KO and upgrading

Beginning counter using KO...thinking about upgrading to a balanced system...can anyone comment on their experience converting from one system to another...for example; do you drop the old system all together and just not play until you're comfortable with the new one? Does anyone keep two systems in their arsenal and play the one best suited for the conditions they encounter? Actively playing two systems and doing it well - is that even possible? Any advice and also any general comments regarding your experience with unbalanced systems is appreciated.
Thank You

You can "upgrade" KO by learning how to true count it. It may be easier than learning a new system. If you are a Green Chipper, look up my post on true-counting KO in the archives.

I searched for your post "true-counted KO charts" in the GC archives, but could only find some hints to it, not the original post.

Could it be that this post is too old to be displayed anymore? Searching "Card Counting" your oldest post is from Nov. 26th 2000.

Bootlegger, your BJ book is an excellent, and very informative read. Like most of us, I devour just about all the books relating to our game, with obvious exceptions, and yours is by far one of most well written. Bravo. Excellent accomplishment.

Archives means that the posts are permanently stored. That's at least for as long as this site exists.

Here's the link. You must have GC Access.

now I got it.

Maybe I could not find it with the search function, because the post is under "Counting" and I searched "Card Counting".

from hi/lo to KO
didn't have to convert to true count with KO
estimating # of decks was the problem for me
KO solved that & it works for me

I actually modified my KO strategy in my Casino Verite. I added splitting 2s and 3s against a dealer 2 or 3. Most of the casinos in Tunica have the following rules on double deck: dealer hit S17, DAS, DA2, and No surrender.

I am also adding in the counts from the hi/lo system for the negative counts. KO has no strategy table for negative counts.

Thanks for the compliment and the plug! :-)

I know I need to spend a lot more time at the table getting proficient with KO before I would take on TC conversion...was just considering the switch because I thought the results would be better with Hi-Lo...but it is interesting to know that you made the switch in the other direction...Thanks for your comment.

I actually started with KO but switched to HILO about a year in to it. Go figure. Ask ten people and you'll get ten answers.

I'd just say this. There is nothing wrong with playing KO; it is a good sytem, it will get the money, especially if you predominantly play 4D or 6D shoes. I know a guy who gets big money playing KO and he does not TC. Granted his BR is big and his EV in dollars per hour is larger than probably yours, but the point is KO works.

The biggest advantage to HILO that I see is that almost every generalized analogy, simm, or reference made about how to play this game is made using HILO as the count. If you use another count, like KO, and are just learning, you have to go one other step and adapt the lesson being taught to your specific system.

None the less, there are several posts on another site re-visiting the idea that the system itself (KO, Hilo, etc) is way down the list of considerations in figuring out how to beat this game.

Learn BS then learn a system. Then discipline yourself to only play the games with good rules and good penetration while being financially prepared to bet small when it's bad and spread big when you have the advantage.

KO is fine -finding the good rules and pen, while spreading big when you should, is what wins the money.

Good luck.

...for the sound advice and encouragement...I appreciate it!