single deck in Las Vegas

[rmi227]

I am new to card counting, here is my experience playing single deck in Vegas. I live in Henderson and I decided to stay downtown to play for the weekend. I check into the El Cortez( very nice rooms). I go downstairs to play I wanted to play $5.00 but it was full. So stupid me goes to the $25 table. I was the only one at the table and playing Hi/Lo with a 1-4 spread. I think I was playing for about 30 minutes and I look up and I had not one, not two but three! supervisors watching my play. Anyway after a shuffle one goes to me that I can only flat bet from now on. I was about even and left.

I then headed over to the four Queens and played for a couple of hours at a full table with no heat. I won about $300. I then go back the next morning and I play at a table with one other player. I played for about an hour and I was losing. Then I get to a four unit bet and the floor person says shuffle the cards. Everytime I bet over my base bet same thing. He told me it was nothing personal.

Now I make the walk over to the Western. The place is a dump. I played two sessions there and broke about even. Well thats it. I am now learning KO for double deck. Rob..

The Four Queens, El Cortez and the Western are the only single deck 3/2for BJ games that I can find in Vegas, if anyone knows of any others please let me know. Thanks..

 

[EasyRhino]

Wow, this is really interesting, for several reason.

First, if this is one of your first times using Hi-lo, how did it go for you, technically speaking? Why the thought of learning KO for doubledeck games (as opposed to, you know, hi-lo)?

2) I didn't even know El Escortez HAD a $25 table?! Heck, I went there on a Sunday night, all the 2D tables were jammed, but they had three empty SD tables ($5 minimums, I think!). My max bets didn't crack 2x$80, but I had only one supervisor watching me (I was ramping very conservatively, only parlaying on wins, etc).

3) I'm kind of surprised that the adverse action taken by the pit was fairly low key. My massive (/sarcasm) experience with backoffs usually involves a request to not play any blackjack.

4) Playing single deck at the 4Q with a full table could be bad news. How many rounds did you get until the shuffle? At least two I hope? The opportunity to do any damage counting is cut dramatically. Also, was it the same personnel on the morning shift as the night before? Had you given them anything that would identify you by name (players card). If not, then that means that the morning's shuffling-up was a result of your play, the conditions, and that particular pit critter. Nothing to stop you from trying again.

... do you know the trick you can use to mess with dealers if they shuffle up when you raise your bet?

 

[rmi227]

Wow, this is really interesting, for several reason.

First, if this is one of your first times using Hi-lo, how did it go for you, technically speaking? Why the thought of learning KO for doubledeck games (as opposed to, you know, hi-lo)?

2) I didn't even know El Escortez HAD a $25 table?! Heck, I went there on a Sunday night, all the 2D tables were jammed, but they had three empty SD tables ($5 minimums, I think!). My max bets didn't crack 2x$80, but I had only one supervisor watching me (I was ramping very conservatively, only parlaying on wins, etc).

3) I'm kind of surprised that the adverse action taken by the pit was fairly low key. My massive (/sarcasm) experience with backoffs usually involves a request to not play any blackjack.

4) Playing single deck at the 4Q with a full table could be bad news. How many rounds did you get until the shuffle? At least two I hope? The opportunity to do any damage counting is cut dramatically. Also, was it the same personnel on the morning shift as the night before? Had you given them anything that would identify you by name (players card). If not, then that means that the morning's shuffling-up was a result of your play, the conditions, and that particular pit critter. Nothing to stop you from trying again.

... do you know the trick you can use to mess with dealers if they shuffle up when you raise your bet?



This was my FIRST time counting cards PERIOD. I was using Hi/Lo using only Insurance at +3, 16 vs 10 at 0, and 15 vs10 at 4 (I think). Like I said I am very new.

Yes they usually have a few $5.00 tables. This was Friday afternoon and they only had 3 SD going both $5.00 were full so I went for the $25.00 table.
The floor personel were VERY polite at the El Cortez the manager came over to me asked me my first name ans shook my hand and said I could play but I had to flat bet.
At the 4 queens I did have a players card. My first session there, the table cleared out a bit and there were only 3 of us there. When the dealer switch was made I heard the Sup say to her " you have a counter at first base" I think she wanted me to hear I played a little more then left. So I think they recognized me the second time.

Yes I read in "blackjack for blood" the shuffle up trick...

I am learning reKO and I played yesterday and today at sunset station.

So far up a little over $1000 counting.

I want to go to an unbalanced count. Because I don't want to do the TC conversion. I need something easy!! LOL...
I hope this website on REKO is accurate. I printed up the strategy cards. http://www.qfit.com/REKOStrategy.htm
I use the cards right at the table.
I live in henderson my e-mail is [email protected] I would appreciate any advice... Rob..

 

[rmi227]

Wow, this is really interesting, for several reason.

First, if this is one of your first times using Hi-lo, how did it go for you, technically speaking? Why the thought of learning KO for doubledeck games (as opposed to, you know, hi-lo)?

2) I didn't even know El Escortez HAD a $25 table?! Heck, I went there on a Sunday night, all the 2D tables were jammed, but they had three empty SD tables ($5 minimums, I think!). My max bets didn't crack 2x$80, but I had only one supervisor watching me (I was ramping very conservatively, only parlaying on wins, etc).

3) I'm kind of surprised that the adverse action taken by the pit was fairly low key. My massive (/sarcasm) experience with backoffs usually involves a request to not play any blackjack.

4) Playing single deck at the 4Q with a full table could be bad news. How many rounds did you get until the shuffle? At least two I hope? The opportunity to do any damage counting is cut dramatically. Also, was it the same personnel on the morning shift as the night before? Had you given them anything that would identify you by name (players card). If not, then that means that the morning's shuffling-up was a result of your play, the conditions, and that particular pit critter. Nothing to stop you from trying again.

... do you know the trick you can use to mess with dealers if they shuffle up when you raise your bet?



This was my FIRST time counting cards PERIOD. I was using Hi/Lo using only Insurance at +3, 16 vs 10 at 0, and 15 vs10 at 4 (I think). Like I said I am very new.

Yes they usually have a few $5.00 tables. This was Friday afternoon and they only had 3 SD going both $5.00 were full so I went for the $25.00 table.
The floor personel were VERY polite at the El Cortez the manager came over to me asked me my first name ans shook my hand and said I could play but I had to flat bet.
At the 4 queens I did have a players card. My first session there, the table cleared out a bit and there were only 3 of us there. When the dealer switch was made I heard the Sup say to her " you have a counter at first base" I think she wanted me to hear I played a little more then left. So I think they recognized me the second time.

Yes I read in "blackjack for blood" the shuffle up trick...

I am learning reKO and I played yesterday and today at sunset station.

So far up a little over $1000 counting.

I want to go to an unbalanced count. Because I don't want to do the TC conversion. I need something easy!! LOL...
I hope this website on REKO is accurate. I printed up the strategy cards. http://www.qfit.com/REKOStrategy.htm
I use the cards right at the table.
I live in henderson my e-mail is [email protected] I would appreciate any advice... Rob..

 

[rmi227]

Easyrhino, have you played at the Western? It's quite the adventure...

 

[Brutus]

I check into the El Cortez( very nice rooms).

sounds like an advertisment for the Cortez!

I think I was playing for about 30 minutes and I look up and I had not one, not two but three! supervisors watching my play. Anyway after a shuffle one goes to me that I can only flat bet from now on. I was about even and left.

I think you work for the Cortez, and are trying to detour counters elsewhere!

So far up a little over $1000 counting.

Congratulations!

The Four Queens, El Cortez and the Western are the only single deck 3/2for BJ games that I can find in Vegas, if anyone knows of any others please let me know. Thanks..

I would like to know the answer to that myself.

 

[rmi227]

WOW, I do not work for the El Cortez. I was just being honest. This is what happened. Whatever..

 

[shadroch]

Where were your rooms at the EC? My last trip,I stayed on the third floor above the casino and couldn't believe the size of the rooms. My walk-in closet was bigger than many hotel rooms I've had.It was a bit worn,but still pretty nice.Did you eat at Robertas?

 

[halcyon1234]

... do you know the trick you can use to mess with dealers if they shuffle up when you raise your bet?

I don't. Could you share, please?

 

[EasyRhino]

the trick: bet big offf the top. When the count gets negative, float out a big bet, they shuffle up, thus erasing the negative count. If the count goes positive, just keep betting the same. It's a pretty damn old trick, and one I haven't even had an opportunity to try, but it sounds like it would be fun, until it inevitably pisses off the floor personnel.

rmi, were you doing any sort of true count conversion while playing SD (like, at half a deck?) Also, do you think there's any chance you looked super-obvious while counting (moving lips while counting, etc.)? I still suspect that on one of my very first trips, a floorlady just watched me closely more for her amusement than anything.

 

[ScottH]

If it was your first time counting ever, you were probably really obvious about it. I would probably practice at some other games before searching out more single deck games, since I think they watch the single deck games more closely.

 

[shadroch]

I believe you are much better off playing the DD shoe game at EC than the SD.On the DD, you can DOA,DOS,and since it is dealt face up,you can interact on a great many hands.Last visit,I was able to buy numeroues Aces off of players reluctant to split them,and picked up several double for less chances.Plus,I was able to spread $3-$50,even $3-100 on one occasion,with zero heat.Spread more than $5-25 on the SD or multiple green chips and you are in trouble there.

 

[Mimosine]

I believe you are much better off playing the DD shoe game at EC than the SD.On the DD, you can DOA,DOS,and since it is dealt face up,you can interact on a great many hands.Last visit,I was able to buy numeroues Aces off of players reluctant to split them,and picked up several double for less chances.Plus,I was able to spread $3-$50,even $3-100 on one occasion,with zero heat.Spread more than $5-25 on the SD or multiple green chips and you are in trouble there.

agreed on all counts. except the bit about spreading that much, i didn't try that there. mostly spread 1-5 on the double deck, 1-3 on the SD. i played very conservatively there since the rules were so good and the expectation was much higher than elsewhere even on low spreads.

oh, and i love the western's DD game, maybe it's because you could get robbed at any minute in that joint. :laugh:

 

[Cardcounter]

Be careful not to sit down at the wrong table!

On the strip there is a major problem with a lot of the single deck blackjack games, 6 to 5 blackjack. 6 to 5 blackjack is so bad for the player that no card counter could beat the game. Sure if you could hole card which is illegal if you are using a mirror you could win. Blackjacks paying 6 to 5 more than tripple the house edge.

 

[shadroch]

As far as I am aware,there is not a single 3/2 single deck game on the strip,so there really shouldn't be any confusion.

 

[Sonny]

6 to 5 blackjack is so bad for the player that no card counter could beat the game.

That is not true at all.

Sure if you could hole card which is illegal if you are using a mirror you could win.

So don't use a mirror. If there are legal ways to beat the game, why bother with illegal methods?

-Sonny-