Need some help getting into tournaments

[Covered_in_Bees!]

Hello everyone.

I'm the newest member of BJT.com and I'm very new to the whole scene.

I have loved Blackjack since my mom first taught me how to play in elementary school and I've known about counting since about middle school.

So, I'm in my early 20s and having a "real" job is on the horizon for me, as is getting out of mother's nest and living on my own. With this in mind, I would like to take up competing in BJ tournaments at the local casino. The problem is that "local" refers to the nearest casino, being two hours away.

How big of a problem does this pose to my overall strategy? Does it become not worth going to tournaments if the commute is so long? Especially with gas prices the way they are now.

Any other advice and or anything else constructive would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Monkeysystem]

If blackjack tournaments are going to become part of your overall strategy as an AP you'll absolutely need to practice. I used to travel nearly two hours twice a month to play in a weekly tournament and the practice was beneficial. In these weeklies I learned a lot about playing against casual players, which is an important dimension of your game.

But these weeklies will cost you money if you're driving two hours one way at four bucks a gallon. Don't forget to add wear and tear on your vehicle and eating road food or casino food to your expenses. You won't be able to overcome this overhead cost no matter how good you get unless your weeklies offer a good overlay. You'll have to think of these weeklies as an investment.

[Covered_in_Bees!]

Thanks for your reply, but unfortunately I have a kink to throw into your post.

As far as I can tell, the casino nearest me doesn't even have weekly BJ tournaments. They're only once every few months.

There have been two so far in the year, with another one coming up in a week and a half and one more at the end of August. That is where the schedule ends, so there could be more after that, but they're not posted yet.

So with so few chances to play in tournaments, whatever should I do? How can I get decent tournament practice in with so infrequent tournaments? Do I just attend all the tournaments they do hold and keep my eyes and ears very open to try and learn as quickly as possible?

[LeftNut]

Monkey is right, as usual. You've got to add in ALL of your expenses to decide if it's going to be worth it, strictly on a dollars-and-cents level. This is true of any sporting competition for money. Then you've got to balance it against how good you are. Be honest with yourself about this, it's crucial. If your raw $ numbers show you at a 20% disadvantage, but you're honestly better than 75% of the competition, then you're going to be ahead of the game in the long haul.

Be aware that knowing casino blackjack well is a plus, but tournament blackjack is an entirely different animal. You will have to make plays that go totally against everything you've learned about the game, and some of those plays will seem absolutely bizarre. Learn TBJ strategy before you start chasing that rainbow or you'll likely get your backside handed to you on a platter. And you've found the site that is the best place to start.

One more thing - don't fall into the trap of thinking that knowing how to "count" will help you very much. It won't. Anthony Curtis, one of the greatest TBJ players ever (and founder of the Las Vegas Advisor), says he just loves to play against folks who depend on the "count" as they would in a regular casino game because he can frequently use advanced TBJ strategy to kick their butts.

[RKuczek]

some starting advice - read Wong's book on Casino Tournament Strategies - also - Ken's ebook - both give some basic advice any tourney player should know -

also - practice counting chips - just pick up some cheap poker chips and practice with random stacks - from about 5 feet away - in dim lighting -

as far as playing/traveling for tourneys - if the entry is cheap enough - travel a little and think of it as 'fun' and practice - you don't say where you live - there may be some other casinos a little further away - that offer tourneys? - I have driven up to 3 hrs to get to a tourney - does in your ev some - for sure - especially at current gas prices - but - if it is the only tourney you've got -

if you do any traveling at all - say for your job at whatever - then - look for casinos and tourneys where you are traveling - that is what the events calendar on this site works well for -

also - tell your nearest casino that you want more tourneys - they might listen

finally - there are sites where you can play online - legally - some are play money - and you can see lots of very bad play on those sites - but - it is practice - also - ClubUBT is legal - also - other real money sites - if you can find a way to deposit - online may be your best bet

[Covered_in_Bees!]

So much to reply to, so I'll get started right away!

Originally Posted by LeftNut

Monkey is right, as usual. You've got to add in ALL of your expenses to decide if it's going to be worth it, strictly on a dollars-and-cents level. This is true of any sporting competition for money. Then you've got to balance it against how good you are. Be honest with yourself about this, it's crucial. If your raw $ numbers show you at a 20% disadvantage, but you're honestly better than 75% of the competition, then you're going to be ahead of the game in the long haul.

Yes of course. I hope I didn't come across as that naive. :P

One more thing - don't fall into the trap of thinking that knowing how to "count" will help you very much. It won't. Anthony Curtis, one of the greatest TBJ players ever (and founder of the Las Vegas Advisor), says he just loves to play against folks who depend on the "count" as they would in a regular casino game because he can frequently use advanced TBJ strategy to kick their butts.

This I also know. Thanks for telling me still though. Always appreciated.

Originally Posted by RKuczek

some starting advice - read Wong's book on Casino Tournament Strategies - also - Ken's ebook - both give some basic advice any tourney player should know -

Two questions: 1) Where can I find Ken's ebook and 2) Any other books I should read up on? Electronic or paper.

as far as playing/traveling for tourneys - if the entry is cheap enough - travel a little and think of it as 'fun' and practice - you don't say where you live - there may be some other casinos a little further away - that offer tourneys? - I have driven up to 3 hrs to get to a tourney - does in your ev some - for sure - especially at current gas prices - but - if it is the only tourney you've got -

If I up the time traveled to three hours, I think two more casinos become available. If I go up to four hours, another one or two I believe also become available. Four hours really seems to be a huge stretch though. Three not so much. Gotta draw the line somewhere right?

also - tell your nearest casino that you want more tourneys - they might listen

Can do!

finally - there are sites where you can play online - legally - some are play money - and you can see lots of very bad play on those sites - but - it is practice - also - ClubUBT is legal - also - other real money sites - if you can find a way to deposit - online may be your best bet

Okay, cool. I'll have to check 'em out.

Since we're on the subject of online play, like with poker, might it be more profitable to just stay home and play a bunch of tournaments from my desk? As opposed to traveling for several hours to play in a single tournament in a brick/mortar casino. Or does online blackjack not work that way?

Again, I thank everyone for their informative responses and I encourage you to keep replying with any little piece of advice you may have. I'm in that stage of just soaking everything up, so throw it at me!

EDIT: Is the site being discussed here the same as "club ubt" as mentioned by RKuczek?

[KenSmith]

Originally Posted by Covered_in_Bees!

1) Where can I find Ken's ebook

You can get my ebook here:
http://store.esellerate.net/deepnet/kensmithebook

I assume you've seen the strategy section here:
http://www.blackjacktournaments.com/strategy.php

[The Landlord]

1. Read Ken's book for sure. Though I have played alot of tournaments, when I read Ken's book, it brought to life many things that I had not even had happen to me yet, but following reading his book, they came up and I knew exactly what to do according to the odds, etc.

2. Travel vs. Payout! If you are actually wanting to play tournaments and learn how to play them well, in my opinion, don't worry about whether it is worth the trip or not! Make the trip to the tournament and treat it as a vacation. No matter if you win or lose, you were able to gain some blackjack tournament experience, as well as, some life experience. As many of the people on this site can attest, I am all about having some fun and good life experiences.

Is there anyone on here that can attest to me and life experiences??????

NEVER drink during a tournament!!!!!! It is only a set-up for disaster

After becoming totally addicted to blackjack tournaments, and knowing what the hell you are doing, then you can pick and choose which tournaments suit you the best!

Me personally, I am awaiting to go to New Orleans again. Good Times

3. Where are you located?

[Covered_in_Bees!]

Originally Posted by The Landlord

1. Read Ken's book for sure. Though I have played alot of tournaments, when I read Ken's book, it brought to life many things that I had not even had happen to me yet, but following reading his book, they came up and I knew exactly what to do according to the odds, etc.

Excellent. Being prepared is always good.

2. Travel vs. Payout! If you are actually wanting to play tournaments and learn how to play them well, in my opinion, don't worry about whether it is worth the trip or not! Make the trip to the tournament and treat it as a vacation. No matter if you win or lose, you were able to gain some blackjack tournament experience, as well as, some life experience. As many of the people on this site can attest, I am all about having some fun and good life experiences

After reading some people's arguments for not attending tournaments based on EV, I was leaning towards attending tournaments for the quoted reason.

Basing your attendance off EV alone seems like a good way to never play Blackjack to me. Especially with some of the nuances people throw into their definition of EV.

Sometimes it even sounds like they're using it as an excuse not to go.

If you're gonna have fun, what more reason do you need really? If money is tight, don't go. It's more likely that you'll not make money, so just gamble what you can afford. If you can afford it, have the time to make the trip, and enjoy BJ tournaments, why not go?

I'm starting to ramble so I'll end there.

NEVER drink during a tournament!!!!!! It is only a set-up for disaster

I don't drink at all.

After becoming totally addicted to blackjack tournaments, and knowing what the hell you are doing, then you can pick and choose which tournaments suit you the best!

I just hope the ones that suit me best aren't a million, give or take, miles away.

3. Where are you located?

I tend to be private, but upon further thought, I should have said this in my OP, so people could chime in with their experiences in my area.

I live in New Mexico. Las Cruces to be exact.

Anyone have any location-specific tips?

[RKuczek]

I know that Inn of the Mountain Gods near Ruidoso has some tournaments - don't know anything about them

I have found that three hours drive - each way - is a long drive for a tourney - have done it - just to get a chance to play - but - if it is a long tourney - them you are in for a long day - and the long drive - early starting time - etc - might adversely affect your play - two hours - not so bad - wouldn't try four hours unless an overnight trip - and that ups the cost a lot -
I think there is a lot of difference between live tourneys and online - chip counting for one thing - but - a very different feel to the game - and - online you don't get the interaction with other players - I would play live tourneys in bricks and mortar casinos - just for the experience - may be negative ev - with travel costs - but - can not be duplicated online really - try to pick tourneys with some positive ev - and - hope that keeps the cost down -

also - keep in mind that even the best players don't cash in the majority of their tourneys - so - don't get discouraged if you don't cash at first - play well and the cashs will come -