Do you know what RSA means? I've played everywhere.
Do you know what RSA means? I've played everywhere.
RSA I believe means re-split Aces. But that is not important to the discussion of KO with TCRC.
The game I was considering is six decks, five decks dealt, S17, DAS LS with decks estimated to the nearest full deck for both KO and HL.
With KO with TCRC you start your KO count at zero. So you are almost always counting positive numbers.
There are many versions of KO, such as of KO Rookie, KO Preferred, REKO and TKO, and they are all flawed and amateur counts for beginners.
They are not to be confused with KO with TCRC which is an exact count and give very accurate true counts, playing strategy variations and betting.
For a detailed description of how to use KO with TCRC refer to my article published on Blackjack Review.
KO with Table of Critical Running Counts
https://www.blackjackreview.com/wp/2025/09/14/ko-with-table-of-critical-running-counts-2/
I deliberately left out derivations and as much math as possible so as not to confuse the reader and just made it a "how to" use KO with TCRC.
All decisions (betting and playing strategy deviations) are made comparing two integers, KO and crc(Idx) (critical running Count at the Idx = Index).
The critical running count formula is very simple, crc(t) = 4*n + (t - 4)*dr where t = true count and n = # decks and dr = decks remaining.
If the TCRC is memorized (has very easy patterns) you do not even have to do these simple calculations as you can mentally "look it up".
For six decks, n = 6 and crc(t) = 24 + (t - 4)*dr. So for six decks:
crc(2) = 24 - 2*dr
crc(3) = 24 - dr
crc(4) = 24
crc(5) = 24 + dr
crc(6) = 24 + 2*dr
crc(7) = 24 + 3*dr
So for example, there was a discussion on insurance. Insurance index is 3. So Insure if KO >= crc(3).
crc(3) is very easy to calculate. crc(3) = 24 - dr, thus crc(3) = 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 for dr = 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 respectively.
For crc(1) corresponds to a true count of 1 and that is where you first start to increase your bet.
There is a formula for crc(1) but it is much easier just memorize crc(1) values.
For six decks, crc(1) = 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 for dp = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 respectively and that is where you first start to increase your bets.
Switching from HL to KO with TCRC is very easy as KO indices for the most part are the same as HL indices and so there is very little new to learn.
I listed the major few exceptions where KO EV indices were different from HL EV indices in my suggestion for a simulation.
i. Stand on hard 14 v T if KO >= crc(7).
ii. Stand on hard 16 v 9 if KO >= crc(6).
iii. Hit all hard 16 v 7 or 8.
iv. Hit all hard 15 v 7, 8, 9.
As another example of using crc, consider standing on hard 14 v t if KO >= crc(7).
For six decks, crc(7) = 24 + 3*dr so if dr = 2 then crc(7) = 24 + 3*2 = 30 and so stand on hard 14 v T if KO >= 30.
Finally Colin Jones' sims showed that if HL true counts are calculated to the nearest quarter deck as compared to nearest full deck then HL EV increases by 7%.. KO with TCRC estimated to the nearest full deck is, for true counts of three or more, equivalent to the HL estimated to the nearest quarter deck.
Thus KO with TCRC estimated to the nearest full deck, for back counted six decks, five decks dealt, S17, DAS, LS games with 1 to 8 or 1 to 12 spread should increase HL EV with HL estimated to the nearest full by deck 7%. This is based solely on my analysis and my reliance on Colin Jones sims. I have no sims to back up my statements which is why I asked for sims.
And as I stated previously, learning TCRC is useful if you intend to add +/- side counts to KO or if you plan to play Spanish 21 with HL which is unbalanced at four per deck like KO is unbalanced at 4 per deck for blackjack.
Quote “The game I was considering is six decks, five decks dealt, S17, DAS LS.” This game only happens to a few sloppy dealers. The norm is less than 4.5 decks dealt. And, mostly in high limit areas.
Actually, your proposal has a little merit, as I have used similar things in double-decks.
Pick a better casino. The casino I go to deals 5 out of 6 decks on almost every table, S17, DAS, LS and they offer Lucky Ladies with full payout of 4:10:25:200:1000 to 1 for any 20, suited 20, suited and matched 20, QHQH, QHQH with dealer blackjack and progressive Super 4. I live in PA and by law the casinos must offer S17, DAS and LS.
I said multiple times that KO with TCRC should replace HL for the shoe game, I said for the two deck game continue to use HL.
Finally the main advantage of KO with TCRC over HL is that using KO with TCRC is the accuracy. KO with TCRC is like using a computer to play the HL and calculate HL true counts. As I said KO with TCRC estimated to the nearest full deck is like HL true counts calculated to the nearest quarter deck for true counts of three or more..
Can you image the errors in estimating decks to the nearest quarter deck and amount of mental fatigue and then calculating true counts by dividing by quarter deck increments. With KO with TCRC you estimate deck remaining to the nearest full deck and it is equivalent to HL estimating decks remaining to the nearest quarter deck and according to Colin Jones' sim the EV of HL estimated to the nearest quarter deck is 7% larger than HL estimated to the nearest full. deck.
Here is the link to Colin Jones' sims again:
https://www.blackjackapprenticeship.com/bja-guide-to-deck-estimation/
Scenario: 6 Deck Game (4.5 of 6 decks dealt): S17, DAS, RSA*
Bet Spread: 1-12 Spread, wong-out at True -2
EV with Full-Deck Divisor: $39.80/hr; N0: 343 hours
EV with Quarter-Deck Divisor: $42.50/hr; N0: 329 (7% more than Full Deck)
So KO with TCRC is not a new count system than HL. It i just more accurate than HL and is like you are playing HL with a computer calculating exact true counts that a human cannot do. Also it is very easy to use as critical running counts are very easy to calculate and all decisions are made by comparing two integers, KO and critical running count with decks remaining estimated to the nearest full deck beiing more than adequate.
I played in PA but was quickly backed off. To be honest, I feel your posts are irritating sometimes. I don’t know what the website policy is regarding posting an ads link, but you remind me of another Amazon author “moraine” who did the same thing here earlier. Not engaging to the audience. I interacted with him but almost got me banned from this website. I must be reserved. Good luck!
If you do not like KO with TCRC then stick with HL. HL is the industry standard and I understand the great reluctance to change. But just because you do not like it does not mean everyone does not like it.
This website is to exchange information that others may find useful. I put it out there for a choice and maybe some readers may want to try it to see how it works. Also the links I posted were to explain KO with TCRC and also Colin Jones' sims to explain KO with TCRC better for those who might be interested, which is obviously not you. .
Again if you do not like KO with TCRC then do not use it but I take offense to you saying my posts are irritating. I was answering your questions. If you do not like it then don't use it but keep your insults to yourself. I do not insult others and neither should you. It is you who are violating the terms of this website by flinging insults and I suggest that you cease with our insults. My information is correct and is an option for others who might find it useful.
As far as you being back off, that has noting to do with the count system you use. It has to do with your casino comportment.
Well, I just don’t believe what you post above “The casino I go to deals 5 out of 6 decks on almost every table, S17, DAS, LS and Lucky Ladies.” I played everywhere. Again, good luck!
I apologize if what I posted made you feel bad. It's clear to me that you are a dedicated researcher.
Thank you very much for the apology. I wish you luck in making money at blackjack or Spanish 21. I always try to give quality information.. Good luck.
If you can change your requirement from “six decks, five decks dealt, S17, DAS LS” to “six decks, 4.5 decks dealt, S17, DAS LS,” I will be able to do a comparison simulation between Hi-Lo and TKO for you using Phil’s blackjack simulator. However, I cannot do your TCRC. Gronbog should be able to do it.
Blackjack Rebel, where is the TCRC or table of critical running counts? Or how is it calculated, I see a formula but I am confused about whether there are tables or a table or is it calculated for a specific game or calculated while playing?
Thank you,
Phil
There is a link to the tables at the bottom of the article.
Do not read into that paper and the attachments. The derivations are all wrong. Let me derive it in a few lines here. Consider a 6-deck blackjack game. RC means running count; TC means true count; DR means decks remaining.
KO RC=-24+x, where x is the sum of tags of removed Hi-Lo cards.
KO TC=RC/DR.
Therefore,
x=24+TC x DR.
Please refer to the link on KO with TCRC that I gave earlier for the TCRC formulas. I will list that link again below:
KO with Table of Critical Running Counts
https://www.blackjackreview.com/wp/2025/09/14/ko-with-table-of-critical-running-counts-2/
I deliberately avoided the derivations and as much math as possible and just gave the results of how to use TCRC. The formulas are correct.
Here is the summary in the article above:
The formula is very simple and easy to use. You can use teh formula or learn the TCRC.
For crc(1) use the TCRC instead of the formula and start increasing your bet for six deck game when KO is 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 for dp = 1, 2, 3, 4 5 respectively were dp = decks played. This is shown in the article.
As an example, you are playing six decks and dp = 2 so dr = 4 (dr = decks remaining) and you are deciding whether or not to take insurance. Except for a few exceptions KO indices are the same as HL indices and you take insurance if true count HL is 3 or more. So with KO you take insurance if KO >= crc(3). Nothing much new to learn here.
For six decks, crc(3) = 24 - dr. If dp = 2 then dr = 4 and so crc(3) = 24 - 4 = 20 and you take insurance if KO >= 20. it is that simple. critical running counts (crc) are extremely easy to calculate and you make your decision by comparing two integers, KO and crc. Estimating decks to the nearest full deck is more than adequate for KO with TCRC for the shoe game.
Also if KO >= crc(4) = 4*n = 24 for n = 6 decks, then KO true count is 4 and you start making your big bets. At the pivot of a true count of 4, KO true count of 4 it totally independent of decks played or decks remaining. KO = crc(4) is a true count of four anywhere in the shoe. This is advantageous if for example, you came across a shoe with one or two decks dealt and you saw a bunch of low cards so you started counting with the KO. As soon as KO >= crc(4) = 24 for n = 6 decks, then true count KO is 4 and you can start making your big bets regardless of how many decks you did not count.
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Quote “crc(t) = 24 + (t – 4)*dr.” This is incorrect.
The correct formula is
x=24+TC x DR
I was really trying to avoid using derivations and formulas as much as possible and present a simple users guide to using KO with TCRC. But I see there are some questions so I will provide some derivations below
Example: n = 8, dp = 3, KO= 22 What is the KO true count?
If dp = 3 then the expected KO count which would correspond to a balanced KO true count of
zero is 4*dp = 12. If KO= 22, then KO running count is 10 points above the expected KO running
count of 12. Since dp = 3 then dr = 5 and so the KO true count is (KO running count points above
it's expected value) / (Decks Remaining)= 10/5 = 2. This can be seen in the formula tc(KO) = (KO -
4*dp)/dr which has been shown to be equivalent to tc(KO) = 4 + (KO - 4*n)/dr.
Below are derivations of some of the KO ere relationships:
dp = decks played dr = decks remaining,
n = number of decks t = tc(KO) = KO true count
1. t = (KO - 4*dp) / dr
2. From (1), using dp = (n - dr):
a. t=(KO-4*(n-dr))/dr
b. t=(KO-4*n+4*dr)/dr
c. t=(KO-4*n)/dr+4
d. t = 4 + (KO- 4*n) / dr
3. From (2d):
a. (t-4)=(KO-4*n)/dr
b. (t-4)*dr=KO-4*n
c. KO= 4*n + (t -4)*dr
4. From (3c), using n = (dp + dr):
a. KO= 4 *(dp + dr) + (t - 4)*dr
b. KO= 4*dp + 4*dr + t*dr-4*dr
c. KO= 4*dp + t*dr
5. From (4c), using dr = (n - dp):
a. KO= 4*dp + t*(n -dp)
b. KO= 4*dp + t*n -t*dp
c. KO = n*t + (4 - t)*dp
So these are a bunch for KO true count formulas. For true counts of 2 or more I prefer to use crc(t) = 4*n - (t - 4)*dr
For six decks that is crc(t) = 24 + (t - 4)*dr
And for true counts of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 for n = 6 decks which are the most important the formulas are very simple.
crc(6) = 24 + 2*dr
crc(5) = 24 + dr
crc(4) = 24
crc(3) = 24 - dr
crc(2) = 24 - 2*dr
crc(1) = 24 - 3*dr which I prefer to use crc(1) = 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 for dp = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 respectively and you strat increasing bets when KO >= crc(1).
Remember, KO is started at zero just like HL. So KO is almost always a positive count.
Here are a few more examples for n = 6 decks;:
Stand on hard 12 v 3 if HL true count is 2 so if KO >= crc(2)
crc(2) = 24 - 2*dr so if dp = 3 then dr = 3 and crc(2) = 24 - 2*3 = 18
So stand on hard 12 v 3 if KO >= crc(2) = 18.
Stand on hard 15 v T if HL true count is 4. So stand if KO >= crc(4) = 24.
Stand hard 16 v T is HL true count is 0 so stand if KO >= crc(0) = 4*dp
Using crc(t) = 4*n + (t - 4)*dr if t = 0 then crc(0) = 4*n + (0 - 4)*dr = 4*(n - dr) = 4*dp which is the EV of KO at decks played, that is,, if dp = 1 you would expect KO = 4 and if dp = 2 you would suspect KO = 8 .... because KO is unbalanced at 4 per deck.
Using risk averse index of 6 for splitting T,T, v 5 or T,T v 6.
Split if HL true count is six of more so split if KO >= crc(6)
crc(6) = 24 + 2*dr If dp = 4 then dr = 2 and crc(t) = 24 + 2*2 = 28
So split T,T, v 6 if KO >= crc(6) = 28.
You can either use for six decks either this simple crc(t) = 24 + (t - 4)*dr formula of simple use the TCRC is you have it memorized.
Are you stubborn or what? I told you this formula is incorrect. I've already derived the correct formula. It seems to me like you do not understand TKO.
The KO formulas are correct. You start KO at zero just like HL. Because KO is unbalanced at 4 per deck, KO is usually increasing and usually positive. This is KO with TCRC you are looking at.. It is not TKO which you mentioned..
My favorite crc formula is crc(t) = 4*n + (t - 4)*dr which gives extremely simple formulas for crc(2), crc(3), cric(4), crc(5), crc(6).which I gave to you before with examples.
This was the same true count formulas Gronbog did in simulations of KO with 5m7c and AA89MTc which his sims showed handily beat HO2 with ASC.
https://static.bjrnet.com/pdf/KO_WithCriticalRunningCounts/KOw_5m7c_AA89mTc_sim.pdf
The KO true count formulas I gave you are correct.
It seems to me that you will not be convinced unless you have simulations which I cannot do. But I know I am correct.
One more point on my true count formulas for KO with TCRC. I have been using KO with TCRC (actually KO with side counts with TCRC) for years and it works great. If my formulas were incorrect I would be losing big time.
The issue of using the correct initial running count (IRC) for the KO count has been discussed a couple of times here by Cacarulo. He knows this. I would rather consult him about this part.
We cannot even agree on the math formula, how do I simulate it for you?
Do you know what RSA means? I've played everywhere.
Aceside, apparently "everywhere" doesn't include Las Vegas to you? Current Blackjack News lists 115 such games offered in 24 Las Vegas casinos, 17 of which are in a 5-mile cluster on the same street, Las Vegas Blvd., aka The Strip! There used to be even more. Yet you say, "I’ve never seen a “6 Deck Game (4.5 of 6 decks dealt): S17, DAS, RSA” in America." And then you say, "Do you know what RSA means? I've played everywhere."
1. Why would you ask, any rank beginner knows a basic term like "RSA".
2. You don't enhance your credibility by puffing something like, "I've played everywhere" but not even being aware of a game that is a staple in one of the biggest blackjack centers in the world, tarnished as it may be in recent years.
I have no wish to enter a childish pissing contest. Let's start over, shall we?
