What to do about heat?

[jimbiggs]

There's this casino where I like to play and I think I blew my cover. I can tell that the pit critters either know, or really suspect, that I'm a counter. Normally the heat is non-existant in this casino, so I got lazy with my camo and one of the pit critters pegged me as a counter. So he went and talked to pit bosses on day and swing shift (I was there during the shift change). I heard him talking about how I was varying my bets, and he mentioned that when a new dealer started dealing only two rounds, I switched tables. They were all whispering and glaring at me. Every time I'm there during day shift they're constantly eyeing my stack and watching me a lot more closely than they used to. So I stopped going during those shifts. Now I only go during grave where they don't seem to care. However, last night I won $1170, spreading $15 - $100, in two and a half hours. After two hours a guy I had never seen before appeared and started watching me closely from a distance (I could see him with my perrefrial vision. I saw him go and whisper to a pit boss a couple times while they were looking at me. After that I took a breakfast break and when I didn't see him around anymore, I went back to play a little more. The same guy came out from whereever he was and was watching me again. I think he was either the shift manager or the casino manager, but not sure because I had never seen him before. So I left at that point.

So I know I've made a few mistakes by not using enough camo and overplaying the same casino, but this casino is 55 minutes from anywhere. I didn't want to drive all that way just to play one hour. So my question now is, what should I do now that they're on to me? It's wierd the way they stare at my stack, whisper to each other, and glare at me while I'm there, but other than that they haven't made any move to let me know that I'm not welcome there.

I was thinking that I should continue to restrict myself to grave and watch out for heat. Maybe I should reduce my spread and reduce my visits to once a month. Will any of this help them forget me? Is there anything else I can do? Should I stop going to this casino altogether for a certain period of time?

I guess in Vegas it wouldn't matter so much, but this casino has three of the best games available in my area. I don't want to lose it, but I don't want to stop playing there either. Any recommendations anyone?

[nc-tom]

Well JB it sounds like you have the making of a problem. I think you hit on a few things yourself.I would stagger my visits from when you have been going in the past. I would play shorter sessions,45 min max, move around as much as possible and take longer breaks. Dont think it makes much difference what you spread is now that they probably have you pegged.Would like to ask what casino is this and is it in CA. If you dont want to reveal the name on a public forum send me a private e-mail or IM since I am in CA and am always looking for good games. I am sure some of the more experenced players will have additional ideas.Hope you dont lose the game.

[Brutus]

Maybe try playing the penny slots minimal bets till they bug off.

[E-town-guy]

DON'T reduce your spread. Go less and/or play grave shifts. Try bringing a woman or friend with you who will drink and play for fun to take some of the attention off of you. Also try joking around with the pit critters. If they are your friend they might be more hesitant to kick you out.

[SystemsTrader]

I've ran into a similar problem with a stand alone casino. They let me know I'm counting but they don't actually 86 me. So I don't care I show up once or twice a month and play. I do try to vary the shifts though and I've reduced my spread from 1-20 down to 1-15. When I have a really big winning shoe I leave and don't stick around. If they haven't asked you to leave then I wouldn't really worry about it.

[Mikeaber]

I dunnno JB...I think I'd back myself off for two or three months and let their wounds heal. I've had the same thing happen in northern Kansas and have found that time heals.

[shadroch]

Why not just play basic for a few visits.Sure,your short term income will suffer,but its all about the long-term,isn't it?

[zengrifter]

Originally Posted by shadroch

Why not just play basic for a few visits.Sure,your short term income will suffer,but its all about the long-term,isn't it?

F**k that. You'd have to flat bet, would be transparently obvious. zg

[KenSmith]

If you want to try laying down some negative EV play, I recommend using a positive progression. That at least gets you some sizeable bets in the circle. I agree with zg that flat-betting and playing basic strategy will accomplish nothing.

[Gregory]

I'm in the same situation. What I have done is just back off from the casino for about a month now, but that is easy to do since I have a house remodel going on.
Ken's idea of using a positive progression is probably the best way to get some of the heat off of you. But damn it would suck placing a large bet when the count is -10!

Really I don't think backing off for a month or more is going to help much. I fully expect that when I (or you) return the dealer will say something like "Hey, how are you? It's been awhile since you have been in".
So they probably won't forget you, but they may not be so quick to get the manager on the scene if some time has passed.