Help for a new counter with a question

Hi, I just found this site and hope I can learn lots here.

For the past month or so I have been learning the art of blackjack card counting and basic strategy. In the past I did not even know basic strategy and heard of card counting but never knew much about it and thought you needed to be a genius to do it. The fact that when done right can move the odds in your favor was just too sweet for me to pass up.

I am looking for some help here though. I can't find this info anywhere so maybe here can help me.

First of all, my counting system is very simple and will be for fun, it won't be a full time job or anything, just a fun little side project to help my odds a couple % when I go to the casino. But on that same note, when I do anything, I want to do it properly so I will take the time necessary to learn basic strategy and my counting system.

I was using the simple Hi-Lo system but recently switched to the KO simple system as it seems a little easier and I have read the results are pretty similar without having to divide the count by the number of decks remaining.

Now my question is about backcounting and wonging. The last time I went to the casino I would simply walk around behind the tables ,it was not busy so many of the $5 tables had open spots and I would simply count from behind the players and then if the count got to +10, I would sit down and start playing.

I would stay with the $5 bets and if the count went even higher, plus $15 or so I would raise my bet to $10 and $15 or 20 for a +20 count (that only happened once and I lost!) I had no real plan here, just sitting down and playing when the count got high enough.

Now back to the question...by walking around and only sitting down at positive tables to play and getting up to leave when count gets negative, I assume my odds increase a bit. Do you have any idea how much assuming 4.5 deck penetration, dealer hits on S17, 6 decks, Double after splits? (I assume it would be based on my spread also)

And also, using this method of backcounting with KO and only sitting down at tables with a good count what strategy would you suggest for me in terms of betting assuming $5 min tables?

Like... when to sit at a table...go at +10 or simply at +5 or +2?

What range of bets to use based on the count? +5 count would be how much of a bet and +8,+9, etc.

What would be a sufficient bankroll for $5 tables assuming wonging will be used?

When to play multiple hands if the spots beside me are open? Like if the count is +10, should I play one hand of $20 or two hands of $10 or something else?

Sorry for all the questions, hope I made myself clear. Also if you could tell me a good first book to read on counting, that would be appreciated.

Thanks!

1C5

Read as many as you can...but the best starter book probably the Olaf Vancura book "Knockout Blackjack" right now.

Other books you should read are.

Professional Blackjack by Stanford Wong
Blackbelt in Blackjack by Arnold Snyder
Blackjack for Blood by Bryce Carlson

after you read these...and understand them, progress to

Blackjack Attack...the excellent book by Don Schlesinger.

Never stop reading and learning...look at the Bibliographies of these books for more books to read....read as many as you can, the more "good stuff" you pack into your mind the less likely that voodoo will find a way into your game, and the more likely you will be to be able to spot other advantage plays.

Finally, get a bunch of money...counting cards in most of todays games are not a way to turn a little money into a lot...counting cards is a way to grind out a profit and usually requires a large bankroll to accomplish. However, if you are already playing casino blackjack you might as well have an edge rather than just giving the casino your money...so in that situation counting cards is still worthwhile.

There are ways, if you are just out for fun, to increase your overall expectancy from negative to positive without any counting. This is done by taking advantage of other people's double downs and splits. First thing you do is you must make good friends with everyone at the table. Then look for opportunities to double on 11 against a 9 or 10 where someone doesn't want to. They will usually let you even though they are unwilling to do it themselves. You can do splits also but, beware, because you need to designate YOUR money from their money. This may get confusing so make sure you do it the right way.

Pay attention for doubling for less, also. Many times on the 5 dollar table you will see a bet for 7.50 (they got a BJ the hand before and stacked up the dollars) if there is a double down situation most of the time they will only double for 5 because most gamblers are too lazy to simply get change from the dealer. HAVE THAT CHANGE READY TO GO, because they may not want to wait for you to get change either.

Now this one is touchy, but get ready.
If you are counting and you see that insurance is a good bet to make, get ready to put the insurance bet on as many peoples hands as you can control. I had a guy sitting next to me betting 1000, I was using the Mentor count and was at -12 (thats a lot of 10's left) so I asked the guy if I could insure his hand. Again, you must make it clear that the winnings will be yours. Anyway he said fine, so bet 300 on the line and the dealer flipped over the BJ and I lost my 100 but made 100 on my insurance and 600 on the other bet. The guy told me with a chuckle that was a very interesting play, and we both laughed it up. Once again, I made a good repoir with the players so when I did this, he was more than willing to help a fellow gambler and "friend" go with his "gut feeling" ,nudge, nudge.