I've been studying basic strategy for a couple months or so now using Reveres basic strategy, but was wondering a few things. First, with so many different variations on the game, which strategy is best to study, or which is the most common set of rules? Second, Is "Playing Blackjack as a Business" a good book to start with, or is it outdated? And any other advice for someone starting out would be a great help. Thanks!
New to the game
- Thread starter Stylee
- Start date
sagefr0g
Well-Known Member
Playing Blackjack as a Business isn't a good book to start out with IMHO and it is outdated. as far as what book you should start with that will depend on what kind of count you want to use, balanced or unbalanced. if balanced then you'll probably use hi/lo and Wong's Professional Blackjack would be a good book, if unbalanced then you may choose KO, KISS or Red7 and would want to check books like Knock Out Blackjack, Blackjack Bluebook II or Blackbelt In Blackjack by Vancoura, Renzey and Snyder respectively.Stylee said:
as far a which rules are most common i couldn't say. but what i think you should do is visit all the casino's in or near your reasonable local area and see what kind of games they offer. then you'll know the rules and can determine your best basic strategy right here from this site:
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bjbse.php
Find out what the conditions are at your closest casinos and work from there.
I used to travel extensively and overall the games I would run into would be:
6 decks
Double After Split
Double Any 2 cards
No Surrender
Resplit pairs up to 3 times, except Aces which can only be split and draw one card.
Dealer stands on soft 17.
However, The midwestern states typically are dealer hits soft 17.
I would learn this first THEN work on rule variations.
Just my opinion.
I used to travel extensively and overall the games I would run into would be:
6 decks
Double After Split
Double Any 2 cards
No Surrender
Resplit pairs up to 3 times, except Aces which can only be split and draw one card.
Dealer stands on soft 17.
However, The midwestern states typically are dealer hits soft 17.
I would learn this first THEN work on rule variations.
Just my opinion.
You should read and practice as much as possible...
A book similar to Revere, but more current is Blackjack Blueprint by Blaine.
Step-by-step instructions to learn BS and Hi/Lo.
I'm using Blackjack Bluebook II to learn. Renzey explains things well, and
is easy to read. Several unbalanced counts and a professional count are
included.
You can't go wrong with Blackbelt in Blackjack by Snyder. BS and several
counts (both balanced and unbalanced) are included. Not as easy to read,
but a very thorough book.
Professional Blackjack by Wong is the bible for Hi/Lo count. It covers
everything you ever need to know about Hi/Lo, with some BS at the front, too.
Revere is one of my favorite books. You can start there as well as any-
where, but your knowledge won't be quite accurate for today's games.
Very close, though.
BJinNJ
A book similar to Revere, but more current is Blackjack Blueprint by Blaine.
Step-by-step instructions to learn BS and Hi/Lo.
I'm using Blackjack Bluebook II to learn. Renzey explains things well, and
is easy to read. Several unbalanced counts and a professional count are
included.
You can't go wrong with Blackbelt in Blackjack by Snyder. BS and several
counts (both balanced and unbalanced) are included. Not as easy to read,
but a very thorough book.
Professional Blackjack by Wong is the bible for Hi/Lo count. It covers
everything you ever need to know about Hi/Lo, with some BS at the front, too.
Revere is one of my favorite books. You can start there as well as any-
where, but your knowledge won't be quite accurate for today's games.
Very close, though.
BJinNJ
Thanks, all the advice has really helped. I've had little time to study but the books so far look good. I recently checked the closest casinos website and it said the rules they use are "Vegas Rules". Is that an actual rule set, or just an advertising gimmick? (I live in Georgia )
)
EasyRhino
Well-Known Member
It's a fairly meaningless term, rules aren't even the same at Vegas casinos.
I've already heard the term "Vegas Strip" rules, which could refer to a fairly liberal set of rules (S17, double after split, late surrender), and "Downtown" rules were less generaous, but that's pretty much blown to hell too.
I've already heard the term "Vegas Strip" rules, which could refer to a fairly liberal set of rules (S17, double after split, late surrender), and "Downtown" rules were less generaous, but that's pretty much blown to hell too.
Downtown Rules...GN?
Last time I played they were S17. Last time visited H17. Is there any casino dt dealing 6D, S17, DAS, DOA,3/2 dealer dependent pen? If known, what additional casinos offer LS with same rules above? If "slots of fun" offers late surrender with it's relatively good 6 deck low limit game, then this is where all beginning counters whould start off with min $2/3 game units.
Last time I played they were S17. Last time visited H17. Is there any casino dt dealing 6D, S17, DAS, DOA,3/2 dealer dependent pen? If known, what additional casinos offer LS with same rules above? If "slots of fun" offers late surrender with it's relatively good 6 deck low limit game, then this is where all beginning counters whould start off with min $2/3 game units.