I have been playing at home with Avery Cardoza. I like the expert advice feature and that I can review stats on how I am doing. Usually I am running abour 50/50 on the win/loss and playing about 96% with accuracy. Sometimes I deliberately go against the perfect stratagy. Usually with Doubling instead of just hitting. because I am ahead and willing to take more risk.

I did learn very early not to split 10s. I was playing at The Orleans and thought I was going to get Shot by the little old lady at the other end of the table. I tried to Split Jacks against the dealer with 6. She screamed at me like I had never been scolded before.

I agree also with the fact that often others are not playing proper strategy. I have a friend who has already declared that he won't play at the same table with me. Everything I have ever read for example says to hit on anything less then 17 when the dealer has an 8 9 or 10. (Maybe ace too but don't remember). This friend will never hit. He rarely doubles even if he has soft 17 against a 5 or 6. I seem to recall that Cardoza always prompts me to double in these places even if I have soft 18 against 4 5 or 6. (Will have to check this out to be sure). Anyways, this friend is extremely cautious and conservative but as I see it, it is his money and he has to be happy with his decisions. As I see it I am playing my hand and have no control over the others. Especially with CSM there is also no guarantee that any cards played or not will effect the dealers outcome. I play my hand to be in the best position to survive whatever happens to the dealer. Any other hands at the table don't matter.

Thanks for all of the tips I have been receiving, except the playing at $10 tables. I don't think I can sell my friends on that one.