One of the really bad factors, when counting...

[DonR]

...is the lack of open spots at the table, when the TC reaches values that call for higher bets.

In my very short career as a counter, this is probably the thing I hate the most. Playing only 8D games, with 75% pen (the only games available to me), it is hard enough to wait for the good TC. And when it's finally there, the fact that the table is full, prevents me from spreading to two, or more hands. And of course, so many times, 20's and BJ's are flying all around me, and I'm getting 13's, or 14's vs the dealer's T card.

On the other hand, spreading from one hand to two, or more, with favourable counts, is probably one of the easier ways to get noticed.

Life's not easy, lol!

 

[ihate17]

Evaluating games

...is the lack of open spots at the table, when the TC reaches values that call for higher bets.

In my very short career as a counter, this is probably the thing I hate the most. Playing only 8D games, with 75% pen (the only games available to me), it is hard enough to wait for the good TC. And when it's finally there, the fact that the table is full, prevents me from spreading to two, or more hands. And of course, so many times, 20's and BJ's are flying all around me, and I'm getting 13's, or 14's vs the dealer's T card.

On the other hand, spreading from one hand to two, or more, with favourable counts, is probably one of the easier ways to get noticed.

Life's not easy, lol!

Eight decks and crowded tables already sounds like a place that I would avoid. That said, it may be all that is available in your area and can be beaten with a big spread or constant wonging. Of course, being crowded makes wonging in difficult.
How about playing during their off hours? 3AM to 11AM, especially on a week day. Do they keep enough tables open or very few to keep them crowded?

Unfortunately, when the cards do not drop your way on a crowded table it does seem you get all the 15's while others get blackjack and 20. Remember, when you do get the cards you do not even have the slightest memory of what the other players got, so you are in the area of selective memory but the fewer players the better.

ihate17

 

[DonR]

Eight decks and crowded tables already sounds like a place that I would avoid. That said, it may be all that is available in your area and can be beaten with a big spread or constant wonging.

I know, but unfortunately these are the only available games in my area. As far as wonging goes, it is almost impossible to wong in, however I do wong out at negative counts (bathroom breaks and such), but even that has its limits.

How about playing during their off hours? 3AM to 11AM, especially on a week day. Do they keep enough tables open or very few to keep them crowded?
ihate17

I haven't tried these very late, or very early hours yet, but I am afraid that they keep the number of tables to the bare minimum, because that's what they do even during the peak hours. There's always quite a few empty tables which they do not use, even though there's a lot of people who would like to play, but they cannot find a seat.

Remember, when you do get the cards you do not even have the slightest memory of what the other players got, so you are in the area of selective memory

That is true, just a part of the human nature.

A few days ago, I was playing at a $10 table, the TC reached +3, and a player next to me left, because he lost a few hands in a row. I immediately spread to 2 hands, saying how "it's good for the flow". Had to bet double minimum on each hand, as per houses's rules, which comes in handy in scenarios like this, anyway. I was dealt a BJ and a 19, and the dealer busted. Not a huge amount of money, but I felt like a king, lol.

 

[takinfromindians97]

Try this

I know, but unfortunately these are the only available games in my area. As far as wonging goes, it is almost impossible to wong in, however I do wong out at negative counts (bathroom breaks and such), but even that has its limits.QUOTE]



It is never impossible to wong. Here is a little trick i use when tables are packed to the hilt. I sit down and buy my chips at the beginging of a new shoe or close to the end of a shoe. I then put a marker in my spot and go to the bathroom, leaveing my girlfriend there to bitch and complian seeming to hate that i do that to her all the time. I also during a nuetral or negative count grab a bunch of chips and leave saying im going to try roulette cause im getting killed at blackjack. When i return i say that i lost it all, its a great way to stay out of bad shoes and pocket some chips without the pit noticing.
Obviously you will need a girl who can count for this but all she needs to do is count nothing else dont even teach her BS just focus on counting. Also i can send her to other tables to secure me a spot and call me in if that count gets up there. It has worked very very well for me for quite some time now.

 

[standard toaster]

I know, but unfortunately these are the only available games in my area. As far as wonging goes, it is almost impossible to wong in, however I do wong out at negative counts (bathroom breaks and such), but even that has its limits.QUOTE]



It is never impossible to wong. Here is a little trick i use when tables are packed to the hilt. I sit down and buy my chips at the beginging of a new shoe or close to the end of a shoe. I then put a marker in my spot and go to the bathroom, leaveing my girlfriend there to bitch and complian seeming to hate that i do that to her all the time. I also during a nuetral or negative count grab a bunch of chips and leave saying im going to try roulette cause im getting killed at blackjack. When i return i say that i lost it all, its a great way to stay out of bad shoes and pocket some chips without the pit noticing.
Obviously you will need a girl who can count for this but all she needs to do is count nothing else dont even teach her BS just focus on counting. Also i can send her to other tables to secure me a spot and call me in if that count gets up there. It has worked very very well for me for quite some time now.

you bastard! although im not origional you stole my girlfriend tactics:laugh: oh boy do i love my new girlfriend loving to gamble

 

[takinfromindians97]

sorry buddy my idea too, we can share

you bastard! although im not origional you stole my girlfriend tactics:laugh: oh boy do i love my new girlfriend loving to gamble

Its great isnt it. My girl thinks it is so exciteing and fun she get all into it and make up different signals and ways to pass information, and she is fast and accurate. She can count two probably 3 tables if she could see all 3. Another good thing is she is very attractive and has a larger upper torso area, so to say, needless to tell you the pit usually finds her quite distracting, they hardly has time to watch my bets ramp up well they are trying to be so nice to her. I have come to find that sometimes can be frustrating, because all the dirty old losers, gruby older men, or greesy fat bastards all stare at her and try to talk to her as soon as i leave the table or something. I am actually not allowed at trump marina because i got in to it good with a guy and ended up busting his orbital bone and nose.

Either way her value outweighs the trouble by alot, i suggest everyone use a hot girl as your partner in the casino I will bet you anything you start to make more money and get away with alot more.

 

[rollem411]

...is the lack of open spots at the table, when the TC reaches values that call for higher bets.

In my very short career as a counter, this is probably the thing I hate the most. Playing only 8D games, with 75% pen (the only games available to me), it is hard enough to wait for the good TC. And when it's finally there, the fact that the table is full, prevents me from spreading to two, or more hands. And of course, so many times, 20's and BJ's are flying all around me, and I'm getting 13's, or 14's vs the dealer's T card.

On the other hand, spreading from one hand to two, or more, with favourable counts, is probably one of the easier ways to get noticed.

Life's not easy, lol!

If you don't want to play all hands simply sit down at fresh shoe, buy in for a small amount, and play a few hands to start off with. If you are winning, there is no reason to stop betting, but if you are losing just open your wallet and pretend like you are counting your money and you want to sit out a hand or 2. I do this many times and no one says anything and no one can take your spot away.

As for spreading to 2 hands at a crowded table I did something the other day that some would probably not suggest, but the games where I play I need to take every advantage I can get.

I was playing at what was once a heads up game and the table eventually got full. The count was neutral for a good portion of the shoe and I was only playing one hand. It starts to rise to where I would normally play 2x$25. I just asked the woman playing next to me if I can top her bet off with a green chip. She had no problem with it and I played that way for a while.

Now there are a lot of disadvantages of doing this. Mainly heat from the pit, but also confusion about payouts on blackjacks and such (happened to me) or how you will play a certain hand.

If you are going to do this make sure you don't just ask anyone to top the bet off. Make sure they are playing close to perfect BS or you will probably end up losing. After all it is their hand and they can play it how they want.

 

[Automatic Monkey]

... I have come to find that sometimes can be frustrating, because all the dirty old losers, gruby older men, or greesy fat bastards all stare at her and try to talk to her as soon as i leave the table or something....

Are you sure I'm just talking to her, and not actually backcounting? :laugh:

 

[DonR]

If you are winning, there is no reason to stop betting, but if you are losing just open your wallet and pretend like you are counting your money and you want to sit out a hand or 2. I do this many times and no one says anything and no one can take your spot away.

That's what I do, too. If the count goes negative and I've lost a few hands (2 or 3 usually), I sit out a few hands, sometimes the rest of the shoe, if the count does not get better. Of course a lot of times, if the count starts getting worse and everybody is losing, ploppies will make comments about how it was me who "screwed up the flow", by getting out. Oh well...screw them, lol.

I wonder how easy it is for the casino to notice that by doing this we are actually trying to stay out of negative counts. I guess if they are really watching you, it is most likely very easy, otherwise you just look like a regular gambler, who is trying to "change the flow"

As for spreading to 2 hands at a crowded table I did something the other day that some would probably not suggest, but the games where I play I need to take every advantage I can get.

I was playing at what was once a heads up game and the table eventually got full. The count was neutral for a good portion of the shoe and I was only playing one hand. It starts to rise to where I would normally play 2x$25. I just asked the woman playing next to me if I can top her bet off with a green chip. She had no problem with it and I played that way for a while.

Just like you said, it may bring additional heat from the pit, so I don't do this. If the player next to me at least plays a perfect BS, I am tempted to ask to top his/her bet off at high TC's, however I'm really concerned that this may be a good sign for the pit to start watching me closely.

 

[Sandy Eggo]

LOL, love this thread.

I've bought splits, DDs on my $2 table at Santa Ysabel when someone has gone broke and wants to play the hand out and I think that they are right to do so. Dealers do care, the rest of the table usually is there for entertainment as its a "value table." (I hate the word cheap.) And most times it works.

And sometimes someone is hesitating, but not sure, I'll suggest if they want to see how it plays, I'll but the split they can play it but the winnings are mine -- they go for it as they are playing on someone else's money. Again, I'm really selective and it's when the shoe's heavy against a Dealer 3-6. Player ends up asking for advice on each move, so I'm actually playing it but they are making the calls. Pit doesn't mind here...I've not taken enough from them to make them worry. I'd say I'm above even over the life of the House, if you include the tournament wins.

 

[rollem411]

That's what I do, too. If the count goes negative and I've lost a few hands (2 or 3 usually), I sit out a few hands, sometimes the rest of the shoe, if the count does not get better. Of course a lot of times, if the count starts getting worse and everybody is losing, ploppies will make comments about how it was me who "screwed up the flow", by getting out. Oh well...screw them, lol.

I love when ploppies get angry at screwing up the flow, ESPECIALLY when it gets them to leave the table at a good count. I really get my kicks off laughing at them for losing their money when they think its my fault.

I wonder how easy it is for the casino to notice that by doing this we are actually trying to stay out of negative counts. I guess if they are really watching you, it is most likely very easy, otherwise you just look like a regular gambler, who is trying to "change the flow"

Just like you said, it may bring additional heat from the pit, so I don't do this. If the player next to me at least plays a perfect BS, I am tempted to ask to top his/her bet off at high TC's, however I'm really concerned that this may be a good sign for the pit to start watching me closely.

Don't overstay your welcome at the casino. AKA. Make your sessions short and sweet.