$3 tables?

[SPX]

Being not-a-counter, I can't really be expected to know these things so I'm sure this will probably sound like a newbie question.

With that said. . .

How good are $3 tables for counting? It seems that being such a small minimum denomination these tables wouldn't be policed too stringently and you could probably get away with a larger bet spread.

In Wendover, ALL games are:

1 Deck
3:2
H17
DOA but No DAS

In regard to penetration, it generally seems excellent. I actually asked a dealer once how deep into the deck she dealt and she told me she tries to deal until there just aren't enough cards left. She said, "They want us to leave X number of cards left but I don't really worry about it" and that seemed to be pretty typical from some of the tables I sat at. If you're playing heads up, you will certainly get several hands in before the shuffle.

Anyway. . .

At one casino I go to they have two $3 tables and, as I am SLOWLY moving toward making the decision to really put the time and effort into learning to count, it seems like this might be a good place to start.

[bj bob]

It's been a few years since I've been there but Wendover's low key atmosphere and great SD games are the perfect venue for honing one's skills.
Since you said you're not a counter, the games there by themslves provide less than a .20% HA to the BS player. I woluld take that opportunity to perfect your BS and later, to develope your CC skills. You can probably show a slight +EV with just a 1:2 spread and maybe even accrue some comps. If you're just starting to learn to count, I wouldn't mess with a serious bet spread at this point. Learn your game first, take it in steps, don't overplay your ability. There are dozens of finer points that one picks up in actual table play and you'll gradually pick them up while practicing there, i.e. recognizing pen., playing with the right amount of other players, where to sit at the table, how to assess RC in face-down games, when to leave an "over-populated" table etc.
Anyway you look at it, you've picked the perfect environment, so good luck!

[Dyepaintball12]

If those conditions are true, why arent all the counters on this forum in Wendover right now?

[bj bob]

Originally Posted by Dyepaintball12

If those conditions are true, why arent all the counters on this forum in Wendover right now?

I get to Wendover every couple of years and things haven't changed all that much. There are five houses in town. three owned by the Peppermill. All games are SD, DOA most with $5 min, but a goodly amount of $3.
Only thing wrong with Wendover is geography. It's on the edge of the Bonneville Salt Flats on the Utah-Nev. state line in the middle of NOWHERE. It's 110 miles from Salt Lake and 410 from Reno, so choose your airport and a good rental car company.
The food in every casino is awful also, so BYO or hit Arby's.

[SPX]

Originally Posted by bj bob

It's been a few years since I've been there but Wendover's low key atmosphere and great SD games are the perfect venue for honing one's skills.
Since you said you're not a counter, the games there by themslves provide less than a .20% HA to the BS player. I woluld take that opportunity to perfect your BS and later, to develope your CC skills. You can probably show a slight +EV with just a 1:2 spread and maybe even accrue some comps. If you're just starting to learn to count, I wouldn't mess with a serious bet spread at this point. Learn your game first, take it in steps, don't overplay your ability. There are dozens of finer points that one picks up in actual table play and you'll gradually pick them up while practicing there, i.e. recognizing pen., playing with the right amount of other players, where to sit at the table, how to assess RC in face-down games, when to leave an "over-populated" table etc.
Anyway you look at it, you've picked the perfect environment, so good luck!

Thanks for the great response, BJ Bob!

As I've mentioned in a few others posts, I'm new to the area and used to play exclusively in MS. Always the shoe game for me there. I had never even played single deck until I moved here and made my first trip to Wendy. As a matter of fact, when I sat down I didn't even realize the table was single deck . . . I just assumed it was a shoe and was completely confused at first when the dealer started pitching cards to me.

As far as counting goes, I've had Bluebook II for a while and just recently purchased Blackbelt in BJ. I originally thought that if I ever DID learn to count then I would probably go with KO, but since I have the materials to learn Red 7 I think I may go with that instead. Also, I hear that in Snyder's Big Book of BJ that he has a lot more information regarding Red 7 so it seems well supported, at least by him.

Anyway, I figured at a $3 table it would be easy enough to spread $3-$15 without problems and I wouldn't need a massive bankroll to wade into the waters.

[SPX]

Originally Posted by bj bob

I get to Wendover every couple of years and things haven't changed all that much. There are five houses in town. three owned by the Peppermill.

To my knowledge, there are only 4 casinos there. There's the Peppermill-Rainbow-Montego Bay conglomerate. And then there's the Golden Nugget.

Originally Posted by bj bob

All games are SD, DAS most with $5 min, but a goodly amount of $3.

No doubling after split now. I was chastised for trying it when I was last there. But even still, according to the BS chart here the house edge on the Wendy game is only .17%.

Originally Posted by bj bob

Only thing wrong with Wendover is geography. It's on the edge of the Bonneville Salt Flats on the Utah-Nev. state line in the middle of NOWHERE.

True, though being a Salt Lake resident it's not a huge deal. I do wish it was a bit closer--like maybe within 45 minutes max. But the $15 bus ride there is a good deal and they give you $5 back and a free buffet coupon.

[SPX]

Originally Posted by Dyepaintball12

If those conditions are true, why arent all the counters on this forum in Wendover right now?

These conditions are definitely true. And one thing I failed to mention is that, at least at the Nugget, you can generally find empty tables without much problem. I have gone down on Friday nights several times and there were plenty of dealers standing behind their tables doing nothing but rocking back and forth with their hands behind their backs. I do think the other casinos are a bit more popular though. . .

[shadroch]

Originally Posted by Dyepaintball12

If those conditions are true, why arent all the counters on this forum in Wendover right now?

Because it's Wendover.

[bj bob]

If you live in Northern Nevada, you're in SD paradise. Therefore, I would suggest a count that is the most powerful for SD, DD (I think there is ONE in all of Wendover, at the Garter). Most of the heavy hitters on this forum, e.g Zg and AutoMonk et al. recommend Zen, so that may be the way to go. SD system will also do you very well in Reno/Sparks and Jackpot, so you'll be good to go. You won't even have to think about shoe games in you area, so why bother?

[EasyRhino]

Also, don't spread 1-10 when playing single deck. That's a noob mistake.