BLACKJACK ADVICE

Hello,

I have been reading "Blackbelt in Blackjack" by Arnold Snyder to get an understanding of Hi-Lo System. This is my first book about the subject. I understand basic strategy is a must. How is the best spread, say 1-8 determined? Is this by bankroll or personal preference. I will eventually study the Hi-Lo counting method and is it wise to learn the HI-Lo Lite first? I have the Casino Verite software for training and learning basic strategy. Is this the correct way to attempt to learn to count? Any suggestions?

Thanks....

It's a good beginning. My advice is go slow and master each aspect before you go on. Don't worry about what to spread until you have BS down 110% and you can count down a deck in under a minute. That's slow for game conditions, but its a start.
Be sure to find tables with the best rules- Beware of 6-5 BJ, restrictions on hits and splits.
CV was great when I used it almost ten years ago. I imagine QFIT has kept in up to date.
I enjoyed BIB but after reading a bunch of books , I went with an unbalanced count.
A member named Romes has some articles geared towards new players. I'm not sure how to redirect you to them but somebody will.
Enjoy

Also, read blog of the member lostwages, his posts about starting out on counting, and the replies he got.
Enjoy the game. Card counting is not a road to riches.

It can be a pretty good part time hobby.

Hi Blackjack, and welcome to the forums. Blackbelt in Blackjack is an excellent book. Your bet spread is determined by your bankroll and risk of ruin (RoR). There's a lot more math and detail to get in to which I'm sure he'll discuss in the book. I would recommend going straight to Hi/Low instead of learning "Lite" first. It's not that difficult and in my opinion you leave yourself more opportunity to be confused if you do a variation when in the end you know you're going to learn Hi/Low anyways.

I also wrote 3 articles that are hosted in the articles section of this very site. They should take you from A to Z in card counting, especially with consideration to the Hi/Low system. Have a read and feel free to ask questions:

https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/A-to-Z-Counting-Cards-in-Blackjack/
https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/A-to-Z-Counting-Cards-In-Blackjack-2/
https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/A-to-Z-Counting-Cards-in-Blackjack-3/

Optimal betting is advantage * bankroll * .75

Just learn Hi Lo it is not that hard. Casino Verite is good, but I recommend getting six decks of cards, a shoe and a discard tray and playing through shoe after shoe until you can execute the strategy flawlessly. You should also "rig" the shoes with a +10 slug at the start so you get more experience playing through higher shoes. You will want at least 100+ hours of practice at home before you hit the casino.

Hi Rome,

I have downloaded them reading the articles. Really good to read.

Thanks....