CVShuffle Introduction
CVShuffle is a set of additions to CV Blackjack in support of shuffle tracking practice and analysis. CVShuffle is a separate product that requires CVBJ. A demo has been included with CVBJ.
Shuffle tracking is an extension to card counting. But, with ST not only do you count cards as they go by, but you also take note of the location of large numbers of large or small cards in the discard tray to determine or control their location in the next shoe. Not all shuffles are ‘trackable.’ CVShuffle includes aides to determine the ‘trackability’ of shuffles as well as practice aides and tools to help beginners understand the concepts. However, beginners will need additional instruction. George C’s Shuffle Tracking for Beginners and Arnold Snyder’s Shuffle Tracking Cookbook are good sources. There is also a new book Blackjack Ace Prediction by David McDowell that discusses Ace Sequencing.
Components of CVShuffle
In the following pages, the following components are added to CVBJ by the CVShuffle add-in:
Ø Shuffle Editor - The shuffle editor is a VCR like interface used to describe shuffles to the program. It has VCR controls to forward and backward step through a shuffle and animation support to play a shuffle.
Ø Fine Tuner - The main page allows fine tuning of a shuffle. Adjustments to the exactness of each shuffle step can be made here. For example, for each riffle you can describe how many one, two, three and four card drops are made to simulate the skill of the dealer.
Ø Shuffle Mapping - The Mapping tool provides many options to graphically display how the cards in the discard tray map into the next shoe. Resolution is down to the card so you can visually determine the exact movement of cards. You can dynamically adjust the segment size to instantly see the effect and quickly narrow down on any weaknesses in the shuffle.
Ø Shuffle Analysis - Called from the Mapping Tool, the Analyzer runs thousands of shuffles to determine the least disturbed segments.
Ø Cut Analysis - In addition to cutting the cards at the end of the shuffle, the Cut Analysis screen provides several options to graphically show the user the exact impact of the cut.
Ø Create/Open - This screen supports maintenance of the standard and user shuffles. Shuffles can also be exported to other users.
Ø Practice - When shuffle-tracking is turned on, during CVBJ practice the cards are shuffled according to the selected shuffle(s) instead of randomly. Nearly all of the CVBJ table formats, rules, environment options, statistics, graphics and expert methods are supported. Cards are discarded to the discard tray by the methods selected and animation of the shoe, discard tray and card movement is supplied.
Ø Pop Ups - During play, you can move the cursor to the Shuffle button on the bottom right of the control bar or to either side of the screen to view pop up displays of shoe and discard tray contents. You can see the segments and tens and or aces. By moving the cursor over the pop ups, the magnifier will appear showing exact ten and ace card locations.
Ø The Shuffle - Much variability can be designed into a shuffle. The shuffler will attempt to automatically adjust to unusual circumstances and contains integrity checks to insure that invalid shoes are never created.
Ø Drills - Located with the standard CVBJ drills, a new set of drills supports cutting, observing cuts, and recognizing card nicknames for Ace Sequencing.
Ø Ace Sequencing Support - Changes to CV in the discard tray and shoe pop ups, the cutting screen and the cards themselves allows the tracking of Aces and key cards. The ability to test yourself at recognizing key cards during play has been added. And, cards can be branded with nicknames as a learning aid.
Ø Play Zone Count Adjustment - After you cut the cards, you can indicate that you want the count adjusted during the play zone. You specify the location of the play zone, the initial running count and the zone length for True Count calculations. CV will adjust its counting accordingly for betting, playing and statistics.
