Hi all!
Pretty new to blackjack here, but when I first started out I learned the Hi-Low count and quickly saw that the Zen Count had a better BE/PE and was only adding 7s to the +1s. This post will relate only to double-deck blackjack, as that's the only game I play and feel that the highest profitability from this strategy would be in double-deck(if not single, of course).
The PE for Zen remains pretty low however. I thought of the idea of a side count of course, but most side counts I see revolve around Aces and the probability of getting blackjack. I have practiced a lot, and have mastered the Zen Count/Card Counting basics/speed etc.. But I am about to incorporate a side count of 8s and 9s, and want feedback on just how beneficial you feel this strategy would be.
The idea behind it is not to count for an increased chance of blackjack, but to cover the opportunity of the weak PE in my card count strategy by side counting 8s/9s to help decide what to play on hands 12-16, the most common hands you see. Essentially by covering the last two card values that aren't being counted, I think I can bet based on a standard bet spread with the Zen Count, and use the 8/9 side-count to affect only my decision making for plays.
Like I said I'm pretty new to Blackjack so I'm hoping to get some feedback here.. But obviously knowing how many 8s-9s there are remaining in the double-deck(8 8s, and 8 9s, two different side-counts) combined with your true-count from Zen, you can decide whether to hit or stand on stiff hands -
Ex. #1) 12 and 13, 8s and 9s are the best cards you could get so if there were 8+ remaining combined with a negative true count, hitting would be optimal vs. any dealer card(would you agree with this?).
Ex. #2) 14-16, 8s and 9s would be a bust therefore if you had a flat true count but had Two 8s and One 9 left in the deck with an entire deck remaining, you might decide to hit, since you know there are more cards remaining that you would not bust with. There are possible busts with 5-7 of course with 14-16, but unless I can incorporate a side-count of 7s too there is no way to cover that base(unless you can help!)
Ex. #3) 11 vs. 6, True-count at +1 near the end of the deck, you'd double 11 on 6. But the 8-9 side-count is saying there are no 8s and 9s left in the deck, this may change your decision of doubling to only a hit, if you prefer to avoid risk.
The only other thing I'll briefly mention is that I would prefer to incorporate a side-count of 7s and go back to standard Hi-Lo count since the side-count will give me more accuracy. This would obviously increased the playing efficiency a lot making a hand of 14 nearly crystal-clear as far as whether to hit/stand.
The entire idea behind this is for me to have the ability to use a simple count(Zen) and use other techniques to cover the opportunity of a low playing efficiency. I am still in the process of researching all of this and other techniques/side-counts and will post any updates here, but I'm very curious to know what other, more experienced, blackjack players will think of my idea.
Thanks in advance for any feedback!
Sincerely,
Wanna-Be Gambler
