Beginner's Guide To Blackjack - review

[MaxStern]

We created our own "Beginner's Guide To Blackjack (http://bit.ly/qSRqcm)"

Please review and let us know what you think

[QFIT]

I think spammers should go to prison.

[MaxStern]

Hi QFIT

Our intention is not to spam the forum but rather to get some genuine feedback on the "Beginner's Guide To Blackjack"

Hopefully our guide can be useful to someone

[QFIT]

Spoken like a spammer. You are a casino linking to an absurd article that lists as it's number one recommended book a book by John Patrick, well-known as the worst source of gambling info in existance. A man that outright claims math doesn't work.

[Walter Thomason]

Max,
I read your material several times, and feel that it provides interesting and useful information for a beginning player. You carefully explained the basics of the game, and summerized what many authors have written in complete books on the subject. Well done!
While I agree with Qfit's opinion of Mr. Patrick, I feel that his criticism of you being a spammer is unfounded. You asked for feedback regarding a specific publication, and didn't make any direct reference to selling anything to any one. Qfit advertises his book on this site, which he sells for personal gain, as do I. Perhaps we are the spammers -- not you!
Walter

[QFIT]

My book is FREE

[Walter Thomason]

My book is FREE

Norm,
Your post on this site refers to Modern Blackjack II, which you sell for $22.00. Is this incorrect?

[QFIT]

Norm,
Your post on this site refers to Modern Blackjack II, which you sell for $22.00. Is this incorrect?

IT'S FREE. Because people requested a print version, many months later I provided that option. But, BOTH volumes of the book are still on the 'Net for FREE. I really wish you would stop posting misinformation. See http://www.qfit.com/book/index.htm

I have also continued to add to the book at http://www.qfit.com/blackjackblog/, which is also FREE.

And, I thought you said you don't respond to me.

[Walter Thomason]

IT'S FREE. Because people requested a print version, many months later I provided that option. But, BOTH volumes of the book are still on the 'Net for FREE. I really wish you would stop posting misinformation. See http://www.qfit.com/book/index.htm

I have also continued to add to the book at http://www.qfit.com/blackjackblog/, which is also FREE. And, I thought you said you don't respond to me.

I stand corrected. It is possible to access the content of your book on the web -- for free, as you stated. Very admirable.
Regarding not responding to you: I no longer respond to your criticisms of my progressive betting research, but I reserve the right to respond when I feel that your criticism of posts by others is unjustified. Have a nice day!

[QFIT]

The guy is pushing an online casino with one of thousands of useless articles on BJ suggesting that people buy one of the worst books ever written on the subject that will harm the players that gamble at his casino. I will continue to call SPAM SPAM. Defend online casino SPAM all you wish, but I will continue to call it what it is.

As far as your comments about me and others, you have been spreading misinformation for a decade. It never seems to embarrass you that you are always proved wrong.

And, I'm being polite.

[MarkAbe]

We created our own "Beginner's Guide To Blackjack (http://bit.ly/qSRqcm)"

Please review and let us know what you think

OK Max, I'll stay on-topic here. I checked the "Beginner's Guide."
The strategy page has correct advice for hard hands. However, even a beginner's guide needs to add a word about soft hands, since beginners draw those too and following hard hand advice will be wrong. You should also include a word about splits, even if it's only to always split aces and eights.

Also, the statement that casinos shuffle randomly is just plain wrong. Casino dealers always place a marker in the deck where they intend to shuffle, and shuffling early is a give-away that they are trying to be obnoxious to drive away a suspected counter.

Mark Abe

[MaxStern]

@ MarkAbe: We'd like to thank you for taking the time to provide constructive feedback on our guide: it was always our intention to get community-level conversations going. We compiled the guide principally because we saw a paucity of blackjack resources genuinely aimed at the novice. We think your advice concerning splits and soft hands is good, and we'll likely amend the guide in the future to include a word or two about about these things.

@WalterThomason:Thanks for your good words. They are much appreciated.

We welcome any other discussion on this guide or on the game in general!

Any other suggestions on this guide or points about the game in general that you'd like to share?
Hopefully, we could include this info in our next iteration of the guide. :-)

[QFIT]

There are a vast number of sites with correct BS tables and advice. Yours is not one. Wikipedia is far more useful, does not advise people to read one of the worst books ever written on the subject and is not owned by a casino.

[MarkAbe]

There are a vast number of sites with correct BS tables and advice. Yours is not one. Wikipedia is far more useful, does not advise people to read one of the worst books ever written on the subject and is not owned by a casino.

I have to agree with Norm on this one, although I don't think "not owned by a casino" is necessarily a negative as long as it's clearly stated. A quick Google search for "Blackjack beginners" came up with about 3,000,000 hits, and several on the first few pages gave correct strategy. When I started to play table games several years ago I started with Wikipedia and then found "WizardofOdds" (& "WizardofVegas") be the most useful sites for taking me from beginners through expert advice. The other easy place to find the correct strategy guide is at the top of this page, under "Rules & Strategy".

[MarkAbe]

Over two weeks, no reply, and no fix of an obviously flawed strategy site.
OK Norm, you were right - Max IS a spammer!

[MaxStern]

Hello MarkAbe. I have been somewhat detained and apologize for the delay in my replies. However, I have popped on here for a little while and will be back next week to continue our discussion... Please bear in mind that the entire reason that I have asked for opinion is to find out where the guide is lacking, and where it can be improved. Opinions are always welcome. In the form of CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM. I will be revising the strategy soon and hopefully it will be closer to the perfection that I wish to share with others.

Once again, thank you for all the pointers :) it is appreciated :) Have an awesome weekend all!

[arigatou]

I think you're a spammer, his criticism is unfounded. The feedback you ask about a specific publication, and did not make any direct reference to any person to sell.