Scoping out a casino

BrianCP

Well-Known Member
#1
Hello, some of the older members may remember me. If you don't, I'm that guy who switches hobbies every few months or so. I'm back on the blackjack bug for the 3rd time.

Onto the meat of my question! Soon (much to my surprise) I'll actually have a bankroll large enough to start counting with a 5 dollar unit (5k bank). At this point, there is only one store nearby where I am at. After I sharpen up at counting again, I plan to scope it out.

First thing I'll be looking at are the available games (obviously)

The second thing is where my question resides. Backcounting. I plan to Wong with some frequency (perhaps even aggressively given the predominance of shoes). How should one practice backcounting? I don't plan on betting on my first visit, but I do plan on getting used to counting in the casino environment.
 

FLASH1296

Well-Known Member
#2
  • Get very good walking shoes.
  • Carry a drink. Not water.
  • Learn to pretend that you are using your cell phone.
  • Check your vision for acuity. Get glasses / contacts as needed.
  • Figure out which hours/days have the right degree of crowding.
  • Not so bad that there are few empty seats, but enough of a crowd to hide.
  • Carry a small fist full of large denomination chips.
  • Learn to stagger and slur your speech like a drunk.
  • Understand that you will be lucky to play 20 hands per hour.
 
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BrianCP

Well-Known Member
#3
FLASH1296 said:
  • Get very good walking shoes.
  • Carry a drink. Not water.
  • Learn to pretend that you are using your cell phone.
  • Check your vision for acuity. Get glasses / contacts as needed.
  • Figure out which hours/days have the right degree of crowding.
  • Not so bad that there are few empty seats, but enough of a crowd to hide.
  • Carry a small hit full of large denomination chips.
  • Learn to stagger and slur your speech like a drunk.
  • Understand that you will be lucky to play 20 hands per hour.
Only a couple problems! Can't act like a drunk, I'm too young to drink (which I realize makes it a little harder for me). However, I am a college student. Perhaps could bring some friends along.

I should buy some new shoes. Getting a Kindle Fire for Christmas so I should be able to pretend to use that as well as my phone.

I have glasses that work great, vision appointment later this year.

Good at getting in character (whatever it may have to be)

One question, what is a hit?
 

FLASH1296

Well-Known Member
#4
typo. fit = fist

re: Kindle Fire You do NOT carry in a casino as they are paranoid
about card counting applications running on iPads, etc.
 

BrianCP

Well-Known Member
#6
Alright, thanks for the tips. It'll be a month or two before my first real go, but I'll try to practice a couple times when I go with some friends before then. By practice I mean practice counting obviously, not actually betting at that point.
 
#7
counting

I'm a college student as well. I'm going to Bristol University next year in England where I'll take to the tables. I have a friend that is incredibly sceptical about card counting, makes me laugh though he keeps saying I'm going to get my legs broken lol, I keep saying "were not living in the 60s any more".
 

shadroch

Well-Known Member
#10
I would not be too optimistic about the long term prospect of getting away with wonging in a single casino unless it is a monster with several different pits.
Its also not ideal for new players as you may be making any number of errors in your count.
I'd skip wonging until I was sure of my counting.
 

FLASH1296

Well-Known Member
#11
Casinos are very small, by and large.
Many casinos still use traditional Brit' rules:
  • No Hole Card for the Dealer.
  • No Insurance other than "Even-Money" on BJ's
  • You cannot split a pair of 4's
There may be other restrictions that I cannot recall.
 

BrianCP

Well-Known Member
#12
shadroch said:
Its also not ideal for new players as you may be making any number of errors in your count.
I'd skip wonging until I was sure of my counting.
That's the idea with the non betting practice when I visit with some friends. Wonging may turn out to be unnecessary, as I don't know the composition of the games.
 

Shoofly

Well-Known Member
#13
Understand that you will be lucky to play 20 hands per hour.
That may be, but they will be quality hands. I haven't kept careful track, but when I am on a wonging excursion, I believe I play more positive count hands than when I sit at a table and wait through all the neutral and negative counts.
 
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blackriver

Well-Known Member
#15
You'll be fine, your betting $5 units etc. bringing friends isn't ideal, you don't want to spend any mental capacity on social things dealing with them being stupid and having to explain yourself to them. " this is boring. Your on a roll, why aren't you pressing? Why didn't you win?" Etc. unless your friends are particularly sharp
 

Baberuth

Well-Known Member
#16
Great info from Flash

Flash gave great info for you and all of us (he always does), but I doubt you are ready for this play. I would consider how to “wong out” with good cover and find good games. Wonging out in bad counts, ratholing, spreading the right amount for the game and the store and cover will give you a good advantage right now.
I was impressed on your planned discipline to not bet and scout first. If you can really do this, you on the right path to success. Being coachable from the information and help you will get here will make you a winner.
Best wishes for a successful trip.
Babe
 
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