A couple questions...

[Arctapodema]

Just had a couple questions for all of you .

1) What counting system do you use

2) What books have you read and do you suggest

3) Do you suggest getting players cards? If and how do you not use your real identity, or would you suggest doing so?

4) Any casinos you would suggest or suggest staying away from

I have quite a few things floating around in my head...ill add them on if i remember

Thanks

-J Dub

[Dyepaintball12]

I don't have that much experience and no high stakes experience, but this is my response:

1) I use the Red-7 basic, and may be switching to Hi/Lo

2) "Play Blackjack like the Pros" - Kevin Blackwood
"Blackbelt in Blackjack" - Arnold Snyder

3) Yes/yes

4) Soaring Eagle Casino, Mt. Pleasant, MI

[Kasi]

Originally Posted by Arctapodema

Just had a couple questions for all of you .

1) What counting system do you use

2) What books have you read and do you suggest

3) Do you suggest getting players cards? If and how do you not use your real identity, or would you suggest doing so?

4) Any casinos you would suggest or suggest staying away from

I have quite a few things floating around in my head...ill add them on if i remember

Thanks

-J Dub

#1 Pick one. Learn it inside out, outside in, backwards and forwards, and upside down. And then really learn it.

#2 You can't read too much. Get them all. Thorpe, Wong, Schlesinger, Humble & Cooper, Uston, Snyder, Revere, Carlson, Fuchs for a start. I'm sure I'm forgetting more than a few.

#3 I'll defer to the experts because I'm not into fake identities. In this day and age it doesn't take much to trigger an SAR. (Suspicious Activity Report.) But there are legal ways to do it I gather.

#4 More important than the casino, perhaps, is the GAME.

[supercoolmancool]

1. KO and Hi Lo

2. I have read a bazillion books. I recommend KO, Blackbelt in Blackjack, Blackjack Attack, and Burning the Tables in Vegas.

3. I suggest getting a players card and using your real identity. Ian Anderson frequently changes his name to get players cards in different names using different driver's licenses.

4. Nobody's going to answer this one.

[EasyRhino]

1) KO. Because I'm lazy.

2) I also recommend a bazillion books, you will learn something from just about anything (except for the one promoting sham betting systems).
Particularly noteworthy:
- The definitive book for whatever your count is (KO for KO, Blackjack Bluebook for KISS, Blackbelt in Blackjack for Red 7... Hi-Lo is sort of public domain)
- Blackjack Blueprint. But only if you entertain the notion of turning pro. It's kind of a "meta-guide" giving a high level overview, progressing from basic strategy to managing a team.
- Burning the Tables in Vegas by Ian Anderson. How to be a high roller at a high level. For low-rollers such as me, it's just a damn entertaining read.

3) At low stakes, player cards, comps, coupons, mailers, and promotions are worth more than the card play itself. It's a must have. And you generally use your real name for them.
Now, I did get backed off from one joint that had a good game, and they had all my real information, so I felt like a putz. So if you think you might be playing in a sweatshop, then don't give them the card, at least not right away. (And remember, in big casinos, you can get the card without ever going near the pit)

4) There are some casinos that will simply be dead to you. For instance, Treasure Island is all 6:5 single deck and CSMs. There are places that are well known for good games (and lots of heat) (El Cortez, downtown).

[Mimosine]

1) KO, because it was easy to learn and powerful enough for my interests.

2) KO, blackjack bluebook II, play blackjack like the pros. those are the only three i've read, and in retrospect I would recommend reading bluebook II first and really really really learning BS based on the commentary in it.

3) I have no clue how to get "false" player's cards other than getting a relative/friend to get you one... i have 2 in my real name, one of which sends me cash coupons at least 2 times a month.

4) You'll be able to figure this one out on your own when you're ready. First and foremost learn what makes a good game, then go do some recon, keep a journal (unless you have a great memory). Look for rules, limits, penetration, and initially dealer speed may be an issue.

[MEDITANK]

1) I use Hi/Lo

2) "Play Blackjack like the Pros" - Kevin Blackwood
"Blackbelt in Blackjack" - Arnold Snyder

3) no and no. Laying low is best in case of backoffs

4) Barona casino, lakeside, California. ridiculously thorough shuffles that rarely get the TC >+2 and the majority of time it is -3TC. Great penetration though, but uselss since the TC is garbage.

[EasyRhino]

You know, I'm going to go head and say that I don't recommend Blackwood's book. There's plenty to learn from it, but it doesn't seem to address the issue of casino comportment well. Frankly, the guy comes across like a stiff (mainly due to storing money in a fanny pack and only drinking bottled water).

Blackwood's still a smart guy, and an effective writer, and there's lots of useful info. But I wouldn't take it as gospel.

[Arctapodema]

My first book that i used to learn BS and counting was Revere's playing BJ as a business, and i still use it as my BJ bible, with a few strategy changes to adjust to multi-deck games. I've mastered BS, and pretty good with the revere +/-. some mistakes here and there, but im always improving. I was curious as to its accuracy though, seeing how its 30+ years old and there are lots of crap books out there. Revere explained nearly nothing about inside the casino, so i got BJ blueprint II, which was a pretty good read. I was trying to find some out of print books tho, any help there?
I was also wondering the difference between most of the count strategies. Im assuming most of them are a simple +/-, but there still alot of gray areas im not clear about.
Also, you think youve ever been cheated? aside from casinos with favorable rules and good play,thats one of the reasons i asked about casinos to stay away from. even as rare as it is today, it happens, and im pretty sure it happened to me. i suggest staying away from jumers if youre ever in illinois. thanks again for you help.

[Maverick]

A lot depends on where you are going to play. My comp station doesn't have good blackjack. But the comps are good. I have to play VP and Switch. But I don't require really nice hotels either.

We might do a whole thread on playing for comps.

For BJ counting, take a look at REKO. That way you can learn your indexes when you learn your count. It is at QFIT's site. Norm has done all the work for you.

As to books, as soon as you learn to count, better start working on your poker. But I would get Wong's Professional Blackjack. There are lots of books after that.

Maverick