Embracing the best games only policy

[KewlJ]

For a lot of players this is their normal strategy. Play only the best games. Makes sense. But I don't do it that way. I am all about longevity and my blueprint has been to spread my play out, among many casinos, usually about 30 in my rotation, not really trying to trick anyone, but just not make a nuisance of myself. And this has served me pretty well.

So you players that play and visit Vegas are saying "but there aren't 30 good games in Vegas". You can say that again! There are probably 3-5 very good to excellent games at any given time. Games with deep penetration, maybe surrender. And another 4-6 or so that are "good games" (at least by my standards). Six deck, 80-83% pen, that kind of thing. Maybe another 10 or so very average, six deck games 75 pen, no surrender or special extras. And a remaining 10-12 that are a little below average but I play, and am willing to make a little less EV so as to spread myself around in the name of longevity. Sometimes I only play some of these "lesser" games because they are in very close proximity to a much better game.

Like I said, it has worked well for me, BUT as I just resumed play last week after a 5-6 month layoff, even fully vaccinated, I want to take it slow. Let's face it, blackjack tables are right there with bars among the more riskier places in my opinion, even with masks and plastic dividers, because of the sharing of chips, cards. So for the time being at least I have decided to cut my rotation in half, play less (total) than I used to and only play the best/better games. And when new cases start dropping, and we really get this damn virus under control, I will start adding back in the bottom half of my rotation. I hope this doesn't screw the dynamics that has works so well as far as tolerance and spreading out play. It shouldn't as I am not really planning on playing any one casino more frequently. Time will tell.

 

[Midwest Player]

So are you using the same betting level as in the past. If I recall correctly when you increased your betting level last year things did not go too well for you.

 

[KewlJ]

So are you using the same betting level as in the past. If I recall correctly when you increased your betting level last year things did not go too well for you.

I am back to my regular betting levels. But my "regular" betting levels are not so "regular". I have different max bets, ramps and spreads for different situations and casinos, based on everything from what I perceive to be tolerance levels, to what day of the week, time of day, crowded conditions. If I play on a Saturday night, I can and will bet a lot more than the same location on a Tuesday afternoon. When you get into holiday weekends or big fight nights...even more. Of course that is offset by more crowded conditions, slower play, fewer rounds per hour, less ability to jump around.

So last year, when casinos reopened, I saw an opportunity to bump up my wagers higher than what I otherwise would for each circumstance, because pit folks were busier with new responsibilities and all, even the plastic dividers, distorted vision etc. So I did so for a period. It allowed me to build higher EV, but unfortunately it just didn't translate into bigger winnings, because I hit a pretty negative run right as I bumped up.

I have no regrets. It just didn't work out that well. But now things are back to normal or more normal. Actually things were returning to more normal late last year before I stopped playing with pit having settled in. So I am back to my regular limits, whatever that may be for each situation as I see fit.

 

[King777]

For a lot of players this is their normal strategy. Play only the best games. Makes sense. But I don't do it that way. I am all about longevity and my blueprint has been to spread my play out, among many casinos, usually about 30 in my rotation, not really trying to trick anyone, but just not make a nuisance of myself. And this has served me pretty well.

So you players that play and visit Vegas are saying "but there aren't 30 good games in Vegas". You can say that again! There are probably 3-5 very good to excellent games at any given time. Games with deep penetration, maybe surrender. And another 4-6 or so that are "good games" (at least by my standards). Six deck, 80-83% pen, that kind of thing. Maybe another 10 or so very average, six deck games 75 pen, no surrender or special extras. And a remaining 10-12 that are a little below average but I play, and am willing to make a little less EV so as to spread myself around in the name of longevity. Sometimes I only play some of these "lesser" games because they are in very close proximity to a much better game.

Like I said, it has worked well for me, BUT as I just resumed play last week after a 5-6 month layoff, even fully vaccinated, I want to take it slow. Let's face it, blackjack tables are right there with bars among the more riskier places in my opinion, even with masks and plastic dividers, because of the sharing of chips, cards. So for the time being at least I have decided to cut my rotation in half, play less (total) than I used to and only play the best/better games. And when new cases start dropping, and we really get this damn virus under control, I will start adding back in the bottom half of my rotation. I hope this doesn't screw the dynamics that has works so well as far as tolerance and spreading out play. It shouldn't as I am not really planning on playing any one casino more frequently. Time will tell.

How has it been since you switch to playing only the better games? Also back offs are crazy in Vegas, I am wondering what's your approach on returning to the casino that backed you off, how long do you wait?

 

[KewlJ]

How has it been since you switch to playing only the better games? Also back offs are crazy in Vegas, I am wondering what's your approach on returning to the casino that backed you off, how long do you wait?

I don't get backed off very much any more. A couple times a year and most are very polite. "No more blackjack", even "I think that is enough for today". So as long as it is a garden variety backoff, with no unusual issues or circumstances, I usually stay away 3 months, but make sure to avoid that pit person for another 3 months.

 

[King777]

I am back to my regular betting levels. But my "regular" betting levels are not so "regular". I have different max bets, ramps and spreads for different situations and casinos, based on everything from what I perceive to be tolerance levels, to what day of the week, time of day, crowded conditions. If I play on a Saturday night, I can and will bet a lot more than the same location on a Tuesday afternoon. When you get into holiday weekends or big fight nights...even more. Of course that is offset by more crowded conditions, slower play, fewer rounds per hour, less ability to jump around.

So last year, when casinos reopened, I saw an opportunity to bump up my wagers higher than what I otherwise would for each circumstance, because pit folks were busier with new responsibilities and all, even the plastic dividers, distorted vision etc. So I did so for a period. It allowed me to build higher EV, but unfortunately it just didn't translate into bigger winnings, because I hit a pretty negative run right as I bumped up.

I have no regrets. It just didn't work out that well. But now things are back to normal or more normal. Actually things were returning to more normal late last year before I stopped playing with pit having settled in. So I am back to my regular limits, whatever that may be for each situation as I see fit.

What do you think is the perceived tolerance by Vegas casinos on busy nights vs slow afternoons? I know what's tolerated on the strip is very different from off-strip. I am a green/black chip player with replenishable bankroll and would like the most out of EV without pushing over tolerance level. I really support the quote "counting is easy, getting away with it is hard". I would appreciate it if I can ask specifics in PM if you like