GAMEMASTER,
WILL YOU GO OUT ON A LIMB AND GIVE US YOUR PERSONAL OPINION OF ON LINE CASINO BLACKJACK? (IF YOUR PAID ADVERTISERS ARE HONEST AS YOU CLAIM, THEY SHOULDN'T MIND)

ARE THE GAMES TRULY RANDOM AS MOST CLAIM OR IS THE SOFTWARE CODED TO WIN A PERCENTAGE OF THE TIME REGARDLESS OF ANY WINNING OR LOSING BY THE PLAYER?

I'VE PLAYED AT ALMOST ALL OF THE DOWNLOAD SITES AND CAN TESTIFY THAT THEY FILL UP TO 21 FROM A HARD 16 AN AWFUL LOT OF THE TIME. STREAKS ARE COMMON,BUT....

I will gladly give my opinion. I think most online casino Blackjack games are honest, simply because they don't have to cheat to win. By shuffling the deck after every hand, they have an edge which no one can overcome in the long run. Add to that the fact that most players don't know basic strategy and the casino has an edge approaching 2%. Why cheat when you're making 10 cents on every $5 bet and you have no dealers, pitbosses, cocktail servers, etc. to pay?

As for seeing a lot of 16s hit by 5s, I've seen that innumerable times in 'real' casinos and never thought they were cheating. Look at it this way, you're at an online casino, you're skeptical anyway and then the dealer hits a 16 with a 5. Your immediate reaction is "cheating", but what about the time the dealer hit a 12 and busted? Was your reaction the same?

I'm not saying that all online casinos are 'straight', because it IS possible to rig a game, but I haven't seen anything at an online casino I haven't already seen at a real one. From a strict mathematical point of view, at a single-deck game, if you have a 20 consisting of two face cards and the dealer has a 16, consisting of a 10 and a 6, there are 4 fives left in the remaining 48 cards. Therefore, the dealer should get a 5, on average, once every 12 hands. But, that said, remember that the dealer might get a 5 several times in a row and the game could still be legitimate.

My advice is to play where you feel comfortable. There are many choices out there and I can't believe for a minute that ALL of them are cheating.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/29/98

Hi. I love your column! I'm a budding blackjack enthusiast and am generally a risk-averse basic strategy flat-better unless the count's looking outrageously good or bad. However, I'm looking to get the most mileage out of making all the right plays.

I read your "Basic Strategy Variations" column the other day, which presented variations as they apply to 6-deck games. I also own Humble & Cooper's "World's Greatest Blackjack Book", which has hi-opt 1 strategy tables for 4-deck games. I usually play double-deck games and use hi-opt 1. Can I apply either of these variations to double-deck games, using the same true count values? If not, are there any good sourcebooks for hi-opt 1 double-deck strategy tables? One more - is there a conservative strategy table that I can use for various numbers of decks (i.e. being optimal for higher numbers of decks and slightly less optimal, but better than basic strategy, for lower numbers of decks)?

Thanks,
Brett

Dear Brett,
You can use my index numbers for a double-deck game, since DD is a lot more like 4 or 6 decks; it has very little in common with a single-deck game. My indexes are based on a theory of risk-aversity, so you won't see some moves, like double 10 against 10, that appear in other strategies. Learn the indexes I show from -2 to + 8 and you'll have a good, versatile system for all games, except the single-deck.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/29/98

GameMaster,
If in card counting and you are at number 5, should the next hand you bet be a high bet because you know face cards are going to come out to make your count zero. am i right for thinking like this?

thanks,
jeff

By "number 5", I assume you mean a running count of 5 which is telling you that 5 more 'small' cards then 'big' cards have been played. If my assumption is correct, whether or not you raise your bet depends upon how many decks are remaining to be dealt. If there is one deck left, the 'true' count (count per remaining deck) is 5 and yes, it warrants an increased bet. The theory here is as you state: there's a higher probability that the Faces and Aces are going to show.

But all this is done in such a way to take in account the fact that there are still a lot of little cards left, consequently, we bet in proportion to our advantage; we don't 'bet the ranch' on the next hand. See my lessons on money management on the Blackjack Page of my web site for a detailed analysis of this topic.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/29/98

Hello,
First of all, thank you for very informative articles and lessons on blackjack. I like the no-nonsense, reality approach. I can understand why I've lost thousands in the past month or so. Ouch.

Do you have any recommendations blackjack software/trainers. I'm a programmer myself, but it would take too much of my time to write such a program. I've seen some on the net, but would appreciate advice from someone with experience and knowledge.

Again thanks in advance.

Dear Mario,
I had to think a bit after reading your question and it kind of amazed me when I realized I don't use any software for training. I have simulation software, risk management software and a program to figure the casino's edge at a game, but all of my practice is, and has been, 'live'. I count down actual decks of cards and use my flashcards for variations to basic strategy, but that's all the training I do.

Now that you've made me think about it, I believe it's probably better that way, simply because if you do all your training at a computer, it has your undivided attention. But I go through my counts and flashcards while doing other things, like watching TV, etc., because I feel it better simulates 'actual' conditions. In the casino, there are a lot of distractions, so I like to train that way. The only computer play I do is with an inexpensive Blackjack program by Bicycle, since it's easy to set up and use. It will keep the Hi/Lo count, but only deals one player at a time.

If you want to try a training program, I think Casino Verite' is probably the best. You get a 'shareware' version to try it out (probably at www.shareware.com), but I don't think it's necessary. Just do what I show you in my lessons; it's not high-tech, but it works!

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/22/98

GameMaster,
I read much of your BlackJack strategy lessons on the web, but I didn't notice anything there that directly addresses two techniques I have tried, nor in any other resources I have looked into on the web. I haven't played enough to really say I've fully tested the success or failure of these techniques, but I'd be interested in your thoughts.

As intro, I should add that I currently do not count cards and also that my aim is to have fun and come out ahead in the long run, but not necessarily to win big. And of course, I only use money I can afford to lose.

First, I try only to play in games where the dealer does not deal the hole card before every other player has stayed or busted, and I ALWAYS play the left-most seat, even if I have to wait for it. As such, I know that when I stand, the card I would have received will go to the dealer. I haven't seen any materials specifically analyzing this sort of game where the left-most player seems to have different odds in a given hand than the others (since, for example, with 14 and the dealer showing 9, the player knows that any bust would be a win for the dealer, but other seats don't get that knowledge.) In this circumstance, I tend to be conservative, so I only Hit at 12 or over if any bust is a sure dealer win. I could ratchet that to bust+1, bust+2 or whatever, but currently I play very conservative. My objective in this technique is to reduce the effects of chance in determining the best play. Statistically, I suspect bust+1 would be better than my current level (so take on 15 with a dealer 9 showing), but I haven't done the analysis to risk it.

The second thing is how I manage money. Since I don't count, I instead play versus the standard deviation and commit a variation of the heinous gambler's sin of increasing my bet when losing hands. Specifically, one venue I play has a $2 minimum and $20 max bet. I prefer a larger spread, but I seem to do OK (so far - but statistically not a huge sample yet - maybe 1000 hands). I always start at the minimum bet. As long as I get wins mixed with any losses, my bet doesn't change, though I do split and double based on the cards (not identical to your charts, but similar enough.) If I have 3 losses with no intervening wins (pushes are not counted either way), I then switch my betting mode. The next hand I bet the minmum $2, then double with each consecutive loss (again pushes ignored) until $16. Since the max at this venue is $20, a loss at $16 I then move up to $20. If I lose at $20, I will drop back to $2 and start over as if I had just had a win (with a loss for the bad streak of $56). Using this techniqiue, as long as the house odds are no greater than 51% to my 49% per hand, which I consider poor if my play is reasonable, I have calculated the net odds to me to be positive. Where a larger spread exists allowing more doubling of the bet, I will continue to the max. However, due to the larger $'s at risk, I have not chosen to reduce the number of non-doubled losing bets before going into the doubling.

I'ld be interested both in any statistical flaws you see with these approaches (including the left-most hand implications) as well as any thoughts on the concept behind my money management. Since I tend to expect winning streaks to be percentage-wise only a reasonably few percentage points less frequent then losing streaks, the non-statistical view of the concept behind my approach is that the winning streaks are where I make the money and I am all but eliminating the effect of losing streaks except in the extremely small % case where I lose 7 or 8 consecutive hands. Though the effect of 8 consecutive losses offsets 28 winning hands, the occurrence of moving that far out the probability curve seems to me to favor me over the long haul. (The effect of 7 consecutive losses followed by a win is down $16, or 8 winning $2 hands, but still, the frequency of moving that far out the curve should be very low over the long run).
Ed

Dear Ed,
Whether the dealer takes a hole card before or after you play your hand makes no difference. Trying to 'psyche' the play by trying to figure the card the dealer will get is no different than trying to figure what the dealer already has. This could work if you were at a single-deck game dealt to the last few cards, but no such game exists. In short, there's no advantage for you to sit at 'third base'. You should play proper basic strategy, since your 'conservative' play is just giving the house a bigger edge over you.

As for your money management technique, you're correct in saying that the sample is too small. If you were to run a simulation of your technique for several million hands, you'd discover that your losses would be a function of your average bet times the house edge (about .5%) times the number of hands played. I'd guess that your average bet is probably $6 a hand, so at a rate of 60 hands/hour, you're playing with an expectation of about -$1.80/hr. And that's if you stop the conservative play and use only proper basic strategy. Remember, no money management technique alone will allow you to overcome the house edge for very long.

Trust me, you are obviously intelligent and can easily learn how to count cards. Do that, and you'll become a long term winner.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/22/98

GameMaster,
I'm new to the basics of blackjack. But a main objective is to bust the dealer, and the best busting hand is a dealer showing 6. I also understand that a pair of tens is the second best hand in blackjack, but wouldn't it be an advantage to spilt tens to a dealer's 6?
Thanks for your prompt response
Rich

Dear Rich,
First, the first object of the game isn't to 'bust' the dealer; the object of the game is to beat the dealer and that's done in a variety of ways. But splitting tens isn't (at least for a non-counter) one of those ways, even against a dealer's 6. Don't forget that it's a 20 and, by splitting, you have two hands of 10 which requires an additional bet. By standing, you expect to win 67.7% of all the money bet in that situation, but by splitting, your expected return drops to 55.6% or 27.8% per hand.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/22/98

Dear GameMaster,
I began reading your article tips for the casual player. Then you advised to go to the Incredible Links page, to get the basic strategy for your favorite casino. I couldn't find this link but if you would happen to know what it is for the casino in Windsor, Canada, I would really appreciate it.
Thank you..

Dear BgD,
Sorry 'bout that. The article was written when I was an owner of a different site. Anyway, the rules for Casino Windsor are as follows: 8 decks, dealer stands on A-6, double any first two cards, double after split and penetration averages 75%.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/22/98

GameMaster,
I was wondering if I can get my hands on the math that figures out the odds at Blackjack. This is meerly for my curiosity. I also like what you have done here. It has helped me out a lot at the local riverboat casino, and I did really well in Vegas a couple months back.

Thanks
Josh

Dear Josh, Glad to have been a help to you. If you're REALLY into math, get Griffen's book, "The Theory of Blackjack". It's available at Conjelco (www.conjelco.com).

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/22/98

Dear Gamemaster:
Could you post the following message on your site? Thanks. WARNING: GOLDEN PALACE CHEATS! Golden Palace doesn't pay out! I recently opened an account at Golden Palace, came out over $600 ahead, and cashed in, to see if they would pay out. Instead, they reversed the charges to my credit card, and closed my account. If I'd lost money, they certainly would have charged me. Only if you have lost enough in the past, they pay out! If you've ever played there, add up your losses and wins, and you'll see. I repeat:

ONLY FOOLS PLAY AT GOLDEN PALACE!
Thanks, Gamemaster, and keep up the good work!
-John

Dear John,
Sorry to hear of your problems. We'll post this.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/22/98

Hello, I kinda didnt understand everything on that "endorse your online casino" part. Was it that online casinos are fixed;they cheat?

Some do; the problem is that I don't know which do and which don't.

I kinda didn't know what you meant 100% about that. If so, are there any casinos that aren't fixed?

I don't know of any with absolute certainty, but I'm pretty sure that the ones which advertise on our web site are legitimate.

I guess it wouldn't be a good idea to open an account in any online casino?

No, I'm not saying that; just play small until you're convinced they're 'straight'.

Here's something about roulette; that guy who had that double your bet system, where you'd pick a color;odd or even;high or low? Well if you'd wait til it came out 3,4,or 5 times in a row and then start it; but more then doubling like add 110% from the last? Like say after 5 times it comes up black first start with $1 on red then $2 then $5 then $12 then $25,$55,$110,$235,$500, the system wouldn't fail unless it came out black 14 times which would hopefully never will happen. Well I was just wondering what are you're comments on that? Would that system be a better idea? Would it work?

You're forgetting that you lose on a "0" or "00" and, even with your progression, you're betting $500 to win $45. Take the same $945 (the total of your bets) and play a good quarter video poker game where you have an edge; the $45 will come a whole lot easier.

thank you for your time

Always a pleasure.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/12/98

Here is my problem. I'm a Basic Strategy Player who came across your site (great by the way). I have practiced the values of the cards (plus and minuses), have not practiced adding them. I will be in Vegas on Nov. 12-15 (in one week). Is there anyway I can learn to count cards in this period of time. I'm willing to put in 2-3 hours a day on this. If so should I practice the hi/lo method or go for the Ace/Five method. Obviously the Ace/Five Method is easier. Maybe I can play Ace/Five and then later on learn the hi/lo.

Please Help ASAP
Lou Diaz
Chicago IL

With such little time to practice, I'd go with the Ace-5 count, then learn hi/lo. Good luck.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/12/98

Hi Gamemaster,
I really enjoy your web pages and have learned a lot from you. Just wanted to let you know I have hit 15 royals so far this year. I had four this weekend in a 12 hour period. 2 on same machine. Talk about a high! I'm back to my other job today in Mississippi aiming for one more. Two of the royals were Jack and 10 held and both were sequential ( no bonus in Miss.) By the way I'm a 61 year old grandmother who is having a ball.
Thanks again.
Barb in Mobile

Dear Barb,
Congratulations! That's how those Royals are...you never know when they're going to pop up. They seem to come in 'bunches' for me, too. Best of luck in the future.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/12/98

Hello, I have a few questions for you they may be silly but a was just wondering... Does this system work with counting cards and all?

Yes, card-counting does work. If it didn't, the casinos wouldn't spend sp much time trying to identify counters.

Are you a professional?

I pay taxes as a professional Blackjack and video poker player, but that is not my sole source of income.

Do the pros use that system?

Many pros use the hi/lo system that I teach; I did not invent it.

I asked if the system worked because this is on the internet, and I never hear anybody winning much on blackjack, do people know about this?

Card counting by various methods has been around for about 35 years. Few people actually make $$$ at it, because most people don't want to put in the time it takes to learn it and/or are underfunded, impatient, or a combination of the two. It's not easy, but it can be done.

Thanks...I'm just learning so can I email again if I have anymore questions?

Certainly.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/12/98

About Internet casinos: Have you heard anything of the English Harbour Casino? They offer $20 free in wagering and also a referral program, where you and your buddy get a total of $200 if you wager for the same. It looks quite well done, so I tried to find it on your list. They are at http://www.englishharbour.com

I've gotten careful. I tried the Balicasino.com They say they answer all mail by noon the next day. Also, they offer quite a good sounding Blackjack game. A 6 deck game WITH 75% PENETRATION, regular rules, plus double after split allowed, resplitting allowed once, insurance, ... They also have a 1 deck game with rules as above, which means the player should have an edge when playing basic strategy. However, my guess is, THEY CHEAT. Minimum purchase is $50, plus I noticed later, they don't scramble your credit card info over the net, and then, it went well for a while, until it almost seemed like they got bored of me and turned a switch. Suddenly I lost $50 in $1 bets within way-too-fast. It seemed I was losing 2 out of 3 hands. What are the chances of that in an advantageous game? Well, it is possible, but then, I tried to withdraw my final $10, but it doesn't seem to work. Shitty place, my comment. Feel free to warn others.

Let me know if you have any comments.
Cheers,
-JB

Dear JB,
Thanks for the input. We'll post this and see if others have a comment. Personally, I'd be wary of any online casino which offers a BJ game with such penetration. Such a game can be beaten by a counter (especially one using another computer to do the counting), so the casino doesn't have a 'built-in' edge; they may have to create it a different way.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/12/98

The vast majority of our advertising is from online casinos and we've received few, if any, complaints about service, etc. I am totally unaware of any of our advertisers failing to pay a customer's win. I suppose that no news is good news in a situation like this, because I think our readers would let us know if they weren't happy. The online casinos don't need to cheat; they have a built-in edge on each game and can make a fair profit from that edge. If you're worried about getting a charge card 'cleaned out', do what I did: contact your bank and get them to issue you a card with a low limit, say $500 or so.

I understand your concerns, so start by playing small and see how it goes.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/12/98

Hi,
Great job on your abilities to teach your methods on learning the secrets of Blackjack. I really enjoy reading your teaching system and the lessons you have planned for each chapter. It is humorous, easy to understand, exciting and fun. I look foreward to each new lesson and practice your teachings on a regular basis.

Thanks for the kinds words.

However, I would like your help on aquiring the correct basic strategy for 9 Decks, dealer stands on 17, double only with 7 thru 11, splitting any pair, double after splitting only with 7 thru 11, no surrender. I have tried to get this information from the blackjack strategy engine but it was unable to compute the double only with 7 thru 11.

Doubling 7 through 11 is the same as doubling 9-11, since the only time you'd double on 7 or 8 is if the count is really high and that's not included in basic strategy. So, set the engine for double 9-11.

If splitting aces and only receiving one card whether doubling or hitting, does it effect the above basic strategy mentioned?

Split aces receive only one card, but I don't think you can double on split Aces.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing your favourable reply.
Keep up the good work.
With regards
Robin
UK

Happy to help.

Yours for winning,
The GameMaster
11/12/98