I recently made a trip to AC where I had fun but I fear my cover has been blown. I was wonging in and out of games and after waiting for about 1/2 a shoe when the RC was going from 0 - 5 it finally reached a + TC. At this point I jumped in and made a nice amount but towards the end of the shoe it went back under +1. When I colored up, the pitboss smirked at me. Should I be worried? Is there any point in using a player's card when wonging? BTW, I have to admit to Automatic, that yeah I'm starting to be more of a fan of wonging when you have many tables to choose from with good conditions. I worry though that it's too easy to get caught when doing this.
Dangers of wonging?
- Thread starter Thunder
- Start date
I see no reason not to discuss it publicly, as it's nothing novel. Basically you're looking for some way to get a view of the blackjack table without being at the blackjack table. Two ploys I've used in the past:
(1) Stand at a roulette table and count the adjacent blackjack table. This one is pretty obvious. You want a line of sight to all the blackjack hands so don't stand where you have to turn your head frequently.
(2) Sit at a slot machine and count a nearby blackjack table. In this case a slot machine had been removed from the row so that I had a pretty wide view of the whole table in between the machines, I don't think you can see a whole blackjack table in between two normal slot machines.
The basic premise is that there's no basic premise - you need to seek out the idiosyncracies of your particular casino and figure something out. There's no ploy that will work everywhere all the time.
Honestly, it gets really boring really quickly, which is why I exclusively use the 15-second rule now.
(1) Stand at a roulette table and count the adjacent blackjack table. This one is pretty obvious. You want a line of sight to all the blackjack hands so don't stand where you have to turn your head frequently.
(2) Sit at a slot machine and count a nearby blackjack table. In this case a slot machine had been removed from the row so that I had a pretty wide view of the whole table in between the machines, I don't think you can see a whole blackjack table in between two normal slot machines.
The basic premise is that there's no basic premise - you need to seek out the idiosyncracies of your particular casino and figure something out. There's no ploy that will work everywhere all the time.
Honestly, it gets really boring really quickly, which is why I exclusively use the 15-second rule now.
This is something I just don't get.
Everyone successful Wonger always says this--but as an unsuccessful Wonger, at every casino I've ever been to, the slot machines are usually 15 to 20 feet away from the tables; thus, I wouldn't be able to see the cards without the use of field glasses (and I have 20/10 vision). I've never been able to see the cards from any bank of slots personally--what gives?
That raises the question: exactly how close are the slots in those casinos where observation makes Wonging possible? (Hard to imagine they're closer than 15 to 20 feet given ample room for egress.)
Also, can someone please explain the alternate method of "Wonging when in motion" and therefore within easy eyesight of the tables (how long before you move before getting pegged as a Wonger, etc.)?
Best regards,
FD
Everyone successful Wonger always says this--but as an unsuccessful Wonger, at every casino I've ever been to, the slot machines are usually 15 to 20 feet away from the tables; thus, I wouldn't be able to see the cards without the use of field glasses (and I have 20/10 vision). I've never been able to see the cards from any bank of slots personally--what gives?
That raises the question: exactly how close are the slots in those casinos where observation makes Wonging possible? (Hard to imagine they're closer than 15 to 20 feet given ample room for egress.)
Also, can someone please explain the alternate method of "Wonging when in motion" and therefore within easy eyesight of the tables (how long before you move before getting pegged as a Wonger, etc.)?
Best regards,
FD
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Bring a pair of binoculars and if anyone asks just say they're for checking out hot chicks' butts :devil:
I agree with you about it being hard to count from a slot machine -- at my usual store I think it could be done if there were only one player playing at either 1st or 3rd base and with no one being in the way (which means it would have to be done on like a Tuesday morning and it might be odd to have a guy sitting alone at a slot machine, not playing, and just watching the closest bj table).
I agree with you about it being hard to count from a slot machine -- at my usual store I think it could be done if there were only one player playing at either 1st or 3rd base and with no one being in the way (which means it would have to be done on like a Tuesday morning and it might be odd to have a guy sitting alone at a slot machine, not playing, and just watching the closest bj table).
No way. Just one hand takes more than 15 seconds. I'd recommend watching a table for a quarter shoe before moving on, and that's for mathematical reasons more than cover. I don't believe pit personnel notice backcounters or understand the significance of it, and surveillance people are certainly in no position to watch counters who aren't even in the game yet.
I agree with Automatic Monkey. I play almost exclusively in AC and I have been able to watch for over a deck or two and Wong in with no adverse effects. When you are not sitting at the table (unless you are hovering over someone's shoulder, I guess) no one really pays any attention to you.
Of course, I also have my very attractive wife by my side and spend the majority of my time looking and talking to her (good cover AND romantic).
Of course, I also have my very attractive wife by my side and spend the majority of my time looking and talking to her (good cover AND romantic).
Huh?
Well I wouldn't go that far, but I'll tell you what does suck: having to figure all this out completely on your own with just a stack of books and no role model to speak to in person--other than all of you.
I guess that's why not that many people make it as counters in the end. So I tip my hat to all those that have (especially the Pros)--because this is one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life.
Anyway, couldn't have made as far as I have (which still isn't very far!) without everyone's help.
Thanks for all the answers.
FD
Well I wouldn't go that far, but I'll tell you what does suck: having to figure all this out completely on your own with just a stack of books and no role model to speak to in person--other than all of you.
I guess that's why not that many people make it as counters in the end. So I tip my hat to all those that have (especially the Pros)--because this is one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life.
Anyway, couldn't have made as far as I have (which still isn't very far!) without everyone's help.
Thanks for all the answers.
FD
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Maybe it's just me, but the whole paranoia over Wonging seems overblown...but then again, I'm not a full-time pro.
I've only been Wonging regularly for a few months now in AC and do it by just standing behind the table and "waiting". Granted, like preacher, I've almost always got the lady with me standing back there so maybe that helps counter the stereotypical "AP look". With regard to my first statement, I'm probably oversimplifying things because I'll backcount for a while after a shuffle and either move on or get in. But once I get out, I don't necessarily rush over to the next table and look for another opportunity...so that may be why I'm thinking this isn't as much of a "red flag" action as it may for most big players.
Just my two centavos :devil:
good luck :joker:
I've only been Wonging regularly for a few months now in AC and do it by just standing behind the table and "waiting". Granted, like preacher, I've almost always got the lady with me standing back there so maybe that helps counter the stereotypical "AP look". With regard to my first statement, I'm probably oversimplifying things because I'll backcount for a while after a shuffle and either move on or get in. But once I get out, I don't necessarily rush over to the next table and look for another opportunity...so that may be why I'm thinking this isn't as much of a "red flag" action as it may for most big players.
Just my two centavos :devil:
good luck :joker: