Beginning of the Journey.

[No. 2]

Hello all, this is my first post, was unsure as to where to put it but the basis of my post is counting/strategy, just whacked it in the general part; I'm going to apologise for a lengthy post now, I tend to waffle, lucky for you lot

I'm 23, and live in the UK, and I'm starting to be increasingly fascinated by counting cards and blackjack strategy (apologies for not using abbreviations). I'm a complete novice to blackjack, to the extent where I've previously only played in the local casino a handful of times. I'm looking to learn the game as best I can, and hopefully years down the line, use it as a bit of income on the side (one can dream).

After reading and being inspired by posts and experiences, I've started to try and grasp basic strategy and counting cards. At the moment, I'm using online live dealers to try and push myself to count during game situations and I'm at the point where I can have the TV on in the background and not be too distracted, I'm not the quickest and can just about keep up with the quickest of the few casino's I have used. I'll also not count and just work on basic strategy, purely minimum bets and follow the Strategy outlined in 'Professional Blackjack'. It's not sinking in as quickly as I thought it would, but I shall persist!

Along with apps on my phone and a deck of (awesome) Simpsons cards, I'm trying to get quicker and better myself at counting whenever I get the opportunity.

Working full time, and obviously, the need to pay my way in life means my bankroll isn't huge, <£100, but that doesn't bother me, I'm only using it try and learn at the moment, hopefully one day in the future I'll make it grow; I am a fair amount in profit, however I'm well aware of how much luck I must have had in the couple of weeks I've developed my very small original deposit.

The reason for my post, is an introduction and thanks, for the wealth of information and stories you guys have put together on these forums and , a bit of advice, as to how, from where I am at now, is a good way to take the 'training' onwards. Do I continue as I am, bits of strategy, bits of counting, combing the two, or do it an entirely different way?

Think I'll leave it there for now, I look forward to any advice/scrutiny I may receive.
Thanks in advance for the warm welcome

Dan

[happyjack21]

I think reading does good for grasping the whens and whys of card counting
And practicing is even better.

Get casino verite if you want to have help practicing also.

[HowMany]

Check out Casino Verite blackjack software at qfit.com.

It was a "must have" for my training.

[blondeboyz]

I am by far not one of the experts on here but normal advice is that you need to learn to walk before you run. That would mean to learn your BS inside and out, upside down and backwards. Once you can play BS with complete accuracy and no hesitation then you can concentrate on the next steps.

[No. 2]

Thanks for the guidance folks, I will concentrate on basic strategy, and thank you for the recommendation of the practice software, I'll also make this my home away from home on the web!

[pokertito]

In addition to using software like Casino Verite, what literature is vital for card counters to read? How do you actually choose a specific counting method as I've heard there are numerous?

[KC_APS]

There's lots of counting systems, indeed.

Here's a nice chart that outlines different facets of each system: http://www.qfit.com/card-counting.htm

But, the best counting system is one that you can use perfectly. It's all up to individual preference. Lots of people use Hi-Lo because it's the most common and well understood. Others use difficult level 2 counting systems. Do some research on the different systems and see what you think!

[pokertito]

I was looking over the chart and the KO method seemed intriguing. What is the consensus view among card counters towards the KO method? Is it a good place to start?

[MidniteToker]

Yes.

[RS]

KO is a great starting point and a good count in general.