I've been in and out of casino's for over 20 years. I'm mainly a dice player (don't pass). I understand the technical part of card counting, but what I don't understand is what kind of bankroll I need to get started. I like many other people don't have alot of money and I know you may not win your first few sessions. I few losses and I'm done. What do people in my situation do to get ahead of the game?
Bankroll?
- Thread starter Ron
- Start date
You said: What do people in my position do to get ahead in the game?
Answer:
1) immediately stop playing games with negative EV, like craps.
2) work hard and save money
3) study and practice hard before entering the casino
4) play correctly at the tables, and be patient.
If you had $5k to devote as your bankroll, you can start playing seriously. With less than that, time to work and save.
Best,
--Mayor
Answer:
1) immediately stop playing games with negative EV, like craps.
2) work hard and save money
3) study and practice hard before entering the casino
4) play correctly at the tables, and be patient.
If you had $5k to devote as your bankroll, you can start playing seriously. With less than that, time to work and save.
Best,
--Mayor
Hmmm... I composed a very similar answer.
Maybe mine is a little more grim ...
In order to answer the question, you have to determine what kind of games you have access to. Rules, Penetration, etc. That way you can determine what type of house edge you are needing to overcome.
Then, you need to determine what level of risk of losing everything you are willing to take. Finally, what levels of minimum to maximum bet will the casino tolerate? This spread will determine variance.
A short answer is: If you have anything less than $10,000 set aside, you can only play red chips. You need 400-800 minimum bets as a rule of thumb. 100 max bets would be another way of looking at it.
How to get started?
Step 1) Stay out of the casino. Ever notice the people playing anything larger than red chips? Come back a year later, and you will see a whole different set of 'big bettors'. Why? Because without playing with a rather large edge, the normal citizen is going to go broke. They do not have the bankroll to withstand the variations, and they are over betting, just waiting for a streak of bad luck to wipe them out. The casino has a huge bankroll and can wait out any individual player's lucky streak. Today's black chip bettor is tomorrow's suicide, divorce, bank robber, back-alley bum. A new player with disposible cash will replace him, just waiting for another disaster.
Step 2) Build your bankroll. Work, invest, save - if you plan on starting without adequate bankroll, you might as well just mail the casino the money, and save yourself some time.
Step 3) Study, Learn, Practice. Practice some more. Practice again. Just for the heck of it, Study - Learn - Practice, one more time. Then repeat all of the above. You got time to do this while you are building bankroll.
Step 4) Work on hustling the comps. Special Coupons. Promotions. Free Give Aways. Only play the best games. Only enter games when you have an advantage. Leave as soon as you don't. Don't play marginal games. Better not to play than play a bad game. In short, act like it is your own money you are gambling with.
Step 5) See Step 3.
Maybe mine is a little more grim ...
In order to answer the question, you have to determine what kind of games you have access to. Rules, Penetration, etc. That way you can determine what type of house edge you are needing to overcome.
Then, you need to determine what level of risk of losing everything you are willing to take. Finally, what levels of minimum to maximum bet will the casino tolerate? This spread will determine variance.
A short answer is: If you have anything less than $10,000 set aside, you can only play red chips. You need 400-800 minimum bets as a rule of thumb. 100 max bets would be another way of looking at it.
How to get started?
Step 1) Stay out of the casino. Ever notice the people playing anything larger than red chips? Come back a year later, and you will see a whole different set of 'big bettors'. Why? Because without playing with a rather large edge, the normal citizen is going to go broke. They do not have the bankroll to withstand the variations, and they are over betting, just waiting for a streak of bad luck to wipe them out. The casino has a huge bankroll and can wait out any individual player's lucky streak. Today's black chip bettor is tomorrow's suicide, divorce, bank robber, back-alley bum. A new player with disposible cash will replace him, just waiting for another disaster.
Step 2) Build your bankroll. Work, invest, save - if you plan on starting without adequate bankroll, you might as well just mail the casino the money, and save yourself some time.
Step 3) Study, Learn, Practice. Practice some more. Practice again. Just for the heck of it, Study - Learn - Practice, one more time. Then repeat all of the above. You got time to do this while you are building bankroll.
Step 4) Work on hustling the comps. Special Coupons. Promotions. Free Give Aways. Only play the best games. Only enter games when you have an advantage. Leave as soon as you don't. Don't play marginal games. Better not to play than play a bad game. In short, act like it is your own money you are gambling with.
Step 5) See Step 3.
WHAT EVER THE COST YOUR FIRST BANK ROLL SHOULD FUND YOUR EDUCATION ON THIS COUNTING THING WE DO. THIS BEFORE YOU EVEN GET NEAR A TABLE!
$14.95 BASIC BLACKJACK STANFORD WONG
$14.95 BLACKJACK SECRETS STANFORD WONG
$20 FOR PROFESSIONAL BLACKJACK STANFORD WONG
$15 FOR KO BLACKJACK FUCHS/VANCURA
$19.95 BLACKJACK ATTACK SCHLESINGER
$19.95 COMP CITY MAX RUBIN
$140 FOR CASINO VERITE SOFTWARE
$3.00 PER DECK OF BEE CASINO QUALITY PALYING CARDS (21 DECKS FOR SIX DECK SHOE SIMULATION DISCARD STACKS AND TOPHYSICALLY COUNT DOWN THE DECK IN LESS THAN 22 SECONDS)
ETC.ETC.ETC.
PS CRAPS IS A GOOD WAY TO COMMIT BANKROLL SUICIDE. CHECK OUT THE MAYORS SUGGESTIONS ON THE LEFT OF YOUR SCREEN. READ STUDY MEMORIZE AND PRACTICE.
$14.95 BASIC BLACKJACK STANFORD WONG
$14.95 BLACKJACK SECRETS STANFORD WONG
$20 FOR PROFESSIONAL BLACKJACK STANFORD WONG
$15 FOR KO BLACKJACK FUCHS/VANCURA
$19.95 BLACKJACK ATTACK SCHLESINGER
$19.95 COMP CITY MAX RUBIN
$140 FOR CASINO VERITE SOFTWARE
$3.00 PER DECK OF BEE CASINO QUALITY PALYING CARDS (21 DECKS FOR SIX DECK SHOE SIMULATION DISCARD STACKS AND TOPHYSICALLY COUNT DOWN THE DECK IN LESS THAN 22 SECONDS)
ETC.ETC.ETC.
PS CRAPS IS A GOOD WAY TO COMMIT BANKROLL SUICIDE. CHECK OUT THE MAYORS SUGGESTIONS ON THE LEFT OF YOUR SCREEN. READ STUDY MEMORIZE AND PRACTICE.
Ron,
Reading is mandatory and a good source of current edition books is eBay. Over the last couple of years I have found many titles. Also have found some 1st Editions of the classics just for fun. I have probably over 25 books on the subject and most were obtained at less than half the cost. It appears there are quite a few wantabees that give up after trying to play on a bankroll that is way too small and give up.
Also a good source of cards for practice is at the casinos (gift shop). The used cards are defaced, either a corner clipped or a hole punched through them. They make great cards to practice with, or for home games. I have paid between 50 cents to 1 dollar a deck.
Would also like to add to the above beginner's suggestions that you need to develop patience and discipline. Many times you will find yourself behind in a session or sessions. You need to remember that you are in this for the long run and that the fluctuations will be there. You can't over bet your bankroll because you are "due to win".
Pill
Reading is mandatory and a good source of current edition books is eBay. Over the last couple of years I have found many titles. Also have found some 1st Editions of the classics just for fun. I have probably over 25 books on the subject and most were obtained at less than half the cost. It appears there are quite a few wantabees that give up after trying to play on a bankroll that is way too small and give up.
Also a good source of cards for practice is at the casinos (gift shop). The used cards are defaced, either a corner clipped or a hole punched through them. They make great cards to practice with, or for home games. I have paid between 50 cents to 1 dollar a deck.
Would also like to add to the above beginner's suggestions that you need to develop patience and discipline. Many times you will find yourself behind in a session or sessions. You need to remember that you are in this for the long run and that the fluctuations will be there. You can't over bet your bankroll because you are "due to win".
Pill