I'd like to start by saying that the help I've received from this board has been invaluable to me, and I am truly greatful for it all.
I went to Vegas from the 6th through the 9th of January with my girlfriend for her birthday. I played exclusively at EC (2D), though I stayed in the Cosmopolitan (amazing hotel). By the third night of the trip, I was down a total of 140 units ($700) which was the entirety of my trip bankroll.
I used the KO count with ~30 index plays with a spread of $5-25, and did mostly play all. However, I did wong in and out when I found the chance to do so without much scrutiny from the pit.
Within the first 10 or so minutes of the first night of play, I had lost 40 units ($200) from losing all my high count bets. I bought in for another hundred dollars and proceeded to win back all of my losses plus some, which, I think, got the attention of the pit. During that time, I made many high count basic strategy deviations which I'm sure didn't help my case with the pit. One memorable moment was my first ever ten split against a dealer 6. It was heads up, and the RC was +4 with my tens and the dealers six. Got dealt a ten on one and stood since the count was below the split point. Can't recall the card I was dealt for the second ten but I do remember that it was a stiff. Dealer draws to a bust and I win the hand that brought me back to even.
At this point, I noticed (at least I thought I did) several pit critters watching me which, admitedly made me a bit nervous. But I kept on with my happy ploppy act and continued to chat it up with the dealers. Thankfully, an older gentleman at the SD $25 min table was betting $500-$750 a hand and winning, which managed to draw all the attention away from me. By the time that they'd backed him off, I had lost all of my money. I wonder if that's why they didn't bother with giving me any more scrutiny?
Few things that I learned/noticed
I would like to chalk my losses up to bad cards, altough I can't help but think it was due to a lack of experience. Although I lost my trip bankroll, the whole trip was a good learning experience and I can't wait to go back.
I went to Vegas from the 6th through the 9th of January with my girlfriend for her birthday. I played exclusively at EC (2D), though I stayed in the Cosmopolitan (amazing hotel). By the third night of the trip, I was down a total of 140 units ($700) which was the entirety of my trip bankroll.
I used the KO count with ~30 index plays with a spread of $5-25, and did mostly play all. However, I did wong in and out when I found the chance to do so without much scrutiny from the pit.
Within the first 10 or so minutes of the first night of play, I had lost 40 units ($200) from losing all my high count bets. I bought in for another hundred dollars and proceeded to win back all of my losses plus some, which, I think, got the attention of the pit. During that time, I made many high count basic strategy deviations which I'm sure didn't help my case with the pit. One memorable moment was my first ever ten split against a dealer 6. It was heads up, and the RC was +4 with my tens and the dealers six. Got dealt a ten on one and stood since the count was below the split point. Can't recall the card I was dealt for the second ten but I do remember that it was a stiff. Dealer draws to a bust and I win the hand that brought me back to even.
At this point, I noticed (at least I thought I did) several pit critters watching me which, admitedly made me a bit nervous. But I kept on with my happy ploppy act and continued to chat it up with the dealers. Thankfully, an older gentleman at the SD $25 min table was betting $500-$750 a hand and winning, which managed to draw all the attention away from me. By the time that they'd backed him off, I had lost all of my money. I wonder if that's why they didn't bother with giving me any more scrutiny?
Few things that I learned/noticed
- I love playing heads up with a fast dealer.
- Having people at the table betting at least 10x the table min provides excellent cover
- EC dealers call checks play very frequently when there is a signifcant bet out on the table
- I've never been dealt more stiffs against a dealer 7-10 at high counts than I have at the EC
- Losing my money seemed to nullify the intial heat I got
- Faking my emotions when winning or losing max bets was an adventure in and of itself
- I can't concentrate when I'm hung over
I would like to chalk my losses up to bad cards, altough I can't help but think it was due to a lack of experience. Although I lost my trip bankroll, the whole trip was a good learning experience and I can't wait to go back.
