24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Card Counter's Perspective, February 8, 2008
This review is from: Golden Touch Blackjack Revolution (Paperback)
After reading this book, I have to agree with Scoblete and say that this is definitely the easiest card counting system on the market. What makes this system different from the norm is the fact that you are mostly working with addition and very little (but simple) subtraction, with no true count conversion needed. The basic strategy card deviations serve as good camouflage to the pit crew considering some table entries are different than normal basic strategy.
This book was written for the basic strategy player who tried counting cards but found it too hard to accomplish. This system only takes a day or two of practicing before you get it down and the system itself works slowly as you play (you don't count the cards as they come out, you count them after each hand has been played), which is much easier on the brain. I like the fact that the author provides millions of computer simulation results to back up the system. The results show that depending on how aggresive of a bettor you are, this system is 70% to 95% as powerful as the HI-LO. So you do obtain a long term edge over the house...HOWEVER...
If you have already learned a more advanced system than this and have it down pat, I don't think you will want to switch to the Golden Touch method. Before reading this book I had been using the HI-LO with success to the point where counting came second nature to me and I wasn't making any mental errors while at the tables. And while this system will give you an edge over the casino, it is still a downgrade from the more advanced. The biggest disadvantage of this system is that the standard deviation of your edge is very large. What this means is that your calculated edge at times is not nearly as accurate as with other systems. There will be times while using the Golden Touch system that you will be asked to put up your maximum bet while the edge is very small. For example, if you are using the HI-LO and the count is +2, you will only be putting up a 1 or 2 unit bet while the GT system in that same situation may ask you to put up a 4 or 5 unit bet. You are still betting more $$$ when the count is positive giving you an edge, but there will be circumstances when using the GT system that you will be overbetting your bankroll and as a result you will experience much larger financial swings than in other more advanced systems. Because of this, the GT system requires a larger bankroll to sustain the much more dramatic ups and downs long term.
Like I said, if you are a basic strategy player that tried to learn card counting with little or no success but you still want to beat the casinos, then the GT sytem is definitely for you. If you are an experienced card counter that has mastered a system of "HI-LO quality" or better, stick with what you have.
Good luck at the tables everyone!
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazingly easy way to beat blackjack, July 9, 2006
This review is from: Golden Touch Blackjack Revolution (Paperback)
This book is touting itself as the easiest method ever developed to beat the game of blackjack. Being interested in such a thing as I have failed twice to get any good at card counting because I am not Rainman I decided to buy the book but I had little hope that this would be as easy as the author claims or actually be a method that could gain me an advantage.
First off it is even easier than the author claims. How is that for something new? The SPEED COUNT is a new method of determining when you have the edge or when the casino has the edge. It is so simple to learn that I thought I was dreaming. However, the second advantage method is also in this book and believe it or not it only takes a second to learn. It's the OBS known as the Optimum Basic Strategy and it is a somewhat new basic strategy that works with Speed Count to enhance the edge you get. The reason this takes a second to learn is that it is all on a card that you can use in the casino - so no need to memorize anything.
The method has been tested in billions of computer runs and in three years of casino play by a few hundred students of Golden Touch Blackjack including author Henry Tamburin. It works. For the math minded computer expert Dan Pronovost has a ton of information in the Appendix of the book explaining why and how the Speed Count works.
That wasn't for me. I immediattely went to the casino and played it for two hours with no trouble. It is as amazing as it sounds.
If you are a blackjack player and you use Speed Count and the OBS, you can get the edge over the game and it is very easy.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Counter Heaven, October 25, 2006
This review is from: Golden Touch Blackjack Revolution (Paperback)
I've read many books on BJ counting. I've used several methods in counting. But, I've never found any that are this simple to learn and accurate to use. Other methods are complex and hard to remember everything involved. Speed Count is easy. I have such confidence when sitting at a table. I feel that I know I'm going to win and I do. It's so cool to play and know you have the advantage and then calmly rake in the chips. This system is a revolution. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to gain the advantage and be a winner.
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