Am I crazy to play $50 hands?

[ortango]

I was wondering what you all would do and maybe even a calculation on if what I'm doing is sane. The last two visits I played at the $50 minimum tables (and won quite a lot, fortunately!) when usually I play with $10 as one unit. This of course cut my spread from 1:10 to 1:3 because I neither have the balls nor BR to handle more than $150 a hand. I have a about $10,000 to play with though I'm sure I would really hate myself for losing that much.

Okay, so on to my point.. why would I play that much when the ROR is probably unacceptable and the flux can be really bad? The reason is the comp at the casino I play at. They offer cash (in the form of a travel card which can be cashed at a bank also) for the table games you play in. And here is the thing, I have accumulated over $500 in less than a month. When I was playing $10-20 average hands, it barely ticked. But as soon as I played $50 dollar hands, it goes up like crazy. By my estimate, they comp me $25-30 cash for an hour of play. I actually got $80 dollars cash comp for 3 hours of play. This is almost as much as my expected AP return, maybe more than if I was to play with less money and bigger spread, since I am still spreading a bit and Wonging quite a bit. Okay, and to be honest I also get a thrill out of the high stakes play.

So here is the question, would you guys go back to reasonable bets or stay on the dangerous path I'm on which can net me $800 to $1000 a month in comps. Of course if im playing the high table I am stretching the time by not playing heads up, bathroom "breaks" and eating their free meals very frequently. (which I assume they still comp me during that time if I leave my chips)

 

[ScottH]

I was wondering what you all would do and maybe even a calculation on if what I'm doing is sane. The last two visits I played at the $50 minimum tables (and won quite a lot, fortunately!) when usually I play with $10 as one unit. This of course cut my spread from 1:10 to 1:3 because I neither have the balls nor BR to handle more than $150 a hand. I have a about $10,000 to play with though I'm sure I would really hate myself for losing that much.

Okay, so on to my point.. why would I play that much when the ROR is probably unacceptable and the flux can be really bad? The reason is the comp at the casino I play at. They offer cash (in the form of a travel card which can be cashed at a bank also) for the table games you play in. And here is the thing, I have accumulated over $500 in less than a month. When I was playing $10-20 average hands, it barely ticked. But as soon as I played $50 dollar hands, it goes up like crazy. By my estimate, they comp me $25-30 cash for an hour of play. I actually got $80 dollars cash comp for 3 hours of play. This is almost as much as my expected AP return, maybe more than if I was to play with less money and bigger spread, since I am still spreading a bit and Wonging quite a bit. Okay, and to be honest I also get a thrill out of the high stakes play.

So here is the question, would you guys go back to reasonable bets or stay on the dangerous path I'm on which can net me $800 to $1000 a month in comps. Of course if im playing the high table I am stretching the time by not playing heads up, bathroom "breaks" and eating their free meals very frequently. (which I assume they still comp me during that time if I leave my chips)

What are the rules of the game? 1-3 seems like a weak spread unless you're playing single deck OR wonging in/out in other games.

But yeah, you're probably crazy!

 

[sagefr0g]

I was wondering what you all would do and maybe even a calculation on if what I'm doing is sane. The last two visits I played at the $50 minimum tables (and won quite a lot, fortunately!) when usually I play with $10 as one unit. This of course cut my spread from 1:10 to 1:3 because I neither have the balls nor BR to handle more than $150 a hand. I have a about $10,000 to play with though I'm sure I would really hate myself for losing that much.

here is what i don't like about this.
first i think your overbetting on your big bet by about $50.00
second we are all forced to overbet our waiting bets as determined by the table minimum. you just made that factor worse for your self by $40.00 per waiting bet.
third it appears your doing this in your local joint. i think your increasing your heat factor.

this is only my opinion your mileage may vary but what do i know i'm crazy.

best regards,
mr fr0g

 

[Sonny]

I must be crazy too because what you said makes sense to me!

The casino is paying you $25-$30 per hour to leisurely play BJ with a $50-$150 spread? That sounds pretty good to me. A $10 player would have to play his arse off to make that kind of money, but you’re sitting back and getting it handed to you!

A BS player with a $100 average bet will lose about $35 per hour, and that assumes a brisk 70 hands per hour. Using a 1:3 spread will not increase your advantage much but it will get you close to even (I can give you more info if you tell me the game and count system). The variance will easily be a few thousand dollars per hour but your comp money is guaranteed income.

If you decide to continue this strategy (at this casino at least) you might want to learn as many index plays as you can (especially the surrender ones).

-Sonny-

 

[Cass]

I kind of have similar situation going for me. Well for the comps anyway. You should play for a longer time and see what your comps actually are. Im guessing they arent quite as much as you think. I would be willing to bet it is more like 20/hr. I could be wrong of course. I've been playing this game for comps 100min-100x2max. Avoding counts -3 or worse teh house edge is zero. I play on "triple comp night" I'm avg 50/hr for the CASHABLE comps. The only thing that sucks is the varience is so big. The other night I lost $1500 and made 300 in comps.. In 5+ hours of play.

If the game is a lot better at the 50 dollar level (s17,DAs,da2,LS,good pene.) I say go for it. You can still get a small edge but most the money will be with the comps. If you can tolerate the big swings or good chance that you will lose all your money I would spread. 50-200 or 50-300. Most will disagree. I'm just crazy like that though. make sure you bring enough money on your trips so you dont go bust. I would recommend enough for 25top bets minimum. It is funner putting the bigger bets out, if you like that kinda thing. It can be very disheartning when you lose 100+units in a session. It does happen.

 

[zengrifter]

I must be crazy too because what you said makes sense to me! The casino is paying you $25-$30 per hour to leisurely play BJ with a $50-$150 spread? That sounds pretty good to me. A $10 player would have to play his arse off to make that kind of money, but you’re sitting back and getting it handed to you!

He should get Rubin's Comp City and combine comp-counting with the card-counting - and make his top-bets ALSO 4x/hr when the rating slip is being filled out - while playing an otherwise 10-150 spread at the lower limit tables. zg

 

[ortango]

What are the rules of the game? 1-3 seems like a weak spread unless you're playing single deck OR wonging in/out in other games.

But yeah, you're probably crazy!

I am wonging out quite a bit, but this morning I wasn’t brave enough to again after wonging out on 3 shoes in a row. I stayed through the 4th, despite ALL FOUR shoes being low to terrible counts. I came out 16 units ahead! ($800). But of course this short term means nothing, but I just love winning on bad shoes :laugh: .

here is what i don't like about this.
first i think your overbetting on your big bet by about $50.00
second we are all forced to overbet our waiting bets as determined by the table minimum. you just made that factor worse for your self by $40.00 per waiting bet.
third it appears your doing this in your local joint. i think your increasing your heat factor.

this is only my opinion your mileage may vary but what do i know i'm crazy.

best regards,
mr fr0g

I agree that I am overbetting, which is why I am asking you guys if you think the nice comps are worth the risk. It may only take one big loss to get me out of this idea but fortunately I have had two big wins trips and one small loss so far, and have got $220 in cash comps in those 3 trips.

This casino opened in May, and the pit crew is pathetic. In fact, one boss who looks like she is 18 only fools around and flirts with people. I have not seen her watch play with any interest. Many of the dealers have a side dealer training them. I think yesterday was the first day I got some heat because I was rat-holing too carelessly.

Luckily for me I am fluent in Korean so I it’s very easy to get along with the crew and have strong rapport. I hope they still think Im a sucker despite being up quite a bit.

I must be crazy too because what you said makes sense to me!
The casino is paying you $25-$30 per hour to leisurely play BJ with a $50-$150 spread? That sounds pretty good to me.

If you decide to continue this strategy (at this casino at least) you might want to learn as many index plays as you can (especially the surrender ones).

-Sonny-

I checked again today and I received 43 dollars for under 2 hours of play. I ate a free meal in the middle and took a few bathroom breaks. My index play could be a lot better, so I am trying to improve… My strategy has always been to take surrender with 15/16 against 10 and with 16 against 9. (no surrender on Ace) except this one time I hit on 16/10 because the count was so low. But generally you want to take surrender on those 3 combinations right?

I play on "triple comp night" I'm avg 50/hr for the CASHABLE comps. The only thing that sucks is the varience is so big. The other night I lost $1500 and made 300 in comps.. In 5+ hours of play.

If the game is a lot better at the 50 dollar level (s17,DAs,da2,LS,good pene.) I say go for it.

Im crossing my fingers for some triple comp nights where I go. The game has all the favorable rules you mentioned, including the negligible “3 sevens equal BJ”, but unfortunately its 8d shoe.

He should get Rubin's Comp City and combine comp-counting with the card-counting - and make his top-bets ALSO 4x/hr when the rating slip is being filled out - while playing an otherwise 10-150 spread at the lower limit tables. zg

This seems to be a good book from one I can tell so I’ll pick it up, although some tricks look a bit underhanded. BTW, when does the rating slip get filled out??

I wanted to shoot out a thanks to everyone on this forum, and Ken who hosts it. In the last month I have learned so much and have many of you to thank for it.

 

[sagefr0g]

I am wonging out quite a bit, but this morning I wasn’t brave enough to again after wonging out on 3 shoes in a row. I stayed through the 4th, despite ALL FOUR shoes being low to terrible counts. I came out 16 units ahead! ($800). But of course this short term means nothing, but I just love winning on bad shoes :laugh: .

yeah i do that too for the same reasons and it is sweet but dangerous :yikes:

I agree that I am overbetting, which is why I am asking you guys if you think the nice comps are worth the risk. It may only take one big loss to get me out of this idea but fortunately I have had two big wins trips and one small loss so far, and have got $220 in cash comps in those 3 trips.

yea well after reviewing some of the other posts that think it's a good idea i got to go along with it too. with one stipulation, you monitor your loss's and set a stop loss point you can live with.

best regards,
mr fr0g