New with basic question

[MrSpot]

Hello all, I am pretty new to the world of Blackjack, I have spent a fair bit of time the past couple of days reading up on everything I can you have here, great site. I have been playing online using basic strategy, I have a program that allows you to enter in the rules of the game and works out a strategy based on those rules. I am playing at Bodog and the program tells me that the house edge based on the rules I entered is .03%, this does not seem right to me. I would expect it to be a bit higher, though I am new and it is very likely I have something wrong. The rules as I understand them and selected to work out my strategy are:

6 Decks
Dealer hits soft 17
Double any 2 cards
Double after split OK
Early surrender allowed
Dealer peeks

I am not sure what dealer peeks means but it has says that it is the US style so I selected it, and I am not sure what early surrender is but it allows me to surrender after the first cards are dealt and not after I choose my first play. It does allow me to double after split, except with aces where only one card is dealt. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Gareth

 

[sabre]

Early surrender = allowed to surrender before the dealer peeks for blackjack.

The game you are playing is late surrender.

Here's my advice re: playing online. Play for free money and keep track of your results ... pretend that you're playing for real money. When you lose your first $1000 ... send me $500. We'll both be better off than if you played online for real money.

 

[Sucker]

In Bodogs' rules section, they DO claim that you can surrender ANY two cards; which certainly IMPLIES early surrender. However, in actual play; they will not LET you surrender until after the dealer checks for blackjack. This is late surrender; so the house edge, according to the basic strategy engine; is .58%.

 

[MrSpot]

Cheers for the speedy replies. After I made the correction it is like you said Sucker .58%. I don't play for real money at the moment wanted to get a better feel for it before I put any money down. Is playing online that bad. I assumed that (granted assumptions are the mother of all... errors) not counting only playing basic strategy there would not be much of a difference playing online vs brick and mortar, why are they so bad.

I have been practicing counting with a couple decks around the house, I understand the concept but am not even close to being able to try it at a casino yet. I have also been hesitant to really try it as (again another assumption, sorry) I assumed that it is quite risky counting at casinos. Is there anyway to progress my game without counting or is that really the only next step from basic strategy. I have tried many of the voodoo strategies, and like everybody says none of them work, at least none that I have come across. Guess I am kinda stuck and not sure how to proceed from here. Anyone have any advice.

Again Cheers for your replies guys

 

[dante62]

There is a great trainer on this site (on the left). Until you have basic strategy down absolutely cold, where you do not hesitate at all when making decisions, do not attempt to pick up counting. You have to have your strategy perfect before you go into counting. Once you have that down, then go into a simple system (HiLo is a great jumping off point, and the blackjack school on this site will teach it to you). It is all about comfort, if you are not comfortable with strategy, you cannot play. If you are not comfortable with counting you cannot count.
Counting is of course not without its inherent risks, however, being smart while doing it will keep you for the most part out of trouble. Yes casinos are on the lookout for counters, but being a smart counter keeps you off their radar mostly.
As far as practice, there is no better way to learn and practice than just dealing yourself cards, though playing online for fake money can allow you some good table time.
And since you are a newbie, good luck, you came to the right place for help at all levels of your game.

 

[MrSpot]

Cheers, I'm in the process of reading through the blackjack school now. The hi/low system is what I have been working on, it seems like it is the easiest to grasp for beginners. I read someplace (don't remember where) that you should be able to get through a single deck in 20 secs or under (guessing that is just multiplied by the number of decks you are using) does that sound about right. And is there an article or thread here someplace that talks about keeping unnoticed.

 

[dante62]

I may be mistaken on this but anything sub 25 seconds is good enough, the faster the better of course. As far as learning cover, to my knowledge (someone may know something better) the best way to learn is start picking up books on blackjack. Almost all have a section on it.

 

[tribute]

Hello all, I am pretty new to the world of Blackjack, I have spent a fair bit of time the past couple of days reading up on everything I can you have here, great site. I have been playing online using basic strategy, I have a program that allows you to enter in the rules of the game and works out a strategy based on those rules. I am playing at Bodog and the program tells me that the house edge based on the rules I entered is .03%, this does not seem right to me. I would expect it to be a bit higher, though I am new and it is very likely I have something wrong.

If, indeed, you have early surrender, the .03 is correct. In reality, it is probably late surrender where the edge is 0.58%. I have played this game a few years and I have never seen early surrender offered.

 

[prankster]

You sound as though you have a serious interest in the game of blackjack. Welcome to the site! I'd suggest you read Blackjack Bluebook II by Fred Renzey. Fred also happens to be a member of this website and is great about answering our questions when they arise. Good cards!:joker:

 

[fubster]

The counting part is easy, deck estimation is hard. You seem like a smart guy, I'm sure you'll be able to get the money before you know it.

Good luck!