six decks and counting

First I would like to thank all of you who have responded directly and indirectly to my first post (trouble with six decks). I may have been a little unclear as to what I was saying. In both studies I was ahead as SOTSOG noted, with just under 1 percent favoring the non counted sessions. Also I was using betting progression along with BS in those sessions. As well I'm only referring to results from six deck play. I know the power of counting in games with fewer number of decks. My concern is wether or not it's worth the effort with six decks or more. From what Don has said there are some different techniques that can be used such as back counting and I am looking forward to learning them (Don, I ordered your book today). I am going to continue this study for 100,000 hands and see how the results bear at that point as well. Thanks again.

1) Hi-Opt I is a bad count to be using for 6 decks.
2) If side count of aces not included, you are REALLY wasting time.
3) Backcounting and wonging are golden.
4) Bet spread is very important, just betting 1 at +1, 2 at +2, etc. isn't going to get the job done.
5) Are you just using Basic Strategy? Including the I18 basic strategy playing departures based on the count can add 15%-20% to your profits.

All these things are explained in the book "Blackjack Attack".

2) If side count of aces not included, you are REALLY wasting time.

Don't you mean to say main count. The popular counts for 6 deck games, K-O or Hi-Lo, already include the ace. Also, I don't recall Don telling people to keep a side count of aces -- what page was that?

The poster said he was using Hi-Opt I which does not include the Ace.
The more advanced version of Hi-Opt I uses an Ace side count for betting purposes.

See "Blackjack Attack" page 190. Point number 1 in the paragraph titled "Why you may win less".