How do you win at Blackjack? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

synic213 · 02-02-2004, 10:53 AM

I keep seeing news stories and specials on TV about incredibly smart (lucky?) kids from MIT or something like that going to casinos and cleaning up at the blackjack tables. Does anyone know specifically what startegy they use to do this? It must be a group thing, and it must go beyond counting cards...

My friends and I used to go to two deck tables and count cards and could usually come out a few hundred dollars ahead after a weekend, but these kids from MIT were supposedly making hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars. What do they know that I don't?

powerclown · 02-02-2004, 11:29 AM

.-.=..-.=.-.=.-.i see.=.-.=.-.=,-,=.-,=.-bars.-,-.-,.=.-,in your future.=.-.=.-.-.=.-.

synic213 · 02-02-2004, 11:40 AM

Well sure, all the kids from MIT got "relocated" by the Vegas Mafia, but that won't stop me from trying

And technically, the kids were not doing anything illegal. Casinos just frown upon people who take a lot of their money and don't give it back.

89transam · 02-02-2004, 12:16 PM

They probobly hit on 17s

diergray · 02-02-2004, 04:05 PM

I read an interesting article (maybe in wired) that said the casino was going to tag the chips with rfid tech. They could then how much money was in play anywhere in the casino. They would also be able to use betting patterns to look for people counting cards, etc. I will try and find the article.

NoSoup · 02-02-2004, 09:39 PM

Well, I believe I can shed some light on this for you guys....

First of all, those MIT kids were incredibly good at what they did... but here is the basic strategy...

They were card counters, no more, no less. But, they were perfectly accurate, and had a team behind them to help select the table that they "high roller" should play. (Depending on the "count" of the deck)

Normally, counters, or professional blackjack players, do it alone, but, as you can see (4.3 million made by the MIT team, I believe) In teams, done just right, it can be very profitable.

Blackjack is a unique game because the odds can change. To help you understand this, let's take a look at roulette. Each spin is a seperate even, and you have no better odds with one spin than the next, as nothing really changes.

The beauty of blackjack, however, is that the odds DO change, depending on what is left in the deck vs what has been played. The "count" of the deck is a way to keep track of how many "big' (aka 10s or face cards) are in the deck, vs how many little cards are left. When more large cards are in the deck, providing you play correctly, the odds of you winning are increased. Personally, I use what is called the "Advanced Omega System" to count.

To use this system, you don't have to be incredibly smart, but you do have to be very versed in counting (ie lots and lots of practice) and incredibly disciplined, playing exactly as the strategy dictates instead of by how you feel....

If you want any more info, feel free to send me a PM, or I'll check back here for any questions you may have....

Good luck!

BuddyHawks · 02-02-2004, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NoSoup
The "count" of the deck is a way to keep track of how many "big' (aka 10s or face cards) are in the deck, vs how many little cards are left. When more large cards are in the deck, providing you play correctly, the odds of you winning are increased.

I would think a person counting would want less cards in the deck(less number of decks) in order to increase the accuracy of their counting.

edit: ok, i think i understand what you said. with the small cards "weeded out" more larger ones left in deck.

02-02-2004, 10:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
synic213 Crazy Location: Sunny San Diego	How do you win at Blackjack? I keep seeing news stories and specials on TV about incredibly smart (lucky?) kids from MIT or something like that going to casinos and cleaning up at the blackjack tables. Does anyone know specifically what startegy they use to do this? It must be a group thing, and it must go beyond counting cards... My friends and I used to go to two deck tables and count cards and could usually come out a few hundred dollars ahead after a weekend, but these kids from MIT were supposedly making hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars. What do they know that I don't?

02-02-2004, 12:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
89transam Psycho Location: Central California	They probobly hit on 17s __________________ I'd rather be rich than stupid.

02-02-2004, 04:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
diergray Psycho	I read an interesting article (maybe in wired) that said the casino was going to tag the chips with rfid tech. They could then how much money was in play anywhere in the casino. They would also be able to use betting patterns to look for people counting cards, etc. I will try and find the article. __________________ "Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out.” ~ James Bryant Conant

02-02-2004, 09:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
NoSoup Non-Rookie Location: Green Bay, WI	Well, I believe I can shed some light on this for you guys.... First of all, those MIT kids were incredibly good at what they did... but here is the basic strategy... They were card counters, no more, no less. But, they were perfectly accurate, and had a team behind them to help select the table that they "high roller" should play. (Depending on the "count" of the deck) Normally, counters, or professional blackjack players, do it alone, but, as you can see (4.3 million made by the MIT team, I believe) In teams, done just right, it can be very profitable. Blackjack is a unique game because the odds can change. To help you understand this, let's take a look at roulette. Each spin is a seperate even, and you have no better odds with one spin than the next, as nothing really changes. The beauty of blackjack, however, is that the odds DO change, depending on what is left in the deck vs what has been played. The "count" of the deck is a way to keep track of how many "big' (aka 10s or face cards) are in the deck, vs how many little cards are left. When more large cards are in the deck, providing you play correctly, the odds of you winning are increased. Personally, I use what is called the "Advanced Omega System" to count. To use this system, you don't have to be incredibly smart, but you do have to be very versed in counting (ie lots and lots of practice) and incredibly disciplined, playing exactly as the strategy dictates instead of by how you feel.... If you want any more info, feel free to send me a PM, or I'll check back here for any questions you may have.... Good luck! __________________ I have an aura of reliability and good judgement. Just in case you were wondering...

02-02-2004, 11:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
powerclown Junkie Location: Detroit, MI	.-.=..-.=.-.=.-.i see.=.-.=.-.=,-,=.-,=.-bars.-,-.-,.=.-,in your future.=.-.=.-.-.=.-.

02-02-2004, 11:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
synic213 Crazy Location: Sunny San Diego	Well sure, all the kids from MIT got "relocated" by the Vegas Mafia, but that won't stop me from trying And technically, the kids were not doing anything illegal. Casinos just frown upon people who take a lot of their money and don't give it back.