© Arnold Snyder
The Dream World vs. the Real World
Playing winning blackjack is often fun, but not always. Some players, including the moderators of this Web site, make a living playing blackjack and some (including some of the moderators of this site) have gotten rich playing blackjack, but to succeed takes the same hard work it takes to succeed at anything else. Don’t believe all the get rich quick spouters who claim it’s easy and anyone can do it. Read “Blackjack Reality vs. Blackjack Hype” to learn more about what to expect.
What Card Counting is Really Like
To get a realistic idea of the both the fun and frustrations of playing blackjack to win, as well as the kind of money you’ll make as a new card counter, see A First Year in the Blackjack Pits.
Blackjack Basic Strategy
The first and single most important step in learning to play winning blackjack is learning blackjack basic strategy. Read our basic Strategy articles for complete instructions and charts for every game. Then start with one of the simplified versions specifically for the types of games you’ll be playing, based on the rules and the number of decks in play. You can always make adjustments for different conditions later. Many pros learn one simplified version and never even learn all of the adjustments. But you must learn a generic version of basic staretgyso well that it’s second nature and you don’t even have to think about it. Do this before you start trying to master a counting system.
Why Card Counting Works
Card counting is not the only way professional gamblers make money playing in casinos, but it’s where you should start, because the fundamentals of card counting will prepare you for every other form of winning blackjack play.
Start off on the right foot by reading the articles in our card counting section so you fully understand the basics of card counting and why it works. Then, choose a simple counting system and start drilling.
The Easy Red 7 Count and Even Easier OPP Count
Aggression and simplicity are the keys to the money. Our articles provide complete instructions on using the super-easy OPP Count or the slightly more difficult but more powerful Red 7 count.
Later, when you feel ready to start counting at a professional level, we recommend the Hi-Lo Lite or even the full Hi-Lo, the choice of most of most blackjack pros today.
But don’t feel you have to start with a professional level count. It’s far important to get comfortable at the tables with an easy count than it is to start with a more powerful counting system. Your long-term success will depend on aggressive betting and remaining welcome at casinos far more than your counting system.
And you’ll be surprised how easy it will be to switch to a professional-level count down the road.
Do You Have What It Takes To Succeed?
What really separates the players who go on to win at gambling from those who never quite get started?
The guts to stick with it when you’re losing. Read the articles in our Those Damn Fluctuations section to understand. ♠
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