Hi, I've been reading about and practising card counting for a few months now, using Casino Verite, and according to the programme I should be able to make some cash. But I haven't actually had any casino experience yet, with my 18th birthday yet to come in November, so am quite nervous. And I would like to ask if there are any recommendations as to which casino I should try out first, in the London area. If any one has info on good playing conditions in the London (eg 6 decks shoe or less, good penetration etc) I would be very grateful. As it could save me losing all my money on my birthday!!
Advice for beginners
- Thread starter HANS2007
- Start date
ccibball50
Well-Known Member
Play only single or double deck to lessen the volitility. If you find a game good enough, you can use a 1-4 spread. Take at least $400 for a $5 minimum unless you have a replinishing bank roll. Play with as few players at the table as possible. The fewer the players the better the chance to win. But rules are the most important.
UK-21
Well-Known Member
Good advice but . . . .
There ain't no single deck or double deck games in most casinos in the UK (if anyone knows of one please PM me) - most are 6 deck, although "Shed" (another forum contributor) has said that Napoleon's behind Leicester Square has a 4 deck shoe game.
I would suggest 'phoning up one of the Galas and arranging to take half a dozen mates along one evening to celebrate the 18th. Mid-week they'll have a host that'll lay on a free round and show you around the place. Don't expect anything too special - effectively they're highstreet betting shops with a few tables and a glitzy bar. But it'll be a great opportunity to see what's on offer.
If you're going to do an 18th jolly, be seen to drink a bit - don't stay stone cold sober and concentrate on every card pulled out of the shoe like your life depended on it. And don't win an obscene amount either. Pave the way for lots and lots of return visits.
Enjoy !
There ain't no single deck or double deck games in most casinos in the UK (if anyone knows of one please PM me) - most are 6 deck, although "Shed" (another forum contributor) has said that Napoleon's behind Leicester Square has a 4 deck shoe game.
I would suggest 'phoning up one of the Galas and arranging to take half a dozen mates along one evening to celebrate the 18th. Mid-week they'll have a host that'll lay on a free round and show you around the place. Don't expect anything too special - effectively they're highstreet betting shops with a few tables and a glitzy bar. But it'll be a great opportunity to see what's on offer.
If you're going to do an 18th jolly, be seen to drink a bit - don't stay stone cold sober and concentrate on every card pulled out of the shoe like your life depended on it. And don't win an obscene amount either. Pave the way for lots and lots of return visits.
Enjoy !
SleightOfHand
Well-Known Member
8D games are beatable. Using a play all technique, however, has a rediculous RoR, so you will want to wong/backcount these games (leave at TC -1 / join at TC +1).
UK-21
Well-Known Member
The Gala I visit offers a six deck shoe with tables of £3-£100 and £5-£200.
As you're not yet 18, I'm assuming you haven't played at a casino table (or have you been using a hookey ID to get a membership card?). I would use your first few visits as scouting trips to see what goes on. You'll be surprised at the speed in which some of the dealers operate (I was the first time I entered one of these places) - 15 cards hit the felt in around 8 seconds, and before you've clocked it the first player is hitting. My first thought on seeing this was "hmmm, more practice needed I think".
Also, the back-counting thing is a great idea but unworkable in the places I've played. In the evenings all seats at a table are occupied, and if you get one you have the choice of playing all and accepting it's costing you, or leaving at a crap count and that's probably it for the evening. Not great, but that's how it is. But if you have enough to play higher limit tables you may find things easier.
What are you hoping to gain from the experience? If you're looking for it to be the first of many occassions from which you consistently walk away with more than you go with, I'd say learn to play poker - there are far more silly people around playing poker for real money than there are casinos with BJ games and conditions which offer the same potential return. Alternatively, save your pennies with the aim of going to the States where, in comparison, you'll be spoilt for choice.
Without meaning to be nosey, what's your betting unit going to be and how much are you planning to take with you ?
Newb99
As you're not yet 18, I'm assuming you haven't played at a casino table (or have you been using a hookey ID to get a membership card?). I would use your first few visits as scouting trips to see what goes on. You'll be surprised at the speed in which some of the dealers operate (I was the first time I entered one of these places) - 15 cards hit the felt in around 8 seconds, and before you've clocked it the first player is hitting. My first thought on seeing this was "hmmm, more practice needed I think".
Also, the back-counting thing is a great idea but unworkable in the places I've played. In the evenings all seats at a table are occupied, and if you get one you have the choice of playing all and accepting it's costing you, or leaving at a crap count and that's probably it for the evening. Not great, but that's how it is. But if you have enough to play higher limit tables you may find things easier.
What are you hoping to gain from the experience? If you're looking for it to be the first of many occassions from which you consistently walk away with more than you go with, I'd say learn to play poker - there are far more silly people around playing poker for real money than there are casinos with BJ games and conditions which offer the same potential return. Alternatively, save your pennies with the aim of going to the States where, in comparison, you'll be spoilt for choice.
Without meaning to be nosey, what's your betting unit going to be and how much are you planning to take with you ?
Newb99
I'll be probably be playing a minimum bet of £5, and as I haven't played in a real casino environment befor,e I'm not too sure how much to bring. But possibly around £150 for the night to see how things go.
And what I'll try to do at first is to go and play at a time where not many people are around so I could probably get to play head on where I gain some confidence before I start playing in the evenings where it's packed.
And sorry for sounding a bit paranoid but the penetration is good right?? No CSMs?? Thanks a lot guys really appreciate the help.
And what I'll try to do at first is to go and play at a time where not many people are around so I could probably get to play head on where I gain some confidence before I start playing in the evenings where it's packed.
And sorry for sounding a bit paranoid but the penetration is good right?? No CSMs?? Thanks a lot guys really appreciate the help.
UK-21
Well-Known Member
A couple of suggestions as it'll be your first visit . . . .
Arrange to take a couple of mates along for an afternoon session - dress it up as your 18th jolly which started at lunchtime and will continue well into the evening until you all fall down. In the afternoons, between 2.30 and 5.00 it won't be too crowded, and all of the real degenerates will have gone back to work.
Flat bet at table mins. Assuming a £3.00 min, £150 will give you fifty bets. On balance of probability, playing for a couple of hours you won't lose it all. You never know, the God of Standard Deviation may smile on you and you might actually end up in front with enough to fund some of the evening jollies?
Don't worry about penetration. True, it does have a profound impact on whether a game is beatable or not, but it won't be as if you can just go and find another table with another dealer if it's not up to much. There'll be plenty of time to be more fussy about such things later on.
Enjoy your 18th, have fun and let us know how you get on with the counting.
If you're serious about making money from playing cards then, as I've already said, learn to play poker. In the UK, with a combination of European NHC rules, crowded tables and a modest spread (I play 1-8 as that's all I can afford) for me BJ is a breakeven game at best. It's fun to play and the counting thing adds something, but I'm under no illusions about it's potential (or lack of one) as a money spinner.
Out of interest, what books have you read?
Newb99
Arrange to take a couple of mates along for an afternoon session - dress it up as your 18th jolly which started at lunchtime and will continue well into the evening until you all fall down. In the afternoons, between 2.30 and 5.00 it won't be too crowded, and all of the real degenerates will have gone back to work.
Flat bet at table mins. Assuming a £3.00 min, £150 will give you fifty bets. On balance of probability, playing for a couple of hours you won't lose it all. You never know, the God of Standard Deviation may smile on you and you might actually end up in front with enough to fund some of the evening jollies?
Don't worry about penetration. True, it does have a profound impact on whether a game is beatable or not, but it won't be as if you can just go and find another table with another dealer if it's not up to much. There'll be plenty of time to be more fussy about such things later on.
Enjoy your 18th, have fun and let us know how you get on with the counting.
If you're serious about making money from playing cards then, as I've already said, learn to play poker. In the UK, with a combination of European NHC rules, crowded tables and a modest spread (I play 1-8 as that's all I can afford) for me BJ is a breakeven game at best. It's fun to play and the counting thing adds something, but I'm under no illusions about it's potential (or lack of one) as a money spinner.
Out of interest, what books have you read?
Newb99