Quote Originally Posted by PokerPatNEU
BlackJack is completely masterable in about 3 minutes, you don't need money to learn. All you need is a table like the one found here http://wizardofodds.com/blackjack to tell you exactly what to do for every possible holding for a given dealer face-up card.
Maybe 3 minutes if you're playing online.

In a brick and mortar environment it is different. You look silly and hold things up if you use the card/table at the table so you have to memorize it and that takes some time(especially the part on splits, double down and soft hands (Ax)).

You have to do more than just memorize it, you have to know it like the back of your hand so that you can be talking to players at the table about what they did last weekend, put in your drink order and make basic strategy decisions all at around the same time. If you make 1 or 2 basic strategy mistakes per hour it really adds up in the long run. You have to know the chart perfectly.

You also have to learn when to go against what the dealer says(sometimes they encourage insurance and this is a sucker bet(unless you're card counting and you know the deck is rich in face cards)).