In Part Two Daniel Dravot, (The Color of Blackjack, Card Counting: The Definitive Blackjack Course) talks about his background, from Master of Math, to Master of Blackjack .
When to it comes to the game of Blackjack, you don't have to be an Einstein. You just have to apply the simple math rules of adding and subtracting, always keeping your eyes on the prize.
Dravot says it's all about the Running Count, and Hot Decks that will give you the House Edge you want.
Dravot's simple TKO Card Counting Strategy can transform the average player into King of the Blackjack Table.
Your background is in hotel development, and you have long had a passion for blackjack, but you also have a background in math. What is your background in math?
Notre Dame, Math Behind the Math, Cars and Cards, Eyes on The Prize.
Daniel Dravot: “I majored in Math in (Notre Dame) college for a number of years and it has been many years since I have been out of college. But for the basic element of this card counting technique, no math is involved at all. Now the system developed behind the game involves a tremendous amount of math!
"But the analogy I use in my book is that a lot of people drive a car and don't even know what is under the hood. They don't care what is needed under the hood so long as they can get from place to place. The analogy is there and there is a whole lot of math involved in developing the systems but once the system is developed it is presented in a very easy form to use. You do not need to know any of that math. It is like driving a car.”
Then the average person can actually play blackjack....
Daniel Dravot: “Yes, you don't need to be a math specialist to play, do the card counting, get an advantage in the casino, or beat the casino. That is one of the misnomers. People think every card counter is a brilliant math person and that is not true, and it is not necessary. The systems have been developed by math experts but they have been synthesized down to where you can use it in a casino.
"I can use it and have a conversation with my neighbor, or have a conversation with a dealer and enjoy myself and still keep track of the deck and the counts, and make the proper bets. What you cannot do, is get really inebriated.” (he laughs)
The Minus and Plus One Two Three of The Blackjack Running Count, Hot and Cold Decks
I guess you have a keep sharp eye on the cards. Do you have an acute sense of memory when you are playing this game?
Daniel Dravot: “That is another misnomer. You do not have to remember every card that is dealt. You just have to remember the running count. For example, if a 10 comes out, than a six comes out, and then a three comes out, 10 is -1 , six is a + 1 , and three is a plus +1 so the net value of that is +1.
“You have to remember that +1. Then another three cards come out, say a 10, Ace and a two. 10 and the Ace are -1 -1, and the two is a +1 . So the net value of those three cards is -1. You started with a +1 so now your count is 0. The next three cards come out and they are a two, seven and five. So that is three +1 values, so now your running count is +3.
“That's all the memory is and as that running count gets higher, that means the little cards have left the deck. You will start to get an advantage and that's when you increase your bet. So I have divided it down into three sections.
"One, is where the deck is “cold”, meaning there are a lot of little cards in the deck and the house has the advantage, so you don't want to bet much at all. Then, as the running count goes up, you get into an area called the “warm” deck where you start to gain a small advantage and you would increase your bet slightly. Then the running count gets into a really good advantage which I call a “hot” deck where you may have a 2% edge over the house. At that point, you would want to start putting out your big bets when you have the edge.”
Ploppies, Researching The Basic Strategy, Playing to Lose
You have a specific term for people who play blackjack for the sheer luck of it..
Daniel Dravot: “Yes, they are called “ploppies.” That is an expression for people who just “plop” down and throw their money away. Many people spend more time researching their toaster than they would looking up a basic strategy of blackjack. They put down a $50 bet not knowing what the basic strategy is but they would research a toaster for $49.95 much more thoroughly. It is astounding to me that people throw their money away in casinos everyday.”
It's that all or nothing mindset...
Daniel Dravot: “Part of it is that all or nothing psychology or the willingness to die or give up. I am supposed to lose so let me lose.”
In Part Three Daniel Dravot at The Blackjack Table, and Battling The Casino Goliath.
For more info on Daniel Dravot go to The Color of Blackjack
Coral Andrews - Coral Andrews is an independent media professional who has been writing in Canada for over 30 years.
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