Unveiling my cards: My Starting AP Path - Tips on Bankroll, Bet Spread, hours to play

[bjrx.wiizrd]

Hi Dears, im new on this so, excuse me for any mistake...

I've been studying and practicing for two months and a half. I've realized that here are very knowledgeable persons in this subject and have been a great help to me on this journey.

Unfortunately, in my country, I haven't been able to find anyone who is well-informed in this topic or as interested in it as I am. I feel a bit alone on this path and I'm looking for someone who can provide me with advice, ideas, and tricks. I would love to be able to ask some questions and receive recommendations on how I can improve my game and prepare in the most optimal way without loosing too much too fast.

Currently, I've been learning card counting 100% self-taught for 2.5 months. I've been reading books, watching videos, doing drills on websites and mobile apps, listening to podcasts, practicing at the casino and now navigating on forums looking for help.

This are my current conditions:

• My current bankroll is $1500
• I'm willing to dedicate 2-6 hours per week to improving my game in real environments with this capital.
• Based on what I've studied, I believe I could aim for an expected value (EV) of approximately $5-$8/hour and a risk of ruin (ROR) of approximately 45% (Im not sure if its correct).
• This is spare money for me, and I could replenish it within about 3 months.
• My main goal with this initial bankroll is to further develop my skills in a real environment, in addition to the practice I do at home.

Currently, I believe my skills are as follows:

• Basic Strategy: 100%
• Running Count: 85%
• Deck Estimation/True Count: 75%
• Betting Strategy: 0%
• Deviations: 0%

Unfortunately, where I live, most casinos use Continuous Shuffling Machines (CSM) and I have only found one casino that uses a shoe. In the casino, there is only one blackjack table, which is usually empty (so I can't do backcounting), and there are generally 4 dealers. The rules are as follows:

• Decks: 6
• Hit Soft 17
• Double After Split: Yes
• When can a Player double: Any First 2 cards
• How many splits can you do?: 4 Hands
• Can Player split aces more than once: No
• Does the Player Lose Only Their Original Bet When Dealer has a Blackjack?: Yes
• Is Late surrender allowed?: No
• Deck penetration: 75% or more depending on the dealer
• Min Bet: $5
• Max Bet: $300
• Backoff is not allowed (I heard the dealer saying this to another person, but I have my doubts)

My specific doubts are as follows:

• What should my bet size be according to each True Count? Currently, this is the bet spread I use, but I'm not entirely sure how optimal it is: TC <= 0: $5 | 1: $10 | 2: $15 | 3: $20 | >= 4: 2X $25.
• From what True Count should I consider increasing my game to two hands without having an ROR > 50%? Or should I avoid playing two hands altogether?
• How many bet units or trip bankroll should I bring for each session, considering that I will be playing for 1-3 hours twice a week? By the way, at the table where I play, there is usually only one or no other person playing.
• I'm not sure how much the dealers know about card counting because I've heard comments like, "Card counting doesn't work here because the decks are shuffled in a way that no one can count cards." However, considering that this is the only place with a shoe, what advice would you give me to avoid being detected as a card counter?
• What practices would you recommend for me to be able to interact with people without losing the Running Count?
• Do you know any WhatsApp, Telegram, or forum groups where I can seek support?
• What parameters would you recommend documenting after each session I have? E.g.: Expenses, Wins and Losses, Comments, etc.
• Do you think I should consider doing teamwork?
• What resources would you recommend for me to continue on this path? Currently, I rely on the following most of the time:
• 
  
  • BJA Youtube Channel and Webpage (Blog)
  • Steven Bridges Youtube Channel
  • DarkStar Blackjack Youtube Channel
  • Richard W. Munchkin Youtube Channel / Gambling with an Edge
  • Dooma Youtube Channel
  • BJA Podcasts
  • Books:
  • 
    
    • 21st Century Card Counter
    • Professional Blackjack
    • Blackbelt in Blackjack
    • Android Drills (Running Count, Basic Strategy, Keeping Count, True Count),
    • BJA Membership (Coming Soon).

I appreciate in advance any help you can offer me. If you need additional information from me, feel free to ask. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Thank you very much.

[aceside]

Your post covers the history of the blackjack game. It sounds like you are very well equipped. By the way, which country is this? Does your dealer take a hole card?

[bjrx.wiizrd]

Your post covers the history of the blackjack game. It sounds like you are very well equipped. By the way, which country is this? Does your dealer take a hole card?

1) Country is Costa Rica,
2) Yes, the dealers shows the hole card

[aceside]

When you state this “Does the Player Lose Only Their Original Bet When Dealer has a Blackjack?: Yes”, you probably mean a no-hole-card blackjack game. Basically, you are saying your dealer will reserve a hole card for her no matter what. We have a few players in this region posting here, but I’ve never played there.

[bjrx.wiizrd]

When you state this “Does the Player Lose Only Their Original Bet When Dealer has a Blackjack?: Yes”, you probably mean a no-hole-card blackjack game. Basically, you are saying your dealer will reserve a hole card for her no matter what. We have a few players in this region posting here, but I’ve never played there.

Yes, you are right. Would love any help I can have...

[aceside]

To be more specific, I’d like to ask this question: does your dealer peek for blackjack when her upcard is a ten or ace? I’m a beginner but am thinking to make a cruise trip to have fun there for some time.

[bjrx.wiizrd]

To be more specific, I’d like ask this question: does your dealer peek for blackjack when her upcard is a ten or ace? I’m a beginner but am thinking to make a cruise trip to have fun there for some time.

Oh, ok. Sorry, Now I get it. Im a beginner too.

No, the dealer dont peek for bj when the upcard is a ten or ace.

[aceside]

That’s something inconsistent. For a no-hole-card game, the dealer doesn’t reserve a hole card for her and thus must not peek for a possible blackjack. For a hole-card game, the dealer reserve a hole card, but would peek into the hole card to check if she has made a blackjack. If she has made a blackjack, the dealing process will be terminated and the results will be resolved now without dealing out any cards.

[bjrx.wiizrd]

That’s something inconsistent. For a no-hole-card game, the dealer doesn’t reserve a hole card for her and thus must not peek for a possible blackjack. For a hole-card game, the dealer reserve a hole card, but would peek into the hole card to check if she has made a blackjack. If she has made a blackjack, the dealing process will be terminated and the results will be resolved now without dealing out any cards.

I will try to be more specific, it must be that I am not explaining myself well and confusing the rules.

If the dealer has an Ace, ask for insurance without looking at the hole card, then all the players makes their decisions and then the crupier shows the another card and pays/or not to each player according to the result. If he has a 10, he doesn't see the another card at the begining, he waits for everyone to make their decisions and at the end he shows the second card and pays/or not to each player according to the result.

[Norm]

Actually, I thought your explanation was clear.

[Gramazeka]

Help for you-

https://www.blackjackinfo.com/commun...o-system.9660/

https://www.blackjackinfo.com/commun...uestions.9666/

[Freightman]

Hi Dears, im new on this so, excuse me for any mistake...

I've been studying and practicing for two months and a half. I've realized that here are very knowledgeable persons in this subject and have been a great help to me on this journey.

Unfortunately, in my country, I haven't been able to find anyone who is well-informed in this topic or as interested in it as I am. I feel a bit alone on this path and I'm looking for someone who can provide me with advice, ideas, and tricks. I would love to be able to ask some questions and receive recommendations on how I can improve my game and prepare in the most optimal way without loosing too much too fast.

Currently, I've been learning card counting 100% self-taught for 2.5 months. I've been reading books, watching videos, doing drills on websites and mobile apps, listening to podcasts, practicing at the casino and now navigating on forums looking for help.

This are my current conditions:

• My current bankroll is $1500
• I'm willing to dedicate 2-6 hours per week to improving my game in real environments with this capital.
• Based on what I've studied, I believe I could aim for an expected value (EV) of approximately $5-$8/hour and a risk of ruin (ROR) of approximately 45% (Im not sure if its correct).
• This is spare money for me, and I could replenish it within about 3 months.https://www.blackjacktheforum.com/sh...-help-a-newbie post 7 for ideas in artificially increasing bankroll size
• My main goal with this initial bankroll is to further develop my skills in a real environment, in addition to the practice I do at home.

Currently, I believe my skills are as follows:

• Basic Strategy: 100%
• Running Count: 85% needs to be better, closer to if not equaling 100%
• Deck Estimation/True Count: 75%
• Betting Strategy: 0%
• Deviations: 0%jack you did say Professional Blackjack - hi lots of info start at about page 250. Lots of info on deviations

Unfortunately, where I live, most casinos use Continuous Shuffling Machines (CSM) and I have only found one casino that uses a shoe. In the casino, there is only one blackjack table, which is usually empty (so I can't do backcounting), and there are generally 4 dealers. The rules are as follows:

• Decks: 6
• Hit Soft 17
• Double After Split: Yes
• When can a Player double: Any First 2 cards
• How many splits can you do?: 4 Hands
• Can Player split aces more than once: No
• Does the Player Lose Only Their Original Bet When Dealer has a Blackjack?: Yes
• Is Late surrender allowed? so, surrender is allowed, except not against 10 or ace.
• Deck penetration: 75% or more depending on the dealer could be better though surrender assists
• Min Bet: $5
• Max Bet: $300
• Backoff is not allowed (I heard the dealer saying this to another person, but I have my doubts)

My specific doubts are as follows:

• What should my bet size be according to each True Count? Currently, this is the bet spread I use, but I'm not entirely sure how optimal it is: TC <= 0: $5 | 1: $10 | 2: $15 | 3: $20 | >= 4: 2X $You’re at best even with the house at TC 1. Stay at min for TC 1 and below. Your shoestring bankroll doesn’t permit luxury of 2 unit bet at bankroll. You can’t handle the variance
• From what True Count should I consider increasing my game to two hands without having an ROR > 50%? Or should I avoid playing two hands altogether?f Stay at 1 hand for now. Others may differ in opinion
• How many bet units or trip bankroll should I bring for each session, considering that I will be playing for 1-3 hours twice a week? By the way, at the table where I play, there is usually only one or no other person playing. $250
• I'm not sure how much the dealers know about card counting because I've heard comments like, "Card counting doesn't work here because the decks are shuffled in a way that no one can count cards." However, considering that this is the only place with a shoe, what advice would you give me to avoid being detected as a card counter?
• What practices would you recommend for me to be able to interact with people without losing the Running Count? Practice at home - start with one deck remove 3 cards. Count down the remaing deck to bottom. Playing hi lo, you should be 100% accurate in composition of remaing cards (low high and neutral)
• Do you know any WhatsApp, Telegram, or forum groups where I can seek support?
• What parameters would you recommend documenting after each session I have? E.g.: Expenses, Wins and Losses, Comments, etcHow familiar are you with Excel
• Do you think I should consider doing teamwork? No, not at this time
• What resources would you recommend for me to continue on this path? Currently, I rely on the following most of the time:
• 
  
  • BJA Youtube Channel and Webpage (Blog)
  • Steven Bridges Youtube Channel
  • DarkStar Blackjack Youtube Channel
  • Richard W. Munchkin Youtube Channel / Gambling with an Edge
  • Dooma Youtube Channel
  • BJA Podcasts
  • Books:
  • 
    
    • 21st Century Card Counter
    • Professional Blackjack Excellent for you
    • Blackbelt in Blackjack. Excellent for you, many hidden gems
      Android Drills (Running Count, Basic Strategy, Keeping Count, True Count),
    
    
  • 
    
    • BJA Membership (Coming Soon).

I appreciate in advance any help you can offer me. If you need additional information from me, feel free to ask. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Thank you very much.

elaborate as you please

[Freightman]

You also said
TC <= 0: $5 | 1: $10 | 2: $15 | 3: $20 | >= 4:

<1 $5
2. $10
3. $20 (if 1 is equal to the house, then 2 is an advantage with .5 edge and 3 doubles your edge to 1.0 and you should also double your initial advantage bet.
4 max 40. Again, your shoestring roll can’t handle variance.

There will be many opinions here - consider the ideas to the link that I provided. If excercised, you can now handle larger bets - comes in with a caveat

edit to add
regarding $250 session bankroll, let me reconsider