I have been using HiLo with success but am switching to Zen, as I have researched that it will provide a slightly larger EV than HiLo. My question is; is there value in side-counting, ie. Ace location?
I am wondering about your decision to switch counts. I am a proponent that while, yes, simulations show anywhere from a 5% to 10% increase in EV, depending on game, using a level 2 count vs a level one count like hi-lo, that in the real world of play that that increase vanishes with just a couple extra mistakes, or maybe you can't play quite as long as acurately. I myself, started play with Hi-lo and after a few years 'upgraded' to a level 2 count, RPC, which I played for 18 months before deciding to go back to hi-lo. I feel doubly strong for anyone who has already mastered and has success with a level one count like hi-lo. That increase in EV is something that shows up on paper and in sims, but doesn't necessarily materialize in real world play. I suppose if you play mostly single and double deck games, a count with higher PE would benefit you but for the majority of players, including myself, Hi-lo is more than adequate. If you are looking to increase EV, I would suggest other methods. Improving, your bet spread & ramp, reducing or eliminating play at negative counts, seeking games with better conditions and or penetration, increasing the number of hands per hour, which is easier to do with a simplier count, or incorporating some advanced strategies into your play, some of which work best with hi-lo. While, I do support myself solely from blackjack play, I think of myself as more of a student of the game, still learning, rather than a pro, so some of the other more qualified pro's may have a different view.
What are some of the advanced strategies that go well with HiLo?
I learned many moons ago on high low, then switched to halves, then switched back after about a year and a half because of the fatigue/error issues.
Nowadays, when I want to practice I grab a deck, pick from hi/lo, wong halves, and perfect insurance. When you can do that quickly and error-free, you'll know you're set.
Halves is cool because you can use to predict certain card groups and impress friends (2/7, 3-4-6,5,8,9,10-A and better with side counts. works on 12-year-olds and blonds of any age).
Thanks for the advice evryone, I really appreciate it. I will be heading for Vegas in early June, can anyone tell me where to find the best games? Better yet, can someone tell me where I can get a good game and get a hotel room comped as well?
ran CVCX and compared same bet ramps for three systems for play-all approach s17 ds shoe game with 4.5 dealt out of 6.0 decks.
REKO SCORE $34 (only index is +3 for Ins and +2 for everything else)
High Low SCORE $36 All Indexes from -10 to +10 (no 10-10 split no dbl A9)
Zen SCORE $41 All Indexes from +15 to -10 (no 10-10 splits, no dbl A9)
what I would have expected. I am not disputing that simulations show an improvement with level two counts. I just beleive that in the real world of play some of that additional advantage disappears and for the vast majority of players, just isn't necessary. Am I to assume from this exercise that you disagree, BP?
it all depends on what the person cares to use and what types of games he or she mostly plays. If your typical game is mostly mediocre shoes and your strategy is based on brute force spread then simple systems are probably the best. If you play a lot of single and double deck then multi-level systems are better. I like Zen because it's a good mix of simplicity and power. You can switch back and forth using Zen for shoes and AO2 for pitch games using the same set of index numbers. You can also do the same thing with HiOpt-1 and High Low as HiOpt-1 is better for pitch games because if you side count Aces.
