Baisc Srategy, Or Not!! Help!!

Hi, first post on this forum so here goes!!
I�ve been playing blackjack for around 2 month now with further practice before that of around 2 month also. I�ve been strictly sticking to basic strategy and I�ve been doing ok generally being up 25% of my stake every time i play lasting around 2-3 hours.
Last night however I was playing as usual and the woman next to me began giving me tips on not hitting on 15 or 16 if the dealer has above 7, going the complete reversal of BS. It was obvious this woman was a regular at the casino as she knew all of the regulars and the croupiers, and she was doing well using the method she used.

The table was full and I was in first bay and her reasoning for standing on h16/h15 when the dealer had 7, 8, 9 or 10 was that its better to stay in the game by standing on a low total in the hope that the dealer gets the 4 or 5 which I would have needed to get a good hand, and then he would draw again to go bust. I am failing to understand this with a table full, surely that would apply to last base if that were true. Also she said never split a pair of 9�s contrary to what I have read!

Obviously this woman had played a lot of hands and knew her game which put my mind in doubt of my learnt methods, being relatively new to this art!
Am I missing something, or should I continue to play basic strategy and progress to counting? Help!!

Oh and here�s the rules for this particular casino.
It is possible, for an additional wager equivalent to your existing bet to �Double Down� on a hand total of 9, 10 or 11. It is possible, for an additional wager equivalent to your existing bet, to split any pair with the exception of 4�s, 5�s or 10�s. This can be done continuously.

All the best
Andy
UK

I'm no pro but I would advise you to stick to BS at this point in your playing experience. As you play you will frequently run into other players, and even dealers, who like to give advice, but most of the time they are full of another kind of BS. Basic Strategy is based on the computer simulation of millions of hands of BJ and gives you the best odds of winning in the long run. Keep in mind that BS is based on a lifetime of playing BJ and although some variations may work in the short run, in the long run it is best to stick with BS.

Thats good to hear, it just felt like i was getting tutted at some of the time.."hitting on 16!!!"
Also, should i just stick with the same betting throughout the game?

Cheers

Andy

Just because someone has played a lot of hands does not mean that they know what they are talking about. Most of the people who give advise in casinos do not know much about the game.

Usually there is an inverse correlation between the giving advice and knowledge of the game. People who act like �know it alls� are usually clueless. (This also goes for dealers.)

Real pros are very tight-lipped about their game.

Advantage players don't want the house or anybody else to know they actually know what they're doing, so we won't be giving much advice.

To illustrate how much others know...I was at a very well established upscale casino in Las Vegas and Insurance came up. I think another player was asked if they wanted even money. I must have muttered something about it beng the same as taking insurance. The female dealer "corrected" me and said "oh, no. blah blah blah". I briefly corrected her and realized I should shut up, which I did. You would think a high end csino dealer would know this simple nuance. Most of them clock in, get paid and go home. They don't know and the ploppies next to you don't either.

For something you might say to a ploppy, try "I know I'm gonna bust, but I can't beat a 17 (or 18, 19, 20)" depending on the dealer up card. What you're saying is that the dealer probably has a 10 value card in the hole and you're going to lose anyway, so why not hit. You could say "I'm gonna lose anyway, so I'd prefer to go down swinging"....or "it's only money". If she's a hottie or even ugly, say "I'm loaded so I really don't care, I'm just hav'n a little fun...I usually play in the high roller pit or a private table, but I saw you here and thought I'd play a few hands".

Of course, "bug off you ploppy beeotch" might work too and could be fun. Just have your chips in order and be ready to hurry out the door right after you say it.

Have fun and Good luck.

Cheers for the advice, much appreciated! All of the games im my area have the same rules so theres limited options, and even worse, Grosvenor uses the shufflemaster. Im going to contine to lay BS for the minute and maybe use some of the comments you suggested if i get offered any more unwelcome advice, (top put downs btw! he he!) I pretty much have BS down its just gettim the speed up for remembering the soft totals and splits!. I guess i have a long and frustrating time ahed of me learning to count at the required speed and accuracy, though i do love the chalenge, and the satisfaction when hours of practice pays off! When i first lookd at the generic BS cart a few month back and thought "WTF" how am i going to remember all this!! lol.

Cheers
Again

AndyC