I am thinking about getting one of the programs offered by qfit. Any suggestions as to which one to buy? Package deal or single order?
James Patterson,
My recommendation is that you get the whole Casino Verite package, available at the website linked below.
The three main components that I use are CVBJ, CVCX, and CVData.
CVBJ allows the user to play BJ, while the computer checks to be sure the player is sizing bets and using indexes "correctly" (i.e., in accordance with the player's selected bet schedule and playing strategy). The program can simulate such diverse factors as heat, dealer errors, other players coming and going. Furthermore, CVBJ can be used to play BJ variants (Spanish 21, Double Exposure, etc.) and to drill the player's knowledge of indexes.
CVCX, which stands for "Casino Verite Chapter X" and refers to Chapter 10 of Don Sclesinger's BJA3, allows the user to determine SCOREs, win rates, and count distribution frequencies for both optimal and user-specified bet ramps. You can either give the rules and playing strategies and run the sims yourself, or download numerous "canned" sims that are available on the QFIT website. I used CVCX to provide the optimal bet ramps that we discussed in an earlier thread on this board.
CVData is also used to run simulations, but it has much more flexibility than does CVCX. CVData can handle many more rules (including simulating bonus hands and side bets) than does CVCX, and can also sim betting strategies that involve spreading to three or more hands. CVData can also be used to generate indexes for a counting system, which is handy for everyone out there developing a new count.
I've just touched on the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. I know the entire package is expensive compared to your present BR, but I feel the investment is well worth the cost. I bought it myself when my BR was significantly less than $5K, and have never regretted the purchase. In addition, the technical support is second to none: when I email a question to Norm, I usually receive a response within hours. My requests have even caused Norm to produce new versions of the software.
Hope this helps!
Dog Hand
Rich,
Does CVBJ have enough flexibility to allow one to enter a specific betting ramp, or does it simply have a number of betting ramps that you have to choose from?
The user gets to specify the precise bet schedule, including how many hands to play. The schedule can be simple ("Bet 1x$10 @ 0 and below, 2x$25 @ +1, 2x$50 @ +2, ...") or complex, where you could for example use different count systems for betting and playing, side counts (including perfect insurance), side bets, different schedules depending on shoe depth, etc. The program can be set simply to record betting errors, or to stop and warn the user about the error.
And does it show ANY win rate/RoR/etc. type of information, or do you have to get CVCX for that?
No, this CVBJ does NOT do. It does have a RoR calculator, but to use it you need to know your advantage and standard deviation. For these you'll need CVData or CVCX (both of which also have the same RoR calculator), or you'll need these values from, for example, a book.
In his books, Stanford Wong mentions a software program/package called "Blackjack Count Analyzer." Is that still on the market, and if so, how does it compare to the CV products?
Click the link below to learn about "Professional Blackjack Analyzer" (the successor to "Blackjack Count Analyzer") available in bj21's own catalog. I'm afraid I know nothing about the software... perhaps Stanford can chime in?
Money-saving tip: if you decide to buy the PBA software, which lists for $149.95, you should first sign up for GC membership (assuming you are not currently a member). Membership, which can also be purchased on the bj21 catalog website, costs $14.95 for 3 months, but provides a 10% discount on all of your bj21 catalog purchases. Thus, you'll essentially be getting 3 months of GC membership FOR FREE!
Hope this helps!
Dog Hand
