hi message board

I want to ask a question, I think it is ok. I did a search for 21 and found this site. Well, I went to Vegas 2 weekends ago with my friend and played 21 and won about $400. I wanna go back but have become a bit confused. people kept yelling at me when I was playing. Some would tell me to take a card and other times tell me not to take a card. I asked why and they said because the dealer has a whatever. I said how does it matter and they just stared at me. The same thing happened a lot more than once! One guy said love just take a card! I said why! He said the book says so. I said what book? And he said doesn't matter! The dealer was ok because he said just play how I want. Is there a book on how to play this game? Hoping for your help. We are going again pretty soon.

Just kidding, you were being told about basic strategy. There are lot's of books. The main thing to remember is that you are not trying to get as close to 21 without busting. You are trying to beat the dealer. The dealer's up card is the clue. There is a correct play for your cards versus the upcard. You are about to be deluged with sources for basic strategy. The only time you would ever deviate from basic strategy is if you were counting cards. That is keeping track of the cards played between shuffles so that you know what the proportion of big and little cards are left in the deck or shoe (multiple decks) of cards left to be dealt.

and see if they sell basic strategy cards. It is a list of correct plays. Although much of the advice the crowd gave you may have been incorrect they have the right idea. The correct way to play a particular two card hand does depend on what card the dealer has up. After you have memorized basic startegy and played several times it will probably be more obvious to you. Some of the correct plays are not so obvious but you will do better if you just take it on faith that they are correct until you decide to do some more advanced study of the game.

BTW: the crowd will get on you even when you play correctly. Pay them little mind.

is that you and the dealer are playing by different rules. The dealer must hit 16 or less (and possibly soft 17, depending on where you are playing), but you don't have to.

If the dealer busts, you win, but not if you bust first.

Suppose the dealer has a 5 up and you have 15. You both have weak hands and are likely to bust if you hit. However, the dealer has to hit and you do not. So, you stand on your 15 and hope the dealer busts.

Now, suppose that instead of a 5 up, the dealer is showing a 10. The dealer is now less likely to bust, so you should hit your 15.

As DD' mentioned, you can buy basic strategy cards in most casino gift shops. It is okay to bring this card to the table with you and look at it while you are playing.

If you are at all serious about learning the game, you might want to buy a book about blackjack. Click on the Catalog link at left, and look at the blackjack books under the section labeled, "for starters." Any of these would be fine. You will learn about basic strategy in the first few chapters.

By playing correct basic strategy you will be playing a stronger game than the majority of players at the table.

Who knows, you might even want to learn how to count cards!

I will look for that shop. So I don't have to remember anything, just look at a card? Because I have a difficulty with the memory. Too much substance abuse. But I think maybe my friend is good at memory so she can do it for me? Do you think? Only one problem. Someone recommended a book to me which I purchased over the internet and my friend saw it and read it and now they break into an onanistic fury whenever they see money. Regardless of whether they are in public or not. Admittedly she is more discreet when in public but the scent can get people giving each other strange looks. Plus she would not be able to concentrate on the dealer's cards for me. Oh, dear me! Maybe I should just continue to play the way I was by listening to the dealer? Like when he pulled a card from that funny shaped box while everyone was telling me what to do. But I would look at him and if he shook, ever so slightly, his cute little chin, I would not take a card. If his forehead inclined, ever so slightly, towards me, I would take one. Sometimes when he had a 6 he even put a seven on my fourteen before I said yes or no and say, oops sorry madam (fancy calling me madam!).

but if I have a 15 and the dealer has a 5 and the next card is a 6, You think I should still let the dealer bust? I suppose it doesn't matter I will win anyway?

You'll find the complete Basic Strategy with every rule variation inside, such as Dealer Hits a Soft 17, Dealer Wins Ties, Lose All to a Natural, and other good stuff. Probably the best book for starters.

play Basic Strategy and ignore what others are saying. Independence of thought & action is the 1st step to winning BJ.

A/K/A the pro aka gary a/k/a lots of other names...

still the most frequent posting troll on BJ21.

I'm posting from a better place, and I can see

some of you guys are really gullible.

I see irresponsible accusations like this all the time, which usually have no evidence to back them up.

Do you have any evidence? Or do you feel your anonymity gives you license to slander other posters. (I have never see a Sister Bernadette post before. I may have missed one)

If you have such evidence, then I think you should state it. Otherwise, I think your post should be taken down.

The thought certainly crossed my mind that this might be a troll, but since this board is a forum for learning, I tend to give posts such as these the benefit of the doubt, at least at first.

I'm sure others do the same.

And for those who seem to get some sort of a kick out of this sort of thing, I have a suggestion: Get a life.

f

your local library - they are bound to have a book or two on BJ. Look for anything that says "Basic Strategy". DO NOT - REPEAT DO NOT look at books by John Patrick.

OK OK - he is good at explaining basic things but his way of playing the game will lose you more money in the long run IF you are serious about the game.

If you just want to know a little more pick it up. He does have good "overall" information for somebody that plays a few times a year.

operation was a complete and huge success!

for the obvious troll that it was. The whole thing is an obvious fraud.

Don

We just choose not to join in what appears to be a waste of time; a limited and valuable asset.

regards,
adhoc

do not listen to the opinions of other players on your table. Play 'yer own way.

..where would we be without you. Thank you for enlightening me on this. I was ready to propose marriage.

SD Player (-:

Ignore 'em.

But until you learn even a little bit more about the game (e.g. what that funny little box they keep pulling cards from is,) you might do well to play only at home. Until you learn even some basics, you're throwing money away.