Do pit bosses often challenge new players

[Diver]

as a matter of course just to gauge the reaction? I first played at the Paris in LV during a trade show and did sign up for a players card since I was there for three days. Shortly after getting the card, a pit boss came by and using my name, said "are you tracking my cards?" I didn't even now how to count but I imagine it was obvious I was working since I had to focus intently just to handle BS. After I ended the session, I asked him if I was doing anything wierd and he said "No, if you were counting, I'd have watched you in some other way." At another entirely new place, a card room, not a casion, I was trying to count, and after about 15 minutes, the pb came by and actually insulted me commenting about my shifty look and speculating about whether I was a cop or a crook. I didn't respond other than to give him an annoyed look.I was getting my butt kicked, BTW. When I'm in a new environment, I'm always looking around, checking everything out and I suppose that might have seemed antsy. But I'm wondering if I need to be mindful about my demeanor or if some pit bosses just challenge new players to gauge a reaction in case they become more interested in your play at some point?

[ChefJJ]

That's certainly a tough one, because I had played blackjack for several years before taking up card counting. I got used to being somewhat "social" with the dealers (if they weren't total asses), and even sometimes give the pit crew some **** here or there. In most instances, acting like a hunch-playing, card-rooting, occasionally-tipping, regular player can take some pressure off of you. But that's my opinion, and I was pretty comfortable playing in a casino envrionment well before I brought the counting to the table.

Another thing I'll add deals with your "concentration" at the table. Besides a huge bet spread and winning a bunch of money, it seems to me that nothing attracts heat like laser-beam focus on the cards, especially as they are being dealt. It sorta smells of a card counter...so I recommend really honing your skills at the house by dealing out a casino-like game on a table (if you play shoe games, as I do 90% of the time). Learn how to count by a quick scan of the cards, not one-by-one. That technique gives me time to look around, talk to people at the table or who I'm with, or whatever else "breaks" my focus on the counting.

good luck

[moo321]

If a pit boss ever treated me like that when I WASN"T counting cards, I would have told him to shut the **** up, and immediately asked to see his supervisor. Hell, even if I was counting, I probably would have done that. What kind of a dickhead neanderthal makes fun of customers who are playing in their casino? Totally inappropriate.

[ChefJJ]

Originally Posted by moo321

If a pit boss ever treated me like that when I WASN"T counting cards, I would have told him to shut the **** up, and immediately asked to see his supervisor. Hell, even if I was counting, I probably would have done that. What kind of a dickhead neanderthal makes fun of customers who are playing in their casino? Totally inappropriate.

That's one way of handling it.

[EasyRhino]

Based solely on pit critters' reaction to your demeanor, I don't recommend hanging out at public parks with kids' playgrounds.

The first PC, especially, may have just been razzing you. You know, accusing a ploppy of card-counting could actually be a compliment in a way.

But you know, even though I've been backed off from a few games, I've never actually had any choice "comments" thrown my way by the PCs. Usually they're watching the game intently (and generally silently) or they're busy tapping me on the shoulder.

[ihate17]

Pits will sometimes come up and say things just to make conversation, and the first pit may have been doing just that. Just tell him that you are counting and you count 14 cards on the table, then add that 8 of them happen to be black or some casual answer like that. In the case where he just might be using this, thinking you might be counting and wanting to see what kind of reaction you give him, a funny reply is much better than a defensive reply or a lack of a reply.
Basically, if you had a minimal bet spread, take it for granted that he is just joking. If you are counting and spreading, they will have someone from the eye count down some shoes to try to id you, so again discount the pit approach.

ihate17

[Bashful C. Stupid-Butt]

If casino employees are rude to you or put you on edge or make you feel negative, take you business else where. They obviously don't need your money or want your patronage.