Vas Spanos Blackjack Classes (anyone familiar)?????

[nhorob67]

Has anyone heard of a gentleman named Vas Spanos. I'm a newbie to the card counting scene and came across his personal blackjack instruction/mentoring. I live in Minneapolis and that is where he is located. If you have experience with him or have heard anything, please let me know. I'd like to hear any feedback before I make a commitment. Thanks in advance!

[Sonny]

I checked out his website and it seems like he covers most of the basics. However, before you start spending lots of money on this, take a look in the “Free Counting Resources On Web” section here. You can learn the basics for free and we can answer all of your questions. If you decide that you want (or need) personal training then you can think about the classes. Probably about 90% of people who read about card counting end up quitting because they get bored or decide they just don’t want to do it. Take some time and get some good practice before you decide to spend the money on classes.

-Sonny-

[nhorob67]

Thank you very much for the reply. I plan on reading a book or two before I make a decision. Does anyone have first hand experience from Vas or spoke with someone who has?

[Canceler]

I remember seeing ads for his classes in the newspaper several decades ago. So he's been around for a while, but that's all I know about him.

[lotusguy]

I took Vas's Classes about 10 years ago, which was justified by placing first and second in the mystic lake blackjack tourney back then. He is a one of a kind guy and you will never forget his greek accent or the smell of cigar smoke, but does what he can to drill the numbers into your head and tells alot of stories of his and other students experiences to learn from.

You will learn tips on how to count the cards, like how to view them on the table, in what order, how to remember them along with the running count and adjusted count, and things like that, that are a bit more than what ill be told on a site.

He used to teach math at the U of M I believe.

Hope that helps!

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by lotusguy

I took Vas's Classes about 10 years ago, which was justified by placing first and second in the mystic lake blackjack tourney back then.

Does he teach tournament strategy too? Other than Wong's book and Ken's e-book there isn't much out there.

-Sonny-

[lotusguy]

Originally Posted by Sonny

Does he teach tournament strategy too? Other than Wong's book and Ken's e-book there isn't much out there.

-Sonny-

He didnt back then, but it was almost 10 years ago so maybe things have changed. My tournament strategy was count the cards, do the opposite of what the other players are betting, (ie if they bet alot, you bet a little, and if the dealer makes a hand, you gain an advantage), and bet conservatively throughout until the last few hands where you bet whats appropriate to ensure you have a shot at winning the last hand. I had some great luck playing like that back in the day but I am just some guy on a message board. Good luck!

[purplediesel]

Vas is a great guy and even better teacher!

[Automatic Monkey]

Not to pick on anybody, but this is from his website advantageatblackjack.com

"I teach Blackjack players that they can win if they have the advantage. Let me define what I mean by winning. I mean that a player wins more than he loses in 30 hours of play. You don’t play continuously for 30 hours. You play an hour today, three hours tomorrow, two hours next week, etc.

The thing is do you make money in the thirty hours that you play? The answer is YES 7 out of 8 times! There is one thirty hour period where you’ll lose because of the so called standard deviation factor. You make 17 and the dealer makes 18. You make 19 and the dealer makes 20. The reason that you’ll win in 30 hours of play, 7 out of 8 times (that is pretty consistent to me!) is because the trials depend on each other. "

That doesn't sound right, I'm getting more like 300 hours to be ahead 7 out of 8 times.

[standard toaster]

Originally Posted by Automatic Monkey

Not to pick on anybody, but this is from his website advantageatblackjack.com

"I teach Blackjack players that they can win if they have the advantage. Let me define what I mean by winning. I mean that a player wins more than he loses in 30 hours of play. You don’t play continuously for 30 hours. You play an hour today, three hours tomorrow, two hours next week, etc.

The thing is do you make money in the thirty hours that you play? The answer is YES 7 out of 8 times! There is one thirty hour period where you’ll lose because of the so called standard deviation factor. You make 17 and the dealer makes 18. You make 19 and the dealer makes 20. The reason that you’ll win in 30 hours of play, 7 out of 8 times (that is pretty consistent to me!) is because the trials depend on each other. "

That doesn't sound right, I'm getting more like 300 hours to be ahead 7 out of 8 times.

I saw that too...
I would think it would be best to stick around here search the forums and think up some questions. Most every question has been asked and answered on this site before but if you do not understand it or need clarification do not be afraid to ask! No one likes to log on and see all the topics grey with no new posts.

Chances are you will learn everything on here you can from him with patience. Also there are many many great plars on this forum if someone answers a question incorrectly or a little off they will be sure to pick it out and correct it. trust me there have been debats over 1.09% or 1.07% you will not be dissapointed. Oh and by the way the best part is its for free!