Card Counting Still Possible?

Hi there
I'm basically very new to the blackjack arena and have started making preparations (i.e. buying some books etc.) to start playing in the casinos.
Question: Is card counting still possible when the dealer puts every played hand in some machine? Basically here (in South Africa) there is no discard pile. Once the card is through the dealer puts the cards in this machine. Am I right in assuming the cards get shuffled straight away?
Thanks

"Question: Is card counting still possible when the dealer puts every played hand in some machine? Basically here (in South Africa) there is no discard pile. Once the card is through the dealer puts the cards in this machine."

Although CSM's can be made to mechanically behave differently, under your playing conditions you can count until you drop and the only way you win is if you get very lucky.

Some here will tell you there are other AP techniques for your situation. That assertion IMO is pure bunk and whoever says it is selling, touting, or representing the casinos interest.

I'm sure you'll get some very interesting replies. Think long and hard about what you read, then you decide based on what you learn, not based on who says it.

I wish you luck!

Gary

So then is my best bet (excuse the pun) the normal basic strategy for the given set of rules?
Thanks for the very quick and efficient reply.

"So then is my best bet (excuse the pun) the normal basic strategy for the given set of rules?"

If you are playing for grins, comps, and a few winning trips wiped out by losing trips then yes play and play perfect basic strategy. However, if you're playing for profit IMO you have no chance for long term success.

Considering your playing conditions for blackjack, if you are looking for profit, I would suggest learning poker and playing blackjack only for recreation.

That's my opinon.

To your success!
Gary

If you are playing perfect basic strategy all you are doing is playing the game whilst goving the cssino as little edge as possible. Over the long run you are still going to lose.

I play poker, so this is probably a somewhat uneducated comment on my part.

I'm not convinced that Invictus is bound to lose playing basic strategy, although he won't make a living for sure.

Whenever I've played blackjack (I don't count) my stack goes up and down. If he were to bet small enough relative to his stack size to make it to an upswing and then leave, there's a very good chance that he could win most of the time he plays blackjack. How much depends on the color of the chips, of course.

I haven't played enough to know how often the cards are so bad that you're never up - and if these happen frequently, then my theory is dead wrong.

However, if the goal is to make a few bucks, basic strategy and a dose of discipline could be fine (although not much fun).

Flat bet until you go up by one unit, then quit that session. Repeat. Sounds like a great theory, until you hit the inevitible early losing streak that puts you quickly in the hole and you never catch up, ever. You just get further and further behind. Sorry, but you can't add up a string of negative numbers and expect to come up with a positive result.

EE