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Reader feedback

Greetings all,

I have gotten some more recent (good) feedback from a reader who brought up some excellent questions that I would like to address here.

The first observation is that most of my examples concern single deck games.  To that, I plead guilty. And I will do a better job of covering the double deck and shoe game. The reader also correctly pointed out that many of the rules that casinos use make card counting at double deck and shoe games not very effective. Rules such as double down only on 9, 10 or 11, and no double after split obviously increase the house advantage more than most counters care to accept. 

Also, deck penetration can discourage counters as well. The last casino I worked for had the dealers on double deck games burn 24 cards at the top of deck. This keeps most serious counters from ever even sitting down at double deck games. For these reasons, I usually use single deck games as my examples, but will endeavor to use more multi deck examples in the future.

The reader also brought up the matter of trust, in that many players may assume that I am still in the pocket of a casino(s). As I stated in a blog post, I have crossed over and am now "working" for the players, providing intelligence and advice on how to be successful playing blackjack and counting cards.   If you want proof, check out my LinkedIn profile at www.linkedin.com/in/james-lathrop-57306656 . I would not be making up being unemployed and having cancer just for the sake of getting blog views. 

Additionally, and much to my wifes' chagrin, I have been blogging with my real name and not using a pseudonym when I post.  Were you so inclined, you could easily track me down where a live and spend a week following me around to ensure that I dont go to work at any casino. I am trying to start a new career as a writer, and I am writing about that subject that I know best, casino surveillance. I am holding nothing back, and certainly not protecting any casino. I will answer any question about any casino subject honestly and fully.

 Finally, the reader mention that he thinks many casinos have cut back on surveillance, preferring instead to use countermeasures implemented at the table level to keep from being hurt by advantage players. I will address that topic in my next post.

Cheers!

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