Results from first Vegas trip

21Menace

Well-Known Member
I just returned from my first vegas trip since I learned to count. I'm completely exhausted from long nights, and my whole body aches because of the non-stop walking from casino to casino. I literally can't straighten my leg because my calves are so sore. But I must say, it was most definitly worth it!

I learned the hi/low count, with Illustrious 18, fab 4, and 8 or so other indices. Before Vegas I had already put in about 25 hours of play in at local casinos. I only have a $1200 bank roll so I either play $5 tables and wong in/out at +1 or I play $10 and wong in/out at +3.

Anyways, on to the good stuff. On our way to Vegas, my buddy and I couldn't wait to play so we stopped at Buffalo Bill's. I played a $3 table and was called a "highroller!" by the other players when I placed $5 on the table :laugh: We played for only 30 minutes and I left 7 units up. Then went over to Primm Valley and made 11 units in an hour.

Once we got to vegas we played at Monte Carlo, Luxor, NewYork NewYork, Mirage, Tropicana, and Golden Nugget. We hit most of them twice (on different shifts) and heres the crazy part... I didn't lose a single session. I kept telling myself "I'm due for a loss any time now." But it never came!

Overall, I ended the trip up 50 units even though my EV for the amount of time played was only 20 units.

Lesson I learned this trip: Don't play with another counter!! My buddy who I went with just learned to count as well, and we wanted to play a few tables together. So we backcounted a table and sat down to play together, upped our bets together, and lowered them in perfect unison. We were chatting with some other players at the table for 5 minutes before leaving the table. We later saw the group of guys on the strip and they asked if we were counting. They said they had tried to learn but gave up. If they could spot us, I'm sure the pit would have no problem!:whip:

Overall, I could not have hoped for a better trip. Thanks to everyone on here who has answered my questions and critiqued my strategy. I've learned more from you guys than any of the books I've read on blackjack. I really appreciate it.
 
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Krak3d

Well-Known Member
Now if every counter had trips like that, hehe. Hope you had fun, when the thing works, it feels really good.:grin:
 

blikous

Member
Congratulations!

But I always prefer/believe it's better to have a minor loss on your first time out. Then you get back home and practice so hard and memorise those indices and absolutely perfect your abilities.

Then again, you're ment to have it perfect before you even enter the casino for the first time
 

21Menace

Well-Known Member
Deathclutch said:
I know this wasn't the main point of your post, but just remember there isn't truth to this statement. Every shoe is a fresh shoe.

http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bb/showthread.php?t=16126
That's a good point. I was expected to make money each session no matter what my previous results. I just kept thinking I will most likely have a session that falls to the left side of the curve at anytime. So I almost stopped playing at one point but I remembered what I heard on here from some of you... There's no logic behind quiting while ahead when you have positive EV. Of course that's assuming your not too tired or risking a backoff.
 

Sharky

Well-Known Member
21Menace said:
I'm completely exhausted from long nights, and my whole body aches because of the non-stop walking from casino to casino.
Save your steps, bro. Don't take this wrong, but at your stakes you are MUCH better served playing one casino - the one you stay at - and adding to your winnings via better comps.

21Menace said:
... 30 minutes and I left 7 units up. Then went over to Primm Valley and made 11 units in an hour.
Interesting point here, earn nearly 40% of your winnings in 1st 1.5 hrs. play.

21Menace said:
...they asked if we were counting. They said they had tried to learn but gave up. If they could spot us, I'm sure the pit would have no problem!:whip:
No offense, at these stakes you could have counted aloud and no one, aside from the other players, would have paid you any mind.

21Menace said:
Overall, I could not have hoped for a better trip.
Congrats!!! You did well and it sounds like you have the discipline to continue to be a winning player. I say this as even though you won from the git-go, you stayed within your BR and left a winner. Well done!!!
 

21Menace

Well-Known Member
Sharky said:
Save your steps, bro. Don't take this wrong, but at your stakes you are MUCH better served playing one casino - the one you stay at - and adding to your winnings via better comps.
How long would you say is safe to play? I heard of red chippers getting backed off before, but I think they all stayed for 6 or 7 hours at one place.

Also, part of the reason I moved around so much was just to see what each casino had to offer. For example, I now know I can't afford playing at MGM. And I realized just how huge that place is! Ended up spending 15 minutes looking for the exit :laugh:

How would I go about using a players card when I'm wonging? On average, I probably only played 4 or 5 hands each times I sat down. So if I give the pit my card I'd be done playing before I get it back. Will they even give me points for playing 4 hands?
 

ihate17

Well-Known Member
Knowing the place you play in

21Menace said:
How long would you say is safe to play? I heard of red chippers getting backed off before, but I think they all stayed for 6 or 7 hours at one place.

Also, part of the reason I moved around so much was just to see what each casino had to offer. For example, I now know I can't afford playing at MGM. And I realized just how huge that place is! Ended up spending 15 minutes looking for the exit :laugh:

How would I go about using a players card when I'm wonging? On average, I probably only played 4 or 5 hands each times I sat down. So if I give the pit my card I'd be done playing before I get it back. Will they even give me points for playing 4 hands?

There are places that will back off a red chip player quickly in Vegas but they are mainly downtown and locals casinos. The places you played at on the strip, generally do not comp small players anything worthwhile (mail offers might be decent) and completely ignore your betting patterns unless you do something to alert them. Even at a place like the Trop you can probably sit down at a $5 table and ramp up to $50, do it for several hours each shift and not have a problem. The pits are too busy watching bigger players, filling out fill slips, getting markers and flirting with cocktail waitresses to bother with you. The eye in the sky is watching every good looking woman in the casino and will only run back the tape if the busy pit calls them. Just do not wear a ball cap with a neon sign saying cardcounter or junior member of the MIT team or something like that and especially do not do anything that would embarrass a pit and you will be fine. Now play the same way at a downtown place and you might be backed off very quickly.
At some of those places, if you had a players card, the pit might actually refuse to take it unless your average bet was higher. The MGM, for instance, does not rate a player betting under $25, yet today they have loads of $10 tables.
 

21Menace

Well-Known Member
Ok got it. Thanks guys. It's good to know I can hang around a bit longer at each place. And I'll get rid of my MIT hat right away :grin:
 
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