The Tools You Need to Get Started (Strategy Guide Pt.2)
Posted by: alugoool : Category: Strategies for BlackjackA blackjack dealer and a player with a thirteen count in his hand were arguing about whether or not it was appropriate to tip the dealer. The player said, “When I get bad cards, it’s not the dealer’s fault. Accordingly, when I get good cards, the dealer obviously had nothing to do with it so, why should I tip him?”
The dealer said, “When you eat out do you tip the waiter?” … “Yes.” “Well then, he serves you food; I’m serving you cards, so you should tip me.” “Okay, but, the waiter gives me what I ask for. I’ll take an eight!”
We shall take a look at the different playing skills that are needed later on but for the moment I want to concentrate upon setting up with the physical equipment to get started. To this end the following is a list of the practical tools that you will need. In most cases you should find that you already own, or have access to, most of the items so that little or no extra expense will be needed.
1) A Computer
First of all – and most obviously, you will need a computer. It does not have to be the latest state of the art PC – a normal Pentium PC will do with any average (color) monitor. The machine does not have to be fast as the casino server does most of the number-crunching work.
You will need a fairly decent sized hard disk in the machine though – one that has a useful amount of free space (30Gb+). This will be needed in order to install an average of about 20 different casinos software, which you will come to play on a regular basis in time. Even a small number of casinos take up a great amount of space – especially if you download versions of the casino’s software that has more than just the standard Blackjack options.
2) Internet Connection
It also stands to reason that you will also need an Internet connection. This is so that you are in continual connection with the casino’s server throughout a game. Your method of dial-up does not have to be a super fast Broadband/ADSL connection, as any normal 56K modem will suffice.
I do recommend that you sign up to an ISP that allows you prolonged periods of connection time for a small monthly payment. If you play the casinos regularly you are likely to spend extended periods on the Internet – you do not want your profits eaten up with large connection charges!
3) Credit Card or Debit Card
A Credit Card is also pretty indispensable – in fact in the early days it was the only way that you could be assured of getting a game. However today you can get by without one but as casinos utilize the services of credit card merchants (Visa/MasterCard etc.) to verify your age and later on your identity and personal details for payouts it will make your life much easier with one.
Don’t worry if you do not have a credit card – or are worried about using one on the Internet. In addition to accepting credit cards all casino sites accept direct payments via Debit Cards (UK and US), Bank Transfers and many other methods. Others even allow cash deposits via EvoCash or Western Union. There is a huge range of payment options on offer so there is no reason why you should be left out.
Most credit card companies are increasingly developing an anti-casino policy lately. Some will even refuse payments made through their credit system to any sort of betting sites. The reasons for this are obscure – though any credit card company if questioned about their policy will probably mumble something about security. I suspect that the real reason for their lack of support is due to the administration of charge backs as casinos return winnings to their players.
To get around all of these this problems all casinos use third-party payment gateways for both depositing and withdrawing cash from their casinos. There is no extra charge to you using their services – but there are a whole raft of advantages – which we will explore later on.
4) Decent Email Address
What on earth is a decent email address I hear you say! Well, all Internet casinos are very security conscious. Often their over-enthusiasm to protect themselves from fraud can be a little inconvenient at times. This is one of them for some casinos will object to members who sign up with them using email addresses such as Hotmail, MSN, Yahoo etc. due to their temporary and rather transitory nature. A primary problem presented to the casinos by such accounts is their extremely strict anti-spamming (unsolicited email) filters, which would easily remove any emails containing wording typically used by casino promotional material (e.g. free, casino etc.)
Therefore to avoid any problems later on it is worth starting off with a good address such as mail@properdomainname.com. If you intend upon becoming a serious or professional casino gambler then I recommend that you start out by purchasing your own domain name e.g. something like
www.yoursurname.com. These can be obtained in a variety of suffix types. Name and are very cheap just now. In addition the supplier of your domain name will offer you a control panel, which will enable you to set up multiple mailboxes without having to pay to have your domain hosted. I always use this method and have my emails diverted to my current ISP’s mail account. This way if I change ISPs I can still hold onto the mail original mail account.
5) Software
The casino will supply you with all the playing software that you need. This is easily downloaded from their website either as a total package (which tends to be a huge file) or in single game options. Thankfully Blackjack is generally included in the smaller versions which in most cases is around 5-6Mb and takes approximately 20-30 minutes to download depending upon your connection speed. Once it is installed on your computer you do not have to worry about having the latest release or version to play with as the software as this is updated automatically by the casino when you first log on.
The only other extra piece of software that I do recommend is a good program to keep track of the results of your games. I personally use Microsoft’s Excel and throughout this manual I will offer you the opportunity to download various Excel templates free of charge from my website to help you.
Why are spreadsheets necessary? Well, I want you to treat your casino playing exactly as you would if you were running any sort of business. You need to keep records in order to evaluate your progress and success over the coming weeks and months. In addition there are certain playing strategies that we will reveal later on that make keeping a record of your wins imperative. Failing to do this will cost you dearly in financial terms – and nobody wants their hard earned winnings returned to the house because they failed to keep adequate track of their play.
6) Personal Characteristics
Those are most of the practical requirements taken care of but there are a few essential personal criteria to be fulfilled.
Tip: Do not start playing the casinos if you are broke, of a nervous disposition or just plainly bored!
These are all recipies for automatic disaster. accepting credit cards all casino sites accept direct payments via Debit Cards (UK and US), Bank Transfers
and many other methods. Others even allow cash deposits via EvoCash or Western Union. There is a huge range of payment options on offer so there is no reason why you should be left out.
Most credit card companies are increasingly developing an anti-casino policy lately. Some will even refuse payments made through their credit system to any sort of betting sites. The reasons for this are obscure – though any credit card company if questioned about their policy will probably mumble something about security. I suspect that the real reason for their lack of support is due to the administration of charge backs as casinos return winnings to their players.
To get around all of these this problems all casinos use third-party payment gateways for both depositing and withdrawing cash from their casinos. There is no extra charge to you using their services – but there are a whole raft of advantages – which we will explore later on.
The Process of Playing
And there we are – that’s about all your basic needs catered for. To get an immediate idea of how the tools are used the following is a typical sequence of play from installation to winnings collection.
Stage 1) Select a suitable casino
Either choose one recommended by myself one or select one from a search engine or online directory.
Stage 2) Sign up at the Casino Web Site
Once you have visited the casino’s web site look for the `Download’ – it will be somewhere on the front page. Supply the casino with your email address (so they can email you later on with their promotions etc) and then follow the online instructions on how to download the casino software onto your PC.
Stage 3) Install software on your machine
Sometime the software that you have downloaded automatically installs itself for you. On other occasions you will be prompted to supply your choice of installation location and other user-friendly options.
Stage 4) Register your account
The next stage is to open your Internet connection and start up the Blackjack software on your PC. Once it loads you will be offered the option of signing up in either Guest Mode (where you play with casino credits) or in Real Mode (playing with your own Dollars/Pounds/Euros). I recommend that you select Guest Mode first of all in order to get an idea of their Blackjack game at no cost.
Stage 5) Sign up in Real Mode
Then when you feel confident with the casino sign up for a real account, deposit some money and play the game.
Stage 6) Withdraw winnings
When ever you feel that you have won enough money then cash in. Whilst crediting your account with money is immediate you will have to wait a few days before you receive your winnings.
And that is basically how it all works. Between stages there will be lots of fun, a little sweat and probably even a few cups of nerve-calming coffee but I leave the appropriate amounts up to your own personal preference!
