Big bettors at your table...GOOD or BAD?

[Baberuth]

So your great cover play now has even more help with 2 guys betting black while you green. The pit checks them and doesn’t really bother with you, BUT what if surveillance checks your table because of them and you get caught in the wash?
So is it better to NOT play at this table?

Thanks in advance.

Baberuth

 

[Richard Munchkin]

You are better off playing at another table in the same pit. Bosses and surveillance will focus on them, not you.

 

[Nynefingers]

Related question that I faced recently...

I'm playing heads up in a DD game, on a players card, when all other DD games have about 3 players per table. A regular (or at least a known player) comes in and starts betting at or near the table limit, which is several times more than my max bet. I already know I'm going to limit the length of my session, especially since I'm playing rated. When the big money shows up, do I stay and continue to spread as before but plan to leave after any shoe with significant win/loss, go play elsewhere with more players, or leave entirely? This game has better EV due to the smaller number of players, but does the presence of the big better mean I shouldn't stay?

 

[Gamblor]

Richard's answer's the best. Heck, its good to even have a big bettor in the same casino. Even as a red chip player, at certain hours and casinos, you could very well be the biggest bettor.

If for some reason its not possible to get away from the table, I often feel its good to have a big player at your table, and I do jack things up in such situations.

Not quite sure why I feel this way, feel they'll be paying extra close attention to the big player for everything except counting. Of course, if the big player is a counter, run!

Might also have something to do with the number of other players at the table. Once I was playing heads up, and a big player buys in with a marker. Didn't feel this is was a good situation, so I left. So that's at least what my instincts tell me.

 

[moo321]

I've seen the pit call for a skills check on the guy at my table. I took off.

 

[alwayssplitaces]

Ask the big bettor if he wants to play poker with you, then go to the poker room and try to get 2 seats at the same table.

At least have a whale lose money to other players rather than to the house.

 

[Renzey]

I've seen the pit call for a skills check on the guy at my table. I took off.

If you know surviellance is running a skills check on someone at your table, this is the time for you to hit 12 vs. 4, or to double for way less with 12 vs. 2 or 3, or to hit 13 vs. 2, or to double 10 vs. 10, or to split 2/2 or 3/3 or 7/7 vs. 8, or to split 9/9 vs. Ace, or to Insure any hand for way less, or to make a couple of small token side bets on whatever they're offering. If you play in this casino repeatedly, you cannot remain invisible forever. Take this high visibility opportunity to build the desired image! The game within the game!

 

[stopgambling]

thanks ,i learn something today !

 

[NAP]

If you know surviellance is running a skills check on someone at your table, this is the time for you to hit 12 vs. 4, or to double for way less with 12 vs. 2 or 3, or to hit 13 vs. 2, or to double 10 vs. 10, or to split 2/2 or 3/3 or 7/7 vs. 8, or to split 9/9 vs. Ace, or to Insure any hand for way less, or to make a couple of small token side bets on whatever they're offering. If you play in this casino repeatedly, you cannot remain invisible forever. Take this high visibility opportunity to build the desired image! The game within the game!

What if you're in a negative count and ALREADY hitting 12 v 4...

I guess I would have to first announce that I recognize the index calls for hitting 12 v 4 but I am so unskilled that I will stand anyway! Then they will surely recognize that I am no threat! :joker:

 

[blackjackomaha]

Having big bettors in the pit or a nearby table is extremely helpful and would be the ideal situation. However, having them at your table can be a mixed bag. Sure, more attention will be given to the larger bettor, BUT, since they generally command the most attention, anything they say or do will be noticed.

If you're making non-standard plays (i.e. splitting 10's), and the big bettor loudly complains and threatens to leave the casino if you make those plays, suddenly you could find yourself under additional scrutiny. Not all big bettors cause trouble, but certainly something to keep in mind.

 

[Cardcounter]

Big betters are fun!

They are awesome to give advice too! If you are lucky maybe you can make prop bets with them that give you a big edge. Like betting on the dealer making a hand. Or finishing a double that they did not complete. Maybe if you are lucky he will toss you a chip or two.

 

[bigplayer]

So your great cover play now has even more help with 2 guys betting black while you green. The pit checks them and doesn’t really bother with you, BUT what if surveillance checks your table because of them and you get caught in the wash?
So is it better to NOT play at this table?

Thanks in advance.

Baberuth

Bad.

 

[tthree]

Bad.

Vague.

 

[paddywhack]

Related question that I faced recently...

I'm playing heads up in a DD game, on a players card, when all other DD games have about 3 players per table. A regular (or at least a known player) comes in and starts betting at or near the table limit, which is several times more than my max bet. I already know I'm going to limit the length of my session, especially since I'm playing rated. When the big money shows up, do I stay and continue to spread as before but plan to leave after any shoe with significant win/loss, go play elsewhere with more players, or leave entirely? This game has better EV due to the smaller number of players, but does the presence of the big better mean I shouldn't stay?

I'd stick to your game plan, unless the attention increases dramatically.

 

[flyingwind]

I've seen the pit call for a skills check on the guy at my table. I took off.

Was the pit real obvious about it?

 

[duanedibley]

Sometimes I wonder about you... Of course it is bad. Once surveillance is checking out someone else at your table, it's not going to be hard to notice that someone two feet away knows what he's doing. We all know how easy it is to identify a counter from the times we've sat next to another one. Your best defense is staying under the radar. At least if it's the pit checking you out you know when they're watching and when they're not.

 

[Gamblor]

Sometimes I wonder about you... Of course it is bad. Once surveillance is checking out someone else at your table, it's not going to be hard to notice that someone two feet away knows what he's doing. We all know how easy it is to identify a counter from the times we've sat next to another one. Your best defense is staying under the radar. At least if it's the pit checking you out you know when they're watching and when they're not.

But you are assuming surveillance and the pit are checking to see if the big bettor is a counter. This of course very very rarely happens and the casinos just get nervous about having a big bettor, and focus on the big bettor for other things.

On occasion I'm the biggest bettor at a table/pit/casino, and trust me, they do focus on other things besides counting Counting is usually something way down on their list of worries.

That's why I think its not that terrible to have a big bettor at your table even. Of course if the big bettor is a counter, I would run away from the table screaming.