blackjack vs. video poker

I am learning how to count cards. I also enjoy playing video poker. I have read that video poker can be a beatable game if played with skill. I am wanting opinions on this matter and which is the better game for someone that does not have a huge bankroll.

One more thing, the casinos in my area do not offer single deck blackjack. I have, however, seen $10 min. dd games. For a beginner counter, would that be the way to go vs. a 6 deck $5 min. game.
I welcome opinions.
Thanks.....

No VP expert here but there are only certain VP games that offer a positive return and a few others that work out positive when you figure in related comps and cash back. There are VP websites that give you this information. It is based upon the game and it's pay schedule. If you check a typical casino floor you might see the same exact game but if you check the amounts they pay for different hands, you find one machine offers more than the other.

DD is a more favorable game than a shoe if the rules are close to the same. I know of casinos where the 6D game is S17, double any two,DAS, good penetration and late surrender but their DD game is H17 double 10@11 only, no DAS, 55% penetration and no surrender. Here you have about as good a 6D game that can easily be found combined with about the worst DD game.

For counting purposes it is often easier to count the shoe because all cards are up. In a hand held game you need a system to make sure you count all the cards and only count them once.

For us low level players, VP offers more advantages:
- They never raise the limits on you
- The comps are a *lot* better
- You can play quietly without others disturbing you

My game of choice is Full Pay Deuce Wild. This game is rare on the strip (only at the Tropicana). The Palms has a good inventory. In Laughlin, the Edgewater has 30 FPDW machines (and great comps and promotions).

The main problem with VP is that you go 80 hours or so between jackpots, during which time you are losing money.

If you want more information about VP, go to these websites:
- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vpFREE/
- http://wizardofodds.com/games/videopoker/ (this has a free training program)
- http://www.gamblingtools.net/vp/vptrainer.html (a better training program)

More money to be made playing blackjack...better still, learn how to play Hold-em!.

You can also find negative expectation progressive VP machines that when the progressive jackpot reaches certain levels are now positive expectation machines.

Thanks for all the advice. Especially, the great websites..