LVBear584. I have read on this website you are the man to turn to about vegas blackjack. If you have a minute, what bj game in vegas and what casino is beatable and what system should I use. Thanks.
If you want the playing conditions of all Casinos, the monthly newsletter CBJN, available on this site, has the most recent playing conditions for all the casinos.
Most games including single, double and 6-8 deck shoes with proper rules are beatable with patience and a perfected count system. Whatever system you use make sure you can keep an accurate true count and can play relatively error free. Pick a system and master it. The higher level count systems are more powerful, but also much more difficult to master.
The Golden Nugget, Four Queens and Las Vegas Club all still have the real Single Deck games available. All single deck games are closely watched and large spreads and obvious counting will also get you quick heat. Most casinos have double deck games available, but the penetration and limits vary greatly.
What limits do you plan to play? What is you bankroll? What system are you currently using?
Thanks douglas and LVBEAR54. I know how to count single deck good and logged hundreds of hours at binions 2 years ago. I live in Las Vegas. All I used to do was when the count was +3 with 3 or 4 aces in the deck I would bet 5x. It is pretty simple I never lost but never really won a lot either. What killed me was when to take insurance. If there is a +3 and the dealer is showing a 10 which hands do you want to insure. Also do you hit a 15 or 16 if the dealer is showing a 10 if the count is +3. I know I can get away with a 15 to 1 spread if I play at the golden nugget or four queens when it is crowded. But can you make any money single deck with only 50% penetration. I appreciate anyone's advice.
The single deck games at the Nugget and 4 Queens are $25 minimums so a 1-15 spread would require a substantial bankroll. I do agree from your line of questioning that you would not get much heat, especially if you take insurance when the dealer shows a 10 ;>)
Learn your indices for the game you play. Page 255 of Professional Black by Stanford Wong would cover the single Deck games you would find at the 4Qs and GN.
Quick Answers:
Insurance is a bet that the dealer has Black Jack. It really doesn't matter what you have. Take it at +3.
16 vs 10 stand at +1 or higher
15 vs 10 stand at +5 or higher
Yes you can make money at these games
Read up and practice before you play.
Good Luck
you've been playing blackjack for two years counting cards and don't know whether you should hit a 16 vs 10 if the count is +3? Why are you wasting our time with these stupid questions that you should already know the answers to. Are you just too cheap to spend $15 bucks for Professional Blackjack?
You have no business playing blackjack until you spend some quality time reading up on the subject. There are no shortcuts to success.
not +1, it is 0. You stand at 0 and higher counts.
Bigplayer, you bring up an interesting point. I have seen different index numbers listed for the same plays using the same rules in different texts and with software simulations. I stated the indices per Professional Blackjack as referenced on page 255 but have seen the indices you referenced as well.
I would be interested in what indices most APs use. I believe there was a debate sometime back about this and the final conclusion was the small differences were almost neglible in terms of EV. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks
I agree, but just didn't have the guts to say anything. You guys chewed me out when I first started, and now I appreciate it. I finally broke down and spent some $ on a sim and plently of books and have easily made my money back x 10 on my investment. BTW, I personally recommend KO blackjack by Fuchs and Vancura. I've only used it on SD once or twice, but when I did it was like playing three card poker. I had unbelievable distractions and continued playing like a robot. Especially for a beginner, not eyeballing the discard rack then pausing, then making a decision is important cover IMHO.
don't matter too much. But...you should know what they ~are. When the TC hovers near the index I go either way on gut, if there is such a thing. With 16 vs 10 at RC=0 I flip back and forth for cover or whatever. It doesn't matter since the EV is basically the same.
When you see one text saying TC=0 and another saying TC=+1 you are usually looking at a difference of pennies or fractions thereof.
