Jim, I no longer play any casino banked games, including Blackjack. But back in the very early eighties, I played in a number of the first few blackjack tournaments at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe. Twice I got to the second to last table, but never got to the last table in which the last three participants played for the big three money places.

I remember the buy in was $500.00 for each round plus the original $250.00 entry fee. I did manage to win around $5,000 each time I was LUCKY enough to get to the next to final table.

I don't know how the tournaments are run today, but back then, they had 6 or 7 players per table (can't remember exactly which) with each person starting off with $500.00. No tournament chips--these were actual current chips. Each round lasted for two hours. The person with the most money at the end of the two hour period, won that round.

One could bet anywhere between $5.00 and $500.00 per hand. No rebuys. The object once again was to have the most money at the end of the two hour session, so you were not only playing against the house, but also the other players.

My strategy was to last out until the final 5 minutes, which is when all hell breaks loose. Ergo, I played $5.00 per hand no matter how good or bad I was running.

Then came the final 5 minutes. This is when the $500.00 bets are made. It is also the time when one might not only split a twenty but in certain circumstances even a natural blackjack. This might occur depending upon how close you are to the player with the next highest count of chips, how much he was playing and the time remaining.

The bottom line is that unless you were a card counter, the whole exersize is based on mostly on patience, a little strategy that might work and one heck of a lot of luck.

Years ago, I learned where where all the money comes from to build those hugh hotel/casinos and belive me it doesn't come from the winners. Eventually the only winners are those that come home with a chip or two to add to ones collection.

Good luck, but be sure you pay the rent first. <g>