Going to the casino for the first time - Basic BJ strategy?

[stigmata]

So it's my friends birthday and he is planning a visit to the casino after dinner. There will be no Poker games available, so I guess I will have little fun on -EV games.

However, I wanted to try my hand at beating BlackJack, or at least using this oppurtunity to nail my strategy down as much as possible, so that one day I may be able to beat it.

How quickly can one learn Basic BJ Strategy, and learn to card count? I have ordered a copy of "BlackJack BlueBook" because this was adivised to me. I plan on do some casino whoring to nail basic strategy into my head, and have a go at card counting in the casino. How long does this take to learn?

I also hear that BJ strategy alters according to the specific house rules -- I guess I will need to phone up in advance to check that I learn the right strategy?

Also, is the edge so reduced these days, that BJ is an almost pointless endeavour?

Sorry if this is slighly muddled - general comments welcome, just looking for a fastrack path to playing BJ reasonably well before my casino visit.

[mostsmooth]

in the casino gift shop they will sell little cards that have the basic strategy on them. use it while you play
or read this until your head hurts (http://www.wizardofodds.com/blackjack), you can also print out the strategy table.

[charlie_t_jr]

Once you know the rules of the game, go here and you can find the specific BS for that game.

http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bjbse.php

How long will it take to learn to count cards? Well, its not really hard, but it will take you hours and hours of practice to get it down cold...and then most likely you'll still screw up on your 1st trip to the casino.

Practice, practice, practice...and good luck.

[stigmata]

OK Thanks for the links guys.

I guess I'm not really that bothered about screwing up and losing a little money. Its more of a learning exercise about getting an edge at something other than poker /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[neotope]

[ QUOTE ]
OK Thanks for the links guys.

I guess I'm not really that bothered about screwing up and losing a little money. Its more of a learning exercise about getting an edge at something other than poker /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

If you want to get an actual edge you need to count cards /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[stigmata]

Yeah - I am going to attempt to count cards once I get to the casino, although this may not have been obvious from my original rambling post /images/graemlins/laugh.gif.

I'm gonna attempt to card-count, I just don't expect to do it right!

[cardcounter0]

In order to actually count the cards, you have to study and practice at home for about 3 months. After all that study, you will still mess up on your first couple of trips to a casino for live play.

Attempting to learn how to count on your first trip to a casino is silly.
/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[stigmata]

I'm silly then /images/graemlins/smile.gif

3 months.... sheesh, well, that answers one of my questions!

[cardcounter0]

Yap. If all it took was reading a book and 5 minutes of effort in order to beat blackjack, do you think it would still be in casinos?
/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[stigmata]

Figured it would take a reasonable effort - but that's excessive.

Also, I have played alot of differnet card games, and am quite used to keeping running tallies of various things whilst also considering tactics, being sociable etc. I was thinking I might be able to pick it up quicker than some.

Any advice for counting software/simulators?

Also, this was just meant as a "first attempt" at getting some basic understanding in place. I didn't for a second seriously think I was going to be a master card-counter in 2 weeks time. I'm quite happy to lose a little bit of money when it all goes horribly wrong!

[charlie_t_jr]

[ QUOTE ]
Figured it would take a reasonable effort - but that's excessive.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not really. If you're reasonably intelligent, you'll pick up the actual mechanics of counting rather quickly. You'll be able to keep up with count at the kitchen table or computer very soon.

But when it comes to actual game play, keeping count(and remembering it) making your playing decision, etc., will take considerable practice.

Then when you think you have it down, and go to the casino, add the distractions of all the bells and whistles, cocktail waitresses, chatty dealers, drunk players...well you get the idea.

[ QUOTE ]
Any advice for counting software/simulators?

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.qfit.com/

[stigmata]

OK thanks for the link.... found that on google, but had no idea if it was any good.

So for effort/reward ratio, my basic conclusion is that in this day and age, card counting isn't really worth the effort. My time should be much better spent improving my rather average poker skills /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

0.5% edge just doesn't seem worth it. What sort of bankroll do you need for this endeavour, and what stakes do you need to play to make it worthwhile?

[RevAgain]

[ QUOTE ]
What sort of bankroll do you need for this endeavour, and what stakes do you need to play to make it worthwhile?

[/ QUOTE ]

Extremely large, the variation is huge and the edge is tiny, although it all depends what you mean by worthwhile of course, some people consider it worthwhile winning a couple of bucks an hour playing poker online whilst others wouldn't bother playing less than a 25/50 NL game.

If you're playing at Grosvenor casinos they use 6 decks and only about half the deck is played; seriously, just take some money you're willing to lose and play close to basic strategy whilst trying to ignore the superstitious and just plain ignorant prats who will complain because you should/shouldn't have taken a card (even though you made the right decision) and 'messed up the deck'. And don't be one yourself when the woman on your right decides not to double on her 10 against the dealer's 6.

[RevAgain]

[ QUOTE ]
What sort of bankroll do you need for this endeavour, and what stakes do you need to play to make it worthwhile?

[/ QUOTE ]

Extremely large, the variation is huge and the edge is tiny, although it all depends what you mean by worthwhile of course, some people consider it worthwhile winning a couple of bucks an hour playing poker online whilst others wouldn't bother playing less than a 25/50 NL game.

If you're playing at Grosvenor casinos they use 6 decks and only about half the deck is played; seriously, just take some money you're willing to lose and play close to basic strategy whilst trying to ignore the superstitious and just plain ignorant prats who will complain because you should/shouldn't have taken a card (even though you made the right decision) and 'messed up the deck'. And don't be one yourself when the woman on your right decides not to double on her 11 against the dealer's 6.