Pent Up Questions

[MJGolf]

You need to start reading something other than Dr. Seuss.

Good one, 21 4 me! But as a junior member or new member, you might also do a little search on this site for the answers to many of your questions as they have been answered in detail on other threads. Not that ANY one on this site is EVER repetitive.........LOL Good luck and welcome to our "nightmare".

I truthfully consider a substantial part of my EV the vacations being paid for through comps (rooms, food, beverage). Though that is tough to count as much when you play locally. But when traveling, it's also the only vacation I know that can possibly pay for itself. Of course there are times when "excess hidden resort fees" are paid at the tables INCREASING my vacation cost. But overall, would have to say casino comps can really make playing this game for fun.........a little MORE fun.

[marriedputter]

2) What's your experience of splitting 9/9 against dealer's 8 or 9? Now, I know the book says to split, but it certainly seems like every time I've done this, I end up with a worse hand, or busting. Your experience?

To expand on this idea a little more, imagine that you somehow had the magical power to get 18 on literally every single hand. Would you beat the casino in the long run? The answer is no. You need a score somewhere between 18 and 19 to keep up with the casino. Since you can't get between 18 and 19, this means that 19 and up are the winning hands.
Nobody ever wants to hear that 18 is not a good hand. I certainly wouldn't say it at the table, but it's not as good of a hand as most think.
This is why you split 9/9 against an 8 or 9. If you can get at least one of your hands equal to 19 or more, that hand will be a winner in the long run, even if the other isn't. I suspect that is also one of the reasons that you should hit A7 against a 9, 10, or A in most cases. 18 just isn't a high enough score. Plus, if you hit A7, 7 of the possible 13 cards that you receive will either help you or not hurt you (A, 2, 3, 10, J, Q, K). This is more than 50% of the possible cards. 6 cards will hurt your hand (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). But if you get one of these cards, you still have a chance to hit again and make a better hand.
I know that A7 isn't what you were asking about, but it is another example of how 18 is not an acceptable stopping point in many cases.

[ZeeBabar]

My bad. I started standing on a pair of 9's and doubling only on 2-7. I don't know when I did that. Good to know. Luckily, it has not occurred enough to cause a loss. Probably reduced EV. It's why I love this forum, it points out errors in my game.

thanks. As of today, I split unless the count is.....what number do you decide not yo split nines?

[marriedputter]

As of today, I split unless the count is.....what number do you decide not yo split nines?

Don't split when the dealer has a 10 or A. If they have 7, split if the TC is +6 or above (could vary some depending on table rules).

[moo321]

For the first question, there are different areas of expertise. There are people who are great legal scholars. And there are some great trial lawyers out there. And some are both (Alan Dershowitz)

Similarly, some people are great authors and theorists (Schlesinger, Griffin, Shackleford, Munchkin?). Some people can absolutely get the money (Hyland, some of the pros on here: KJ, Nyne, etc.) And some people can do both (Grosjean, Snyder, Uston?).

Accordingly, I respect certain people's expertise in some areas more than others. Norm is a world-class expert on software and sims. Schlesinger is a world-class expert on blackjack math, counting systems, etc. Shackleford is a world-class expert on game analysis. Nersesian and Rose are experts on gaming law. Fox and Chen (sp?) are gambling tax experts. Scott and Dancer are Video Poker experts.

So, I take people's advice in connection with their expertise. When Schlesinger describes the EV of a counting game, I trust him 100%. But I give more deference to KJ, Grosjean, or other pros when talking about camo needs and comportment.

[bigplayer]

Since I'm new to the forum, I have all of these questions backed-up. Answer one or all; the only rule is your reply must be thoughtful.


1) How do the BJ gurus really make their money? I see this pattern where a guy claims to have made $$$ from playing BJ pro, retires, and is now training others how to play. I can't but help ask to the guru, if you are so good, then how come you're still not playing? Why do many of the retired gurus seems to go back to 9-5 jobs? Wasn't their winnings enough to keep them afloat?

2) What's your experience of splitting 9/9 against dealer's 8 or 9? Now, I know the book says to split, but it certainly seems like every time I've done this, I end up with a worse hand, or busting. Your experience?

3) What has playing BJ done for you? Has it allowed you to purchase a zippy sports car, pay off debts, or take an exotic vacation?

4) What's your system? I can already anticipate this is a religious question, so I'm not looking for anyone to proselytize their point of view, but I'm just curious. For me, I'm working on Hi/Lo lite. When I saw how this is simpler than Hi/Lo, with no statistical decrease in payout, the Hi/Lo list just made sense to me, and I'm curious if anyone else has come to the same conclusion?

5) How long do you play per session? I've heard some people say they only play for one hour at a time, for fear of raising undesirable attention. Then, I've heard other chaps say how they'll just play all weekend at the same place.

6) Do you look for dealer tells, to try to better guess the hole card?

7) Have you even been on a team?

8) Have you seen any factors of how some knobs remain knobs, while others turn the page to becoming respectable? This is a path that's been traveled a zillion times before: someone sees the movie "21", is lured to the idea of money for nothing, and starts to study and play BJ. I'd think about 98% of these folks crash-and-burn. So, what's the secret sauce that causes the remaining 2% to succeed?

9) Do you provide solicited advice while playing? If the guy next to you asks, "Hey, what do you think I should do?", will you answer?

10) Do you think Google Glasses could be an upcoming factor for BJ play? (Assume you already know http://www.geekwire.com/2013/countin...startup-world/)

1. They make their money grinding it out at the tables initially and as their skills and networking improves they make their money doing a variety of things some of which they'd prefer not to discuss. Sometimes they're just card counting for a few years to set up other businesses or opportunities that are more lucrative. There is an income ceiling to card counting beyond which it's hard to pass. (low to mid six figures per year is about the max that someone can make from straight counting assuming their style of play doesn't get them barred everywhere they could play). There is much more money to be made doing other AP things...for the last few years machine play was the most lucrative play out there with players making mid six figures a month from just one casino company and even just one casino.

2. Why are you trying to reinvent the wheel?

3. Blackjack has allowed me to be my own boss and answer to nobody

4. Zen

5. Depends

6. The dealer doesn't know what the hole card is unless they are cheating

7. Yes, many

8. 21 the movie is fiction loosely based on a few sentences in a book. Ignore it, but feel free to be entertained. AP's run the gamut but the ones who last are generally very honest.

9. I don't give advice while playing, it makes you look smart and I want to be stupid.

10. Google Glass is not allowed.

[hitthat16]

How do the BJ gurus really make their money? I see this pattern where a guy claims to have made $$$ from playing BJ pro, retires, and is now training others how to play.

At some point, you will burn yourself out and call it good. People can only handle the casino environment for so long.

What's your experience of splitting 9/9 against dealer's 8 or 9? Now, I know the book says to split, but it certainly seems like every time I've done this, I end up with a worse hand, or busting. Your experience?

Dude... Come on. You are NOT a counter or even a blackjack player that has any hope at all if you don't treat basic strategy like scripture.

What has playing BJ done for you? Has it allowed you to purchase a zippy sports car, pay off debts, or take an exotic vacation?

It's allowed to diversify my personal investments and have fun doing it. I trust it more than the market, that's for sure.

What's your system?

Zen count, full indices. I have both the single deck and multi deck index plays memorized in full.

How long do you play per session?

Depends. Sometimes the pit boss might as well be asleep, and at some hours surveillance isn't very sharp. In those cases I'll pound at the game as long as I can, within reason.

Do you look for dealer tells, to try to better guess the hole card?

Tried it once when half the power in the casino was out and the lights on the peeking devices weren't working. Didn't make too much of a difference. Another time a weak dealer was blatantly revealing the hole card when she had a ten up. That's all I will say.

Have you even been on a team?

I tried to start one. Learned that most people simply don't have what it takes. For now I'm still solo.

So, what's the secret sauce that causes the remaining 2% to succeed?

Practice, practice, practice. Study index plays like your life depends on it. Most of all, I'd say it takes a strong gut. I remember the time I lost $1,600 in one night as a low red chipper. I shrugged it off and said it was part of the game. My friends would have had a heart attack and panicked.

o you provide solicited advice while playing? If the guy next to you asks, "Hey, what do you think I should do?", will you answer?

I answer with whatever play would eat cards in a negative count and preserve cards in a positive count.

Do you think Google Glasses could be an upcoming factor for BJ play?

No.