Southpaw's Status Update

[Southpaw]

Hello all,

I am writing to update anyone who might be interested in my status for advantage play. As I have told a few members on this board, I will be traveling with the university to Russia in the very near future, and the sheer cost of the trip will be putting me out of this game for the time being.

Interestingly, there would have been no way that I could have afforded the trip, had I not embarked upon advantage play. The trip will, in total, cost about $5500, and although it is not the case that my play has entirely paid for the trip, I would not have been able to go on the trip without my winnings.

All in all, due to some very favorable variance, I have won just south of a grand, in a very limited number of hours at the tables.

Based on previous trends, my day job and other income sources allow me to build my bank by about $200-300 per month, so I hope to again have a red-chip bankroll again by sometime next year. Look at it this way; at least I'll be 21 by the time I have another bankroll.

I intend to continue posting here while I rebuild my bankroll. I also have the intention of going to this year's bash, even though I have a flight to Moscow the next day, so I hope to see at least a few of you there.

I have no regrets with regard to "blowing" my bank on this trip; foreign language particularly French and Russian, have been interests of mine long before I was interested in blackjack, and I still find that these interests trump advantage play, IMO. Besides, even with the very favorable conditions I have been playing with, I still do not find the straight counting game to be all that desirable. Only during my last session did I start toying with some elementary ST'ing techniques, where applicable.

I want to give a special thanks to the members that have taken me out a few times to show me the ropes, per se.

Sincerely,

Spaw

 

[21gunsalute]

Good luck to you. I hope the trip is worth the time and money spent.

 

[aslan]

Hello all,

I am writing to update anyone who might be interested in my status for advantage play. As I have told a few members on this board, I will be traveling with the university to Russia in the very near future, and the sheer cost of the trip will be putting me out of this game for the time being.

Interestingly, there would have been no way that I could have afforded the trip, had I not embarked upon advantage play. The trip will, in total, cost about $5500, and although it is not the case that my play has entirely paid for the trip, I would not have been able to go on the trip without my winnings.

All in all, due to some very favorable variance, I have won just south of a grand, in a very limited number of hours at the tables.

Based on previous trends, my day job and other income sources allow me to build my bank by about $200-300 per month, so I hope to again have a red-chip bankroll again by sometime next year. Look at it this way; at least I'll be 21 by the time I have another bankroll.

I intend to continue posting here while I rebuild my bankroll. I also have the intention of going to this year's bash, even though I have a flight to Moscow the next day, so I hope to see at least a few of you there.

I have no regrets with regard to "blowing" my bank on this trip; foreign language particularly French and Russian, have been interests of mine long before I was interested in blackjack, and I still find that these interests trump advantage play, IMO. Besides, even with the very favorable conditions I have been playing with, I still do not find the straight counting game to be all that desirable. Only during my last session did I start toying with some elementary ST'ing techniques, where applicable.

I want to give a special thanks to the members that have taken me out a few times to show me the ropes, per se.

Sincerely,

Spaw

You mean you've been playing underage for money! SP:whip::whip: :laugh: See what happens when you do bad things! Off to Moscow with you! :flame: :whip: :laugh:

Hey! Bring us back a gift or something. :birthday:

 

[Southpaw]

You mean you've been playing underage for money! SP:whip::whip: :laugh: See what happens when you do bad things! Off to Moscow with you! :flame: :whip: :laugh:

Hey! Bring us back a gift or something. :birthday:

There exist 18+ casinos (Native-American owned) in my area, Aslan. Playing underage is negative EV, no matter what blackjack promo they are running.

Spaw

 

[Gamblor]

What, no blackjack in Russia?

 

[FLASH1296]

I know stateside casinos where 18 is the minimum age.

e.g. Turning Stone Casino. near Syracuse, NY

They sweat the action but they have a pit of fine
S17 DD games, $10, $15, $25 minimums, with
notched shoes, for consistent penetration of 67% !

 

[Southpaw]

What, no blackjack in Russia?

Aside from the fact that I haven't the bank to play at the moment, I think the risk of thievery or harassment by the local authorities would make even a 4-deck game dealt to the last card a negative-expectation proposition.

Pickpocketing on the streets, let alone inside casinos (if they have them?), is absolutely commonplace there. The local police are notoriously corrupt as well, often asking for personal bribes just to let you go.

Spaw

 

[FLASH1296]

Until last year Russia had a ginormous number of casinos, mostly small "Mom & Pop" outfits. Conditions were excellent, but they taxed you as they cashed you out, and robberies were ubiquitous.

Last year Russia banned them all and then quickly decided that they would allow casinos but only in some designated areas — all of them remote.

Meanwhile, places like Slovenia, Ukraine, Poland, etc. have very good games.

 

[Southpaw]

Conditions were excellent, but they taxed you as they cashed you out, and robberies were ubiquitous.

If they taxed you based on your cash-out, I wonder what they would do to you if they caught you rat-holing

Spaw

Edit: Please excuse my above, erroneous logic. This would only be applicable if they were taxing you based on what you are coloring-up; however, I am certain it is the case that they tax you based on what you actually cash out.

 

[paddywhack]

Have an awesome trip SP.

It's an excellent opportunity. You will have "forever" to play BJ so don't even give "using the BR" another thought.

Look forward to seeing you in the near future.

paddy

 

[itrack]

I think you are making a really good decision to attend the bash even if you aren't looking to play. I've got a deal for you...I teach to a few things about ST, you teach me a couple things about speaking Russian:laugh: Ever since watching the movie rounders I find the russian accent extremely funny.

 

[21gunsalute]

What, no blackjack in Russia?

There must be. And all the Russian dealers end up in Wendover. :laugh:

 

[creeping panther]

Sp

My best to you in Russia, I applaud your decision.

Also glad you will make the BASH as all desire to meet you.

You are a very brilliant young man and I am glad to have associated with you.

CP

 

[Southpaw]

My best to you in Russia, I applaud your decision.

Also glad you will make the BASH as all desire to meet you.

You are a very brilliant young man and I am glad to have associated with you.

CP

Hey CP,

Thank-you very much for this.

And thank you for saving me from playing 8D, H17 games back when, if you know what I mean. I couldn't ever repay you for these opportunities you've given me.

I look forward to finding out after the trip how much I am building up from again.

Best,

Spaw

 

[zoomie]

Best of luck to you Spaw. Sounds like a wonderful opportunity. GF and I look forward to seeing you at the Bash

 

[Midwestern]

Aside from the fact that I haven't the bank to play at the moment, I think the risk of thievery or harassment by the local authorities would make even a 4-deck game dealt to the last card a negative-expectation proposition.

Pickpocketing on the streets, let alone inside casinos (if they have them?), is absolutely commonplace there. The local police are notoriously corrupt as well, often asking for personal bribes just to let you go.

Spaw

as for the rampant corruption in russia, I believe it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok6ljV-WfRw

take a look at what happened to a Hedge fund (founded by americans) that had russian offices.

Basically, the authorities turned their heads as the government seized all of the hedge fund's assets without any legal reason to do so (something to the tune of $500 million).

i'd think that russia could have some very fine casinos. after all, they're a capitalist economy now and casinos are capitalist ventures. .