assume_R said:
Thanks, it seems cover can be costly and it might be just worth it to learn more indices (which may seem like cover), and play shorter sessions. And worry more about betting cover rather than BS deviations cover... which can also be costly :sad:
Strategies like playing full bore and keeping sessions short may be okay if you're on the road and will be seen in each casino only two or three times. But if you play locally and have, or will make hundreds of appearances in the same casino, I feel sure that cover plays are an out-and-out necessity.
I also believe that because you will be conspicously spreading your bets wider than a typical ploppy, you want to make more varied basic strategy errors than a ploppy would. Make your play somewhat bizarre and tougher to figure out. Since you'll occasionally be doubling A/8 against a 4, 5 or 6, doubling 10 against a 10 or Ace, doubling 8 against a 5 or 6, doubling 9 against a 2 or 7, splitting 9's against a 7 or Ace, standing with 16 against a 10, standing with 12 against a 2 or 3, taking full Insurance with a bad hand, and maybe even splitting 10's, etc, -- you want to make some other "off-the-wall" plays that fit in with that style, but are obvious errors.
Now, many floor people, and I'm sure more surviellance people, can pick out basic strategy errors -- but hardly any can tell a horrible error from an insignificant one.
I'm not a fan of standing with A/7 against a 9 or 10 -- too costly. But against the Ace, it's negligible.
I'm not a fan of routinely taking even money -- too costly. But insuring any other hand for one-tenth of the bet is far less costly.
I'm not a fan of standing with 12 against a 2 or 3
(and even a 4) in moderate counts. But occasionally doubling with them for one-tenth of a bet fits in with a bizarre style of play, and costs less.
I'm not particularly fond of doubling for less with 16 against a 7, 8, 9 or Ace because your loss is between 40% and 50% of the extra amount you put up -- as opposed to 20% to 25% on 12 against a 2, 3 or 4.
How many times have you sat down at a table and an incumbant announces to you,
"I just wanna warn you -- I don't hit 16", or,
"I always hit my 16's"? So when somebody comes to your table, warn them,
"I always alternate with my 16's". It can help you fit in with the reputation of a "whack job".
How many times has another player picked up his chips and feigned splitting 10's against a 5 or 6 just for a reaction? Pick up your own chips and say,
"I love splitting 10's -- I'll go with you on that one". That's not running a bluff -- you'll have a +27% EV if he takes you up on it. The same thing
(but smaller EV's) go for going halves on other players' doubles or splits with 8 vs. 6, with 9 vs. 2, with 9 vs. 7, with 11 vs. Ace, with 8/8 vs. 2 or 3
(assuming DAS) and with 9/9 vs. 7.
Other very low cost cover play errors are splitting 3/3 and 7/7 against an 8. When you're dealt one, ask your floorperson what the book says about that pair. After he opens hit lapel, checks his "win card" and says it's not a split, then say,
"If the book says not to split 'em, then I'm splittin' 'em!" How much more advertising can you get for practically free?
If you're going to spread unlike a ploppy, and make some index plays that a ploppy won't make, then I think you have no choice but to throw enough low cost razzle dazzle into your game to make you tough to figure out.
And be sure to rathole chips. You can get a win/loss statement from your home casino at the end of the year, and if it shows you a winner -- your bad!