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First, let me say I really enjoy your site and the new look is great. I enjoy playing the practice games. And as a recreational player I have learned a great deal and it is paying off with trips that end up costing me nothing and sometimes letting me bring some money home also.
Second, my question. I found a single deck game that allows you to double down on any first two cards but if you get a pair of A’s you can only split once and then you cannot double down on A’s after you split.
YOU CAN double down on any other cards
When I use your Strategy Engine the only options are Double After Split Allowed or No Double After Split.
I have been using Double After Split Allowed since I have split and ended up with an 11 or some hand that strategy says to double down on.
Is using Double After Split Allowed the correct choice to generate the best strategy?
Yes, the game you describe allows Double After Split.
The rule allowing “only one card to split Aces” is a normal restriction in almost all games.
(See the final paragraph here: Rules of Blackjack: Player Choices.)
Thanks! I’ve just started learning and I get in the habit of looking at the hand count rather than figuring it in my head. If I was experienced I would probably just be able to see the cards, but since I’m not I get used to looking at the number rather than the hand. It doesn’t cause a whole lot of problems until I get a soft hand then I tend to act on impulse and say try to surrender on a soft 15 rather than hit. Overall this is my favorite trainer so far. Awesome work! Removing the count would make it perfect for me. Any idea when the new version might be rolling out?
Hi there
I have played BJ recently about 2 months and I applied basic strategy. I played in Fallviews Casino, CSM 6 decks. I am not a card counter. The more I played the more I lost, up and down and I find it getting harder and harder to get my loosing money back which is $4,000. But I still hope if I come back and play slowly slowly I will make money?
The second question is I played at the $50 table and I won many times so I was afraid I would loose so I bet less and the dealer said “you are winning, why you decrease your bet” so I kept my bet then I won again and every time the dealer encouraged me to bet more, I won but after that 1hr more people came to the table so she didn’t say anything to me and since that time I kept loosing everything
Now I just want to get back my money and I want to play BJ like a job ($500/week) anyone can give me advice?
Thanks
That is exactly what is supposed to happen over the long run. As a basic strategy player, the more you play, the more cash you will lose.
This article (“How a Basic Strategy Player can Beat Blackjack”) is talking about working the comp system to make up more than your expected loss in free food, rooms, and entertainment. But you are not ever going to win back your money playing basic strategy blackjack against a CSM.
If you want to beat the game, it’s not hard. Start with the Blackjack School here, which teaches you to count cards. You can get a real advantage over the game, but you won’t be able to beat the CSM games you describe at Fallsview. Find a non-CSM game, and learn to count if you want to “play blackjack like a job”.
I don’t have a list, but most US casinos still offer some hand-shuffled or automatic-shuffler games (not CSM). I have no idea what the current situation is in Canada. I haven’t played there in years.
Just started playing and want to get really good at black jack can u install a cheat such as best times to stay or hit? So it becomes instinct after playing a few hundred hands
I assume you mean you would like a feature (optional of course) that shows you the correct play before you make the decision.
The trainer already corrects you on mistakes, but I can see how some people may like an option to just see the best play beforehand. Sort of like learning with flashcards. Sounds reasonable for the new version.
Almost all online blackjack games shuffle after every hand, making card counting useless.
You can make money playing online, but the value comes from bonuses and promotions. There’s no way to beat the games straight up.
Yes, the potential is real and achievable. I’ve been very successful over many years. Blackjack is just one of many ways that smart players can get a true edge in casinos. It remains the best introduction to advantage gambling. Once your eyes have been opened, you’ll start seeing other opportunities as well.
Ken,
First, let me say I really enjoy your site and the new look is great. I enjoy playing the practice games. And as a recreational player I have learned a great deal and it is paying off with trips that end up costing me nothing and sometimes letting me bring some money home also.
Second, my question. I found a single deck game that allows you to double down on any first two cards but if you get a pair of A’s you can only split once and then you cannot double down on A’s after you split.
YOU CAN double down on any other cards
When I use your Strategy Engine the only options are Double After Split Allowed or No Double After Split.
I have been using Double After Split Allowed since I have split and ended up with an 11 or some hand that strategy says to double down on.
Is using Double After Split Allowed the correct choice to generate the best strategy?
Randy Newman
Yes, the game you describe allows Double After Split.
The rule allowing “only one card to split Aces” is a normal restriction in almost all games.
(See the final paragraph here: Rules of Blackjack: Player Choices.)
Then according to your Strategy Engine the Casino Edge is only 0.04
That is great
Can you make an option to get rid of the count? Adding them in my head helps me train. Thank you!
Making the hand value display optional is on the feature list of the new version. Thanks.
Thanks! I’ve just started learning and I get in the habit of looking at the hand count rather than figuring it in my head. If I was experienced I would probably just be able to see the cards, but since I’m not I get used to looking at the number rather than the hand. It doesn’t cause a whole lot of problems until I get a soft hand then I tend to act on impulse and say try to surrender on a soft 15 rather than hit. Overall this is my favorite trainer so far. Awesome work! Removing the count would make it perfect for me. Any idea when the new version might be rolling out?
No firm timeframe yet for the new version, but I know it is months away still. I’m hoping to have something by this summer.
Hi there
I have played BJ recently about 2 months and I applied basic strategy. I played in Fallviews Casino, CSM 6 decks. I am not a card counter. The more I played the more I lost, up and down and I find it getting harder and harder to get my loosing money back which is $4,000. But I still hope if I come back and play slowly slowly I will make money?
The second question is I played at the $50 table and I won many times so I was afraid I would loose so I bet less and the dealer said “you are winning, why you decrease your bet” so I kept my bet then I won again and every time the dealer encouraged me to bet more, I won but after that 1hr more people came to the table so she didn’t say anything to me and since that time I kept loosing everything
Now I just want to get back my money and I want to play BJ like a job ($500/week) anyone can give me advice?
Thanks
That is exactly what is supposed to happen over the long run. As a basic strategy player, the more you play, the more cash you will lose.
This article (“How a Basic Strategy Player can Beat Blackjack”) is talking about working the comp system to make up more than your expected loss in free food, rooms, and entertainment. But you are not ever going to win back your money playing basic strategy blackjack against a CSM.
If you want to beat the game, it’s not hard. Start with the Blackjack School here, which teaches you to count cards. You can get a real advantage over the game, but you won’t be able to beat the CSM games you describe at Fallsview. Find a non-CSM game, and learn to count if you want to “play blackjack like a job”.
Hi Ken
Thank you for your quick reply. Do you have a list of casino with hand shuffle in North America? (US and Canada). Thabk you
I don’t have a list, but most US casinos still offer some hand-shuffled or automatic-shuffler games (not CSM). I have no idea what the current situation is in Canada. I haven’t played there in years.
Just started playing and want to get really good at black jack can u install a cheat such as best times to stay or hit? So it becomes instinct after playing a few hundred hands
I assume you mean you would like a feature (optional of course) that shows you the correct play before you make the decision.
The trainer already corrects you on mistakes, but I can see how some people may like an option to just see the best play beforehand. Sort of like learning with flashcards. Sounds reasonable for the new version.
I’m a fan. Keep it up guys!
http://www.amazon.com/Go-Big-Broke-Six-Figures-Blackjack-ebook/dp/B00PYUS21U/ref=sr_1_38?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424483555&sr=1-38&keywords=blackjack
for real. thats makes sense!
Almost all online blackjack games shuffle after every hand, making card counting useless.
You can make money playing online, but the value comes from bonuses and promotions. There’s no way to beat the games straight up.
what about when playing online such as bet365.com
The trainer does allow doubling on soft hands. You likely either chose a limited doubling rule like double 10,11 only, or you were out of funds.
Why no doubleing on soft hands ?
Yes, the potential is real and achievable. I’ve been very successful over many years. Blackjack is just one of many ways that smart players can get a true edge in casinos. It remains the best introduction to advantage gambling. Once your eyes have been opened, you’ll start seeing other opportunities as well.