Practice Routine

[mh65]

I'm new to playing blackjack. I know basic strategy and have a count system that I am going to use. My question is about how to practice basic strategy and the running count to most effectively mimic game conditions in a live casino. Right now I practice basic using flashcards and dealing hands and practice the RC counting down a deck one card at a time and two cards at a time. I then deal a game while playing like I would in a casino (BS and counting). I find that doing both together, along with placing a bet and determining the outcome of the hand, is more difficult than practicing each on there own. I was wondering if anyone who has experience playing successfully in a casino like to share a practice routine they use and/or give me ways to practice in addition to the ones I listed above that don't involve the use of a computer program (I know how effective using computer software is and I will be getting CV in the near future, but I don't always have access to a computer). Thanks for the responses

 

[CountingCards]

I'm new to playing blackjack. I know basic strategy and have a count system that I am going to use. My question is about how to practice basic strategy and the running count to most effectively mimic game conditions in a live casino. Right now I practice basic using flashcards and dealing hands and practice the RC counting down a deck one card at a time and two cards at a time. I then deal a game while playing like I would in a casino (BS and counting). I find that doing both together, along with placing a bet and determining the outcome of the hand, is more difficult than practicing each on there own. I was wondering if anyone who has experience playing successfully in a casino like to share a practice routine they use and/or give me ways to practice in addition to the ones I listed above that don't involve the use of a computer program (I know how effective using computer software is and I will be getting CV in the near future, but I don't always have access to a computer). Thanks for the responses

For basic strategy, use the flashcards for practice more than "dealing hands", because the fact of the matter is that it would take thousands of hands dealt for you to see every possible case, whereas with the flash cards you can go through them all.

As for counting down the deck, here's what I suggest so you can get used to counts that are in the extremes in either direction. Stack a bunch of low cards at the top of the deck, then count it. This will help your practice with very high counts. Next, stack a bunch of high cards at the top, which will help your practice with very negative counts. Try to count through two decks instead of one, etc.

Like you said, use CVBJ when you can, too. It's the next best thing to a real casino.

cc.