I have been around this board for the past month preparing for a trip to Vegas with my wife for our anniversary. I figured I would write and let you guys know my thoughts and reflections.
First, I am again a recreational player though I know BS and count using Hi Lo. Before leaving for Vegas I studied the Illustrious 18 as well to have a good grasp of how to play. I do not live near Vegas so I don't get a chance to play often.
Because I was with my wife and playing together we stayed at one of the bigger hotels and played there mostly. The conditions were not terrible - 6D, S17, DAS, RSA. Penetration was about 1.5 (however I found out that deck estimation is one of my weaknesses).
Overall I was able to count quite successfully. Once I got in the routine I began counting by pairs as the cards were dealt out. Only a couple of times on the trip was I unable to maintain the count (one of those times was when I ended up with a 7-card 19).
My wife and I had a pretty successful trip (we averaged about 3.5 units per hour). Our best session we couldn't miss and made about 11 units per hour. My worst session I lost 5 units/hour.
My wife has a pretty good idea about basic strategy and would ask me if she was not sure what to do. She was flat betting and I was altering my bet with the count.
We never received any heat from the PCs though one dealer may have had an idea as she made a couple of hints.
I did find that there is a reason I don't do this professionally, I don't have the nuts to drop down really big bets when the count is positive. On the trip I basically spread my bets from 1-3 units. Even though there were times when the count was very positive I did not have the confidence to really drop the hammer. I think this is for two reasons:
1) At my worst session of the trip I got a couple of the most positive counts and wasn't winning. I know that it is how the cards go sometimes but it became difficult to keep putting it out there.
2) I started to doubt my count and so I would not increase my bet. I had a RC of +20 which I estimated to be a TC of about + 6/8. With this count I had 3 unit bets out and was still not winning and started to doubt myself.
Overall, I think I am a good player. I know BS and my indices and can count the cards well. But I must take my hat off to you guys who do this for a living. Though I know I can play I don't have the mentality to do it full-time. My disposition is not one where I can blow off a bad session.
I will probably hang around the board in the future and I look forward to my next trip. I live in Texas and am about a 5 hours from the nearest casino, so I don't get to play often.
Thanks for all of the advice, I am going to keep studying and keep improving.
First, I am again a recreational player though I know BS and count using Hi Lo. Before leaving for Vegas I studied the Illustrious 18 as well to have a good grasp of how to play. I do not live near Vegas so I don't get a chance to play often.
Because I was with my wife and playing together we stayed at one of the bigger hotels and played there mostly. The conditions were not terrible - 6D, S17, DAS, RSA. Penetration was about 1.5 (however I found out that deck estimation is one of my weaknesses).
Overall I was able to count quite successfully. Once I got in the routine I began counting by pairs as the cards were dealt out. Only a couple of times on the trip was I unable to maintain the count (one of those times was when I ended up with a 7-card 19).
My wife and I had a pretty successful trip (we averaged about 3.5 units per hour). Our best session we couldn't miss and made about 11 units per hour. My worst session I lost 5 units/hour.
My wife has a pretty good idea about basic strategy and would ask me if she was not sure what to do. She was flat betting and I was altering my bet with the count.
We never received any heat from the PCs though one dealer may have had an idea as she made a couple of hints.
I did find that there is a reason I don't do this professionally, I don't have the nuts to drop down really big bets when the count is positive. On the trip I basically spread my bets from 1-3 units. Even though there were times when the count was very positive I did not have the confidence to really drop the hammer. I think this is for two reasons:
1) At my worst session of the trip I got a couple of the most positive counts and wasn't winning. I know that it is how the cards go sometimes but it became difficult to keep putting it out there.
2) I started to doubt my count and so I would not increase my bet. I had a RC of +20 which I estimated to be a TC of about + 6/8. With this count I had 3 unit bets out and was still not winning and started to doubt myself.
Overall, I think I am a good player. I know BS and my indices and can count the cards well. But I must take my hat off to you guys who do this for a living. Though I know I can play I don't have the mentality to do it full-time. My disposition is not one where I can blow off a bad session.
I will probably hang around the board in the future and I look forward to my next trip. I live in Texas and am about a 5 hours from the nearest casino, so I don't get to play often.
Thanks for all of the advice, I am going to keep studying and keep improving.