getting backed off or banned

BillytheBJkid

Well-Known Member
#1
I was reading the other site and someone wrote that they just were told they couldn't play blackjack anymore for the first time and the other posters all said congradulations. I don't see how that is a good accomplishment. Am I missing something? I would have posted over there but I am not a member and was just reading.
 

johndoe

Well-Known Member
#2
BillytheBJkid said:
I was reading the other site and someone wrote that they just were told they couldn't play blackjack anymore for the first time and the other posters all said congradulations. I don't see how that is a good accomplishment. Am I missing something? I would have posted over there but I am not a member and was just reading.
Many AP's consider this as "earning your stripes", and that your play has been "validated" as being a threat to the casino, and that you've been playing aggressively enough to push (cross) the line.

I don't agree with this, personally, but I sort of understand it.
 

Jack_Black

Well-Known Member
#3
I agree. there is nothing to gain except bragging rights, sort of. Why brag about the fact that you now killed a goose that laid golden eggs? You got banned because you got too greedy, or you were too much of a jerk. And because you were a jerk to a few key people, they decided to watch you and find a reason to kick you out. I have a place that for sure suspects me of counting, but I tip, joke around with the staff, tell a few stories and flat bet. I’m sure they would’ve watched me closer if I did the opposite.

Also, there are plenty of stores in Vegas and AC that sweat even the smallest bet jump. They’ll kick you out if you’re a threat or not. So again, nothing to really brag about.
 

21forme

Well-Known Member
#4
BillytheBJkid said:
I was reading the other site and someone wrote that they just were told they couldn't play blackjack anymore for the first time and the other posters all said congradulations. I don't see how that is a good accomplishment. Am I missing something? I would have posted over there but I am not a member and was just reading.
It's a rite of passage and is inevitable if you're playing a good game.

Jack_Black said:
I agree. there is nothing to gain except bragging rights, sort of. Why brag about the fact that you now killed a goose that laid golden eggs? You got banned because you got too greedy, or you were too much of a jerk. And because you were a jerk to a few key people, they decided to watch you and find a reason to kick you out. I have a place that for sure suspects me of counting, but I tip, joke around with the staff, tell a few stories and flat bet. I’m sure they would’ve watched me closer if I did the opposite.

Also, there are plenty of stores in Vegas and AC that sweat even the smallest bet jump. They’ll kick you out if you’re a threat or not. So again, nothing to really brag about.
The goose is not dead. I've been told no more BJ in some LV casinos (and half-shoed in a few AC casinos) and returned the next shift or next day or next trip without a problem. Some say if you're not backed off occasionally, you're not playing aggressive enough and leaving money on the table.

Jack, I use the same tactics as you in our local casinos and I'm sure a few of the PCs know what's going on, but they like me and/or don't care. Hell, I even spread 15:1 at DD without a problem. However, LV is a different planet both in terms of how you need to play and what might work and what doesn't.
 

kewljason

Well-Known Member
#6
johndoe said:
Many AP's consider this as "earning your stripes", and that your play has been "validated" as being a threat to the casino, and that you've been playing aggressively enough to push (cross) the line.

I don't agree with this, personally, but I sort of understand it.
I don't really buy this 'earning your stripes' or 'rite of passage' idea. :confused: And a player doesn't need to be backed off to know if he is a threat to the casino. :rolleyes:

I suppose for new players it can be a learning experience as to just what that particular casino will or won't tolerate, but that really doesn't translate to other locations, so unless you are going to get barred or backed off everywhere, there are better ways to learn what the casino will tolerate. I can also see some value in experiencing it once, for a new player, just to experience it and know what to expect, as you may think it will be worse than it actually is. (too many movies and tv...:laugh:)

As a player who has a rotation of casino's that I visit on a regular basis, I go out of my way not to get backed off, playing short sessions and getting the hell out before heat comes down. I don't feel like I am leaving money on the table or not pushing the envelope. If I wanted to stay and play longer, I am sure I could draw heat. So while it may occasionally happen that I get backed off, I don't see any value in it and certainly don't see it as anything to celebrate. :rolleyes:
 

moo321

Well-Known Member
#7
Getting backed off means you suck. The best players can get away with murder and hardly ever get backed off. It's not a badge of honor.

I don't think a good player should be getting backed off more than once every 50 sessions or so.
 

Blue Efficacy

Well-Known Member
#9
I've been backed off once. It involved 50% pen doubledeck in downtown LV.

No big loss. My whopping 1-8 spread in red chips must have really intimidated them.
 
#10
tensplitter said:
If you're backed off at El Cortez then that's a rite of passage
I'm glad that I've never experienced this rite of passage. In fact, I'm much more satisfied with the money I've won from that place than I would be about being initiated into the hall of backoffs there.
 

kewljason

Well-Known Member
#12
moo321 said:
Ok, I'll give you that one.
Although I am against the notion of this thread that there is any value at all to backoffs, I will even concede this one, moo. If you don't get backed off at EC, you might be doing something wrong. :laugh:
 
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