Readers Q&A #20

Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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Im a novice/casual blackjack player in the southeast. I rarely get to Las Vegas but occasionally make it to Biloxi and Tunica. Can you tell me if the Blackjack Blitz machines you have referred to in your letters can be found in any of the casinos at these locations? Thank You.
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

Dear Gary,

My Gulf Coast BJ Reporter (CC Rider) stated he hasn’t seen them yet. He will check out all the casinos again and report in Blackjack Insider #21 (end of August).

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 floating advantage? I have heard that it has to do when moving deeper in the shoe. Does it worth or it is marginal?

Regards,
Jim
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Jim,

The floating advantage is a proven theory that the same true count implies more advantage to the player later in the decks then it does earlier in the decks (i.e. a player’s true count advantage increases with penetration). Schlesinger proved however (see his book Blackjack Attack) that the advantage is very small and only in games with very deep penetration. The extra edge for the most part is not worth it.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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Why isn't doubling on soft 19 against a dealer's 5 or 6 the best strategy?
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Magnumw,

It ‘s not the best strategy simply because you will win more money when you stand on soft 19 against a dealer’s 5 or 6. Computer simulations give these results: you win 60% of the hands when you double soft 19 against 5 and 72% if you stand. Even with the extra payoff when you double down, you will still win more in the long run when you stand (if you bet a buck a hand and stand you win 72, lose 28 for a net win of $44. If you double down you win 60, lose 40 for a net of win of 20 times $2 (because you double ) or $40. You gain an extra 44 when you stand vs doubling ($44-40). The analysis of soft 19 against dealer’s 6 gives similar results with the edge slightly in favor of standing (here you’ll gain only a dollar more). When you draw another card by doubling it mostly results in a lower total for the hand resulting in less wins (that are not offset by the extra payoff). Bottom line; soft 19 is a winner against a dealer’s 5 or 6 so stand.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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In about a week, I am going to Atlantic City --- I am fairly new to the game only learning about a year ago. I am not a card counter yet and have used BS --- where can I go in AC and find the lowest minimums --- thanks and have a good day


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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

Dear Mmillsrd,

According to Alene Paone (our AC Blackjack reporter) the minimums in the Atlantic City casinos over the busy summer season are HIGH (you’ll be hard pressed to find $10 minimum tables especially in the evening). Your best bet to find low minimum blackjack tables is the Claridge and the Sands during the weekday. Check out Alene’s latest AC report at www. BJInsider.com/newsletter/blackjack/archive/volume_latest.asp.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by WIZARD1....

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Is card counting the only way to consistently win at blackjack...or other methods available with table selection, tables biases, or clump tracking???
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Wizard,

There are other methods beside card counting to gain the advantage at blackjack which include card steering, card sequencing, shadow play, stacker play, and more. John May summarizes these methods in his excellent book Get The Edge at Blackjack. Caution – these techniques are advanced techniques that require much practice to master.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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What is a good site that has various BJ software for sale?

Regards
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear KCSeagull,

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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