Blackjack Insider Newsletter, October 2003, #45

A WORD FROM HENRY

Bob Dancer, who is the best known video poker player and once a successful blackjack card counter, makes his first contribution to the Blackjack Insider Newsletter with his article on the merits of Video Poker vs Blackjack. Dan Pronovost explains why bet spreads are important for blackjack card counters. Tournament pros Kenneth R. Smith and Rich McKelvey reveal why doubling for less is an important tournament strategy and why watching how your competitors play can often give you the edge over them. Alene Paone and Frank Scoblete will bring you up to date on the blackjack playing conditions in Atlantic City including the new Borgata casino. We've also updated our schedule of major blackjack tournaments and have the conclusion of LV Pro's recent trip to Sin City that included a barring from a famous local's casino.

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 #45, Oct. 2003.

Henry Tamburin

Editor

Gambler's Jamboree... Nov. 14-16

A reminder... the upcoming Gambler's Jamboree at the Gold Strike Casino Hotel in Tunica, MS, is fast approaching (Nov. 14-16). I will be presenting three seminars on basic strategy, card counting, and blackjack tournament strategy and autographing my books. I'm also looking forward to meeting subscribers to the Blackjack Insider newsletter. For further details on the Gambler's Jamboree and to take advantage of the special 20% discount offered to Blackjack Insider subscribers click here.

NEW! BJI Web Store and Video Poker Products by Bob Dancer

Check out our new web store of fantastic products! We've rounded up savings for our subscribers on the most popular blackjack, poker, and gambling resources. Click here to view our catalogue.

This month's web store highlight, to go along with Bob Dancer's October article, includes a number of Bob's most popular and valuable resources for Video Poker players. Select Video Poker machines are one of the few casino games beyond blackjack where the skilled player can get a provable, mathematical advantage. We have great discounts on his books, strategy cards, and training software. Click here to browse our web store catalog of Video Poker products.

LV PRO'S TRIP REPORT-PART 2 by LV PRO

"Despite the 112-degree heat, I parked in the outside lot and found a table with two other players. The cut was still 80%. It's just incredible - it's as if you died and went to Card-Counter Heaven. We were winning, the dealer was busting and my two table-buddies were whooping it up and high-fiving with me. I had a $60 bet out in a plus three true count when the axe fell. It didn't take very long. I had sat through maybe three shuffles, when the pit manager pushed my bet out of the circle and said, "No more blackjack."..."

Read LV PRO's complete article.

VIDEO POKER vs BLACKJACK by Bob Dancer

"The personality skills of successful blackjack players and successful video poker players are quite similar. Good players in both games are bright, have excellent memories, and can sit and play for hours. Each player is playing a winning game, although certainly not every session..."

Read Bob Dancer's complete article.

HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR BET SPREAD? By Dan Pronovost

"This article continues our series on ways for card counters to fine tune their advantage over the casino in blackjack. Specifically we will examine the impact of your bet spread: the range from your minimum bet to your maximum bet, corresponding to the card count advantage..."

Read Pronovost's complete article.

DOUBLING FOR LESS, A TOURNAMENT STRATEGY GUIDE by Kenneth R. Smith

"While doubling for less is always a mistake in a live game, tournament play is different. In fact, when used properly, doubling for less is a powerful technique for getting an extra edge over your opponents. In this month's column, we'll look at two examples when it's appropriate..."

Read Smith's complete article.

TOURNAMENT KNOWLEDGE by Richard McKelvey

"It seems to escape most players that they must observe and learn if they expect to win a tournament. The thought of practicing for tournament play never even occurs to the majority of players. Yet, these same players will travel great distances and pay large entry fees, and then expect to win. Yes, every once in a great while this will happen. However, experienced tournament players win the majority of tournaments and that's no accident..."

Read McKelvey's complete article.

ATLANTIC CITY BLACKJACK REPORT by Alene Paone and Frank Scoblete

"Borgata has made a difference! We were skeptical but our latest visit and reports from friends and BJI subscribers who have played there on various shifts tend to indicate that they are offering good 6-deck games on all their tables. You can also find $5 games even on the weekend (okay, the report to us said two - but two is certainly better than none!). Good rules and good penetration have also been noted. So far the abominable 8-deck games have not reared their ugly heads at Borgata and some are beginning to disappear at other casinos..."

Read Paone's and Scoblete's complete article.

BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Check out the schedule of major blackjack tournaments by region in our Blackjack Tournament Report...

Get all the info.