Trip Report May 2010

Well, this last month I have had the chance to make a few trips, and I think I have reached a few interesting milestones in my play.

The first is realizing how true the statement "simply playing in a casino you learn some things" happens to be. Overall these little tidbits of observation have enriched my game and some of the strategies that I can now put into usage.

The second was a bit more of a bitter pill. This last month was my first big loosing streak. The sessions were painful, but I am pleased to say that I did not doubt myself or the math.

Sure, I would much rather be winning, but I was able to take some significant losses in stride. As much as I told myself that I -could- do that, actually experiencing the not-so-nice side of variance in practice is more powerful than any spreadsheet calculation.

I have also been thinking about the somewhat lonely component of being an AP-er. Sure, our survival depends on cover. We talk, we laugh, we interact. But there is always, at least for me, a sense of otherness, of being a part but apart that goes with the territory. Nothing terrible, but an interesting meditation on the philosophy of what we do.

Over the trips, I feel my game was solid. My skills are growing more efficient, although I understand that there is so much more out there that I seek to learn. A sense of steady improvement is nice.

Sadly the games I have to select from are not quite as nice as I would like. But, I made sure to wong aggressively and try and take the best quality games that I can find and run with them.

I also am very much feeling the truth of the statement "if the players/dealer thinks you are an amazing player, then you are likely average". I am pleased to say that I made people leave the tables I was on because of my "terrible" play decisions. Being thought of as an idiot has its perks.

This report is a bit less about the nitty-gritty and more a desire to share my development as a player. So keep rocking out!

-PBS

Live casino play is definitely an important part of growing as a successful player. Not only should you be watching the other players to look for canned responses to questions and other pieces of cover you can use, but watch the personnel as well. Learn what is a normal and abnormal response to various situations. Many CCs get overly paranoid about heat (which is not a terrible thing), however, if you are making cover plays and ending sessions extremely early, you are costing yourself precious EV.

A big loss is important to experience, so that you can prove that you are able to handle the even bigger losses that you are probably eventually going to experience. When checking on my teammates, I always like to watch them during a big losing shoe with a high count. This proves to me that they are able to bet the necessary amount, even when they are getting their butts kicked. Losing happens. Persevering through those losses is required to be a winning player.

Yea, there is a sense of otherness. The ploppies are dumb, I am not Ok, maybe not exactly that, but when I play, it is definitely a feeling of superiority over the others. As far as I am concerned, they are just noise in the background that on occasion give me opportunities to take advantage of.

I actually haven't hear that quote, but that doesn't mean the opposite is true. "If the players/dealer thinks that you are a terrible player, maybe you are." I am going to assume that your "'terrible' play decisions" were a result of index plays that you have already decided on before you went to play. If such is the case and you followed the strategy, good for you. Remember that the most important thing is to stick with your game plan, and not to make any decisions that you don't know the answer to. If you don't know, chances are the best decision is to play straightforward. Plays like standing 16v7 may seem similar to the 16vX decision, but it is far from.

Polar

Thank you for sharing your recent experiences.

I am sure you are replaying it all,,, over...,, and over again, and this is essential, this actually makes you a better player and hardens you as a true BJ Warrior.

I only wish you and your partner could have made the BASH, I think it would have been very, very good for you.

As for variance, it can be terrible, mediocre, or very good on the plus side. You can and will learn to control it.

Stay strong, we all are pulling for your future succeses.

My Best,
CP

My my Sleight, not only are you a magician, you are a mind reader, I think very much like you. Not that it really means anything, but I am impressed with your common sense and your approach to this game. Keep it up and I see you doing well with this. But you can take that with a grain of salt, as I have been accused before of being nothing more than a teenager in my mothers basement playing on a computer, to being a huckster BJ seminar salesman. So that aside, nice analysis.

And to you PBS, nice start, good luck to you in the future.

I know what you mean when you sort of feel "superior" to the ploppies. I've had some randoms comment on my plays and say stuff like "I've been playing this game for years" and "if you don't know how to play we can help you". It just makes me laugh out loud and respond with "thanks but I'm good". And by good I mean real good hehehe:laugh: