So I am playing online blackjack to practice for vegas

And I am LOSING horribly

Did you ever try Pokerstars? You can play Poker, Texas Holem,etc with fake money with other people. It helped me learn about poker a bit

I've found Poker a more difficult game then Blackjack...

Blackjack can be fun!! (But not easy).

Do you know some of the basic 'guidelines' .. like always doubling-down when your first two cards total 11?? When you draw a pair of Aces, or a pair of 8s, you're 'supposed to' split .. stuff like that .. just basic things that are supposed to give you a greater chance at beating out the dealer's hand.