We're proud to announce that the Las Vegas Hilton's Million Dollar Blackjack Tournament is the newest corporate sponsor for the Blackjack Insider newletter and web site. Our regular readers will know that our editor, Henry Tamburin, has played in and written about this amazing tournament many times. Where else can you get such a great chance at a million bucks?!
If you sign up, please tell them you heard about it from Blackjack Insider. If you've already signed up, please send us an e-mail (click here). Help us show our latest corporate sponsor the advantages of promoting to our readers!
This issue is loading with valuable advice for blackjack players. We begin with an exclusive interview with Mr. Jimmy Wike, Vice President of Operations at the Las Vegas Hilton and the man behind the first-ever Million Dollar Blackjack Tournament. Hal Marcus explains how a card counter can increase his/her advantage using his unique counter basic playing strategy. Our Las Vegas reporter and advantage player Captain John interviewed a 15-year casino surveillance professional-read the advice from this pro on how to keep your longevity as an advantage player. Alene Paone and Frank Scoblete update the blackjack playing conditions in Atlantic City casinos including the newly opened Borgata (surprisingly boring). On the tournament front we've got an article by Ken Smith explaining 'free hits', a case study on how the last five hands played out in a recent blackjack tournament, our schedule of major blackjack tournaments, and a survey you can take to help Rick Jensen find the perfect blackjack tournament.
The response to the upcoming Gambler's Jamboree in Tunica, MS, which includes three seminars by me on basic strategy, card counting, and blackjack tournament strategy, has been outstanding. To read about this casino player's event of the year and to take advantage of the special 20% discount offered to Blackjack Insider subscribers click here.
We've also rounded up other exceptional discounts and offers on blackjack books, software, magazine subscriptions and other related products for subscribers to our newsletter. Click here to read about them.
A reminder - if you come across an unfamiliar blackjack term in one of our articles or reports, see our Blackjack Glossary: www.bjinsider.com/questions_glossary.shtml
E-mail subscribers can also read each month's issue online at our web site: BJI Issue #44, September 2003.
Henry Tamburin
Editor
"I had been doing blackjack tournaments in the past when someone approached me with an idea for a million dollar tournament. However, the structure and the format weren't suitable. I reformatted the concept then took it to our Marketing and Executive Committees where it was approved..."
Read Tamburin's complete article.
"Counter Basic Strategy (CBS) is simply a variation of regular Basic Strategy except that using CBS requires a card counting method (such as the Hi-Lo count or K-O count) to determine when and by how much to vary your bet with the count. There are no count indexes to memorize..."
Read Marcus' complete article.
"I had the good fortune of being identified by a surveillance employee of a major casino chain. Yes, you read it right when I said "good fortune". Here's what happened..."
"I played another hour-long session at my hotel's $10 double-deck game, winning $100. It would have been more, but I lost the key hand. In a mildly high count, I had $50 bet and doubled down with my nine against the dealer's six. I caught an eight for 17. The dealer turns a two in the hole and, predictably, hits to 18. I thought I had a win locked on that hand, but it was not to be. Disappointing..."
Read LVPRO's complete article.
"Borgata looks as if it isn't setting the world on fire (yet) but since it didn't have to report its earnings for the quarter, no one really knows if the new luxury resort is a big go, a little go, or a no go....
Read Paone and Scoblete's complete article.
"You may have heard experienced tournament players talking about a tournament situation where a player had a "free hit". Today you'll see what is meant by that phrase, and how you can learn to recognize the situations where it applies..."
Read Smith's complete article.
"When I first studied blackjack some 30 years ago, I practiced my basic playing strategy diligently at home. I memorized the strategy as best I could then my wife, Linda, would deal me cards on a kitchen table. Then we reversed the process and I'd be the dealer and Linda would play. We practiced for weeks until we had the basic playing strategy down cold. Or so we thought..."
Read Tamburin's complete article.
"It's great being a Monday morning quarterback. Especially when you get a chance to look back at how finalists played and bet on the last five hands in a final round. It's educational and gives you insight on what to expect should you decide to enter the tournament..."
Read Tamburin's complete article.
"What is the perfect Blackjack tournament? Does it exist? I hope to find out with your help in completing a survey..."
Read Jensen's complete article.
Check out the schedule of major blackjack tournaments by region in our Blackjack Tournament Report...
COUNTER BASIC STRATEGY by Hal Marcus
INTERVIEW WITH A CASINO SURVELLANCE PRO by Captain John
LAS VEGAS TRIP REPORT by LV PRO
ATLANTIC CITY BLACKJACK REPORT by Alene Paone & Frank Scoblete
GETTING SOMETHING FOR NOTHING: "FREE HITS" IN TOURNAMENT PLAY by Kenneth Smith
BLACKJACK STRATEGY CARDS by Henry Tamburin
CASE STUDY: LAST 5 HANDS IN LV HILTON TOURNAMENT by Henry Tamburin
IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT by Rick Jensen
BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE