Rookie questions

[Oncesubtle]

After reading this board and it's archives (thank you!) and playing what seems like a million on-line hands it's obvious the best I can be (for the foreseeable future) is a obsessed Basic Strategy player. So for the first of my quarterly visits to Vegas I want to focus, I think, on a $25 6 deck shoe. I will be there xxxxxxx and probably stay at the xxxxxx. I'm xx, will have 1 K to lose but hoping to break even and earn some comps. My questions are, where should I play and for how much per hand? Also, are there any other strategies, systems or advantages that compliment Basic besides counting? And please do share any other thoughts or insights you would consider helpful.

Thank you for your consideration, it is very much appreciated.

*Thanks to Shadowless, and a look to the future I have deleted my personal information. Thanks Shadow and the rest of ya'll for your insights and direction.

[Shadowless]

You should really edit your post since you were extremely indiscreet.

You gave away your age, where you plan on staying, the exact date and length of your visit, what kind of game you plan on playing, and what you have to work with.

Seems like a lot of posters feel the need to include too much personal and identifiable information about themselves. Such a shame.

[Ryemo]

You should really edit your post since you were extremely indiscreet.

You gave away your age, where you plan on staying, the exact date and length of your visit, what kind of game you plan on playing, and what you have to work with.

Seems like a lot of posters feel the need to include too much personal and identifiable information about themselves. Such a shame.

It doesn't sound like he has any interest in counting, so I'm pretty sure no one will sweat his action. Now, if he stated that he was interested in learning to count so he could take down Palace Station, THEN I would advise him to disclose less info, lol.

@ Oncesubtle: The next step after learning perfect basic strategy IS counting, if you want to play with an advantage. If you don't want to invest a ton of time into it, you could maybe pick up an easy count system like Red 7.

Best of luck

[Oncesubtle]

Hummm, I feel no shame. And who would or could care what my age is or where I might stay or for how long or that I am playing a perfectly honest game with a small bank roll? Please do PM or post your reasoning and I will delete my OP immediately.

Update: Thanks to Shadowless and Ryemo, and a look to the future I have deleted my personal information. Thanks Shadow and the rest of ya'll for your insights and direction.

[Oncesubtle]

Thanks Ryemo, I didn't think there was any where to go after BS except counting, but wanted to ensure I didn't miss anything. I need a hobby, love BJ and want to lose as little as possible. I would think any casino would love a sucker like me and I can afford it. So what I am looking for is a cushy place to play with nice comps and welcoming atmosphere. And counter to counting culture was wondering if I should ask to be rated or get a player card or what?

Thanks for your help.

[alexost]

After reading this board and it's archives (thank you!) and playing what seems like a million on-line hands it's obvious the best I can be (for the foreseeable future) is a obsessed Basic Strategy player. So for the first of my quarterly visits to Vegas I want to focus, I think, on a $25 6 deck shoe. I will be there Oct 5 - 9th and probably stay at the Palace Station. I'm 68, will have 1 K to lose but hoping to break even and earn some comps. My questions are, where should I play and for how much per hand? Also, are there any other strategies, systems or advantages that compliment Basic besides counting? And please do share any other thoughts or insights you would consider helpful.

Thank you for your consideration, it is very much appreciated.

I would buy "Blackjack Bluebook II" written by Fred Renzey. It has exactly what you are looking for as far as professional strategies that can be used to supplement basic strategy.

It also has a simple unbalanced count strategy (KISS I through III) that can be expanded as you get more comfortable.

Read it and practice before you go to Vegas.

[Orangechip2]

If you play only station properties you should be fine, they are spread out all over Vegas. $25 base bet will certainly generate some comps for you for future stays if playing station properties rated, throw a little slot play in and you generate more comps.

With $1000 roll in Vegas you won't get much, especially if your preference is 6D $25 games. Where you should play and how much per hand is your call, just make sure you are properly prepared going in if you want to play with even a slight edge.

Let us know how it turns out

Good Cards Oc2

[Ryemo]

Hummm, I feel no shame. And who would or could care what my age is or where I might stay or for how long or that I am playing a perfectly honest game with a small bank roll? Please do PM or post your reasoning and I will delete my OP immediately.

I'm sure Shadowless can speak for himself, but I think his intentions were good. Considering that majority of the participants of this forum are advantage players, it's best that you conceal as much personal information as possible, as any casino employee can easily access the contents of this forum. You'd be very surprised how many casinos in Vegas heavily sweat the action of red-chippers. In your case, if you have no desire to start counting, then you don't really have anything to worry about, unless you're playing at Suncoast or the El Cortez, lol. Even basic strategy squares will get the boot there!

As far as playing on a card/getting rated goes, you should absolutely do so, IF you are not going to play with an advantage. That's the only way you'll be able to generate comps (i.e. free food, free play and free rooms for future trips). Palace Station would be a good place to start because they have about 10 properties located in Vegas, I believe, so you'll have options for future hotel visits. If you ever decide that you want to explore AP BJ though, then I would most definitely NOT recommend using a player's card. At that point, you wouldn't want to give up your identity.

[Jabberwocky]

I'm sure Shadowless can speak for himself, but I think his intentions were good. Considering that majority of the participants of this forum are advantage players, it's best that you conceal as much personal information as possible, as any casino employee can easily access the contents of this forum. You'd be very surprised how many casinos in Vegas heavily sweat the action of red-chippers. In your case, if you have no desire to start counting, then you don't really have anything to worry about, unless you're playing at Suncoast or the El Cortez, lol. Even basic strategy squares will get the boot there!

As far as playing on a card/getting rated goes, you should absolutely do so, IF you are not going to play with an advantage. That's the only way you'll be able to generate comps (i.e. free food, free play and free rooms for future trips). Palace Station would be a good place to start because they have about 10 properties located in Vegas, I believe, so you'll have options for future hotel visits. If you ever decide that you want to explore AP BJ though, then I would most definitely NOT recommend using a player's card. At that point, you wouldn't want to give up your identity.

The national fusion center could brand you a subversive or even a terrorist if you refuse a player's card. Food for thought.

[Dieter]

If you ever decide that you want to explore AP BJ though, then I would most definitely NOT recommend using a player's card.

... at that chain of properties. Nothing says you can't go do high-stakes AP BJ at one of the many places you don't have a card.

You're still running the risk of some suit transferring companies and remembering your name, but that's a notably smaller risk than walking into a place that has your ID on file.

[Stealth]

Oncesubtle,

The best double deck games in Vegas are at the outlying "local" casinos. There are some lower limit (10-15) games at several of them also. I am afraid you are at high risk of the game variance at $25 consuming your 1,000.

Be certain you have the correct basic strategy for double deck and play correctly.

Good luck to you.

[Oncesubtle]

Thanks Stealth,

I agree and will search out a DD game at a local's casino. And as I don't know the area I am hoping you or someone else might suggest a place with nice rooms and a restaurant. It would really be appreciated as I will be staying for 3 nights.

I'm up to speed with basic strategy and will get a DD card to study. As I evolve in the BJ world I find myself being directed and drifting towards counting. It seems to make the game more interesting and as I'm retired I can be very passive and just go for eliminating travel, food and lodging costs. I can see this working and am hoping to go to different places as my proficiency allows.

So thanks to you Stealth and all the great contributors in the Black Jack community.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

Oncesubtle,

A few very simple remarks:

Do not use any "progression" scheme. Reject advice at the tables.

If you play DD at Palace Station, you will be facing a "house edge" of 0.35%.

That means that [on average] your results will gravitate towards a [long-term]

(error-free) loss of $25 x 0.35% per hand, equating to a loss of 8 cents per hand.

Blackjack is a game of extreme volatility; meaning that, realistically speaking,

you will win or lose sums that are likely to be more like $100 to $200 per hour.

Losing $1,000 a day is a simple a task. Winning $1,000 is not so simple.