Hello all... So I guess I'm a newbie around here though I've signed up a while back....I had been using the site just to get quick answers (and, might I add you've all been very helpful) and to see if I can sign up for a live tournament though the only one I had participated in was a local tournament at the Hollywood Park Casino in LA last November '05! ... I came within 7 places of winning money (lost in the 4th round out of 5 and placed #15). Anyways, with the UBT and the WSOBJ on tv, and fairly getting more familar with TBJ, I was wonder what's the best way to get started as a BJ player? Currently, I have been playing on the UBT site only but have started become frustrated in the way it's run with the eradic play, i.e. people going in all in to get a TEC and during the daily tournaments. The farthest I've gone was placing 12 a couple of times during the 4th rd. I've been tempted to play on Bet21.com but still have that newbie fear of plotting down real money online. I've also been highly considering entering the Barona event this weekend though the entry fee is high for me, it is a live game. However, being that I haven't won a freeroll on the UBT site, would going down to Barona be a good move or should I stick to playing on the site a bit more until I at least win a freerole? What would you guys advise would be the best approach to starting out?
she loves you Too many sharks at Barona for a minow. Look for some mini's or $100-$350 buy-ins at standard Vegas Casinos. Playing on line is one thing. Playing for real, live with all that's going on could be fun and a learning experience. But for the buy-in at Barona, you could play other tourneys for a year and gain valuable experience. And you just might come away with a win at one of those. Luck/skill or not. It's just too much of an outlay for an inexperience newbie.
Financial consideration I think it depends on your individual financial situation. If you can afford to lose without any regrets then I say go for it. Yes, jump in with both feet. There is such a thing as "beginners luck" when playing BJ tournaments. I've experienced it and know of a fair number of others who won their first first tournament. This will give you a chance to experience the real thing - nothing even close to playing on-line. As far as "sharks", I don't think there are any. The luck factor is just too large. We are talking BJ here, not poker. If you decide to take the plunge, go in with PMA (Positive Mental Attitude). Sure you'll be nervous, but that'll pass.
Tournaments DO NOT BE SHY AND GO TO ANY SMALL TOURNAMENT YOU CAN GET INTO AND BEGIN THE LEARNING PROCESS AND ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ON THIS SITE MY FIRST TOURNY WAS 20K WIN FOR ME- SO BEGGINNERS LUCK IS A GOOD THING I HAVE BEEN HOOKED EVER SINCE AND BEEN TO THE FINAL TABLE A FEW TIMES AND I AM STILL LEARNING TO BETTER MY PLAY THIS IS A GREAT SITE FOR INFO ON YOUR PLAY AND WHERE TO FIND TOURNYS WELCOME ABOARD AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU ON YOUR QUEST FOR THE MONEY IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU LIVE IN CALIFORNIA SO LAS VEGAS IS NOT THAT FAR TO ENTER SMALL TOURNAMENTS-http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/tourneysearch.cfm AND OF COURCE ON THIS SITE TO FIND TOURNYS
Thank you guys so much for the advise...I think I'm going to steer away from Barona from this weekend and enter for their qualifiers in April. NOT because I don't think I'll do good (do have that PMA), but probably being upset losing the entry fee. And yeah, I'm in the LA area, so the trips to vegas will probably be the route I go...I wish there was something local though that doesn't play "LA Blackjack" with action card though.
Your question is one that I asked myself back in August 2006. I had only first learned about blackjack tourney’s (BJT) in March 2006. Sure I had been playing BJ for years – but a tourney? This site was invaluable with information regarding different strategies, calender of events and people just helping me out. My first “live” event was in April 2006 and I was hooked! Since that time I’ve played in several more “live events” along with over XXXX online tables (SNG & MTT COMBINED). Now I’ve dropped back to a more manageable number of online events and I’ve got some planned live events on my calendar. Since you live in California my personal recommendation would be for you to go to Barona and watch. I would NOT risk the entry fee at this time, if I were you. WHY? Online playing spoils a player. So much is done for you that it gives players a false sense of security. I mean lets face it, you haven’t even played for real $ yet, just the freerolls! I know it shouldn’t matter but the first few “live” events you play in those thought will come into play and will likely influence some decision making. Could you place in the money at Barona? Sure you could. Is it highly likely? Not very. I went to Aruba for the inaugural UBT event and I was seated at a table, playing against Kenny Einenger, James Grosjean, Michael Castellana, Phil Helmeuth and Previn Mankodi. Guess who was eliminated on Hand 8? Yup that’s right! I played like the rookie I was. During the few days there I was in several SNG’s and the 540 tourney. Was it a good experience for me? Learning wise YES! Money wise – OUCH! Since you live in California why not “cut your teeth” at some of the lower limit traditional blackjack tourneys? (TBJT). If you’re sold on elimination blackjack (EBJ) go to Vegas on Thursday’s and try their new 120.00 tourney! Or you can just wait until April and go to the Palms and plunk down the 2700.00 entry for a main event! Just know that the larger the event (buy-in) the more seasoned, experienced and clever the competition!
yeahyeahyeah you can find some very low cost traditional tourneys within reach - Augustine Casino in Coachella has one every Saturday - just one round (winner advance) to final round - but they allow surrender - (which you want to practice) - just $20 to enter - also - can you get to Laughlin? Avi (between Needles and Laughlin) has a very nice mini for $10 on Tuesday and Thursday - while the Edgewater has them on Wednesday and Friday for $15 entry fee - both tourneys give you a chance for a couple of rebuys - and the Sahara in Vegas is nice on Wednesday - check the event calendar - and don't sneer at small tourneys - they can be a lot of fun - give you very valuable experience - and you will meet some nice people - and you have a better chance of getting to the final table - and take only a few hours to play I have been playing tourneys for a year - small ones - with entry fees from $10 to $200 - have made some final tables - and actually have a net profit of a few thousand from my play - so am looking for chances to play some larger open tourneys in Vegas or other near by places - Pioneer in Laughlin offers tourneys 3 times each year - buy-in $200 - rebuy $100 - I've played there - they did a nice job - next tourney there is March 3 - Saturday - so can drive in the night before - special room rates for tourney players - and can reserve tourney registration and room over the phone - my advice - play tourneys were you can easily afford to lose the entry fee and a couple of rebuys - and get the experience and have fun - and learn -check the event calendar for such tourneys that are close to you -
fgk42 considering that I live in the middle of nowhere - and work full time - so travel options are pretty limited to weekends - I have managed to play a lot of small tourneys - one a month in Yuma - and was one a month at Golden Acorn (now discontinued) - and I travel to Laughlin area on business once every month or two - so can play minis there - and I seem to manage to pick up a few others, too - have just played my 38th tourney - since starting in Dec 2005 - amazes me how many opportunities there are if one looks hard enough - even for those of us who live in the middle of the Sonoran Desert
