Get a GOOD book on BJ and a lot of your questions will be answered. There are a lot out htere, some good, some bad but the people on this site can guide you away from the bad and to the good. I'll be the first to start:
Blackjack Bluebook II by Fred Rezney (explains everything in a simple way, including the KISS count system-easy and powerful)-itopened up everything for me, and a number of other people on this site swear by it as well. (The author, Mr. Rezney, is a member and always answers questions quickly).
Blackbelt in Blackjack by Arnold Snyder explains everything BB II doesn't and quite a bit more! (I read it BEFORE BB II, and wish I had done it the other way around!)
You'll get more suggestions, but these two books are-in MY opinion-the best place to start! (I think you can get both books on this site, as well!)
Enjoy and good luck!:grin:
-EPS