PT: New Player / lost in the swamp

[PT]

I am trying to learn how to play BJ. I have been to several different websites and have read a lot of articles and forums. My father-in-law gave me a book by John Patrick, "Advanced Blackjack", and I'm not impressed (this guy has issues). I have began learning to count using the basic hi-lo. I have purchased "Blackjack 6-7-8" and am currently learning my way around in the software. Having made it this far, I have found that there are (seemingly) an unlimited number of ways to count. I need help! Where should I start? Which count is best? I simply do not know what to study and learn first(or second or third for that matter). Any type of orginized curriculum (or advice) will be greatly appreciated.

[Coug Fan]

First, slap your father in law for giving you that book. He was either naive, or he was trying to make you lose money. After that,

1. Learn basic strategy so that you know it like you know your ABC's. Keep practicing until you instinctively know the correct BS play without conscious thought.

2. Read some good blackjack books. I'm sure that others will make good suggestions. Personally, I started with Professional BJ by Wong, Blackjack Attack by Don S, KO Blackjack, and a few others. Also, read the GameMaster Online series at BJ21.com.

3. Choose a count. You will have the info needed to choose the right count based on the books in step #2. I would recommend Hi-lo. Keep it simple, level 1 count, either balanced or unbalanced.

4. Practice counting down decks of cards until you can count down a deck in under 30 seconds while driving on the freeway, listening to the radio and having a conversation with your passenger. In other words, practice WITH as many distractions as possible. Try not to get killed during this step.

5. Learn some indexes. At least the top 18 (BJ Attack is the best source). Make up flash cards. Practice until the right index play is instinctual.

6. Practice deck estimation. Only applicable if you are using a balanced count. Drill on true count conversions. Take 6 decks and cut off a random piece. Try to estimate the amount of cards cut off. Keep practicing until you are consistently within 5-10 cards or so.

7. Go to your local casino with $1,000 in your pocket. Spend 2-3 hours walking around and scouting the games. Identify the conditions for every table (rules, pen, etc). Pay attention to the way that the players act. You will eventually want to make the casino think that you are just like the losers at these tables. Practice back-counting tables, estimating TC and determining the right bet and play. Pretend that you are playing the hands of someone at the table. Most important - DO NOT place a single bet. This is primarily training for your discipline.

8. Re-read BJ Attack from start to finish.

9. Go back to the casino and play some hands. Practice keeping the count, estimating remaining decks, and recalling the correct play based on the count. Just flat bet the table min for this session.

Now you are ready to start playing for real.

[Bettie]

Arnold Snyder's book Blackjack Wisdom is a compilation of previous works, culled together from various magazines, and also some previously unpublished material. Part of that book is the 13-part "Bachelor of Counting" series, which outlines how counting would be taught by Snyder if it were a college course. I'd start there. The book is a little out of date; a lot of great stuff has been written since that book came out, but it's still excellent reading.

While Coug Fan has some great advice (especially the part about slapping your father-in-law for giving you that book!), the books he suggested are a bit advanced. I always suggest the very excellent Blackjack Bluebook 2 by Fred Renzey for very basic beginners so that they really understand what counting is all about and kind of ease into it. Snyder's Blackbelt in Blackjack next (or first, if you decide Renzey's book is too basic for you), along with Blaine's Blackack Blueprint, and then the more advanced stuff like Wong's books, count-specific titles, and Blackjack Attack 3 (the card-counter's bible).

I've provided a link to our online catalog section of blackjack book below; everything we carry has sound, solid information (no Patrick, or Thomason), and I'm always happy to answer questions you may have about content.

Bettie

Blackjack Books

[Parker]

You've gotten good advice from Coug Fan and Bettie, which won't stop me from chiming in with a few additional helpful hints:

1. Put the Patrick book in a locked desk drawer. Then burn the desk.

2. Do not, under any circumstances, enter into any business partnerships with your father-in-law.

3. Read some good books. As Bettie mentioned, there are no dogs in our online catalog. For starters, try Bootlegger's 200 Proof Blackjack, by Mike "Bootlegger" Turner, Blackjack Bluebook II, by Fred Renzey, or Blackjack Blueprint: How To Play Like a Pro . . . Part Time, by Rick "Night Train" Blaine. Better yet, get them all. I'm not trying to sell books (actually I am, but this is from the heart), you cannot have too much knowledge. I have over 30 blackjack books in my personal library.

4. Use the "Set Preferences" link at the top of the message board to view several months of posts on this forum, and read some threads. Do the same on the main page. Don't worry if much of it seems to be written in a foreign language - you will still learn a great deal.

Finally, welcome to AdvantagePlayer.com!

[jblaze]

Most importantly before you play, determine your bankroll and optimal betting scheme for one and two or more hands. (Either buy something along the lines of CVCX or get someone to sim for you). It doesn't matter how 'good' you are at counting if your bankroll is not properly managed. Understand how much money you need to take with you for a given session to cover bad variance. I cannot stress bankroll management highly enough.

> You've gotten good advice from Coug Fan and Bettie,
> which won't stop me from chiming in with a few
> additional helpful hints:

> 1. Put the Patrick book in a locked desk drawer. Then
> burn the desk.

> 2. Do not, under any circumstances, enter into any
> business partnerships with your father-in-law.

> 3. Read some good books. As Bettie mentioned, there
> are no dogs in our online catalog. For starters, try
> Bootlegger's 200 Proof Blackjack, by Mike
> "Bootlegger" Turner, Blackjack Bluebook II,
> by Fred Renzey, or Blackjack Blueprint: How To Play
> Like a Pro . . . Part Time, by Rick "Night
> Train" Blaine. Better yet, get them all. I'm not
> trying to sell books (actually I am, but this is from
> the heart), you cannot have too much knowledge. I have
> over 30 blackjack books in my personal library.

> 4. Use the "Set Preferences" link at the top
> of the message board to view several months of posts
> on this forum, and read some threads. Do the same on
> the main page. Don't worry if much of it seems to be
> written in a foreign language - you will still learn a
> great deal.

> Finally, welcome to AdvantagePlayer.com!

[HalvesX2]

first of all i think u really should slap your father in law in the head.
not becos he bought u a crappy book, i mean wat kind of parent would encourage their child to gamble???? that deserves a kick in the face.
but if you've really decided to go on with BJ, Coug Fan's suggestion is perfect.
1.Learn u basic strategy so that u can play it without thought.
2.Learn to count, i think the best choice for beginners is Hi Low.
3.Practicing counting at the casino (not betting, just back counting)
4.Start to memorise indices. also practicing true count estimation at the casino.
5.go to a casino with a friend, back count tables while chatting with ur friend, do ur TC estimations at the same time.
6.when u can do all of the above (hopfully correctly! becos u wouldn't know it even if u made a mistake unless u have a proficient counter to confirm ur count with)
work out a bankroll which u can afford and work out the optimal betting for ur bankroll and off u go.
7.once u know the procedures of counting, then u might want to read more into the reasoning behind every move. afterall u do want to know why ur making the moves which ur making.

[PT]

Thank you all for your help - and for giving me a good reason to stop reeding that D*mn book. I'm going to keep checking back in for more info. Its not about the gambling, it's all about learning a new skill. BJ seems like an interesting and challenging game. Who would have ever thought counting to 21 would be so difficult? Thanks again.

[Ouchez]

> Thank you all for your help - and for giving me a good
> reason to stop reeding that D*mn book. I'm going to
> keep checking back in for more info. Its not about the
> gambling, it's all about learning a new skill. BJ
> seems like an interesting and challenging game. Who
> would have ever thought counting to 21 would be so
> difficult? Thanks again.

No one mentioned the "Psych Angle" to playing this game. Be prepared for bitter emotional swings, as you do everything right and it all goes.....wrong!! (With a degree of frequency).

Learning Hi-Lo with a side of aces and many indices is something you can master given a decent amount of intelligence and adequate time.

But there is something else I have noticed about the truly great players and that is their special ability to be able to "Enter The Zone" while playing and to actually become "one" with the game. Does that sound sort of mystical? Maybe it is. This is a skill that goes beyond the mechanics of counting, tracking, but certainly serves to fully implement and compliment those skillz. (The greatest of golfers, boxers, and ball players, I believe, also exhibit these tendencies).

I greatly admire those few great players who possess these gualities as they are indeed a pleasure to observe.

BJ, when carried to it's highest levels, supplies a rush to the AP that is equal to only the greatest sex or combat. And therein lies a danger.....

Of course all this means nothing if you cannot find a fine game.

Think about it,
Ouchez.

[superdupont]