americancasinoguide.com – Steve Bourie, author of the American Casino Guide, interviews Michael “Wizard of Odds” Shackleford about blackjack. Mike answers some of the most common questions that players have about the game, plus he gives tips on how players can choose the best games, use the proper strategies and take advantage of the casino comping system.
Tags: Blackjack, Expert, Gambling, Michael, Odds, Shackleford, Wizard
March 24th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
They are very commn in Nevada casinos.
March 24th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
I’ve never seen a table use 1 or 2 decks. :S
March 24th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
If you just want to play BJ, you really don’t need to learn how to count. But if you are going professional it helps to know how to count. but don’t buy into this idea that you are going to get rich. You will have ups and downs like a scale with two arms with a bowl on each end. IT’s in close balance. THe casino has the bigger funds to out last you the cards Deviate from the count. So be careful. I would advice you not to gamble period.
March 24th, 2012 at 10:56 pm
You are correct and this was discussed previously with another poster. We noticed that mistake ourselves after the video had been posted. That was my son playing that hand and he is a novice blackjack player. I explained to him that, ultimately, it is his responsibility to make sure that he gets paid when he wins, or that his bet doesn’t get taken if it’s a push. Dealers do sometimes make misatkes and the player has to point out the error or their bet could be taken, or not paid!
March 24th, 2012 at 11:35 pm
At time 7:57, i believe the player doubled down and got a 21 (8+3+K), which the house later hits a 21 (5+8+8) as well, but why does it look like the dealer took that player’s bet anyway?? I thought 21 vs. 21 should be a push!
March 25th, 2012 at 12:14 am
Common sense. When you have kids showing how well they count cards on youtube..Card counting is a farce. It’s become patently ridiculous. This is sign that its no longer a secret weapon to beat the casino at blackjack. The casinos wised up to this back with the MIT and Ken Uston. Don’t buy any programs on get rich card counting programs. You’ll get swindled and lose your shirt at the casino. Unless you’re rich. then you can have a blast card counting.
March 25th, 2012 at 12:23 am
Michael Shackleford… I wonder if he’s related to Rusty..
March 25th, 2012 at 1:07 am
great info, thanks mate
March 25th, 2012 at 1:59 am
Hi, Mr Bourie
I’m wondering why the fewer decks are better for players if I don’t counting cards?
I think the odds are the same even if it’s 1 million decks of card.
Only if I’m counting cards, the fewer the decks are easier for players to count.
btw, I want to thank you for always answer my question, you are such a nice man!
March 25th, 2012 at 2:08 am
card counting is usually fine, the reason why the mit people got in trouble is because they worked as a team, having people scout the tables for the “big player” or high roller would come in get the count from the scouter and bet accordingly…
March 25th, 2012 at 2:48 am
Some may let you count for small stakes, but as soon as you start betting black chips ($100) I am quite sure they would object to you counting, especially if you are winning.
March 25th, 2012 at 3:25 am
@americancasinoguide thank you, sounds like a dream. I would be proud if I got banned from casino 🙂
March 25th, 2012 at 3:45 am
There are lots of games that are beatable. However, the pit people are always watching for card counters and it’s hard to freely bet what you need to succeed as a card counter. Therefore, you need to find ways to disguise your card counting skills or the casinos will simply bar you from playing.
March 25th, 2012 at 4:33 am
You can beat the casinos at blackjack, but you must have a game with good rules and good penetration.
March 25th, 2012 at 5:30 am
are there any casinos in America beatable nowadays?
March 25th, 2012 at 6:29 am
Is there still any casino in the world that is beatable？
I mean 3 to 2， 2 decks，etc..
March 25th, 2012 at 6:36 am
Always hit soft 17.
March 25th, 2012 at 6:52 am
This video really helped! I have an argument with my friend.
If I have Ace and 6, dealer has a Queen, should I hit or stand??
March 25th, 2012 at 7:35 am
Maybe your friend is lucky? You can win for awhile with luck, but eventually you will start losing. The only way to be a long-term winner is to count cards.
March 25th, 2012 at 8:03 am
@GosekkkkK hey i was reading what you said. i think your wrong. well my personal opinion. because my buddy would go to the casino every Friday, and win at least $1000. i cant figure out how or why, but it must be skill and he must know when to bet a higher wager at the correct time. i cant figure it out. i wish i could take home that amount every Friday, but im only doing about $150. now that’s luck cus i have no clue how or when to bet big. i wish i new the future.lol
March 25th, 2012 at 8:17 am
@GosekkkkK — Probability theory explains how to increase the likelihood of a win in blackjack. Casinos offer blackjack and like games because they have a large amount of money to offset any short term losses (in addition to the house edge). That is why as a player, you should never buy in to a table with less than 1/8 the minimum bet. In other words, this increases your likelihood to win based on an average amount of time. Cards is a game of probability, not certainty.
March 25th, 2012 at 9:16 am
Great advice !
March 25th, 2012 at 9:40 am
@GosekkkkK I have an aunt and uncle that haven’t had a job for 10 years and they make a perfectly fine living off the casinos. Just because you aren’t familiar with how to play the casino doesn’t mean its not possible. Now I won’t say they only played one game or that all they did was just gamble but its like he said in the video comps, tournaments, and all that stuff from the casino add up. My mom hit 10 royal flushes in video poker on one hand a few times last year.
March 25th, 2012 at 10:21 am
@GosekkkkK dont dismiss something cause u are not smart enough.