First Trip Report

[assume_R]

Not sure if this belongs in the "stories" section, but I'll post it here for now.

Anyway, this was actually my first time in a real casino environment with any sort of significant spread. I've been playing B.S. for a long time, have understood the mathematics and such of counting cards for a long time as well, and in the past few months have been practicing a lot and reading a lot. Oh and not to mention joining this forum on December, learning a lot, and (hopefully) giving some correct advice.

But this weekend I put my hard earned cash on the tables, and tested everything I knew.

I met up with an experienced counter (Flash1296), and that in and of itself was an invaluable experience.

By myself, I learned a few things:

1. Being good at counting cards is not a prerequisite for knowing how to catch someone counting cards. One particular pit boss did not know basic strategy (was giving some bad advice), but I was definitely catching some heat from him. Could have been my spreading, or my looking at other players' cards or something else entirely. One time when it was my turn I looked at other players' cards to make the correct index play decision, and this tuned him in. I realized immediately that ploppies look only at their cards to make decisions, and the fact that I subconsciously glanced at the other cards was a big red flag.
2. Even though they are very good to know, index numbers above or below a certain count will rarely happen, as the count doesn't get that high too often, with a particular hand combination. Even though over the LONG RUN one will probably see these rare situations a good number of total times, in shoe games (which I played), I should practice knowing the I18 and other indices near -4<TC<+4 before trying to learn all the others.
3. It is key to be able to talk to other players, etc. while playing.
4. Being nice to the pit bosses and dealers and joking around, asking how they're doing, etc. etc. may go a long way in longevity.
5. Losing a lot in the short run means nothing, but losing a lot in the long run (or medium run ) may be an indication you need to reevaluate your game.
6. Extra steps must be taken with a small to medium sized bankroll. Wonging out is vital with a limited bankroll, and if you can get away with it without heat, then playing multiple hands at the correct times is huge.

For this particular trip, I happened to start out losing 4 big bets (one was a DD), which brought me down a few hundred dollars. Then I thought about it, and realized that the goal isn't to win a particular hand, or even a particular trip, but to play as many hands as possible at a positive EV, play them correctly, bet correctly, and be able to play again in the future. I played out the next few days doing everything correctly, and I happened to end about even.

Any comments or constructive criticisms are more than welcome.

Until my next foray to the casinos, I will keep improving my game in the interim and going over every last detail of my play, demeanor, RoR, bets, act, etc.

-AR

 

[Finn Dog]

I met up with an experienced counter (Flash1296), and that in and of itself was an invaluable experience.

-AR

That sounds like Flash: one of many people on this forum always ready to lend a helping hand.

What a coach to have nearby on your first trip!

Looks like all your observations are on track and now you just have to put in the hours to perfect your act as to appear disinterested in the cards.

Good cards,

FD

 

[fungusAmongus]

...
[*]Being good at counting cards is not a prerequisite for knowing how to catch someone counting cards. One particular pit boss did not know basic strategy (was giving some bad advice), but I was definitely catching some heat from him. Could have been my spreading, or my looking at other players' cards or something else entirely. One time when it was my turn I looked at other players' cards to make the correct index play decision, and this tuned him in. I realized immediately that ploppies look only at their cards to make decisions, and the fact that I subconsciously glanced at the other cards was a big red flag.
...
-AR

bosses are trained to *look* suspicious as a matter of course, so its possible that you were just being a bit paranoid. i've found, for me at least, is to stop thinking that what your doing is somehow wrong, and this allows you to act much more naturally at the table...lets face, we all look worried and stressed when we feel that we are doing wrong (unless you are a sociopath), bosses can sense this and it will trigger a response in them to watch you closer.

i FIRMLY believe that counters are doing nothing whatsoever "wrong"...the casinos make the rules, we use our intellect to beat the game, so why bother being paranoid that somehow we are doing something illegal???

anyway, thanks for your post...its always interesting to hear the stories from someone who is just starting down the path.