$75, or 3 greens?

[Canceler]

My first poll! And I hope it makes some kind of sense.

Someone once posted somewhere that there are two things that both card counters and the casinos want to see. One is more hands per hour. The other is that the player should forget, or ignore, the fact that the chips represent money.

This poll is about the second one. I’m curious as to whether people think in terms of dollars or chips. Personally, I think my minimum bet is two reds, and my max is two hands of three greens.

 

[InPlay]

My first poll! And I hope it makes some kind of sense.

Someone once posted somewhere that there are two things that both card counters and the casinos want to see. One is more hands per hour. The other is that the player should forget, or ignore, the fact that the chips represent money.

This poll is about the second one. I’m curious as to whether people think in terms of dollars or chips. Personally, I think my minimum bet is two reds, and my max is two hands of three greens.

I see it as all money. It's always about the money. Once you start thinking chips you lose touch with reality.

 

[eps6724]

But if you're trying to keep track of w/l, doesn't it make sense to play 'units' or 'chips' instead of money? Sometimes I play 1-10 with a start of two white ($2-$20) sometimes a 1-10 with a start of one red ($5-$50). When I figure out my w/l, I consider how many units w/l, so I can keep somewhat straight in my mind my winning percent. That's what goes in my journal. On my ledger, it's money values.

But that's just me. It'd be 3 greens.

Oh, and the BIG reason is I don't want to be worrying about the money I'm up or down. I start with money in my pocket that's not needed for a bill, and it keeps the 'playing scared' down. If I win, great. If not, I can spend my time trying to figure where I went wrong, and NOT how much money I don't have now.

 

[bj bob]

But if you're trying to keep track of w/l, doesn't it make sense to play 'units' or 'chips' instead of money? Sometimes I play 1-10 with a start of two white ($2-$20) sometimes a 1-10 with a start of one red ($5-$50). When I figure out my w/l, I consider how many units w/l, so I can keep somewhat straight in my mind my winning percent. That's what goes in my journal. On my ledger, it's money values.

But that's just me. It'd be 3 greens.

You're right on the money EPS. It's critical to express all play into units for performance evaluation, as well as table time. You can always convert the results into dollars later. Winning $200 at a $100 table is very different than the same $200 at a $5 table. In my journal I express it in both forms.
On a psychological level, an AP must maintain that discipline in order to take away any emotional baggage that could creep in which could affect their play. I had the occasion to play at the $100 min. table when one of my wealthier friends, knowing I was an AP, plopped $5,000 in front of me and asked me to play DD for an hour. At one point the count rose to the point where I was playing 2 hands @ $400, had to DD on the first and split 8"s three times v. 5. Before the dealer turned, I jokingly thought to myself,"It's sure a good thing I don't want to know how much of X's money I've got hanging out on this hand". At the end of the hour he kindly reminded me that it was well over a grand, since he was sweating every play over my shoulder.
I retorted, "Oh really! I was just concentrating on the proper play and bet amount".

 

[blackjack avenger]

It is Money After All

You buy in for money, when you cash out it is money. It is money. The casino wants you to forget it is money. However, when you play you do need emotional detachment so you can play properly. If you want to think of betting in units or dollars both are fine as long as you are correct.

 

[EasyRhino]

I think of it as money, because it's necessary to use dollar amounts in order to bet the proper amounts. i'd have to treat the chips as 'half units' or something counterintuitive, especially when mixing in other denominations.

 

[bj bob]

I think of it as money, because it's necessary to use dollar amounts in order to bet the proper amounts. i'd have to treat the chips as 'half units' or something counterintuitive, especially when mixing in other denominations.

Of course you would, you silly accountant. I'm surprised you don't count everything in units of boxes.:grin:

 

[mdlbj]

I see 1/10th of a betting unit..

 

[Licentia]

I see it as money always. Since I have to keep track of my bankroll and drop my bets once I recouperate my losses, I need to know exactly how much money is sitting in front of me at all times. $5 chips (Reds) in piles of five for $25, $25 chips (Greens) in piles of four for $100.

Licentia.