BLACKJACK CARD COUNTING TIPS:

Let's review what we've learned...

• We've learned Basic Strategy or the proper way to play every hand that's dealt.

• How to determine your total bankroll.

• How to determine your session bankroll.

• How to determine your big bet.

• How to count cards.

• How to use all of this information.

We are now ready for some tips that will help to keep you from getting barred and some other random tips that will help you improve your game.

Getting Barred...

After learning Basic Strategy, Money Management, Bankroll Requirements and Card Counting it would be a crime to go to the casino and get thrown out. So, over the years I've developed some ways to keep the "Heat" off. Here goes:

• Act like everyone else.Ask for comps,get a comp card if offered, You will draw less attention if you do the things regular customers do. I would, however, draw the line at having casino literature sent to your home address. Merely say that you don't want your wife to know.

• Tipping is not a city in China. Tips make up the major part of the dealers income and they are appreciated. Although I will get arguements on this subject I believe that you should tip the dealers. I have been tipping them all of my card counting career and I've never been barred. Thus, I will continue to tip. My theory is that if the dealer recognizes you as a counter he will feel kindly to you if you tip. But don't over do it. A good time to tip is when you get blackjack. On the next bet, make a small bet for the dealer. After all, I've been tipping them all of my card-counting career and I've never been bared.

• Be personable and have a sense of humor. If dealers and floor persons like you they will find it harder to bar you.

• If your big bet is one or two black chips use green chips instead of black. Using black chips in a $5 or $10 minimum table will bring heat because in most casinos the dealer must announce "black in action" and the floor person will look to see who is betting black. So change your black chips for green or better yet tell the dealer you're superstitious and would rather be paid in green.

• Do not play longer than 4 hours at any casino. Ideally you should play only 2 hours and move on to another casino.

• Find out what time the floor people and pit bosses change shifts. During the first and last hour of their shifts they are bogged down with paperwork and reports and have less time to observe your play. So if you play a 2 hour shift starting one hour before to one hour after shift changes you will receive less heat. This should not be confused with dealer shift changes which may or may not be the same.

• Take chips off the table and put them in your pocket. The best time to do this is when the dealers change. The reason is that too many chips may bring closer scrutiny by the floor person. Don't get carried away doing this, only take one or two chips off at a time.

• If possible try to keep your big bets lower than the tables biggest player. This may require changing tables if you can't do this and you are the biggest bettor at the table. The reason for this is that the biggest bettor will usually be watched more closely than the other players.

More tips...

• Never play in a game that uses a CSM, or Continuous Shuffle Machine. You can't win in this game.

• Always insure your hand when the True Count is +3 or higher. Even if you have a bad hand.

• Sit at third base if possible. It gives you a chance to see more cards before acting.

• You will most likely never sit at a table with another card counter. There are too few of them.

• There is a term "backroomed" it means that the casino takes counters into a backroom and verbally and physically abuses them. Forget it. That was when the gangsters ran the casinos. If it were to happen today you could become the proud owner of a casino if you have a good lawyer.

• This is one I'm asked 10 times a day. "Can I win counting cards at the internet casinos?" The answer is, not on any I've found. Why? Because most internet casinos shuffle after each hand and the ones that don't either limit the bet size or shuffle after only a couple of hands. So stay away from internet casinos.

• Your daily goal should always be measured in hours rather than money. Your win rate will have large fluctuations but will ultimately average your projected hourly win rate. If you looked at it on a graph it would show a steady upward climb with many peaks and valleys.

• Always keep trip records. How else would you know if or how much you are winning. Log all expenses, including gas, tolls, meals, hotel rooms, tips, etc.

• For your mental and financial well being play within your bankroll limits and know that you are using a winning system. Don't be afraid of a loss. Losses will happen.

• We have shown you bankroll requirements that will give you a 2% chance of ruin. But you can improve your risk of ruin simply by lowering your big bet in relation to your bankroll.

• At most casinos there are placards on each table stating casino rules for splitting, doubling down and surrender. If you don't see one ask. Especially about surrender. Surrender isn't something they encourage if used correctly.