Here are all the comments posted on the site, with the most recent discussions listed first. To participate in any of these discussions, you can reply on the article page.
Great site for practicing “best odds plays” for all situations. However, there seems to be a flaw in the Strategy Coach. I played 6-deck, H17, Late Surrender. Contrary to the correct recommendations on the Strategy Engine, the Coach kept telling me to surrender when I faced a dealer Ace when I had hard counts of 12, 13, and 14.
I’ll bet you had the trainer inadvertently set to Early Surrender instead of Late Surrender. Just to be sure, I checked the game. With late surrender enabled, I had 13vA, and the coach correctly said Hit.
Awesome page, One question.. regards the splitting phase, you say that the dealer only gives the player a card on the second eight after he stands or busts on the first. Is this a standard rule? I’ve come across casinosthat offer standard BJ where the dealer hands one card each on each eight and then plays each hand independently? Need to be sure which is the standard and which is the exception… Thanks
I have seen the behavior you describe in online casinos, but I have never seen it dealt that way in any land-based casino. There, the dealer always deals a card to the first split hand, finishes that hand, and then deals a card to the second split hand and begins it.
If you’re considering reporting counters that wong-in/out of your table just because you feel like they are stealing your “hard earned count”, then perhaps the reality is that you’re a masochistic idiot that hasn’t worked a day in his life and needs to take a statistics class.
Yes, you can play as many spots as you like at the table in Casino Verite. And you can choose to have other spots played by automated players if you like.
I know that blackjack players who do well and/or play well tend to find an inhospitable environment at casinos… have you had or written about any experiences with this? I am particularly interested in South Mississippi, which is where I am and where I will be playing and (hopefully!) winning soon…
what is the best blackjack game for visual impaired people either shoe or facedown games and can a friend help with telling what the cards are being played or play for the visual impaired person . and can ask the blackjack tables and deelers before sitting down if this is possible incasino blackjack play.
The shoe game will be easier for a visually impaired player, because both the other players and the dealer have full access to the needed information about the hands. I have played at the table on many occasions with blind players, and the dealer has always assisted by verbally providing the details of the hand. I have even seen players request that the dealer call out other player’s hands as well, and while that is perhaps not always available, I have seen it done.
On several of the televised blackjack tournaments that I participated in, Regina Guzior was often a competitor. She was a very talented tournament foe, despite being completely blind. It was always a pleasure to compete against her.
One more thing. You asked if a friend can assist. The answer there is yes. And this means that face-down games can be easily managed as well.
The current Strategy Trainer works just fine in this regard. Ties are a push. You are being confused by the way the bankroll is adjusted up when the bet is returned to your bankroll, and then down by the bet being made again. If you happen to look at the wrong moment, you only see the second half of that transaction. It works as it should.
Ken, I play at a casino on regular basis at the no-mid shoe entry $25 min with 8 decks hitting on soft 17’s. They also have a high limits room $50 min. with 6 decks and they stay on soft 17. Is it better to play with fewer people? There are 5 spots on all the tables and it seems to me that I do the best when there are only 3 or less of us at a table. And what are your thoughts of one on one against the dealer?
The number of other players at the table has virtually no effect on your results per hand. However, more players at the table means the game moves a bit slower. Unless you are counting cards and have an advantage, slower is better. So as a basic strategy player, you will do better in the long run at a full table than one with fewer players. In particular, when you play with just you and the dealer, the game moves really fast so you should avoid that if possible. (For a card counter, it is just the opposite. Playing heads up means more hands per hour, and more profit.) But the presence or absence of other players makes no difference in your likelihood of winning any particular hand. Any anecdotal evidence you have to the contrary is just luck.
Is there a way to calculate your risk of ruin to include expenses? So for example, if my expenses account for 10% of the EV gained how do I incorporate this knowledge to calculate my true risk of ruin?
There are quite a few online casinos that deal live games. Unfortunately, as far as I know none are yet available in the two US states where online casinos are legal (Delaware and New Jersey). I did try these kinds of games years ago, before the law changed in 2006. At that time, they were painfully slow, likely under 30 hands an hour. I can’t participate now, but I hope they improved the speed. You should be able to watch and see how the shuffle is handled, and how deeply the games are dealt to decide whether it is worth the trouble.
Yes, you should still split Aces. The rule you describe is used in almost all casinos. Blackjack is only possible on the first two cards, not after splitting. If you draw a ten to a split ace, the hand is just a normal 21, and does not get paid 3:2. In addition, when splitting Aces you will be dealt only one card on each hand. (Some casinos allow resplitting if that card is another Ace.) Even with these restrictions, splitting Aces is still the correct play.
Great site for practicing “best odds plays” for all situations. However, there seems to be a flaw in the Strategy Coach. I played 6-deck, H17, Late Surrender. Contrary to the correct recommendations on the Strategy Engine, the Coach kept telling me to surrender when I faced a dealer Ace when I had hard counts of 12, 13, and 14.
I’ll bet you had the trainer inadvertently set to Early Surrender instead of Late Surrender. Just to be sure, I checked the game. With late surrender enabled, I had 13vA, and the coach correctly said Hit.
Awesome page, One question.. regards the splitting phase, you say that the dealer only gives the player a card on the second eight after he stands or busts on the first. Is this a standard rule? I’ve come across casinosthat offer standard BJ where the dealer hands one card each on each eight and then plays each hand independently? Need to be sure which is the standard and which is the exception… Thanks
I have seen the behavior you describe in online casinos, but I have never seen it dealt that way in any land-based casino. There, the dealer always deals a card to the first split hand, finishes that hand, and then deals a card to the second split hand and begins it.
If you’re considering reporting counters that wong-in/out of your table just because you feel like they are stealing your “hard earned count”, then perhaps the reality is that you’re a masochistic idiot that hasn’t worked a day in his life and needs to take a statistics class.
Can I play more than one box in casino Verite or is just one box allowed to play?
Yes, you can play as many spots as you like at the table in Casino Verite. And you can choose to have other spots played by automated players if you like.
Ken,
I know that blackjack players who do well and/or play well tend to find an inhospitable environment at casinos… have you had or written about any experiences with this? I am particularly interested in South Mississippi, which is where I am and where I will be playing and (hopefully!) winning soon…
MM, I replied privately by email.
what is the best blackjack game for visual impaired people either shoe or facedown games and can a friend help with telling what the cards are being played or play for the visual impaired person . and can ask the blackjack tables and deelers before sitting down if this is possible incasino blackjack play.
The shoe game will be easier for a visually impaired player, because both the other players and the dealer have full access to the needed information about the hands. I have played at the table on many occasions with blind players, and the dealer has always assisted by verbally providing the details of the hand. I have even seen players request that the dealer call out other player’s hands as well, and while that is perhaps not always available, I have seen it done.
On several of the televised blackjack tournaments that I participated in, Regina Guzior was often a competitor. She was a very talented tournament foe, despite being completely blind. It was always a pleasure to compete against her.
One more thing. You asked if a friend can assist. The answer there is yes. And this means that face-down games can be easily managed as well.
Hi Ken. Suggestion for future versions of your Strategy Trainer; ties push, rather than dealer wins all ties….?
Thanks for ALL of the free information and training aids!
The current Strategy Trainer works just fine in this regard. Ties are a push. You are being confused by the way the bankroll is adjusted up when the bet is returned to your bankroll, and then down by the bet being made again. If you happen to look at the wrong moment, you only see the second half of that transaction.
It works as it should.
Ken,
I play at a casino on regular basis at the no-mid shoe entry $25 min with 8 decks hitting on soft 17’s.
They also have a high limits room $50 min. with 6 decks and they stay on soft 17.
Is it better to play with fewer people? There are 5 spots on all the tables and it seems to me that I do the best when there are only 3 or less of us at a table.
And what are your thoughts of one on one against the dealer?
The number of other players at the table has virtually no effect on your results per hand. However, more players at the table means the game moves a bit slower. Unless you are counting cards and have an advantage, slower is better. So as a basic strategy player, you will do better in the long run at a full table than one with fewer players. In particular, when you play with just you and the dealer, the game moves really fast so you should avoid that if possible. (For a card counter, it is just the opposite. Playing heads up means more hands per hour, and more profit.)
But the presence or absence of other players makes no difference in your likelihood of winning any particular hand. Any anecdotal evidence you have to the contrary is just luck.
Hi,
Is there a way to calculate your risk of ruin to include expenses? So for example, if my expenses account for 10% of the EV gained how do I incorporate this knowledge to calculate my true risk of ruin?
There are quite a few online casinos that deal live games. Unfortunately, as far as I know none are yet available in the two US states where online casinos are legal (Delaware and New Jersey). I did try these kinds of games years ago, before the law changed in 2006. At that time, they were painfully slow, likely under 30 hands an hour. I can’t participate now, but I hope they improved the speed. You should be able to watch and see how the shuffle is handled, and how deeply the games are dealt to decide whether it is worth the trouble.
can you please look at betfair online live casino i don t think they have a shuffling machine is.is there good to play pls take a look
Yes, you should still split Aces. The rule you describe is used in almost all casinos. Blackjack is only possible on the first two cards, not after splitting. If you draw a ten to a split ace, the hand is just a normal 21, and does not get paid 3:2. In addition, when splitting Aces you will be dealt only one card on each hand. (Some casinos allow resplitting if that card is another Ace.) Even with these restrictions, splitting Aces is still the correct play.
Maintain the running count until the dealer shuffles, carrying it forward from hand to hand. When the dealer shuffles, start over at zero.