New Blackjack Player

[bobkat]

Hello everyone!

New to the forum and to blackjack. Yesterday night I went out with a couple of friends to the local casino and played blackjack for the first time. I was immediately hooked and even though I lost money I had a lot of fun learning the game. I spent all day today looking up any information I could find on blackjack, even went out and bought Blackjack Bluebook II by Fred Renzey which I'm currently reading. I have made note cards to study basic strategy, learned the basics of how the Hi-Lo count system works which I will start practicing as well.

As a new player all the information out there can be a bit overwhelming. I am willing to put in the hours it takes to become a competent card counter and would like to ask the more seasoned members for any advice they may have for someone starting out. My current plan from the information I've gathered is to learn basic strategy, Hi-Lo count, followed by deck estimation. Any advice is appreciated and glad to be a part of this community.

[pilotzone]

First of all, what are the rules at your local casino, and limits? Then I can go from that point.


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[bobkat]

From what I can remember when they were explaining the game to me:

6 decks
Blackjack paid 3:2
Dealer hits soft 17
Double on any two cards
Can double after split
No surrender
Insurance 2:1
Penetration this is a guess but I'd say about 70%-75%

Table minimum was $10 and the maximum I believe was $1000.

[SpikeBJ]

Our host here, Norm has a good book. https://www.qfit.com/book/ModernBlackjackPage1.htm
and Don's book https://www.amazon.com/Blackjack-Att.../dp/B011MCF4RI

[bobkat]

Thank you SpikeBJ! Added both to my list of must read BJ books.

[DSchles]

Thank you SpikeBJ! Added both to my list of must read BJ books.

Don't buy BJA3 from Amazon. Buy it from Las Vegas Advisor; it's cheaper: https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/shop...-the-pros-way/

And don't make it the next book you read, either. Wait.

Don

[refinery]

Blackjack Bluebook II by Fred Renzey

Great choice. Possibly overlooked by some. It has a couple tricks I use to this day.

[refinery]

Don't buy BJA3 from Amazon. Buy it from Las Vegas Advisor; it's cheaper: https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/shop...-the-pros-way/

And don't make it the next book you read, either. Wait.

Don

Don and Norm's books will be over your head, OP, for quite a while.

[Freightman]

Don and Norm's books will be over your head, OP, for quite a while.

Agreed. Best book for him, and a constant fir his library, is Wongs Professional Blackjack. It will teach hi lo, bs, and index play. At his apparent level of motivation, he should pass by Zee by sometime next week.

[SpikeBJ]

Although over your head, both are great and should remain on your BJ library wish list. I bought Wong first for my library.

[stopgambling]

agree with Hi Lo for the OP. KO or REKO is not any inferior to HI Lo but easier( probably even more effective). although it may limit his/her ability to do other techniques .

[Midwest Player]

Hello everyone!

New to the forum and to blackjack. Yesterday night I went out with a couple of friends to the local casino and played blackjack for the first time. I was immediately hooked and even though I lost money I had a lot of fun learning the game. I spent all day today looking up any information I could find on blackjack, even went out and bought Blackjack Bluebook II by Fred Renzey which I'm currently reading. I have made note cards to study basic strategy, learned the basics of how the Hi-Lo count system works which I will start practicing as well.

As a new player all the information out there can be a bit overwhelming. I am willing to put in the hours it takes to become a competent card counter and would like to ask the more seasoned members for any advice they may have for someone starting out. My current plan from the information I've gathered is to learn basic strategy, Hi-Lo count, followed by deck estimation. Any advice is appreciated and glad to be a part of this community.

Sounds like me 30 years ago. I got hooked the first time I played and ended up losing twenty dollars that first time.

First things first. The first thing you have to do is memorize basic strategy for the game you will be playing. The best place to do that is at https://www.blackjackinfo.com/blackj...rategy-engine/ Adjust the rules to the game you will be playing and memorize. Heck, I still refer to these charts before a trip.

A beginner should buy a beginners book. I like Bootleggers 200 Proof Blackjack. You can get it at Amazon. This book has a betting ramp. My second book would be Professional Blackjack. Don't buy BJA3 for a couple of years until you have everything else mastered. I believe Don is suppose to come out with BJA4 next year. Wait for that.

[Ryemo]

Advice for new players:

1) Read through the forums. Not just this one. BJ21, BlackjackAprenticeship, BJinfo, etc.

2) Read as many books as you can. I think Freightman mentioned Professional Blackjack, which a perfect place to start. Black Belt in Blackjack by Arnold Snyder is also an excellent choice.

3) Look into purchasing software. CVCX by Qfit.com (Norm’s software) will be one of your greatest assets as you grow into becoming an AP. But for now, if you don’t want to invest in the entire suite, I would at least get CVBJ (blackjack software game).

4) Absorb as much as you can. There’s a bunch of cool documentaries you can find for free on YouTube regarding blackjack. You can watch ‘The Hot Shoe’ and all of the ‘Breaking Vegas’ episodes. STAY AWAY from the idiotic Michael Morgenstern YouTube clips. That guy is a scammer. This isn’t necessary to becoming an AP, but when I got started, I absorbed everything that I could and was fascinated by all of the cool stories.