Share your gaming memory from 2004 ...

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The Mayor

Well-Known Member
#1
#1
May you all have your best year yet, at the tables and in life.

How about sharing your memories from 2004?

One of my brightest memories from 2004 is having the entire pit scramble to the blackjack table where I was playing with a friend to try and figure out what we were doing. It's 5 a.m. and we've just bet table max on a side bet on every square on the table. The dealer said "I know you're doing something here and I don't like it!" Sweet.

Also fun was being backed off from blackjack while I was playing video poker: "Sir you are welcome to play any game except blackjack." "But I'm not playing blackjack." "I know that sir, I just want to let you know that you can't play blackjack here."

And, to all those who shared the good times, cheers!!! Here's to another fun year!!!

--Mayor
 
S

stainless steel rat

Well-Known Member
#2
#2
mine...

My favorite was a trip to the MS coast back in the Summer. Son and I had gone to Mobile Alabama to pick up a used lower-unit housing for my merc outboard, and I was prepared to pay up to about $2000 for the part. Since this was a "junk yard (junk yard for outboard motors only) I took cash. I expected to have to disassemble a bunch of lower units to find one in the condition I wanted, but luckily the first one I pulled the bearing carrier out of looked brand new. It is now 10am. Said to son, lets drive over to Biloxi and try some blackjack. OK.

Found a $25 2D game with one player. Watched him for a bit and noticed him spreading $100 to $1200. No attention. sounds good to me. So I sit down and suffer through 3-4 shuffles where the TC never even reached zero (yes it started at zero I guess, but it dropped in a hurry.) But a funny thing happened after about 30-40 minutes of playing. I had hardly lost a hand and my original $500 buy-in had tripled. I was spreading $25 to $100 to start with, since I only had about $1200 left from the junk yard, and when I looked down, I had way over $1500 in chips never having bet over $25 since the count had never went beyond 0.

With the streak going, and the count finally climbing, I was spreading $25 to $300 with no heat, and the winning continued. Doubles. Splits. Even horrible doubles (11 vs 6, get an A, dealer turns over a 5 (count high remember), draws another 4-5 and then a 10 to bust).

My son was playing at a $5 6d shoe game and would stop by from time to time to take a break, and I'd give him 2-3 purples I had pocketed each time.

When I left, I had just over $10,000, which means a profit of just over $9500 for three hours.

Left and drove 5 hours to get back home. When I walked in, wife said "have any money left over?" I started handing her $100's. As I reached #20, she looked puzzled as that is where I had started after she had gone by the bank for me the day before to get the original $2000 in cash. As I passed #50, she really looked puzzled. As I gave her #100 it hit her, "you bastard, you went to Biloxi, didn't you?, If you'd told me you were going over there I would have gone."

A sheepish "I wasn't planning to do that initially, but we had found the part in 45 minutes, so one thing led to another" barely seemed to suffice. :)

Those are the fun trips. That was my biggest single-session win ever. But such trips are certainly nice to break up all those negative-variance runs that drive you nuts...

By the way, for whatever reason, there was zero heat. Zero attention. No "taps". Could not believe it... Guy spreading $100-$1200 was not a counter and eventually lost a _bunch_ of money, maybe that is why there was no heat...
 
L

learning to count

Well-Known Member
#3
#3
Playing next to my friends...

the best times I can recall were playing with the Mayor, The Bear, Panther Counter, Ploppy Jimmy, Chicago Slim. We ran the strip and downtown like a pack of hungry excited wolves. During the run we saw and played with many other celebrities including El Lobo, J.J., Stanford Wong, DD, Math Prof, and the many other pro teams out there. The best times were the wins, the free meals and cramming all those team members in the free room we scammed in a down town slum casino/hotel after a small win. The highs were when we were able to spot lucrative games from afarand burn them out! The "Wong ins" and "Wong outs" were exciting when you tripled your buyin. Yeah I saw the Mayors back off from BJ while on the Poker Machine. I saw another Mayor backoff where we were able to turn the pit's attention to confusion and still keep a bet alive on the table and win BIG! Yeah I have enough memories to fill a book. The one that is dear to me is just playing with my AP brother's. Happy New Year Eliot, AL, J. Panther, PJ, and Slim. We will play again and we will take the casino's money. You can bet on that!
 
G

Garo

Well-Known Member
#4
#4
Not really my expirence...

I had just taught my roomate how to play blackjack and we went to the weekly tournament at Chumash... The little mexican finished third... just hours after he learned how to play.
 
Automatic Monkey

Automatic Monkey

Banned
#5
#5
It's all a blur

2004 was my first full year of counting, having started in 2003. I've used 5 different counts and played all over the US, and despite my compaining about bad flux I'm up about $15K for the year. The most important thing I've learned is to deal with losing, or rather, the perception of losing. Compulsive gamblers only remember winning, and since we are not that, losing is a lot more memorable. But thinking of life, as well as blackjack, as just "one big session" puts small and temporary failures in both in perspective. We've all heard the saying "It's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game", and we've all thought it was a bunch of crap after losing a job, driving home alone from a singles' bar, or any other unpleasant disappointment. But blackjack teaches that as long as you are playing a positive EV game, in the long run you're a winner, and there's nothing anyone or anything can do to change that.

Rob McGarvey passing away was memorable. He used to shoot me off an e-mail after a losing experience explaining how to play a blackjack situation for maximum advantage. (And of course, an invite to replenish my bankroll with a nice online bonus offer!) I could almost hear his brogue coming through in the written word, and I didn't have a worry in the world after reading it.

Most memorable sitting: probably at the Monte Carlo. They have a very playable shoe game there. The dealer was nice and giving me much better than average pen for the house so I wasn't Wonging out except for the bathroom-Wong towards the end of a shoe. She was very impressed with my play. We were just talking and enjoying ourselves, spreading $5-$200 and my chip pile was building and building. When ploppies sat down she was pointing them to me for basic strategy advice and I was enjoying giving the lessons. On a very low count I drew a 16 vs. 2, won the hand. She said "I don't know why you did that." I cheerfully answered "You don't want to know" and she just smiled. When it was time to leave, I waited for her to come back from her break so I could give her a red and thank her for her company, before walking out up $900. Sessions where I have won much more were never so pleasant.
 
R

revereman

Well-Known Member
#6
#6
Memories

Having the whole BJ pit in Tramp Marina cutting off half the decks as I lurked afterbeing half-shoed. $8100 win in the month of Dec.
 
P

phantom007

Well-Known Member
#7
#7
BJ with my Son......

Blackjack, you sick perverts!

Rehash of past post, but basically, in the state of MN, one can gamble in Casinos at age 18, provided said store does not serve alcohol. Planned our yearly "northern" fishing trip to be in close proximitry to one of said stores.

Since he did not read ANY of the BJ Books that I had loaned to him almost a year before, I had to give my 19 y.o. a crashcourse during the 40 minute drive to the casino. The plan went like this:

---#1...He would always sit to my Right.
---#2...We would announce that he was a beginner, and I was helping him play.
---#3...He would allow me to bet First, and always bet 1/2 of my bet. Thus, creating an effective 6:1 spread for me and 3:1 for him. Likewise, except for OBVIOUS Hands, i.e., BJ, 10-10, etc., he would ask for my advice, and FOLLOW SAME, before play of said hand.
---#4...If I left the table for bathroom or whatever, He must bet min. and "wing-it". He should NOT leave the table when I had anything other than min. bet out.

The plan worked pretty well. Won all three sessions played, both net and individually, and on the last session "KICKED A##".

Walking to the parking lot after the final session, Son says to me "Those guys behind the Dealer were talking and said that they were going to 'Cut us off'. But then we got up and left anyhow. What does that mean?".

GRIN!

Means your Daddy can CC alot better than he can catch fish!

Overall, finished 2004 in the "5-Digit" +EV-zone for BJ, albeit, one integer less thanks to my LEARNING CURVE for Texas FOLD-EM...typo. is intentional...this is what I need to learn.

phantom007.
 
Z

ZOD

Well-Known Member
#8
#8
Giving advice

My favorite moment was when I reluctantly gave a little elderly gentleman some splitting and doubling advice. He won $4000 on the hand and got so excited he started hollering and pumping his fists in the air. Then, without warning, he got off his stool and jumped onto my back! I stood up an spun him around while he hi-fived everyone and told them that I was "the man." I ran into him the next day and without a word he gave me a big hug.

I had a rotten year at the tables, but it's still nice to see people winning and having a good time.

Best...

ZOD
 
S

suicyco maniac

Well-Known Member
#9
#9
Some of mine

1,200 hours of play and most of it is a blur but here goes...being further ahead Jan 18th then I am now...dropping down to ony 864 ahead for the year in Aug...actually coming out ahead for the year after some extreme downswings...Playing on a table with a celebrity and a big crowd (name and place witheld for obvious reasons) and actually getting more attention then s/he from the audience...getting paid $500 extra on a BJ (on more then one occasion)...getting over 1,000 extra from the cage (also more then once)...SN
 
G

gatherer

Active Member
#11
#11
2004 memory

My memory from 2004:

Finding out what card counting is and starting to practice. I haven't hit a casino yet because I'm still learning and building a bankroll.

(but lurking and reading on this site has answered a bunch of questions)
 
S

SammyBoy

Well-Known Member
#12
#12
Memories

I remember one early Sunday morning where I was taking a light ass kicking and my cell phone started ringing. I was a little agitated because nothing was going right and the last thing I wanted was to have to talk on the phone, but I decided to answer it in case it was my wife. Sure enough it was her with great news, Saddam Hussein had been captured. At that point I didn't care how many units I lost it was going to be a great day! Shortly after getting the news my fortunes turned around and I started doing the ass kicking.

I also remember drawing an 8 card 21 to beat the dealers 6 card 20 in a double deck game.

I had a dealer over pay me while getting change to start my session.

Another dealer flashed his hole card to me revealing a 20. I received a 3 on my hard 17 and pushed.

I saw another dealer flip both cards by mistake allowing me to play a double exposure game.
 
M

MrPill

Well-Known Member
#13
#13
Not Directly Blackjack Related - Treasure Those Times

"Since he did not read ANY of the BJ Books that I had loaned to him almost a year before, I had to give my 19 y.o. a crashcourse during the 40 minute drive to the casino."

Phantom,

Don't take any of those moments for granted. For me, 2004 was a good year in BlackJack but other events changed some of my perspectives.

My son at age 14 was a very proficient basic strategy player and had the concept of card counting down. He was a very logical thinker and I truely enjoyed spending time with him and working on projects. I looked forward to a time like yours and "attacking" the felt with him. He passed away suddenly 2 months ago at the age of 15.

I'm not completly sure how this has changed me yet, but I know it has made me a stronger person.

Also, when my friend Rob McGarvey passed away earlier last year, it too gave me a new perspective on some things.

Everyone needs to take some time out each day to reflect on their world and those around them.

Enjoy life and see the good in things.

Pill
 
S

SammyBoy

Well-Known Member
#15
#15
Mr. Pill

Thanks for sharing that with us. I think we all take for granted the people in our lives and we need to be reminded that they may not always be around and that we should make the most of our time together.
 
S

Sun runner

Well-Known Member
#16
#16
Family

MrPill -

As I was reading your post my heart was breaking and racing ahead to what I hoped I would not find. Sadly, it ended as I thought.

My father passed away about a year ago. Our big connection was golf. We loved to play and together. He had to quit about three years ago; and I knew the end was near. Even as a grown man, this holiday season, it was almost unbearable.

(Here is a tip .. you are still in shock a bit .. next holiday season will not be a good one .. just want you to be ready .. but it will pass my friend.)

This past week I was able to visit and play some cards with my 25 year old son. He plays home game poker (low limit, but hey, I had to clean him and his friends out none the less, no!?) but one night we road tripped through four casinos till about three in the morning. He is not even a BS player but just wanted to go to the casino and screw off a little. All we could find were CSMs at the nickle tables so I just sat, watched him play, and offered advice. He had a blast hanging out and breaking even. I had a blast just being there. I know you understand.

If something were to happen to him, I know how it would devastate me; however, even so, I'm sure I do not feel your pain. I only pray that God will soon replace that hole in your heart with the many wonderful memories of your son that I know you carry with you.

God bless you, MrPill.
 
Automatic Monkey

Automatic Monkey

Banned
#17
#17
Condolences Mr Pill

It sure does put things in perspective. Cussing about a losing steak, we'd bless a losing streak if we could make up the variance someplace else.
 
Dog Hand

Dog Hand

Well-Known Member
#20
#20
Biggest Hand of the Year

I was playing a DD game, and had two $150 bets out. Against the dealer's six, my first hand was pat. The second was a pair of nines. I split, received a deuce on the first and doubled. The second drew yet another nine, so I split again and ended up with two stiffs. Thus, I had a total of $750 on the table. The dealer flipped a nine, then drew a lovely eight of clubs to bust.

Sweet!

Dog Hand
 
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