Questions - Beyond the Blackjack basic strategy card

Being new, I was looking at the $80 loss over about a hours play. I realized about $20 of it was from the Oklahoma ante fee, which meant play loss was $60 and most of that was from the 12-16 hands that were busts. I feel better now that I realize 1/4 of my loss wasn't from a bad hand, that I need to increase the bet to minimize the ante effect, and number of 12-16 hand busts were probably skewed.

I'm looking for books not involving card counting, to supplement the basic strategy. The web sites for the major book stores within a 50 mile radius from me show nothing in stock so the only thing short of compairing actual books was to google for blackjack book strategy. Most of what I found involved card counting. Any thoughts on "Easy Money Blackjack" by Bill Brown and other non-counting books, on how useful, currrent/outdated, applicable to 6 decks (stand on all 17s double after split), and anything else that you might think important for each book?

There are no methods to make Blackjack +EV other than counting. Basic strategy is all you need. There are CDE (composition dependent exceptions), but they have very little effect on a 6-deck game.

"Easy Money Blackjack" by Bill Brown is a scam.

If your local casinos charge an ante fee, you can't win even with counting (other than wonging in and out). Only sheer luck and very short play can save you. Your best bet is to find a casino that doesn't, you may need to drive out of state.

Quote: joe

Being new, I was looking at the $80 loss over about a hours play. I realized about $20 of it was from the Oklahoma ante fee, which meant play loss was $60 and most of that was from the 12-16 hands that were busts. I feel better now that I realize 1/4 of my loss wasn't from a bad hand, that I need to increase the bet to minimize the ante effect, and number of 12-16 hand busts were probably skewed.

I'm looking for books not involving card counting, to supplement the basic strategy. The web sites for the major book stores within a 50 mile radius from me show nothing in stock so the only thing short of compairing actual books was to google for blackjack book strategy. Most of what I found involved card counting. Any thoughts on "Easy Money Blackjack" by Bill Brown and other non-counting books, on how useful, currrent/outdated, applicable to 6 decks (stand on all 17s double after split), and anything else that you might think important for each book?

With a house edge of 0.5%, you will lose 50 cents for every $100 you bet over time assuming perfect basic strategy. Betting $10 a hand with a few higher bets, doubles, and splits will get $1000 an hour on the table at 80 hands per hour. You expected loss is $5 per hour and that will vary up and down. What will never vary is the ante. At 80 hands per hour, you lose $20 each and every hour for a 25 cent ante. There is no way to adjust your bet to compensate for this because you are still losing 0.5% of whatever you bet. You are not wagering $10.25 which is what the casino will tell you. You are paying 25 cents for the privilege of betting $10 or if you prefer you are renting a seat for $20 an hour. A skilled card counter with a base bet of $10 and a decent betting spread could not beat the game you describe.

All non counting systems are worthless. They do not work so don't waste your time and money. If you want to overcome the house edge, you must learn to count cards. There are many good books on the subject as well as a wealth of information on the Wizard's sites. Don't start your venture into the world of blackjack on the wrong foot and don't let the naysayers discourage you.

1BB is essentially correct. You can't beat basic strategy. The next step IS counting. And avoid tables that charge you .25 a hand to gamble. That adds 2.5% to the house edge on a $10 table which will be quite difficult to overcome, even through counting.