Need help with basic strategy

[IIAnnexII]

I'm new to counting cards and I really want to learn this. Currently I'm working on the Hi-Lo system. I felt like I was wasting my time though since I don't even know basic strategy.

So I went online to get a basic strategy chart. Man was I overwhelmed! I have know idea how I'm going to remember all of this. Does anyone have any tips? All help would be appreciated.

-IIAnnexII

[21forme]

The same way you get to Carnegie Hall - Practice! Nobody said it's easy to get started.

There is a basic strategy trainer on this site (go to the home page and look at the links on the left.) Another option is buying software, such as QFIT's CVBJ

Also, forget about counting until you know basic strategy COLD!

[IIAnnexII]

Originally Posted by 21forme

The same way you get to Carnegie Hall - Practice! Nobody said it's easy to get started.

There is a basic strategy trainer on this site (go to the home page and look at the links on the left.) Another option is buying software, such as QFIT's CVBJ

Also, forget about counting until you know basic strategy COLD!

Thanks for the help. Appreciate it.

[zachs]

Just look at it for a long time and practice.

Kinda like learning Anything else in school

[bj bob]

Originally Posted by IIAnnexII

I'm new to counting cards and I really want to learn this. Currently I'm working on the Hi-Lo system. I felt like I was wasting my time though since I don't even know basic strategy.

So I went online to get a basic strategy chart. Man was I overwhelmed! I have know idea how I'm going to remember all of this. Does anyone have any tips? All help would be appreciated.

-IIAnnexII

You're telling us that you're working on Hi-Lo and trying to learn BS at the same time? That's like learning Bio.101 while taking the MCAT's. You have to stop everything else and get a BS chart and hide the rest somewhere.
The BS charts can be divided into 3 separate sections, the first and easiest is the hit/ stand part. Take and study that section until you know it like your own phone #. Then you can take the 2nd section, the Double Downs(hard) and learn that thoroughly, do the same with the soft doubles. It's more involved than the first and the soft doubles will give you headaches at first, viz. the A-7. The third and last section are the splits. Learn the always splits, then the never splits and go from there.
At the end of all this you should be able to write an entire BS chart from memory. If you can't, then restudy the errors until it's perfect.

[ChefJJ]

Originally Posted by bj bob

You're telling us that you're working on Hi-Lo and trying to learn BS at the same time? That's like learning Bio.101 while taking the MCAT's. You have to stop everything else and get a BS chart and hide the rest somewhere.
The BS charts can be divided into 3 separate sections, the first and easiest is the hit/ stand part. Take and study that section until you know it like your own phone #. Then you can take the 2nd section, the Double Downs(hard) and learn that thoroughly, do the same with the soft doubles. It's more involved than the first and the soft doubles will give you headaches at first, viz. the A-7. The third and last section are the splits. Learn the always splits, then the never splits and go from there.
At the end of all this you should be able to write an entire BS chart from memory. If you can't, then restudy the errors until it's perfect.

Annex, you must listen to Bob's words. Gotta crawl before you walk...don't rush things at the expense of doing it right. The casinos will be there when you get it down.

good luck

[BJApprentice21]

I was making this HUGE mistake also. Sort of worked out though because I was practicing Hi-Lo and I realized...Screw Hi-Lo. Now, I'm waiting on the Zen master (and whoever else ) to help me decide between the Zen and Mentor counts. So, I'm now just practicing BS until yeah...I know it like my phone number. I know it well, but not as well as I thought I did. Then I'll continue learning the Zen/Mentor counts...but I still want help deciding now lol. Wont practice the count though...

[IIAnnexII]

Thanks for everyones help and input.

[Kasi]

Originally Posted by IIAnnexII

Man was I overwhelmed! I have know idea how I'm going to remember all of this. Does anyone have any tips?

Somewhere there was a recent thread on this. I always liked the
"rule" method.

First learn "STAND 12-16 VS 6 OR LESS, BUT HIT 12 VS 2,3"

implying as it does "ALWAYS HIT 12-16 VS 7 OR MORE"

and already you can play 60% of your hands.

Throw in "DOUBLE 11 VS 10 OR LESS
DOUBLE 10 VS 9 OR LESS
DOUBLE 9 VS 3 THRU 6 "

and
"HIT A,7 VS 9,10,A"

implying as it does "STAND A,7 VS 8 OR LESS"

and you're playing a pretty good game.

Mix in "SPLIT 9'S VS 9 OR LESS, EXCEPT 7
SPLIT 2'S, 3'S & 7'S VS 7 OR LESS
SPLIT 6'S VS 6 OR LESS
SPLIT 4'S VS 5,6"

with "DOUBLE A,2 & A,3 VS 5,6
DOUBLE A,4 & A,5 VS 4,5,6
DOUBLE A,6 & A,7 VS 3,4,5,6"

and you're basically there.

Not counting the easy-to-learn "always split Aces and eights. Never split 5's (play as a 10) and 10's."

What's that, 12 rules? I don't count always hit 8 or less, always stand on 17 or more or soft 19 or 20, or never take insurance as rules lol.

Whatever works.

But no point to learning Hi-Lo and when you want to depart from BS if you don't know what to depart from in the first place lol.

[bj bob]

Kasi, you're assuming he's playing a s17, DAS shoe game. Since he didn't specify any particular rules, I think we'd better qualify the BS proper to his game.No?