Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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ways to win
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Xeeo,

You can win playing casinos games if you play only those games that give you a positive expectation. A good book to help you is "How to Make $100,000 a Year Gambling for a Living" by David Sklansky & Mason Malmuth.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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Is it possible to win counting cards online? If so what casinos use a set amount of decks and don't shuffle everytime?
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Gmack,

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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I have read many books and journals about card counting and I am still confused on which system is the best for shoe games (mainly six-deck at Indian casinos) and also which BJ software is best for practicing card counting when the computer I have access is at work. Is there a cd-rom or floppy system that you could recommend?
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Dan,

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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ON SPLITTING ACES HOW DOES 21 PAY FOR EACH ACE?
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Steve,

When you split aces and are dealt a ten value card to one (or both) aces, you would have a 21 hand and will be paid at 1 to 1 odds (this assumes the dealer does not have a blackjack, in which

case your 21 hand would lose or the dealer also has a 21 in which case your 21 is a push).

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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A pro once wrote that basic strategy combined with good money management and a deep bankroll will give you enough edge for you to make a living playing blackjack. Do you agree with this, or is card counting really the only way to win in blackjack?
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Jun,

I disagree with your friend. The only way to have the long-term advantage at blackjack is to learn card counting to ensure you have a positive expectation.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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Dear Henry,

What is the best money management technique you would recomend for a basic strategy player?

Jun

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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

Dear Jun,

If you are a basic strategy player I strongly suggest you learn a simple ace/ten count to tell you when to increase your bets. We will be presenting an excellent ace/ten count system for casual basic strategy players in the April issue of Blackjack Insider Newsletter. It’s easy and depending upon the rules you can either wipe out the casino’s edge or have the slight edge.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by [name withheld]

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Are the odds of winning better if you are playing 2 hands at once?
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Katie,

The odds don’t change if you play two hands compared to one hand. However, when you play two hands compared to one hand you tend to reduce your variance (ie. the size of the upswings and downswings in your bankroll). So the greatest fluctuation occurs if you bet say $10 on one spot and less fluctuation if you bet $5 on two spots in the same game.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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Count Learning?Should I learn like the Hi-Lo first then later something like Hi-Opt II or go straight for the later? What system do you recommend?
Thanks
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear John,

I would recommned you walk before you run – master the Hi-Lo first before considering the advantages and extra effort to learn the more difficult High-Opt II.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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I havent had time to see if you amended your answer, however, with regard to your answer about basic strategy not changing if the dealer does not have a hole card, you are mistaken. For example, doubling down opportunities in basical strategy are different then if one was to play against a dealer that doesnt take his 2nd card till the end.

Or do you see it differently? jck321_98@yahoo.com
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Jeff,

If the dealer does not get a hole card and players lose all double downs and pair splits if the dealer ends up with a blackjack (European rule) then the basic strategy changes. However, if a dealer does not get a hole card and the player’s double down and pair splits do NOT lose to a dealer’s blackjack, then it makes no difference whether the dealer gets a hole card or not. What changes the basic strategy is whether or not the player loses doubles and splits to a dealer blackjack not whether the dealer does or does not have a hole card.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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Can you suggest to me where I can print
the best chart on Blackjack Basic Betting Starategy, the chart that shows your cards verses the dealers cards. Thank you, Fred.
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Fred,

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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Dear Henry,
What's the difference between the European rules and the American rules?
How this affects the basic strategy?

Regards Aggelos
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Dear Aggelos,

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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If dealer is dealt an ace and a 6. Must he stay
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Ggeezo,

It depends on the rules in the casino. Some require their dealer to stand on ace, 6 (known as soft 17) while others require the dealers to hit. You can always tell by looking at the wording on the felt layout. You are also better off if dealers must stand rather than hit soft 17.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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could you please explain penetration? what's considered good or bad and why it's so important
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Gkthorn,

Penetration is the fraction (or percentage) of cards that are dealt from a pack prior to the dealer shuffling the cards. So for example if you were to play in a 6-deck game and the dealer cuts out of play 1.5 decks the penetration is 75%.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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Are there any sites on the web that help you to practice card counting? If not, what blackjack software packages do you like that have a card counting "practice" feature built into them. I've looked into the Sage Blackjack Simulator v3.5 (the $35 pro versions that offers this practice feature) but I'm reluctant to buy it without some feedback on whether it's worthwhile.
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Will,

I’m only aware of the following site where you can practice seeing cards quickly:

I am not familiar with Sage Blackjack Simulator.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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I'm visiting Aruba (Marriott) this fall and would like to know where to find the Blackjack rules for the island? Things like how many decks they use, allowed to split, dealer hit on hard/soft 17, etc. Can you help?
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

Dear Tony,

The casinos in Aruba offer mostly 6 deck games. In some casinos the dealer stands on soft 17 and double after pair splitting is allowed (Copa Cabana at Hyatt, Excellsior at Holiday Inn, Steelars at Marriott, and Wyndham Casablanca) . The other casinos have the less favorable dealer hit soft 17 rule. Also the Stellaris Marriott and Sonnesta Crystal have 4 deck games.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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why do people double down on a 12 ?
when is it safe to hit on a 12?




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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

Dear Vicki,

Players who double down ona 12 don’t have a clue about how to play blackjack. if you are a basic stratgey player you should always hit 12 when the dealer shows a 2 or 3 and 7 through ace upcard.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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Hi Henry,

I have read your BJ Book, "Take the Money & Run". Other than the "take the Money & Run" part, it was well done. You also kind of side stepped with your Wife's progression betting system. I do not think proggression betting works for a long term advantage. The only time you should increase your bet is when you have the advantage.

Again, quiting while you are ahead will not increase your expectation. Its one long string of short runs. BUT, it sure does wonders for your drive back home from the boats.

Thanks
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Crockadile,

I like leaving casinos with some of their money. Psychologically, it helps also when you are ahead when card counting to quit a winner even though it doesn’t change expectations. My wife now watches the cards and only increases her bets following a win and knowledge that more low cards vs high cards have been played.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear French Fanny,

The Fab 4 are four basic strategy deviations for surrender. For example if you are dealt a 14 vs 10 the correct basic strategy play is to hit. However, if the true count is +3 (index number) or more meaning +4, +5, or higher you would should surrender. The other surrender plays worth making when the true counts reaches or exceeds the index number is 15 vs 9 (+2 index), 15 vs 9 (+2 index) and 15 vs ace (+1 index).

Regards,

Henry Tamburin