Building up knowledge before I go

[aneuzil21]

Ouch

Again, I appreciate the advise.

I've been playing/studying blackjack for about 8 years now. After my first trip to Vegas, I fell in love with Blackjack and studied the hell out of it. I have BS down...at least for 6 deck S17 & H17.

I think saying that "I obviously don't know the first thing about counting cards" is a little harsh. I started about 6 months ago and have been studying the hell out of that as well. I mentioned that I can count down a deck comfortably in 25-30 seconds. But I can keep up the count and convert to TC at every table I've backcounted...which I think is most important. I've been reading a ton online (including Bringing Down The House which was just interesting) and have spent the majority of the last three months on these message boards. I understand statistics and probabilities more than the average joe. My owly dilemma at this point is practice makes perfect and I need a good place to practice. I can only deal to myself so fast, ya know?

I by no means want to come across like I'm wasting anyone's time. I appreciate the input and advice to date and am absorbing it all.

To address the person that commented on using my woman-hood to my advantage, I spent 5 years traning middle aged men how to calculate heat loss for the installation of heating cables in a variety of applications, including the Smithsonian's dome shaped rubber roof. I get off on men assuming that I'm just some "dumb broad" and then showing them up...and counting couldn't be more perfect for me.

Enough of my rambling, I'll be looking at the forum's you've suggested. I picked up "Professional Blackjack" earlier today at the library (I'm a math major, I do read) so I'll be starting there. I'll then pick up the material you suggested.

Thanks again.

 

[creeping panther]

Angela

Hey! Thanks for reading!

I've been checking out the forums for a few months now. You guys give some great advice! I'm trying to learn everything I can before hitting a casino to count. Aside from the movie 21 and the book "Bringing Down the House," I've gotten most help reading through these forums and playing at home...and the Strategy Trainer online.

I have a few questions. Let me let you know where I'm at first.

I've been playing Blackjack for about 10 years and have BS down. I started counting about 4 months ago. I can count through a deck in about 30 seconds. I'm a math major and I have a 2 and 3 year old so I can handle the potential distractions...I think. I am justing using basic HI-LO and have been able to rope some family and friends into playing with me so I can practice counting. I am pretty confident that I can sit at a full table and keep up without losing the count.

Here's my first question: Bankroll? Where do I begin? I get the gist, just not the details. I probably wouldn't want to bring more than $300 my first time out...if I want to be able to pay my mortgage. So, how do I bet according to the count? I could use someone to go over betting units with me if you will.

I'm real close to the Grand Victoria in Elgin. They have several 6 deck table and a single deck. I was hoping to go early enough in the day to find a $5 single deck opening. Any advice?

I'm sure I'll be posting a lot here and I really appreciate whatever you guys have to offer.

Thanks,
Angela

With all due respect stay at home with the kid and don't get involved in this venture.

I am lucky to have many years experience and play a super 6d and a fine dd, and still it is very tough.

Find something more productive to do. Really.

CP

 

[aneuzil21]

You guys are killing me...

I'm not looking to quit teaching, I'm just looking for some fun extra cash. The people I've tried to get to play with me love it, but find it to be too much work. Numbers are my life. I love this stuff.

See ya at the tables!

 

[FLASH1296]

I agree with Martin Gayle 100% that Arnold Snyder's Blackbelt in Blackjack is an excellent place to start - and the book can be had at any Barnes & Nobles or Borders.

It is what I should have suggested to you in my last post.

If you doubt that you need to study or ought to study, then go to a bookstore and take this book off of the shelf and READ some of it.

If reading is something that you consider a chore, or something to be avoided, than I assure you that BJ is not for you. Take up billiards or table tennis.

 

[aneuzil21]

Blackbelt in Blackjack it is...

Did I mention that I have a 4-year grant? I study...

 

[golfnut101]

the 'experts'

behold the turtle...he makes progress only when he sticks out his neck

 

[golfnut101]

yup

and i'm about to make some big time progress...against what all the 'experts' say

 

[Kasi]

You guys are killing me...

Me too lol.

The whole thing comes down to roll and game. As you initially suggested with that "unit" stuff question. The absolute and only question that really needs asking and answered.

Can you back-count, what is table min, what count system are you using with how many indexes, if any, what is the pen, what are the exact rules, etc.

My God, you could play the exact same game with the exact same rules with the exact same pen level and have a 2000 unit roll or a 100 unit roll if the only difference in rules is whether mid-shoe enty is allowed or not. Keeping your ROR the same that is.

It's not about whether you can count a deck in 20 seconds or 30 seconds. After all you control the speed of the game anyway since the dealer can't do crap until you signal him to do something.

A woman like you who understands numbers, who understands that God himself can't change the laws of probability, the world is your oyster. The more so, since the "powers that be" seem to assume women can't add 2+3 and get the right answer half the time. Don't get me started.

Sure, you may want $60K or you may want $4K as a roll to bet to depending on the rules, etc. And keep your risk equal.

I'm no math major but I can help you understand the math of BJ. Generally speaking anyway. I think lol.

 

[sagefr0g]

....
I can't imagine that serious counters all start with a $20K bankroll, right? Guide me, wise one...lol.

hopefully you can find some nickle tables.
here is some good reading, it'll give you an idea on the betting stuff and other things as well.
(Dead link: http://www.freeblackjacktips.com/bjschool.html)