My name is Jeff Friend I have 33 years experience in playing the game of blackjack. I think of this game as a sport, and being a good team player. Having good manners and respect for others is so important. I believe people will enjoy reading this book because it teaches, most miss played hands and good common sense plays, and why we do them. At the end of the day hopefully, you have made some money and gained some friends at the table. In 2010, I was one of the top contenders in tournament play and one of the most consistent winners. It's not how much you win, it's how consistent you win. So many times I am asked to help new players, how to play the game and it's always a privilege to help others. Remember we were all beginners at sometime. The friendships you gain will always be remembered. That's how I gained the name of blackjack Jeff. I always wear a black hat, black coat, and when ever I'm in the casinos, dealers pit boss, and players that know me always have fun.

PLAYING WITH THE MASTERS

By BLACKJACK JEFF

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 Blackjack Jeff
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4634-1531-0

Chapter One

Words Of Wisdom

No matter how much you learn, nobody can guarantee how much you will win. One thing I do know is all those who I've been a mentor too, have won more than they have lost. Which you'll hear several testimonies to in this book. Gambling takes a lot of discipline (It all goes back to the old saying—You got to know when to hold them and know when to fold them. When you have learned all the basic and advance plays and applied them, You've played a 100%. Nobody can take that away from you. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE WHO LEARNS TO PLAY THERE BEST!!

Fortunate Friend

This is what I call myself after meeting Jeff in February 2010. The style of play that I currently use now, I owe to Jeff. His cool demeanor and style was evident after just 15 minutes at first meeting.

My history playing blackjack is pretty limited, 8 years. In those 8 years, I was a sloppy player. I lost more times than I won in those years. I was not a player you wanted at your table. I was selfish, playing for me, instead of the table. Playing luck instead of odds.

Now I have a good rapport with players, and dealers alike. Jeff and I have played at the same table many times over the past 10+ months. Each time was a learning experience for me. Always trying to pickup something to improve my game. Team play, good splits, good doubles, were things I learned from Jeff. Another tip I learned is importance of dealer tipping. A happy dealer can help you and the table win. Slow drawing or subtle looks by happy dealer can make for better plays and more profitable playing I consider another good tip I have gotten from Jeff. So dealer tipping is what I consider a Great tip I have gotten from Jeff.

Jeffs tournament experience has also helped myself and others in local casino. I have gone to smaller tournaments' with Jeff, and his words of wisdom were helpful. I can attest to this from the tournament at local casino in 2010. I won my first tournament with a bold last hand move. I called him that night to thank him for all of great advice. An anecdote to show the respect Jeff gets and deserves is while talking, pre-tournament, with another one of Jeff's mentor players. When we found out Jeff wouldn't be able to attend, it was laughingly agreed that our chances had improved.

Having met Jeff and having him as a friend and mentor has been a pleasure. I hope others will have same fortune.

THANK YOU SINCERELY ED CARTER

Women's Point Of View Shortly after Local Casino had opened I met a push Black Jack Dealer named Earl, nicknamed "THE MAN". He is among many of the dealers I have great respect for since taking up the game. Earl invited me to join his table and showed me some of the basics rules of the game. Thanks to him, I have been hooked ever since!

As fate may have it, I had a handsome man named Jeff Friend join my table. It didn't take long for me to realize this was truly my lucky day. Jeff has taught me many rules of Black Jack as well as do's and don'ts of the game.

Just a few of the things I have learned from this handsome man with the black cowboy hat are:

A. Never bring more money to the table than you can afford to lose.

B. Always play with the table and don't just think about yourself.

C. Always take advantage of an opportunity to split.

D. Always double down when dealt the chance. Better known as "the money maker hands".

E. Always split eights and aces.

F. Be very careful when the dealer is showing a two. "This is a very dangerous card; there are many ways to make a hand with a two".

G. Don't be afraid! Always remember that it is not your cards that count, it's what the dealer ends up with that counts.

H. Always take your hits as required

I. Lastly! If you're having a bad day, walk away and try another day.

If you are lucky enough to sit at a table where all the players are very familiar with Black Jack and everyone follows the rules, this can also greatly increase the odds. Now it's the table against the dealer and this increases the odds for all of the players. Jeff has also taught me one of my favorite betting strategies, "progressive betting". This is where you add a chip each time you have a winning hand. Continue this strategy until you lose, a person leaves or joins the table, or it is the beginning of a shuffle better known as a "new shoe".

Always be courteous to your dealer and if they are paying you, reward them accordingly by tipping him or her.

If you learn and follow these few simple rules, gambling can be a great experience! You will create wonderful new friendships at the tables. I experience the most fun since we formed a small group of skilled players that frequently gets together.

I feel very lucky and blessed having met Jeff and his wonderful wife Bonnie. I will cherish our friendship forever!

Love you both,

Sara Hisler

Couple's Point View

Why Kim & Craig

Like To Play With Jeff.... "So to Speak"

• Jeff has blackjack table manners. He is kind and courteous to the dealer, waitresses, pit bosses, and other players.

• When he sits down at a table, he always asks the other players if he can jump into the game and if they say no, then he politely waits to play the next shoe.

• He give advice to other players without being "bossy" or demanding. If a player doesn't want his advice and continues make bad plays, he simply changes tables.

• He knows the plays to make and makes them every time. He doesn't make a play based on a "feeling".

• He is always aware of the plays other players are making, not just his own. If we make a mistake he is quick to catch it, so that we can correct our play.

• He knows how to push up a bet when a shoe is hot. His betting strategy makes us more money when a shoe is hot and minimizes our losses when it goes cold.

• Whether we are winning or loosing, he makes it fun! He's a great joke teller!

• No matter how big the winning hand, whether its $10 or $50, he always gets excited and celebrates.

• If we could play at a table full of people who play like Jeff, I know we could come away a winner more times than we do and even if we didn't, we would have had a great time anyway.

• Win or loose, we walk away knowing that we played as best we could, giving ourselves the best odds at beating the house and had a fun time either way.

Doctor Point Of View

I recall my first time going to the casino with Jeff ... It's a time I will never forget. Thinking the game of blackjack was easy, I proceeded to play erratically, I mean all you have to do is bet big and pray you get closer to twenty-one before the dealer ... Right? Wrong! The more I played, the more people started leaving the table, including Jeff. After a few minutes I lost all my money. So, I lobstered around all night watching Jeff play.

That night was the beginning when I started learning the game. Jeff said, "Doc you either think or swim ... you have to have patience and discipline, or you lose and stay broke."...