Chapter Plus Twenty

How to Create a Blackjack Card Counting Strategy

This is a bit of an unusual chapter. Card counting strategies range from fairly simple to absurdly complex. This section provides instructions on creating a strategy and in so doing describes the various characteristics of counting systems. It may be of interest even if you don’t wish to create a strategy but want to learn more about the make-up of such systems. Creating a new strategy is not difficult if you start with an existing strategy. If you wish to start from scratch there is a bit more work. Note: There will be some duplication in this section as I have brought together concepts from various areas of the book.

Card Counting Tools

The following tools are needed:

Ø  Efficiency Calculator – To estimate the efficiency of a count

Ø  Index Generator – To create new playing indexes

Ø  Simulator – To fine-tune and measure the effectiveness of the new strategy

All three of the above exist in CVData. If you wish to create optimal betting ramps and make very quick comparisons with existing strategies, you can also use CVCX.

Card Counting Tag Values

First you need to settle on the card point values. If you have already done this, you can skip to the Index Generation section, although reading this section may add to your understanding. Each

 © 2009 Norman Wattenberger