Cool Toy: Portable Blackjack Machine

We all like cool toys every now and then. To be honest, some people like them more than others. I suppose I can admit that I am one of them. From mobile phones to small laptops to whatever other cool gadgets I can find, I somehow end up buying them when I can. And for someone who likes to play blackjack, a gadget that allows me to play blackjack anytime I want to is definitely a treat!

That is why I was quite excited when I read about this portable blackjack machine:

This video blackjack games color touchscreen LCD allows fast, casino-style game-play, and the entire unit is smaller than a laptop computer, ensuring ease of use when traveling. You can employ authentic blackjack strategies to take down the house; splitting aces, taking insurance to guard against a natural 21, and doubling down when youre holding an ace or a ten require only the touch of the screen. You can late surrender to cut your losses, and games can be played with one, two, or six decks to limit the effectiveness of card counting. The screen folds down and the device stores unobtrusively in a backpack or carry-on bag. Operates using three AAA batteries (not included) or the included AC adapter.

Of course, you won’t be able to make a quick killing on this and one thing’s for sure - you’ll end up $119.95 poorer after buying this, but at least you managed to stave off the Blackjack monster but for a moment.

I don’t know about the price though – a little over a hundred bucks? Is it worth it? What do you think?

Blackjack Player’s Job Description (Part 2)

In the previous post, we took a look at the Job Duties of a professional blackjack player, as outlined by Bootlegger. His article was quite long, actually, and provided more information than we presented last time. Here is another excerpt that I found most interesting – other requirements of the position:

1. A suitable playing bankroll, large enough to allow the player to earn at an acceptable rate while running a risk of ruin of 1% or less. This bankroll should be separate from living expenses.
2. The ability to suffer long losing streaks without losing patience or the proper perspective or succumbing to the temptation to overbet one’s bankroll during such periods.
3. Flexibility in changing styles of play when conditions warrant.
4. Acting abilities are desirable.
5. A willingness to spend large amounts of “downtime” when assessing games and playing conditions.
6. The ability to spend long hours in a sitting position, while tolerating rude players, dealers, floor personnel, drunks and cigarette smoke.
7. Should be willing to travel long distances to find good games.
8. The ability to mentally perform simple mathematical calculations while carrying on a conversation.
9. Experience with the use of computers.
10. Knowledge of the use of false identification is preferred.

The first 9 are really part of commonsense, I would think. You need these things in order to succeed at blackjack. Though they may NOT be necessary to play the game, you certainly would gain that edge with them. Now how about number 10? Hmm, yeah, it could come in handy, don’t you think?

Blackjack Player’s Job Description

I think it’s time for something on the lighter side.  I was browsing through the blogs of some popular blackjack players and saw an article about the job description of a blackjack player.  Now one wouldn’t normally write up a job description for blackjack players but now that I think about it, why not?  After all, there are those who play blackjack for a living and if “normal” employees have a job description, why can’t they?  So here goes – thanks to Bootlegger.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
PROFESSIONAL BLACKJACK PLAYER
Job Summary: This a position which is self supervised. It involves the successful play of the casino game of “21,” also known as “blackjack.” It may involve travel to various casino locales in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Job Duties:
1. Playing blackjack in a casino, utilizing card counting and/or other advantage-play individual games in different casinos.
3. Developing an “act” designed to fool casino personnel into believing the player is not playing with an advantage.
4. Assessing and analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of various blackjack games offered by casinos.
5. Computing appropriate betting patterns based upon specific games and the size of bankroll.
6. Keeping current on playing conditions through the use of personal observation, various periodicals and Internet sites.
7. Observing and assessing casino personnel, particularly dealers and floor persons.
8. Keeping records of play, observation of conditions, casino personnel and individual dealers.

That does not seem so easy, does it?  There is more – let us look at that in the next post.

Seminoles Go One Step Further

In an earlier post, I wrote about how the Seminole tribe continues to offer blackjack at the Seminole Hard Rock casino in Florida. Despite the ruling against them by the state Supreme Court, they abide by their agreement with Governor Charlie Crist. It seems that the tribe has a strong heart and believes in their every right to continue offer the game in their establishment.

Indeed, they are even going one step further by expanding their offering of blackjack! Casino Gambling Web once again reports:

The Seminoles compact allowed them the rights to offer blackjack at their casinos in the state, but the ruling by the Supreme Court voided that compact. The Seminoles appear unfazed by the ruling.

Not only have they not shut down their blackjack tables, they are actually expanding them. The Seminoles are planning on putting tables outside by their poker room so that people waiting for poker can play blackjack.

They also will be targeting people passing by on their way to and from the various clubs at the Hard Rock. The original demand for the game has been great, leading to the decision to expand.

Looking at it from a purely business perspective, what the Seminoles are doing makes perfect sense. After all, blackjack is continuing to attract people. It is true that poker might still be the favorite of some but if there is not enough room for people to play poker, then why not offer something else that they can use to kill time? Blackjack seems to be the perfect choice and any businessman would grab this chance to make more revenue.

Hone Your Skills with Blackjack Expert 2.7

I have heard people say that blackjack (and many other card games) is nothing more than a game of chance. I will probably really never understand how people can think this way. Perhaps they just do not know much about the card game. But what I do know is that you have to learn the basics and then continue to practice in order for you to be really good at it.

A lot of my friends who play blackjack – and this includes me – spend a considerable amount of time playing on the computer simply because it helps in honing their skills. Of course, there is nothing like playing with your friends live but the proliferation of blackjack software is too tempting to resist.

Take the Blackjack Expert 2.7, for example. This software is unbelievably advanced! I have not had the chance to try it out but based on the descriptions and reviews I have seen online, anyone who is serious about improving his blackjack skills should get it.

Pocketgear gives us a glimpse into the software’s capabilities:

Blackjack Expert is a game simulator and testing tool combined in one easy-to-use program. As you play against the computer, your decisions are tested for correctness: actions, index plays, bet sizes, and insurance. The software comes with advanced casino options not seen in other Blackjack programs: splitting,number of decks, insurance, doubling after splits, dealer hits/stand on soft 17, ace re-splitting, and doubling limits. Whether you’re just looking for a great Blackjack game or looking to learn or practice Card Counting techniques, Blackjack Expert is the fastest way to improve your game. Card Counting can give you a statistical edge over the casino so that you can actually make money playing Blackjack.

Interested yet? Maybe you should consider getting a copy.

« go back — keep looking »

Recent Articles

• Clear Deal: Bye-bye Card Counters
• Who Wants A MacBook?
• Hot Action Blackjack At Pacheco’s California Grand Casino
• The MIT Blackjack Team (Continued)
• The MIT Blackjack Team
• Cool Toy: Portable Blackjack Machine
• Blackjack Player’s Job Description (Part 2)
• Blackjack Player’s Job Description
• Seminoles Go One Step Further
• Hone Your Skills with Blackjack Expert 2.7

Gaming Moments Network News