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Thread: Looking for some help learning advantage play - have bankroll, need help

  1. #1


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    Looking for some help learning advantage play - have bankroll, need help

    I have a decent bankroll to start with and I want to make a run at advantage play. The more I try to learn, the more stuck I feel. I would love some help, somebody to work with, etc... Without being in the "in", thinking somebody here could maybe point me towards somebody. I'm in Tampa, but obviously understand travel is a heavy part of the job.

  2. #2


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    Quote Originally Posted by danimal1980 View Post
    I have a decent bankroll to start with and I want to make a run at advantage play. The more I try to learn, the more stuck I feel. I would love some help, somebody to work with, etc... Without being in the "in", thinking somebody here could maybe point me towards somebody. I'm in Tampa, but obviously understand travel is a heavy part of the job.
    When you say you have a decent bankroll to start with, what do you have? That's going to change my answer.

  3. #3


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    Quote Originally Posted by danimal1980 View Post
    I have a decent bankroll to start with and I want to make a run at advantage play. The more I try to learn, the more stuck I feel. I would love some help, somebody to work with, etc... Without being in the "in", thinking somebody here could maybe point me towards somebody. I'm in Tampa, but obviously understand travel is a heavy part of the job.
    Tampa is not the best place to start from. Traveling is not the best way to start your plans, the cost is too much for anyone without experience.

    If you have a casino close enough, try playing the minimum tables, wonging in and out and see how it plays out. Think of it as tuition to learn a trade.

    If you can, take a trip to Las Vegas, play low stakes games downtown or away from the strip. Get the experience.

    I would not advise meeting someone you don’t know with a bank roll in your pocket.

    Have you tried all the available resources to practice counting, learn the game and read archives and books?

  4. #4


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    Do you have six decks, a discard tray, and a shoe? Because if not that is your first step.

  5. #5


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    Quote Originally Posted by danimal1980 View Post
    I have a decent bankroll to start with and I want to make a run at advantage play. The more I try to learn, the more stuck I feel. I would love some help, somebody to work with, etc... Without being in the "in", thinking somebody here could maybe point me towards somebody. I'm in Tampa, but obviously understand travel is a heavy part of the job.
    This is a super simple, broken down "school" to help you out. It really helped me with training techniques and such. Free too!
    https://www.blackjackinfo.com/blackj...asic-strategy/

  6. #6


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    This is what you need to do before even thinking about stepping in a casino:

    1. Learn composite basic strategy
    2. Pick your count of choice and learn that. Industry standard is Hi-Lo
    3. Learn deviations from BS, a la Illustrious 18 or Sweet 16 + Fab 4
    4. Pick your stakes based on your bankroll and design your betting strategy
    5. Research casinos you intend to play. Specifically rules, database sharing, heat...etc.

    Most of this is achieved either through software (e.g. CVBJ, CVCX..etc.) or buying the physical items like table felt, discard tray, shoe...etc. You do not need to leave your home to accomplish any of the above.

    I caveat everything with an emphasis on practice and perfect play. The player's advantage is slim and is easily squandered if you do not treat it as a business.

    If you still feel uncomfortable or unready after doing the above, books are also a great resource. I particularly enjoyed "Blackjack Blueprint" by Blaine, which I recommend as an excellent starter book. Be wary of simply picking up any BJ book, many are focused around a specific count and will be mostly useless if it does not apply to you. Also older books, such as "Beat The Dealer," while entertaining to read, is outlandishly dated.

    Last - absolutely do not meet with anybody. Networking should come much further down the line once you've established yourself as a competent AP that has been at this a long time. Most people will either burn out, play losing games, or overbet their bankroll to ruin. As it's been said, for every 100 self-professed advantage players, more than likely fewer than you can count with your hands actually play a winning game.

    I've only been at this a few years and still will religiously practice the above. This is a perishable skillset you will lose if you do not continually train.

  7. #7


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    Quote Originally Posted by RUMIYODIN View Post
    This is what you need to do before even thinking about stepping in a casino:

    1. Learn composite basic strategy
    2. Pick your count of choice and learn that. Industry standard is Hi-Lo
    3. Learn deviations from BS, a la Illustrious 18 or Sweet 16 + Fab 4
    4. Pick your stakes based on your bankroll and design your betting strategy
    5. Research casinos you intend to play. Specifically rules, database sharing, heat...etc.

    Most of this is achieved either through software (e.g. CVBJ, CVCX..etc.) or buying the physical items like table felt, discard tray, shoe...etc. You do not need to leave your home to accomplish any of the above.

    I caveat everything with an emphasis on practice and perfect play. The player's advantage is slim and is easily squandered if you do not treat it as a business.

    If you still feel uncomfortable or unready after doing the above, books are also a great resource. I particularly enjoyed "Blackjack Blueprint" by Blaine, which I recommend as an excellent starter book. Be wary of simply picking up any BJ book, many are focused around a specific count and will be mostly useless if it does not apply to you. Also older books, such as "Beat The Dealer," while entertaining to read, is outlandishly dated.

    Last - absolutely do not meet with anybody. Networking should come much further down the line once you've established yourself as a competent AP that has been at this a long time. Most people will either burn out, play losing games, or overbet their bankroll to ruin. As it's been said, for every 100 self-professed advantage players, more than likely fewer than you can count with your hands actually play a winning game.

    I've only been at this a few years and still will religiously practice the above. This is a perishable skillset you will lose if you do not continually train.
    Excellent post above...If I were to type my answer, it would basically be the same.
    And I mostly agree with others regarding being in Tampa...although if you are able to drive weekend trips to like MS etc, then that could be your learning ground. Otherwise it is going to be pretty tough given where you live.
    Last edited by Counting_Is_Fun; 11-08-2019 at 09:55 PM.

  8. #8


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    Quote Originally Posted by Counting_Is_Fun View Post
    Excellent post above...If I were to type my answer, it would basically be the same.
    And I mostly agree with others regarding being in Tampa...although if you are able to drive weekend trips to like MS etc, then that could be your learning ground. Otherwise it is going to be pretty tough given where you live.
    Weekend trips to MS? Realize how far it is? Check the airfare? For a newbie?

  9. #9


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    Thank you so much guys, this is some great info and advice. I've been playing recreationally for years and have been using hi lo for over a decade. I've only recently had some life changes that have made me want to pursue this hardcore. I had a few losing sessions in a row at low stakes with great counts and was wondering if I'm doing something wrong or just in one of those streaks. I mean I had +11 in single deck and started max betting and just got worked over... But I understand the swings and that happens. I definitely haven't stepped my game up to the level of these suggestions though, I will be acting on a bunch of these now. Thanks again I appreciate it!

  10. #10


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    danimal1980,

    I am quite disappointed to hear you say you haven't "stepped [your] game up to the level of these suggestions." Considering the number of years you claim to play, everything written above is very elementary and is a prerequisite for the most amateur levels of counting.

    If you haven't, you need to start keeping records of your play. Data like number of shoes you played, how many players are at the table, how much time you played, your spread, rules of the table, and any other data points you can measure. Once you've collected enough meaningful data, you can easily extrapolate whether or not you're playing a winning game or simply gambling.

    Also, getting crushed at monster counts is absolutely expected. It's where you're going to make your biggest wins and biggest losses. After all, the player's advantage at max bets will be hovering barely over a percent or two. By the Law of Large Numbers, this advantage will inevitably stack (N0) to a point where you should be expected to have a profit even under the worst circumstances of luck.

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