South Point Blackjack

LC Larry

Well-Known Member
#21
KJ, my post wasn't necessarily pointed toward you. Just counters in general. But this isn't the first time you have accused a casino of possible nefarious actions. Personally, I think you are completely overestimating your advantage. You of all people should know that card counting is a TINY advantage with high variance. Very bad runs like you just experienced WILL happen. If someone tells you they won't, they're lying!!
 

beating vegas

Well-Known Member
#22
KewlJ said:
Well yes, I did just leave SP where I watched them open 3 double deck tables. They did spread the cards as normal.

I never said they were cheating so I don't think I have to apologize or admit I was wrong. I simply said that I found my results unusual. I am playing higher stakes of late and maybe I haven't adjusted to the higher swings (variance) that can occur with such stakes.

I am still taking a break from SP. As I always say the beauty of Las Vegas is quantity which means if a player is uncomfortable with any game, for any reason, there are other places to fish.

Thanks to those that shared their experiences and thoughts both publicly and privately.
Just variance. No need to ever apologize to a casino.
 

tuck22

Active Member
#27
probably variance although i'd be a lot more concerned if i got way tpo many high counts.
i had back to back to back orleans trips at last year where i was getting max bets out on double deck in probably 2/3rd of the "shoes' and got clobbered both times.
About six months had an over night dark hair older female dealer drop the deck on me in a good count when we could have gotten 2 more hands in maybe 3 heads up. i immediately left. she did it again this trip- at first i didn't recognize her because it was around halloween and she was wearing a custume.

variance can be funny though. at palace station i have played 18 sessions and won 4 times. 3 of those 4 the wins were basically break even wins. i never felt anything was off there the way i did at the orleans with the constant high counts. i have been asked to leave twice.

at golden nugget i have 26 sessions and have won 22 of them. 2 of the 4 losses are basically break even.3 of the winning 22 sessions were basically break even.

all sessions at both have been 45-60 minutes.

i've played at south point a few times and never experienced the heat people mention. but i've gone when there are a ton of tables running, but without packed tables obviously. when it would start to clear out i'd leave. almost all of my backoffs anywhere have come when there aren't that many people playing blackjack.
 
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KewlJ

Well-Known Member
#28
South point has 4 table game pits. For the purpose of this discussion we will label them SE, SW, NE, NW. The two northern most pits have no blackjack, mostly Asian games. The SW pit (closest to the buffet) is the primary pit that is always open. It contains several double deck and 6 deck shoe games, ranging from $10 min to $25 min, occasionally a $50 min or reserved table.

The SE pit is the auxiliary pit, opening at 11am, until whatever time at night they close it. It has 2 or 3 double deck games at $25 minimum.

All of my unusual variance has occurred in one pit, the SE "auxiliary" pit. Results in the main pit (SW pit) are very "normal". I am not suggesting anything by these comments, just sharing what my records show.

Additionally there is one other difference in the two pits concerning blackjack game and that is heat and the attitude of the pit. That SE pit where all of my unusual variance occurred has an entirely different feel to it. That sweaty atmosphere that South Point is know for is absent. The don't seem to care about much. They don't even request a players card. Make of that too what you may. ;)

One other thing: I watched them open several tables at this second pit, looking to see if they spread the cards. They do....but the procedure is odd. The pit guy opens the cards and hands them to the dealer, who spreads them checking front and back. This is when a player looking can see that all cards are there. Next the dealer returns the card to the pit person who holding the cards in hand, quickly examines each card. Sometimes he stands right there doing so, sometimes he is walking around a bit, which actually takes the cards out of view momentarily. When the pit guy is done his examination, he returns cards to the dealer who washes and shuffles.

The point is this is backwards. The pit should check the cards BEFORE the dealer. Once the dealer spreads the cards for all to see, at no point should cards be taken out of view as they are. Technically they are still in view but depending on the pit guy moving around, anyone wanting to keep eyes on cards may have to go through some gymnastic moves.

Now let me be clear, at no time did I witness the removal of cards. But the cards were not within my view at all times after being spread and that remains a concern, if you are using the spread of cards to rule out any shenanigans.
 

DSchles

Well-Known Member
#29
Suggestion: try to conceal a camera and video it. If the video catches anything illegal, such as switching the cards, you'll have concrete proof for the gaming commission.

Don
 

21forme

Well-Known Member
#30
I like Don's idea. It may be helpful for you to be on one side of the pit and your brother on the other, so if his back is turned to one of you, the other can get it.
 
#31
21forme said:
I like Don's idea. It may be helpful for you to be on one side of the pit and your brother on the other, so if his back is turned to one of you, the other can get it.
That is a terrible idea...you guys want KewlJ to risk getting caught with a camera on a BJ game? These BJ forums are getting ridiculous these days.
 

KewlJ

Well-Known Member
#32
21forme said:
I like Don's idea. It may be helpful for you to be on one side of the pit and your brother on the other, so if his back is turned to one of you, the other can get it.
I have to agree with CIF on this one....at least where it involves me. I would never involve my brother in something like that. As a matter of fact I would never attempt to video anything. First, did you guys miss where I said "I am not suggesting anything, just sharing what my records are". ;) I most certainly am not out playing under-cover detective. I see no benefit to me for something like that.

It is this simple: I play blackjack for a living. Occasionally I run across situations that just don't feel right to me. I know what variance is....trust me. I think I have shared enough of my journey in enough detail that there should be no question, I am familiar with variance. I play 80,000 rounds of blackjack a year. When something doesn't feel right, I trust my instinct. And whether these occasional situations, that just don't feel right to me, turn out to be something....or nothing, the solution for a fulltime player is simple...play other games that you are more comfortable with. :cool:

Now that said (lol)....I don't always do that. Now let's see...how can I say this. OK, hypothetically, wouldn't it be ironic if hours after someone made a post that was made this morning, that very person, playing other games at that location that they have had better results with, results more in line with expectation, just decided to play said game in question on the way out the door, and had a monster session. Not saying that happened. Just speaking hypothetically. :oops:
 

21forme

Well-Known Member
#33
It is not hard to pretend to be talking on the phone while recording a video. I'm not talking about an on the shoulder professional camera :)
 
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KewlJ

Well-Known Member
#34
21forme said:
It is not hard to pretend to be talking on the phone while recording a video. I'm not talking about an on the should professional camera :)
I haven't even seen anything that is worthy of making the effort. I have not witnessed anything illegal. All I have said is the procedure, or more accurately the sequence of the procedure seems odd. Particularly that after the cards are spread on the table for transparency, they should not then be taken out of sight at any time. That defeats the whole purpose of spreading the cards.
 
#35
21forme said:
It is not hard to pretend to be talking on the phone while recording a video. I'm not talking about an on the shoulder professional camera :)
How old are these posters?
On the shoulder cameras don't really exist anymore.
You think he should risk filming in a casino, regardless...you are nuts bro...
 

21forme

Well-Known Member
#36
Counting_Is_Fun said:
How old are these posters?
On the shoulder cameras don't really exist anymore.
You think he should risk filming in a casino, regardless...you are nuts bro...
They do in the broadcast industry.
Speaking of how old, when was the last time "filming" was done?
 
#37
21forme said:
They do in the broadcast industry.
Speaking of how old, when was the last time "filming" was done?
Yeah we are all talking about the "broadcast industry" here in a BJ forum.
Speaking of...you making zero sense on this forum, and others...
Back to your point... yeah, you want KJ to "point a camera" and "record" in a casino...you've lost your marbles guy.
 
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