They have them not to catch counters but because other players like those games too. So you're right that a place like that will probably not pay much attention to the 6d game. As to which game I'd play it depends on a few things. If it's close to home I'd probably play the shoe game and see how much I could get away with. Once they got to know me and maybe didn't think I was a threat I'd hit up the sweet double deck. I'll get kicked out eventually and I'd hate it to happen before I even got a taste of the DD with great rules and pen.

@skyedge3407

4 жыл бұрын

Double 9 vs 7? Thats against basic

@mjf4126

4 жыл бұрын

@@skyedge3407 Not if count is high enough

So you just appropriated Dark Star's name? Why is that even possible?

@DarkStarBlackjack

4 жыл бұрын

What are you talking about?