Advanced Red Seven Count
Advanced Red Seven Count
For those players who've been bitten hard by the blackjack bug, and might be considering moving on to a more advanced true count system, it is advised to first try the advanced red seven. This system uses the same Red-Seven count values, and continues to work as a running count system, but there is need to expand on the strategy changes so that you can play more accurately. For dedicated players there is also a precise method of estimating your advantage, so that you can use the same proportional betting schemes as professional players.
In the 1 and 2-Deck Strategy Chart, the heavy bold index numbers are to be used for both 1- and 2-deck games. For 2-deck games, these are all the indices you will need. The lighter numbers should be used for single-deck games only. They are not as important as the bold indices, so if you play in single-deck games, learn the ones in bold first. The Shoe Game Chart is to be used in the second half of the shoe only.
For example, in an 8-deck game, use the Advanced Red Seven indices only after the first four decks are in the discard tray. In a 6-deck game, wait until three decks have been played to start using the advanced indices. In the first half of the shoe, follow the simple Red Seven strategy, utilizing only the primary half-dozen strategy changes.
Observe that the shoe game indices are quite different from the 1- and 2 -deck charts. If you sometimes play in shoe games, and sometimes in hand-held games, then I would suggest learning the 1- and 2-deck chart for the hand-held games, but reverting to the simple Red Seven system for shoe games, using only the half dozen indices prescribed earlier. Naturally, if you memorize things easily, or if you are very dedicated, you could learn both of these charts. Do not try to do more than you're comfortable with; remember that it's better to do a few things well than to bungle your game by trying to do too much.
These are presented in the standard format of blackjack strategy charts, like those presented earlier. If there is no entry for a decision, then you should always use basic strategy. No pair-split indices are provided because the gains are too small to bother with. For all of the player-hand totals of 12-16 at the top of the charts, the index numbers provide the running counts at which you should stand. For example, with 12 against 4 in the Shoe Game chart, note that you should stand if your running count is -4 or higher. This means that in the second half of the shoe, you would stand on a count of -4, -3, -2, and so on, and hit on -5, -6, -7, and below.
If surrender is allowed, that takes precedence over other decisions. Since no indices are provided for surrendering on 16 against 9, 10, or A, always follow basic strategy and surrender the hand. The easiest way to learn the index numbers is to learn them in blocks.
First learn all of the 0 (pivot) indices. Then learn the +2 and +4 indices. After you have learned all of the positive indices, learn the negative ones, starting with the -2s. Many players make flash cards to drill themselves on index numbers, and there are also many excellent software programs available that allow you to input and practice card counting systems. There is a simple and accurate method for estimating your precise advantage at any point in the deal with the Advanced Red Seven Count. I do not recommend this method for any player who finds it confusing or difficult. Such players must quit themselves to using the betting chart, along with the advice on bet-sizing.