NL hold em, limt hold em or Blackjack- fastest game to learn and beat

[Iceman]

I want to explore 1 of the 3 while in Vegas. Hoping to put about 20-30 hours a week into this. I know how to play all of them a little but not any of them very well or well enough to win money at. Since I have the time this is one thing I want to really look into and commit myself to for a stretch.

Just wondering what people on here think from their past expierences. I have spoke to handful of guys about all of these and it seems everyone has different opinions.

Bottom line to me is to find the game that is easiest to beat and then go from there. I have my own opinion but want to hear what others think first. Thanks!!

 

[Illini]

It's definitely not NL Hold'em.

 

[billhill999]

Fastest is 21.
Takes years to master NL Hold 'em

 

[Harvey Dent]

I'd say 21

 

[TheBrainiac]

 

[MikeB]

Best chances of winning at Blackjack is to follow the rules, and use smart money management.

Cards seem to go in streaks, so if you are losing, wager with less to ride out the storm, then build when its your turn.

That's what has worked for me in the past after someone helped me out.

 

[Iceman]

Fastest is 21.
Takes years to master NL Hold 'em

Not trying to master it. Just beat it.

I agree with BJ.

A few around town have said that NL hold em at the low limits and the right time of the day (weekend nites) is very easy to win at. I am just looking to direct my time and energy to making some extra money, not getting on the tour

 

[festeringZit]

As someone who counted cards at BJ for years, my advice is
to not to go the BJ route. The games have gotten a lot worse
in recent years. Places have changed BJ to pay 6-5 instead of
3-2 which makes it virtually unbeatable. They've also brought
in continuous shuffle machines which also makes it unbeatable
(apart from "cheating" techniques like card swapping and
hole card snooping).

Pits are onto counters, and in order to beat the game you have
to vary your bets into such a spread that it's easy for the pits
to pick you off.

I still play and count recreationally, but I wouldn't invest 20-30
hours a week into it, you'd be better off getting a part-time job
at 7-11. IMHO.

I'd go the NL Hold Em route...

 

[ProPokerPlayer]

"A few around town have said that NL hold em at the low limits and the right time of the day (weekend nites) is very easy to win at."

I wouldnt buy a used car from any of these guys...

 

[festeringZit]

If you are serious about trying the BJ route, buy a copy
of Stanford Wong's current blackjack news "CBJN" for
$12 at bj21.com it will show you where all the good games are
and what the house edges are for each game.

Buy a copy of Wong's Professional Blackjack, this will show
you how to compute your expected hourly rate for the game
limits you are playing.

I think you'll find that to make more than $10 an hour, you're going
to have to move around a lot so as to not get caught by
pit bosses - and it's just not going to be worth it the effort.

 

[8ate]

mowing lawns is more fun than casing the deck today..

jmho
gl

 

[oldmanTED]

Fastest to learn is 21 but don't kid yourself neither that nor poker are easy to beat.

 

[Fishhead]

Fastest to learn is 21 but don't kid yourself neither that nor poker are easy to beat.

Precisely why I recommend he plays coupons and learns video poker.

To answer your question though, I would say LIMIT poker.

ICEMAN--Go buy yourself the AMERICAN CASINO GUIDE and thank me later. In fact, put up a copy at the GBC this week when you are there. Even without the coupons, the book will be a good education for you.

GL
Professor -FH-

 

[RupertPupkin]

whats ur bankroll for poker ? and I'll answer your question .....

 

[Degenerate]

I think that strategy card is for 2 or more decks. In a single deck game a 12 should not be hit unless it is 7 and up. About 90% sure that is true.
I found a older Wong document from seaching the net last weekend. It was about 1.5 years old. Best game was at 4 Queens. 0.18% hold. SD.
Binions is all 3-2 now. A dealer told me on my second night that 4Queens bought them. So things have improved in regards to BJ.
Thought about getting my feet wet playing poker live but feel I am not ready yet. Maybe next time. Good luck!

 

[festeringZit]

I think that strategy card is for 2 or more decks. In a single deck game a 12 should not be hit unless it is 7 and up. About 90% sure that is true.
I found a older Wong document from seaching the net last weekend. It was about 1.5 years old. Best game was at 4 Queens. 0.18% hold. SD.
Binions is all 3-2 now. A dealer told me on my second night that 4Queens bought them. So things have improved in regards to BJ.
Thought about getting my feet wet playing poker live but feel I am not ready yet. Maybe next time. Good luck!

Without counting cards and bet spreading, the only thing that card
(basic strategy) will do is slow down the rate of losses. BJ is
still a negative expectation game when using basic strategy.

 

[JohnnyB]

Limit by far. Pick up Small Stakes Hold'em by David Sklansky and you'll crush the local low limit games in a week. Game takes a lot of discipline but that should be no problem for you.

 

[Dante]

It's definitely not NL Hold'em.

exactly... you will be marked a fish as soon as you play your first hand
I would try BJ

 

[gijoe]

Common sense tell me BlackJack. You are just playing against the dealer. Only one person can beat you. In texas-hold-em you are playing against 8 or 9 players.

 

[royboy_3831]

black jack or limit