Basic strategy

[EdgarHF]

Hello, I am new to this forum. I am going to Las Vegas over Halloween weekend and would like to play some blackjack. I have only played blackjack once before in a casino. That was 9 years ago in down Las Vegas. I did not have a clue as to what I was doing.

For this trip I am trying to learn as much as possible in the short time I have before leaving on my trip. I have no expectation of winning, but I do want my money to last and I want to enjoy playing the game. I figure my bank roll is going to pay for me learn a bit and have some fun at the same time.

I have gone out and bought a few blackjack books. The one point I am getting from every source I read is that basic strategy needs to be perfect. I have also gotten from a couple sources that it takes about 40 minutes to learn basic strategy. I am finding that statement a bit hard hard to swallow. I am of at least average intelligence and I have been drilling myself on basic strategy for a few hours everyday the past few days. When I test myself I make the right decision about 95 precent of the time. So, I am not yet playing perfect strategy. I have time to improve before it is time to sit at the table, but I have a feeling the environment of a real game will worsen my descision score.

My question is how much time should I expect it to take to play perfect basic strategy?

 

[daddybo]

Take the Basic Strategy card to the table with you. You can print them out from this site. But learn as much as you can so you won't slow the game down.

If it's Halloween, you might want to dress up as a MIT student.. :laugh:

 

[Lonesome Gambler]

I would advise taking a BS card to the table with you (even if you have it down cold) and using it to make slow, labored decisions about all but the most obvious hands. It might not be as "exciting," but it will slow down the game so you'll lose less. Try to pick a table with as many players as possible, where the dealer is chatty and people are generally having a good time. Make sure you play using a player's club card so that you can collect comps. Make it look like your average bet is larger than it really is (be creative). This should help you:

1. Get full value of comps, possibly exceeding the value of your potential losses
2. Lose the least amount of money possible with little risk
3. Have fun!

If you have a good bookstore nearby, check out Comp City by Max Rubin. You can easily read it in a day or two, and it'll be helpful for the BS player.

 

[daddybo]

PLEASE don't make it tooooo slow... LG is correct in saying you will last longer the slower it goes, but you don't want to make it miserable for everybody else. (besides somebody may be trying to make a little money off of it.)

Comp City is a good call for your type of play.

 

[StandardDeviant]

I have also gotten from a couple sources that it takes about 40 minutes to learn basic strategy. I am finding that statement a bit hard hard to swallow.

As others have suggested, take a BS card with you, or buy one at one of the gift shops there. And do try to find the slowest game you can.

It will probably take you longer than 40 minutes to get BS down cold. In my view, it's not realistic to try to perfect it between now and the end of the month. You'll have more fun if you just use the card.

And maybe you'll have some good luck and come back a winner!

 

[Lonesome Gambler]

Ha ha, agreed. Don't ham it up too much, but if you're at a social table where all the players are drinking and generally being merry (not hard to find during any day that anyone can possibly consider a holiday), you can considerably slow down a game without angering other players or the dealer/pit.

 

[StandardDeviant]

Ha ha, agreed. Don't ham it up too much, but if you're at a social table where all the players are drinking and generally being merry (not hard to find during any day that anyone can possibly consider a holiday), you can considerably slow down a game without angering other players or the dealer/pit.

And you can have some fun with this. Ask other players' advice. Ask the dealer too. Maybe even the pit boss if he/she is hanging around. (You don't have to follow their advice, but it chews up some time.) Just don't over do it.