Is $300 a lot of money???

Yesterday I played casino blackjack for the first time. I knew nothing about counting, as I've only just started reading up on basic strategy and whatnot. I just wanted to get a feel for the game and see what it was like.

So I placed $300 down on a $25 table, and the dealer yelled out "300", and then apparently a pit boss said "okay". Does anyone know what in the hell this was all about???

Later on, the same guy approaches me at the table and asks if I have a "rating card". I'll be honest with you, $300 is a lot of money to me, but is it really so much money as to attrack the casinos attention?

Changing any amount of cash over $20 or $40 into chips will generally cause the dealer to announce that amount to the floor person. The floor person keeps a running tally of the money dropped into the slot at the table.

As for the rating card, they'll want to track anyone betting $25 or more per hand, and they'll almost always ask for a rating card when you sit down at a $25 minimum table. The rating card lets them keep track of your play to know how much they can afford to give you back in free rooms and meals. And of course, it lets them keep better track of your total play as well.

Ken, thanks for the information. Just a final question...

Do you have to get a rating card? Wouldn't they be able to see all your wins and losses with that, and possibly catch on to any card counting??? Or does the card only depict how much you bet, and not how much you win???

Your concerns about being tracked are valid. And yes, they track cumulative wins and losses in addition to how much you are betting. For many skilled players, that lifetime cumulative win is a real problem when casino personnel see it.

Unfortunately, playing without a card at the higher limit tables is considered pretty suspicious by itself. Most higher stakes gamblers want to get every comp they can and then some. If you tell them you don't have a card, they'll ask if you'd like to give them your ID so they can make you one. If you continue to insist you're not interested, they'll finally leave you alone, but they'll definitely watch you a bit closer as a result.

The easiest solution is to go ahead and get a card. Whenever you're able to drop a few of your chips into your pocket inconspicuously, do it. That'll hopefully keep their records showing you a net loser. You don't have to take too many chips off the table to reverse the edge you get by counting. And, don't take the higher denomination chips. They keep close track of those and they will notice they are missing.