Automatic Monkey said:
Playing SD is completely different than anything else. First of all, you can't make any money with more than 3 hands in the game, and you will get the deepest pen with exactly 2 hands in the game. Second, your spread is going to be limited- even a 1:4 spread can get you thrown out quickly, so you are more reliant on insurance and playing efficiency to make your profit.
You don't sweat the rules as much in SD- as long as you are getting full pay on naturals and at least Rule of 6 penetration (the number of rounds = 6 minus the number of hands in the game) the game is playable. Reno is very sensitive about counters and you will need cover and camouflage.
Very sage advice there, and let me add a few extra words of wisdom when Reno-bound. DO NOT add to your bets other than parlays from the previous hand, except from min. bet to 2 units. Keep holy the 4:1 spread commandment. Play the first one/two decks with BS. It won't hurt your EV and will throw them off for a while, besides you will get used to the pitch-game counting procedure in the process. Do not exceed ONE HOUR per session, 45 mins. is even better. Remember that all Reno BJ is no longer D10. There are DAS at several houses eg. Siena, Boomtown, Silver Club, Alamo, Rail City (last 3 in Sparks). There are a few others, but I'll let you do the groundwork.
As far as DD in concerned, they are all dealt pitch as far as I know, the Golden Phoenix(now bye-bye) was the only face-up DD that I remember. The Circus' DD is a little tricky because they place the cut cards directly into the discard tray at the beginning of the shoe(1/3 deck) so be careful to account for that. In conclusion, think of yourself as a kid in a candy shop and stealing a handful here and there and not a whole carton at a time and you should be fine.