should i switch counts?

I've been playing for about 2 months. I studied blackjack for nearly a year without playing (!@#$ Iraq.) I mainly play 6 deck shoes DAS S17 I thought the Hi-Lo system would suffice. But I'm tired of having a descent count and losing with a hard 17 vs 18,19.

I was thinking of taking a break from playing and studying up on Wongs halves count b/c the 7 and 9 are counted. Would this make any difference? and what are your opinions?

As long as you are doing everything else right (counting, BS, money management, emotional control, among many other things), the hi lo count is fine. This game is a massive roller coaster and you need to grind out wins over a long period of time. It's not like many posters here who write that they just started counting and won $5000 at a $10 table in 3 hours. It just doesn't work that way.

Your reasoning for considering halves may not be quite correct. The halves count allows you to see a few more TC's so you will be betting larger a little more often.

If learning a new count gets in the way of actually playing then you should probably just use Hi Lo. If you are not good at math or are not 100% at ease with Hi Lo then you should probably not take on a bigger challenge.

If math is quick and easy for you. If you are so proficient at Hi Lo that you are bored and you have the free time then switching to halves can add some to the win.

It's really a personal choice.

Would changing systems make any difference? Isn't hard 17 generally a loser against any dealer upcard except possibly a 6?

The difference between Halves and Hi-Lo, according to Wong's multi-deck benchmark game in Professional Blackjack, is you win $17 verses $16. You're doing a lot more work with Halves and most likely won't be able to play as long error free or with equal apparent concentration as you will with Hi-Lo. As Wong has said, you'll get more benefit polishing your act and throwing a few extra chips on your big bets. That being said, I went to Halves from Hi-Lo long ago and have no regrets. I believe every nickel counts.

Think I am going to switch but keep using hi-lo until i have halves down as good as i do hi-lo at this point. i like to do things to the best of my ability and halves having a slightly higher win rate seems better for me. No breaks from playing though. Thanks for the advice you all helped me with my decision. I'll be around for a while let you know how it goes

couple more questions:
1. wongs professional blackjack only has indices for 1,2and4 decks not 6 for the halves system. Can I use the 4 deck indices or the indices that i already know for hi-lo. (DAS,S17, no surrender)wong suggest learning the halves count using the hi-lo indices then switching to the halves indices since theres not much diffence. good idea, bad idea?

2. How long you guys been playing? just curious.

You have been playing a couple of months, got a few high counts and were in 17 hell, it happens, it is called variance or in ploppy terms, bad luck.
The thing is that there will be just as many times eventually where you are beating that dealer by one point where he is getting those 17's instead of you.
Change counts if you wish but these periods of time will happen with any count system.

As others have suggested, I would also recommend keeping Hi-Lo since you've already learned the system. You're going to get stuck with hard 17 and lose to a dealer 18+ no matter what system you use.

ok I'll give hi-lo some more time. i have only been playing a couple months and I am up a few big bets. I am also very comfortable with hi-lo, enough to carry on any conversation with anyone and not miss a beat. i do like the ease of use.

but recently posted on BJinfo.com that he would learn
Zen or Mentor, if he were to start out now. Fred
posted that Zen and Mentor are easier to learn and
nearly as effective. AM simmed and found Mentor ever
so slightly better.

FWIW

BJinNJ

Until you have at the very least 500 hours at the tables study "Blackjack Attack" and polish your Hi-Lo game. Add more index numbers if you are bored.

If, at that point, you are serious about BJ and expect to put in a lot of time at the tables - with a sufficient bankroll of course - then you may consider stepping up to a Level 2 count.

For shoe games I suggest the "ZEN Count"
If you play primarily "pitch games" then study "Hi-Opt II"

These level 2 counts earn more money, but only if they are played error-free. They are more powerful, but for a casual player who plays once a week for 5 or 6 hrs. they are overkill. If you are planning on playing Semi-Pro then the investment of time and effort in training yourself to be utterly proficient with a Two-Level count.

I say "utterly proficient" because if you make errors, (with a harder Count), you will lose back more than these stronger Counts will provide you. These harder Counts are not for everyone.

'YMMV'