Beginner Looking to Take Game to Next Level

**gamblingguy** · 09-01-2019, 05:30 AM

Hello BJF community,

Just wanted to introduce myself. I’ve got about 100 hrs of casino play under my belt. Those 100 hours are just comprised of playing with basic strategy. Some ups, some downs. I’m at the point where I no longer want to just go into the casino and use basic strategy. I want to learn how to become an AP.

After reading this forum for a couple weeks now I’ve decided to use the Hi-Lo method and learn the I18 on top of it. Figured this would be a good starting point. Downloaded the QFIT mobile drill app and game app. The count is there for me, its just a matter of speed at this point.

I’m located in Florida. I have two casinos that I can travel to. For the most part the games are S17/DAS/6 Decks.

Looking forward to growing as a player, expanding my knowledge, and put myself in the best possible position to come out on top. After reading many articles and understanding statistics, its not about learning how to card count to guarantee yourself profit. It’s about putting yourself in the best possible position to become profitable. I think understanding this concept is very important when starting out and guide me through rough times.

If anyone has some tips/tricks or some thoughts for a newbie I’m willing to learn. Look forward to becoming part of this community.

**Scrum** · 09-01-2019, 09:23 AM

Welcome

**Meistro123** · 09-01-2019, 11:18 AM

Good luck to you, please don't hesitate to post any questions you may have in the forum here.

**cc12b** · 09-01-2019, 11:37 AM

Welcome. Most, if not everything, you want to know about BJ is explained in "Blackjack attach 3" book, also Modern Blackjack is free but very informative https://qfit.com/book/index.htm. After few weeks reading those books if you still have something to ask then just ask. I did what I am writing now. Good luck

**PinkChip** · 09-01-2019, 11:51 AM

Typo: "Blackjack Attack 3" by Don Schlesinger.

**Dog Hand** · 09-01-2019, 01:05 PM

gamblingguy,

Welcome to the forum!

As for advice, I'll quote myself from another recent thread:

Originally Posted by Dog Hand

<snip>You might gain some useful insights about low-stakes counting from a book entitled "The Blackjack Insiders" by Andrew Uyal. Uyal was a PC (ironically, at both Virgin River and CasaBlanca in Mesquite) who, along with his boss, formed a two-man card-counting team that played across the U.S. In the book he discusses the pros and cons of using players cards, along with several other topics of concern to counters.<snip>

Hope this helps!

Dog Hand

**Jabberwocky** · 09-01-2019, 03:10 PM

Any fool can count cards. It takes real talent to win at it consistently.

**cc12b** · 09-01-2019, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

It takes real talent to win at it consistently.

But don't let casinos know you are good, that is an art. Thanks Pinkchip for correct me with typo.

**gamblingguy** · 09-01-2019, 05:20 PM

Will take a look at Blackjack Attack. Appreciate the tips.

**RatherNotGiveMyRealName** · 09-01-2019, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by gamblingguy

Beginner Looking to Take Game to Next Level
Hello BJF community,

Just wanted to introduce myself. I’ve got about 100 hrs of casino play under my belt. Those 100 hours are just comprised of playing with basic strategy. Some ups, some downs. I’m at the point where I no longer want to just go into the casino and use basic strategy. I want to learn how to become an AP.

After reading this forum for a couple weeks now I’ve decided to use the Hi-Lo method and learn the I18 on top of it. Figured this would be a good starting point. Downloaded the QFIT mobile drill app and game app. The count is there for me, its just a matter of speed at this point.

I’m located in Florida. I have two casinos that I can travel to. For the most part the games are S17/DAS/6 Decks.

Looking forward to growing as a player, expanding my knowledge, and put myself in the best possible position to come out on top. After reading many articles and understanding statistics, its not about learning how to card count to guarantee yourself profit. It’s about putting yourself in the best possible position to become profitable. I think understanding this concept is very important when starting out and guide me through rough times.

If anyone has some tips/tricks or some thoughts for a newbie I’m willing to learn. Look forward to becoming part of this community.

The best advice I can give as a beginner card counter is to buy a shoe and discard tray and deal to yourself. I deal to myself and three other phantom players (I like to think of them as the friends I would have if I didn’t get into card counting). I started only playing basic strategy, then counting with basic strategy, then using betting and playing deviations based on the count. Blackjack software is great but there’s something about playing with actual cards that I find beneficial.

I have been working myself like a rented mule the last few weeks dealing myself more shoes than Carter’s got liver pills. This shoe was well-worth the $18 and I have gotten invaluable practice with it.

From one beginner to another, good luck!

**LugiaLvl138** · 09-01-2019, 10:25 PM

How many decks out of the six do they deal before a reshuffle? What determines your bet isn't the Running Count, but the True Count, which is running divided by number of decks left. I'm not an expert on 6 deck games, but I would imagine you would want to see at least 4 decks dealt, or 66% Deck Penetration. Five decks dealt would give you 80% Penetration, which is very good.

**gamblingguy** · 09-02-2019, 04:55 AM

Just purchased myself a shoe. Good call.

**RatherNotGiveMyRealName** · 09-02-2019, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by gamblingguy

Just purchased myself a shoe. Good call.

Good man. I hope you get a lot of use out of it.

Have you attempted counting in a casino yet? If not, feel free to react to this post with results when you do. I’m going to count using my improved system tonight for the first time.