Hoyle's Press, aka Oscar's Grind: win or lose?

[johndoe]

Originally Posted by Caesar

If you're playing for comps, why not just flat bet?

If you're playing for comps, it's better to correlate your bet size with the presence of the person rating your play. It's not that complicated. Correlating to anything else (or nothing, a la progressions) is wasteful.

(Flat betting is fine as well, as long as you're getting requisite comps.)

[ringlejames]

I personally think that playing rated is essential for a beginner. Your long term profit will only be that of about your regular visit. Playing unrated you miss out on meals at most places. You pay for your own room unless your with someone else buying. You can get game coupons. Free slots. They offer me all kind of free slots and I have yet to push a button on any machine. Playing rated you save literally hundreds on a respectful thought out trip. Thousands if you know how to milk the machine and get comped every casino you play at. Entertainment, in my book is considered +e.v. Shows, rides, concerts.

Put it this way. In the past say 4 years, I have made a 21k profit from blackjack. Been getting balls lately and took a huge 10k lose recently. or I would be at 31k profit. But take into account 21k total 4 years IS NOT including comps. With comps we are looking at 50-100k. about 60 total sessions with an average bank of 5-10k. It varied a lot and was high as 70k. Been up a lot some casinos factored in huge bankrolls into my comps equation. Limo rides. Boat rides shows concerts food fine dining with huge bills. Unspent comps not factored in either. This is comps I have used.

Playing rated gives one an extremely high +e.v. in entertainment and fun. And they spoil your girl even better than you sometimes.

I say play rated. I personally think there is no such thing as playing unrated in a casino. If they are interested in you they know who you are even if you dont tell them. Pointless. I say play rated and even if you have a long term loss, correct comps strategy play would surely give you a positive e.v. in entertainment and experience. Just sayin.

[shadroch]

Of course there are casinos that will let you use pen and paper at their BJ tables. You just have to think outside the box.
Here is a hint The same tables you can use a pen and paper on don't allow tipping.