MH1 said:
Hey guys,
All of us employ card counting among other techniques to gain an advantage over the house. Obviously, the main goal for most of us is personal gain, but I don’t think I am alone in wanting the casinos to lose money. In my mind, casinos are right up there with tobacco companies in regard to their ethical nature. What are some good ways to really go after the casinos’ bottom line legally? Card counters and advantage players are but a drop in the bucket of casino profits. It would be really nice to damage them financially as much as possible, legally of course. Any ideas?
My short answer is.......that I disagree.
The long answer is........
Since I AP on a part time basis I view the casino as my "part time employer" and as such, I do not wish for them to go out of business or for their bottom line to get crushed. When times are tough for the casino we all pay the price because that's when the conditions become less advantageous for the player. AC is a prime example. They have taken huge hits to the bottom line since the PA stores opened and the games have gotten much worse as a result. I like stores that are making a lot of money across the board because they don't sweat the AP as much.......they don't feel the pain as much from my "relatively" small wins, even if they are huge wins for me.
Now AC has brought this on themselves bc they failed to for-see the downturn that was coming. Caught off guard with no plan they f***** themselves and the players in the process. I haven't been to AC in almost a year because I can find much better "work" elsewhere. By not going to AC anymore I am no longer subsidizing the city with food, hotel, gas purchases, etc. While I am only one, I know I am not alone, so you can multiply that by thousands and the loss of revenue really adds up for both the casinos and the auxiliary businesses. Also, it is well known in the casino industry that "action brings more action". By me (and hosts of others) not showing up or going much less frequently, the loss of action compounds exponentially across the tables and the floor. AP's are willing "shills" at the table much like you see on the street at a 3 card monty game. The ploppy needs to see someone winning to keep hope alive and keep pressing his action. Also, just like in any other business, word of mouth is your best advertising and everyday there are fewer and fewer people saying "You have to go to xxxxx store in AC, it's great. I won $1000 there last week.......very favorable games and generous comps."
I think an AP has an "interdependent" relationship with the casinos. I need them to win so that I can win. The bigger they are winning the bigger I can win. I view a similar relationship with the masses. I like these people because without them I likely lose my "part-time job". They are effectively paying my salary. They also need to feel like they are winning, for them to keep coming back, spreading the word to their friends to go play, and for them all to keep paying our salaries. When the rules/conditions change for the negative and the ploppy can't get an occasional win he goes bust and doesn't spend as much time or money in the casino. He also stops recruiting his friends and family to go play. That's when opportunities start to dry up for the AP because the casino then forces conditions to become progressively worse to compensate for the lack of action. It's a foolish move on the part of the casino but it happens time and time again.
Another way of looking at it is to view yourself a stockholder in the casino. As long as they are doing well I can keep cashing in my dividends at a fair and equitable rate. If the casino turns sweaty then nobody wins.....the AP, the masses and the store all lose out.
While I can understand and appreciate your enthusiasm, as for myself, I am solely motivated by money, not by bringing revenge on the evil empire or bringing down the house by "damaging them financially" legally or otherwise. I just want to keep winning a rate that I deem fair for the time and focus I am willing to spend AP'ing.
Just MHO.
