Which system

Stanford Wong in "Professional Blackjack" lists hi-lo for SD on page 255. Is it enough to beat the game or should I learn something more elaborate for SD? It applies for H17.

No change needed, High Low is fine.

please make sure that these single deck games are NOT 6:5 BJ payout.

For single deck as with any game, game selection is very important. Take a look at the link on this page name "Single Deck Game Selection"

Hi-Lo is a very very poor choice if playing Single or Double Deck.

In a shoe game, Hi-Lo will see you through, as a recreational player,

looking to enjoy an evening out without losing much money.

Hi-Lo has very good betting correlation; but to win at a hand-held game, you need high Playing Efficiency; and that is abysmal with Hi-Lo.

You should use Hi-Opt II, or Advanced Omega, II, or ZEN

Hi-Opt I has a higher PE than High-Low and is easier to use than the level-2 counts. I agree with The DOC's post.

good if you resolve to quarter decks.

High Low is the de-facto industry standard for professional players. You can use Hi-Opt 1 for the really good pitch games to get the playing power if you're into that and still use the same High-Low index numbers.

It's not about the system, it's about time spent playing and getting as much money on the table when you have a big edge and getting away with betting little or nothing when you don't have an edge.

Actual choice of system is one of the least important choices you can make...just pick one you like and can handle without undue fatigue and play it as accurately as possible.

I have participated in this very discussion far too many times on several sites, bigplayer, and some of those discussions involved my friend FLASH, who see's this issue differently than you and I. I suspect this debate has been going on many, many years before my time in the community. Communicating my thoughts is not my strong point, as I often struggle to convey my message, but I think your second and third sentence sums up my thoughts on the argument as simply and effectively as possible. Thank you. I think I will save those two sentences for future discussions, of which there are sure to be. :)

Hi Low is and always has been the standard in the industry. When you know this strategy you can play any 21 game any number of decks. Stick with easy and no mistakes. Play long with out fatigue. Betting efficiency is one of the highest so you will know every time when you have the advantage. Get the bet out sooner and that's what gets the money.

Are accurate, but let me give some perspective on Mike's situation.

You can use a smaller spread at DD with a level 2 non ace reckoned count like AO2 or HiOpt II. Insurance decisions are more accurate. Strategy variations can be exploited due to the higher PE. But, any error in execution is costly.

Flash is a highly proficient pro with years of experience Mike is clearly inexperienced, so a level 1 count is the way to go for him.

You must learn to walk before you can run.

although I think it is his second and third PARAGRAPHS that neatly frame his argument. :)

Hi-lo, or KO, will not "help you lose less money." Properly utilized/executed, these systems will get you the money....see post below. Flawless execution of any system is what is most important, along w/ proper bet sizing and game selection.