How much do you walk into the casino with?

[RollingStoned]

Out of curiosity:
--How many units do you walk into a casino with?
--How much money is one of your units?


Question for myself: How many units do YOU think are needed before going to a casino & counting? I don't have enough extra money yet to go to the casino and count yet...just wondering how much I should have. (I know some people say 100+ units, while others say less or more?) Just curious if 100-200 units is necessary?

Thanks!

 

[paddywhack]

Hopefully less than you walk away with....

Really need a ton more information to even begin to help...but 100 units is asking to go broke with a typical spread.

 

[jaygruden]

I'll generally take amount equal to roughly 10 max bets with me; or looking at it another way it's about 125 min bets. This is for a day trip where I may be spending anywhere from 1-6 hours at casino depending on conditions.

When I first started out I only took enough for 4 max bets (or 80 min bets) and this was always sufficient except for the one time I busted out in the middle of plus shoe and had nothing to put in the circle.:flame: Ever since I've taken more than I thought I needed.

Someone who has been AP for much longer than I have may tell you that the 10 max bets is still not enough. Part of why I don't take more with me is security reasons (theft risk, etc). If I started running low on cash I could always go to an ATM (outside of the casino) - I don't use the casino ATM anymore for several reasons.

 

[FLASH1296]

100 units is way too little - unless you intend to play for one very brief session.

What I take is more like 100 units per hr, of intended play !

There is an upside but no substantive downside to carrying 1,000 - 2,000 units

 

[fredperson]

Casino ATM

For years, I used the ATM machines in various casinos. I preferred this to carry cash.
I'm wondering what are the reason for not using a casino ATM?

 

[Billy C1]

100 units is way too little - unless you intend to play for one very brief session.

What I take is more like 100 units per hr, of intended play !

There is an upside but no substantive downside to carrying 1,000 - 2,000 units

I would call the possibility of misplacing (and/or robbery) substantive.

BillyC1

 

[FLASH1296]

foreperson posted:

"For years, I used the ATM machines in various casinos. I preferred this to carry cash.
I'm wondering what are the reason for not using a casino ATM?"

Figure out what % you are paying on those "cash advances" and you

MAY realize that you are making it VERY difficult to make a profit !

 

[kewljason]

I would call the possibility of misplacing (and/or robbery) substantive.

BillyC1

A strong second (in light of recent developments...)

It's a tricky situation. For lower limit players, if ATM's can do the job of replenishing a depleted BR, it probably should be a consideration. Once you start playing a little higher level, even if you make arrangements for higher daily limits and have several different cards/accounts, it becomes a hassle and may not be able adequately do the job. There is also the issue of fees, which for me personally is one of my pet peeves. I don't like pay to get my own money! A third concern is that if you are playing anonymous, lose and head to the ATM to replenish, you can be followed from above and your anonymity compromised. Of course this is all offset by convenience. After a small BR hit in makes more sense for me to consider ATM to replenish funds rather than stop what I am doing and head home or to the bank. I always know where my bank's ATMs are but occasionally will swallow hard and pay a fee.



One needs to evaluate your own needs and concerns and come up with a plan and review that plan regularly. Unfortunately reviews often only take place after a negative event.

 

[Sucker]

I don't have enough extra money yet to go to the casino and count yet...just wondering how much I should have.

This question is very subjective. Rather than individual sessions; a successful card counter thinks of it as one long play, lasting for the length of his blackjack career. So it really doesn't matter if you want to go in with 1 bet (with the idea of backcounting a game) or if you want to bring your whole bankroll. It really IS your own personal preference. If you run out of money, all it means is that you're out of action for THAT day, or at least until you go get more.

For this reason; I would PERSONALLY agree with Flash 100% - there is no real downside to having too much money. As far as MY personal preference? The worst possible feeling is to be stuck AND out of action! :sad:

 

[Sucker]

I would call the possibility of misplacing (and/or robbery) substantive.
BillyC1

If you pay attention to your surroundings, you're probably safer in a casino than you are in your own HOUSE.

 

[kewljason]

If you pay attention to your surroundings, you're probably safer in a casino than you are in your own HOUSE.

In a casino..yes. Near a casino or just outside..not so much. Walking the boardwalk in AC, walking the strip or just off of it or god forbid, downtown area in Vegas, Or just heading into the parking garage or lot in any casino can be a different story. Even being followed out of parking lot for several miles, as happened in Phila in the last year.

Paying attention to your surroundings is always good advice, Sucker. Those of us that do this routinely on a daily basis may tend to sometimes lose focus and become complacent. A real bad habit. review and change up your routines regularly, before an 'event' reminds you to do so.

 

[aslan]

This question is very subjective. Rather than individual sessions; a successful card counter thinks of it as one long play, lasting for the length of his blackjack career. So it really doesn't matter if you want to go in with 1 bet (with the idea of backcounting a game) or if you want to bring your whole bankroll. It really IS your own personal preference. If you run out of money, all it means is that you're out of action for THAT day, or at least until you go get more.

For this reason; I would PERSONALLY agree with Flash 100% - there is no real downside to having too much money. As far as MY personal preference? The worst possible feeling is to be stuck AND out of action! :sad:

But Sucker, if you are not back counting, and you find yourself out of money in the middle of a high positive count, you will wish you had brought more. I have often begun losing in a positive count, only to emerge victor in the last few hands. The idea of "one long session" is certainly true, but it is predicated on having enough bankroll to follow through when you have a positive count, or as you say, being able to back count and pick up where you left off, so to speak. In this instance, you cannot always pick up where you left off, that is, in a high positive count, unless it is a store where back counting is feasible. I often play where there is no mid-shoe entry. But I get your drift that it is foolhardy to carry large sums for no good reason. I think that is what you were saying.

 

[peaegg]

casino credit

I haven't seen anyone mentioned about casino credit. If your unit is greater than $25, and you play rated, I think the best is to open a credit line with the casino. The casino host love to see people who has a credit line. Most of my games are rated. Because I play higher limit, it draws attention if I don't play rated anyway. I almost never run out of fund. Once it is down to 20 unit cash, I will request for a marker.

 

[sagefr0g]

I haven't seen anyone mentioned about casino credit. If your unit is greater than $25, and you play rated, I think the best is to open a credit line with the casino. The casino host love to see people who has a credit line. Most of my games are rated. Because I play higher limit, it draws attention if I don't play rated anyway. I almost never run out of fund. Once it is down to 20 unit cash, I will request for a marker.

never used it, but there have been a few times when i thought maybe i might need it to get the job done.
do casino's charge some sort of vig on markers?

 

[kewljason]

I haven't seen anyone mentioned about casino credit. If your unit is greater than $25, and you play rated, I think the best is to open a credit line with the casino. The casino host love to see people who has a credit line. Most of my games are rated. Because I play higher limit, it draws attention if I don't play rated anyway. I almost never run out of fund. Once it is down to 20 unit cash, I will request for a marker.

Most of us don't want to just hand the casino all that kind of info including financial info. If you play mostly rated, with no issues, I guess it's a consideration.

I am wondering if taking out a marker buys you any extra consideration in the back-off department. Especially during the session that you received the marker. The pit knows you are holding their money because they just made the transaction, so I wonder if they are a little more hesitant to back off, possibly piss off a player, and have him walk with their money?

 

[aslan]

Most of us don't want to just hand the casino all that kind of info including financial info. If you play mostly rated, with no issues, I guess it's a consideration.

I am wondering if taking out a marker buys you any extra consideration in the back-off department. Especially during the session that you received the marker. The pit knows you are holding their money because they just made the transaction, so I wonder if they are a little more hesitant to back off, possibly piss off a player, and have him walk with their money?

If they know your finances well enough to extend a marker, and you have really deep pockets, they might not back you off even if they know for sure you are counting. Some casinos will take the trouble to evaluate your game and decide whether you pose any serious threat to them. So many counters have a losing game, that it is stupid to back someone off at the first sign they are counting. Of course, you are really in a dilemma if they know you are counting and they allow you to play on. If you ever begin to win serious money, then they will back you off, but if you continue to lose in spite of counting, they will treat you like royalty.

 

[ringlejames]

Out of curiosity:
--How many units do you walk into a casino with?
--How much money is one of your units?


Question for myself: How many units do YOU think are needed before going to a casino & counting? I don't have enough extra money yet to go to the casino and count yet...just wondering how much I should have. (I know some people say 100+ units, while others say less or more?) Just curious if 100-200 units is necessary?

Thanks!

What should units matter. I always carry at least 200 max bets if I am red chipping that is 2 thousand units. If I am going to be green chipping I bring a little under 100 max bets, but try to stay above 70 max bets. With a large spread you very well may lose you 10 max bets in the first hour.

And mister gorilla picture dude you know your supposed to keep sessions as short as possible.

When ever I reach 2x e.v. I get up and go instead of staying and trading that money back and forth for the next hour.

I usually aint in a casino 15-20 minutes.

 

[FLASH1296]

ringlejames,

I could have worded my post a little differently in order to be clear.

What I meant is that the amount of cash to carry is directly proportional
to the hours of play that are planned before being able to restore your
bankroll - - should that be needed.

 

[kewljason]

What should units matter. I always carry at least 200 max bets if I am red chipping that is 2 thousand units. If I am going to be green chipping I bring a little under 100 max bets, but try to stay above 70 max bets. With a large spread you very well may lose you 10 max bets in the first hour.

And mister gorilla picture dude you know your supposed to keep sessions as short as possible.

When ever I reach 2x e.v. I get up and go instead of staying and trading that money back and forth for the next hour.

I usually aint in a casino 15-20 minutes.

You could show a little more respect if you want people to engage in discussion with you. The "gorilla dude" has been playing the game longer than I suspect you have been alive. He took the time to offer his opinion. You don't have to accept that opinion, but don't be disrespectful.

Your final thoughts make absolutely no sense. Because you have had a good run and are up 2x e.v. is no reason to play no more. It has no effect what-so-ever of what will happen in the next hour. You are making the mistake of thinking you are preserving some sort of winning session. Instead, you should think of all your play as one long session. So if you are going to play again in an hour or a day or 2 weeks from now or 5 months from now, makes no difference.

 

[aslan]

In a casino..yes. Near a casino or just outside..not so much. Walking the boardwalk in AC, walking the strip or just off of it or god forbid, downtown area in Vegas, Or just heading into the parking garage or lot in any casino can be a different story. Even being followed out of parking lot for several miles, as happened in Phila in the last year.

Paying attention to your surroundings is always good advice, Sucker. Those of us that do this routinely on a daily basis may tend to sometimes lose focus and become complacent. A real bad habit. review and change up your routines regularly, before an 'event' reminds you to do so.

I don't know how you feel about it, but you can also get a permit to carry concealed. Walking the Strip at 4 or 5 in the morning is a far cry from other times when it is heavily populated. While some ruses, cell phone, confident gait, etc., may make a lone bandit think twice, it will hardly dissuade two or more thugs from making a play on your bankroll. Just a thought.