Here is some free advice:
1. Read the good blackjack and general gambling books, e.g. those by Stanford Wong, Arnold Snyder, Don Schlesinger, "Bootlegger," Norm Wattenberger, Peter Griffin, John Bukofsky, Ed Thorp, Julian Braun, Olaf Vancura and Ken Fuchs, Lance Humble and Carl Cooper, George C., Kevin Blackwood, Allan Wilson, Rick Blaine, Dave Stann, Ken Uston and Richard Epstein and Lawrence Revere. This list is not exhaustive.
Notes: Read the most recent editions. Basic strategies and count strategies in the books by Thorp, Epstein and Wilson are obsolete, as are Revere's count strategies. Ignore the material on betting in Braun's book; he did not write it. The book by Humble and Cooper has correct basic and count strategies, but some non-scientific material. The book by Vancura and Fuchs has basic strategy for multiple deck without double after split. Most multiple deck games have DAS. The K-O count presented in this book is good. It is probably the second most popular system in use today.
2. Do not read books with incorrect basic strategies or that advise use of progressive betting systems.
3. Use QFIT's software. www.qfit.com
4. Play for fun, not to make a living or to get rich.
Disclosure: I am a low stakes recreational player.
Advice for a 19-year-old who wants to make a lot of money, but who is willing to do it s-l-o-w-l-y (for consultation with your financial advisor):
Put your serious money into an IRA, not blackjack. There is no minimum age. All you need is income from employment of some type. A student working part time can open an IRA if he has earned enough money during the year to open a certificate of deposit or a brokerage account. Many mutual funds can be bought with as little as $500, $250, or in some cases $100, but look for annual fees. I think Charles Schwab and T.D. Ameritrade do not charge an annual fee for an IRA. The maximum IRA contribution for a year is the lesser of (1) your income from employment for the year or (2) $5,000.00. Start maximizing your IRA contribution, i.e. $5,000.00, and your 401(k) contribution when you get your first full time job. The historical rate of return on the S&P 500, with dividends reinvested, has been around 10.3% since the 1920s. Never use IRA or 401(k) money to finance gambling. Work with Excel and a financial calculator to see what, e.g. $2,000 and $5,000 per year over a career of 40+ years can grow to at various reasonable rates of return. Only FDIC insured bank account are guaranteed by the federal government. Stocks and mutual funds are not guaranteed against shrinkage in value.
