intro and a couple of reOK questions

[leodbil]

Hey all,

I'm pretty new to the gambling world but have taken an interest in BJ lately. Living in Detroit I've wandered into the casinos a couple of times over the years, never lost alot never won alot. But the other day on a whim I walked into Motor City Casino and won $1200 on roulette in two days. That was fun. Being inspired to keep this up I checked out a couple of sites online to become a better roulette player. Everywhere I looked, especially "wizardofodds" convinced me that roulette was just a bad bet all around. So... following the info on the wizardof odds site I printed off the BS card for the local games and set out to learn BJ. It worked out pretty good for about a week and a half I won a little every day (btw $70 and $170) and lost a few days ($100 or so) and thought sheeet, this is really easy! Why didn't anyone tell me about this before. Then came the day where I thought "if I can make this much with $10-$15 bets what would be so different about betting $25 a hand....Well I found out. I lost $700 in one morning, really about 2 hrs. Ouch, that stung a little. Back to the $10 tables and the trend continued, 15 stiff hands in a row, dealers building 21's on my 20's etc ect.
I figured there were more than a few things I missed along the way...
I started trying to do an Ace/5 count live just to get used to doing something at the tables besides staring at the cards and hoping for the best. It never really worked out money wise but it got me on to the next step...trying to count reKO. I worked with cards and CV at home but had quite a hard time at the casino staying focused. But the last couple of days have been better and today I got to see the strategy work a couple of times live for the first time! Wow what a thrill. Came out ahead $140.

I know I have a long way to go and I'm making plenty of mistakes but I guess I got the bug.

Sorry about the long post, here are my questions...

With $1000 bank would I be better off learning at

Casino Windsor

$5 tables
horrible penetration 3+ decks cut out
S17
DAS
no surrender
lucky ladies side bet
split up to 4X
5 - 6 players at a table
$7 to go thru the tunnel and back
loss on currency exchange btw 2% and 5%

MGM

$10 min
various pen (there are a couple of dealers I've seen cut 1 deck and less)
H17
DAS
Split 3X
no surrender
perfect pairs side bet
can usually find a table with 2-3 players


Greektown

$10 min
CSM
H17
DAS
split 3x
no surrender
some reeeeally slooow dealers (a few must be in their 80's)


Again sorry about the longish post. Any advice about learning this game is appreciated much.

[Kasi]

Originally Posted by leodbil

With $1000 bank...

Hey, welcome.

But, that's not really enough of a bankroll, in all liklihood, to play counting cards. Especially at the games you mentioned.

Just an opinion of course. Others may think differently.

But maybe, if you're ahead now, enjoy your winnings and take the time to learn more about how likely you are to lose how much counting. Once you do, you probably still won't want to do it.

[bj bob]

Originally Posted by leodbil

I guess I got the bug.



With $1000 bank would I be better off learning at

Casino Windsor

$5 tables
horrible penetration 3+ decks cut out
S17
DAS
no surrender
lucky ladies side bet
split up to 4X
5 - 6 players at a table
$7 to go thru the tunnel and back
loss on currency exchange btw 2% and 5%

MGM

$10 min
various pen (there are a couple of dealers I've seen cut 1 deck and less)
H17
DAS
Split 3X
no surrender
perfect pairs side bet
can usually find a table with 2-3 players


Greektown

$10 min
CSM
H17
DAS
split 3x
no surrender
some reeeeally slooow dealers (a few must be in their 80's)


Again sorry about the longish post. Any advice about learning this game is appreciated much.

First off, I agree with Kasi on the BR amount. You don't have nearly enough to support counting on $10 tables.That being said, however, you could start practicing your BS with NO SPREAD just to get your feet wet.
Of the three options listed above, you're better off playing at the MGM. Reason being the vig. in Canada and the CSM's in Greektown.
Right now your focus should be concentrating on perfecting your game and, at the same time building up a sufficient BR for a workable spread ala. $10K.

[EasyRhino]

a) $1k bankroll (unless you were willing to replenish it frequently) would leave you with a MAX bet of about $10-$20. That means you would need to find $1 blackjack games.

b) My understanding is that basically all of the blackjack around Detroit is crap.

So, in conclusion, I'd say do some online bonus casino bonus whoring, build a little more bankroll, and then find somewhere else to play.

Other that that, I'd say 'practice' is a good way to look at things. Backcount religious, and only place bets in positive counts.

[leodbil]

Thanks for your input and good advice. I learned my lesson trying to bet any kind of spread at the quarter table with only $1000 to play...man that money went fast. The last couple of days or so I've been just trying to keep it together, remember the count, not spill my coffee, remember BS and the one index for reKO. When the count goes positive I just kick in an xtra nickel or so. I realize I cant really make any money this way but sometimes an education costs a little and maybe I won't totally bleed out before lunch.

Just to make sure I got it straight...

in reKO when using the index, does it mean that when the count is +2 and above to play contrary to basic strategy on those hands?

Thanks again

[leodbil]

Originally Posted by EasyRhino

a) $1k bankroll (unless you were willing to replenish it frequently) would leave you with a MAX bet of about $10-$20. That means you would need to find $1 blackjack games.

is that a general rule of thumb then...MAX bet at 1% of BR?

Originally Posted by EasyRhino

b) My understanding is that basically all of the blackjack around Detroit is crap.

Yup that's what everyone says, crummy rules, all the $10 tables gone by the afternoon. $15 min by 1:30 or 2:00

Originally Posted by EasyRhino

So, in conclusion, I'd say do some online bonus casino bonus whoring, build a little more bankroll, and then find somewhere else to play.

sorry for being ignorant, but what is online casino bonus whoring? Can you explain here or by PM or direct me to a site that has info? Thanks

Originally Posted by EasyRhino

Other that that, I'd say 'practice' is a good way to look at things. Backcount religious, and only place bets in positive counts.

Yup, right now I have a lot of time to practice at home as well as go to the casino. So I consider myself lucky. I've spent quite a bit of time hovering around just counting for practice, but havent managed to jump in with a bet yet. I'll put it on the agenda for tomorrow.

Thanks a lot for your reply

[EasyRhino]

www.beatingbonuses.com

As for the "1% max" thing, it's just a rule of thumb. If you're playing with gambling as your sole livlihood, it's too aggressive (risk of ruin is too high). If your bankroll is highly replenishable (small amounts and just recreational play) it's too conservative.

[InPlay]

Originally Posted by EasyRhino

a) $1k bankroll (unless you were willing to replenish it frequently) would leave you with a MAX bet of about $10-$20. That means you would need to find $1 blackjack games.

b) My understanding is that basically all of the blackjack around Detroit is crap.

So, in conclusion, I'd say do some online bonus casino bonus whoring, build a little more bankroll, and then find somewhere else to play.

Other that that, I'd say 'practice' is a good way to look at things. Backcount religious, and only place bets in positive counts.

The only game worth playing is at the MGM $50 or $100 with a 1!/2 deck cut. They also have a $200 min which I have never played but have observed a couple of times with a 1 deck cut when I was there. So it all depends on how big your bankroll is or big your balls are. Another thing I like is you can count on a dealer mistake in your favor in about 1 of 3 trips. That's all you have to do is start talking some crap works a lot. So I will be looking for you or you can look for me. Don't be afraid to come up to me and say, "Is that you Mister Crap"!

[ChefJJ]

Originally Posted by InPlay

The only game worth playing is at the MGM $50 or $100 Min and it looks like you need a bigger bankroll.

Haven't been to Detroit in a couple years...what about Motor City Casino?

[InPlay]

Originally Posted by ChefJJ

Haven't been to Detroit in a couple years...what about Motor City Casino?

I live in the Detroit area. Last time I was at the Motor City was about Dec 10. It used to be playable. There were a few $25/6 deck games until about 8 PM after that it was $ 50 min. The new area they opened had 8 tables of $50/6 deck with about a 70% peneration depending on the dealer. Those 8 tables of 6 deck have been replaced with 8 deck/$50 min. They also have tons of 8 deck with lousy rules some H17 some stand. The high limit area is 6 deck with about 70% peneration $100 min. It was always crowed guess thats why they changed from 6 to 8. Right now I have some health issues that prevent me from sitting and playing. Marathon sessions. It was typical for me to get any from 40 to 60 hours a week plus work a full time job of 6 or 7 days a week. I should be back sometime mid April.