Was in Pittsburgh this weekend for a football game. I visited Rivers on Friday night. All the tables were $15 minimum. I found an AP opportunity by sitting next to a newbie who refused to double down or split, even after I encouraged her to do so with her own money. She wouldn't double 11 vs 6, or split aces. She always asked for advice. I doubled and split for her when it was right to do so and won a majority of those bets. I wonder what the house edge is for someone who plays BS but never doubles or splits. Scavenging itself would be a higher advantage than counting. I made enough to cover my trip expenses and then some, and I kept a $2.50 blackjack chip as a souvenir since I'll probably never go to Rivers until I'm in Pittsburgh again. Didn't feel any heat even when I wonged in and spread from $15 to 2 hands of $150 each (only did that max bet once when the TC was +11 near the end of the shoe and I pushed on that hand), and when I doubled and split for the ploppie. I didn't care if I got backed off since I'm not returning.
Most of the tables were CSMs as earlier described. The shoes were 8D Pennsylvania rules, 1.5 decks cut off with a notch in the shoe, the penetration was the same for each table. I'd think it's playable for a local.
On Saturday morning before the game which started at noon, there weren't as many people. Most were $10 minimum. I decided not to play since it was hard to concentrate, as many of the people there were people that were going to the football game. I got a free parking voucher from my play on Friday to park during the game Saturday so I didn't need to meet a minimum amount of play on Saturday. I liked that there was a free soda fountain for everyone, something I haven't seen in any of the other casinos I've been to. I could get a free soda without making a single bet.
After the game, the line to get in the casino to get my car from the valet was long. Someone remarked that they must be giving away free money because of the long line. They had to check everyone's ID, and checked mine again even though I had a wristband from earlier in the day.
