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Thread: Question for Don: BJA

  1. #1


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    Question for Don: BJA

    I understand you read the rough draft and wrote a blurb for 21st Century Blackjack by Colin Jones. I read the book myself and thought Colin did a great job. This is a book written for contemporary blackjack card counters. It has lots of practical tips and advice. What was your opinion of the book? Where does it rank amongst other bj books?

    Colin's advice of taking a commando like approach and maximizing EV while playing as many hours as possible with little to no cover seems quite practical for today's games. Some players have said he is ruining the game. What are your thoughts?

    Are you a member of Blackjack Apprenticeship? It has acquired a large following. Do you watch Colin's videos on YouTube? They are jam-packed with information and the best part is they are free!

    MJ
    Last edited by MJ1; 05-21-2023 at 07:43 AM.

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    Any thoughts?

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    I didn't answer because I said what I thought about the book in the blurb. I'll expand a little here, if you like.

    Quote Originally Posted by MJ1 View Post
    What was your opinion of the book? Where does it rank amongst other bj books?
    I enjoyed reading it. Colin is bright, and you can't argue with success. That said, his style is not mine and never would be, in the past or the present. I don't relish getting thrown out of casinos, and, when I was playing, since I always had a day job, the slash and burn approach never suited me.

    Quote Originally Posted by MJ1 View Post
    Are you a member of Blackjack Apprenticeship?
    No.

    Quote Originally Posted by MJ1 View Post
    Do you watch Colin's videos on YouTube?
    Out of curiosity, I've watched a few from time to time. Is there one in particular that you think I should watch because I could learn something? Or, do you just want to know if I think he does a good job? Because, if the latter, I believe he does.

    Don

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    Quote Originally Posted by DSchles View Post



    Out of curiosity, I've watched a few from time to time. Is there one in particular that you think I should watch because I could learn something? Or, do you just want to know if I think he does a good job? Because, if the latter, I believe he does.
    Thanks Don. There was a short video in particular where Colin says it was team policy to never bet more than 1/6 of your chips in case of splitting and doubling down. I believe you say to never bet more than 1/2 of your chips because splitting and then doubling is rare.

    MJ

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    because splitting and then doubling is rare.
    Not so rare - in fact, welcome the opportunity when it arises.

  6. #6


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    In high counts, if you somehow allow yourself to get into a situation where you're low on cash, betting only 1/6 of your chips seems like a poor idea to me. While you ought to have enough to split, so as not to misplay your hand, not doubling doesn't make you play the hand "wrong"; it just doesn't get as many chips on the table as you might have hoped for. You do much more damage by betting 1/6 of your remaining funds, when you could be betting much more.

    And yes, doubling after splitting IS NOT a very frequent occurrence. We split only 2.8% of all hands (yes, a bit more frequently in higher counts). We double about 10%. Multiply one by the other, and you realize that first splitting and then doubling is clearly not something that you ought to be saving your money for in the situation we're discussing. It would be very foolish.

    Don
    Last edited by DSchles; 06-25-2023 at 08:30 AM.

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    And yes, doubling after splitting IS not a very frequent occurrence. We split only 2.8% of all hands (yes, a bit more frequently in higher counts). We double about 10%
    A bit more if you count the guy that I saw split 55 a week or so ago. Notwithstanding, the conceptual issue is what constitutes “And yes, doubling after splitting IS not a very frequent occurrence”.

    28 splits per 1000 hands means approx 2.8 splits per 10 hours of play based on 100 HPH - or 20 hours with a full table and slow dealer - or 5 hours heads up at 200 HPH - the latter not being what I consider as infrequent.

    Oh…. The guy who split 55 lost both 15’s

  8. #8


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    Ahhh... I remember when a guy spilt 5s on me back when I was playing a losing game (and didn't realize it) and he "took the dealer's bust card". I was so loud security came over. If I'm playing and someone does that, I get up and leave.

  9. #9


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    Quote Originally Posted by sondjata View Post
    Ahhh... I remember when a guy spilt 5s on me back when I was playing a losing game (and didn't realize it) and he "took the dealer's bust card". I was so loud security came over. If I'm playing and someone does that, I get up and leave.
    I recall my red chip to low black days playing in a party pit. I raised from 1x10 to 2x70 over a few hands. Some dork made a terrible play and I lost because of it. A few hands later I was up to 2x200 and same guy made another horrific play. Because he made that bonehead play, I won both hands instead of losing both hands. I never said a word on either hand.

    On another occasion, some young witch was protecting the flow of the cards by telling everyone what they should play when their first choice didn’t agree with her warden activities. She tried telling me what to do - I did what I wanted asking her if she had a problem……and she did. Point is….long term, the guy or the witch isn’t going to help you or hurt you - and only the witch should aggravate you.

    I’ll leave a table only if someone’s modus operandi interferes with my style of play.
    Last edited by Freightman; 06-26-2023 at 02:51 AM. Reason: Correct min bet

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