Hi, new poster here. I've already learned some great new BJ info from you experts. Thanks. I've played BJ on and off for years on vacations, and even tried some simple card counting a few years back, but I'm still a novice to any kind of real systems. Can you give me a hand and answer a few questions?
The Indian casinos here around Phoenix now have blackjack, so my love of the game is driving me to becoming serious about learning good counting strategies.
The only casino I've been to, as of yet, has only the following game. I'm not sure if there are other variations available at other Phoenix area casinos, or if this is the only game allowed in the state.
o 5-deck shoe/shuffling machine (there's probably a name for these things)
o dealer hits a soft 17 (lousy)
o no surrender
o double down on any first 2 cards
o Ace splits get only one card
o can double on split hands
1) Can a good card-counter win against these rules?
2) With the 5-deck shuffling machine, how can you tell when to restart the count? Do I just start a count when I sit down, and reset it every 30 minutes, or something?
3) Many of the other players don't even know basic strategy. Does it matter if you are counting cards? Do you get up and leave the table if one or more other players are consistently playing dumb?
4) Does anyone know if the Phoenix casinos offer different rules than what I posted above?
Thanks for your answers!

