Anyone

forwhat77

Well-Known Member
wish i could say this was only an upward process...I dropped friggin 450.00 last night and the worst thing is a fuzzy counter hit high tide following my betting schedule. damn it!! I know that it works but it's so hard to see everyone else get high cards on a positive count and I get hard 14. Whats up with 14&15 I never want to see that number again in my life. Now my girlfriend is pissed off cause I dropped and doesn't believe it works. She wasn't saying that when I was giving her 200$ to waste every other day! I should have been applying it towards my bankroll!!!!
 

ihate17

Well-Known Member
variance, wives, girlfriends and others

forwhat77 said:
wish i could say this was only an upward process...I dropped friggin 450.00 last night and the worst thing is a fuzzy counter hit high tide following my betting schedule. damn it!! I know that it works but it's so hard to see everyone else get high cards on a positive count and I get hard 14. Whats up with 14&15 I never want to see that number again in my life. Now my girlfriend is pissed off cause I dropped and doesn't believe it works. She wasn't saying that when I was giving her 200$ to waste every other day! I should have been applying it towards my bankroll!!!!
Welcome to the world of the advantage player, especially the advantage player who has just begun his journey.
You will win more money in some sessions than you would have flat betting and in turn you will also lose more money in some sessions than you would have made flat betting. The variance is high. The great count where you are the guy getting 14 and 15 to the dealer's pat hands is not rare and when it happens you get spanked. If you can not mentally or financially take this, if you can not continue to put out the bigger bets when you have the edge, then you should stop now and save your money. It is one of many many tests that you must pass in order to be that 1 in 10 who trys counting and is positively able to continue.

Family members, friends, girl friends, workmates and just about everyone else who you let know that you are a cardcounter will not believe you make money at this or will expect you to win 90% (or more) of the time you play. Most likely they will see you as some kind of addicted gambler with a story about winning most of the time. Sitting down and explaining the variance of the game, the fact your edge is so small and that you might expect to win 65% of your trips if you are good and play good games, is too much to explain to anyone who is not reasonably committed to doing the same things you are doing. Just show us the money and show it to us everytime or we do not buy your story and you are just another loser.
Now years of winning will prove the point and there is something to be said for just proving the point to yourself because for a new counter, self doubts can be very natural without even needing the girlfriend doubts adding to it.

Look throuhg enough old posts and you will find a few about folks with significant other problems or even work problems where the perception of them as gamblers has hurt their future with their employer.

Of course one should share with their S.O., but be careful who else you share your AP with. Ask yourself first if there is any benifit to telling this person? Generally there is only a downside. This can become a problem that boards like this can help (pysc services from Ken Smith's board). Most people as they succeed at something, especially something new and different, have a need to share or brag about this with others. When it comes to advantage play do your sharing here and do not share with others who might use it to hurt you or at the least will get a lower opinion of you from this information.

We are just a poor, misunderstood, hated little minority. The casinos hate us and our loved ones misunderstand us. Can this make a backrooming a hate crime

ihate17
 

forwhat77

Well-Known Member
Thanks 17. The words are encouraging...You know it just stings though when things are going so well and them bam!! All of sudden nothing you do can save your a**. Then ploppies; now I am one to talk but man, why would anyone just walk straight into a heads up game and plop their a** down without the courtesy to even ask, "do you mind". Oh well, I think I will just go in the morning from now on. I guess I could go on and on but its nothing new under the sun. Until next time.....
 
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ihate17

Well-Known Member
Ploppy most likely, wonger possibly

forwhat77 said:
Thanks 17. The words are encouraging...You know it just stings though when things are going so well and them bam!! All of sudden nothing you do can save your a**. Then ploppies; now I am one to talk but man, why would anyone just walk straight into a heads up game and plop their a** down without the courtesy to even ask, "do you mind". Oh well, I think I will just go in the morning from now on. I guess I could go on and on but its nothing new under the sun. Until next time.....
The vast majority of blackjack players do not want to play heads up with the dealer. This happens to be one of their better decisions but they do not do it based on math, just based on fear and superstition. Face it, the more hands they play, the more they lose.
So what happens, the guy wants to play but not heads up. Other tables are either full, or have that mythical unlucky feeling or dealer, so they shy away.
Then they see someone playing alone at a table. Even better they see that guy playing alone getting paid by the dealer. It is the "good shoe" and they sit right down and begin to play.
Should the count be high you might ask him to wait. Say it in ploppyeese so he will understand it. "It's going good and I do not want The Flow disturbed." If he ignores you, he most likely is an ass or an advantage player wonging in. (Many people have trouble telling the difference between asses and advantage players but this site probably is not big enough for that thread)
Anyway, reference to The Flow is a strong religious reference and will work most of the time. If the count is neutral or even negative but near the shuffle point and you want to play the start of the new shoe, even if the shoe has been good, just welcome him in and let him eat as many cards as possible.

ihate17
 

forwhat77

Well-Known Member
It feels good to have people to talk to.

O.K. so after a nice day's sleep, and study of some postings. Especially yours Rhino. I have come to the conclusion that all starting counters learn the method of wonging and stick to it faithfully until sufficient bankroll is established.
Not only does wonging save you money but it also trains you to count so that when you sit down it's a breeze. You will already know dealer speed, which is a must as a newbie, and bottom line is it adds to practice.

Key learning experience: Although wonging is good for crowded conditions, on this last trip I found out that I love straight up! forget the positions at the table. At my shop the easiest time to do this is in the morning. No more nights for me! And if so I must wong until I can't do it anymore.
 
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EasyRhino

Well-Known Member
If you can not mentally or financially take this, if you can not continue to put out the bigger bets when you have the edge, then you should stop now and save your money.
I just want to emphasize that the mental and financial barriers are very seperate from each other, but also very real. And EITHER issue can easily scuttle an endeavor at advantage play.
ihate17 said:
Most likely they will see you as some kind of addicted gambler with a story about winning most of the time.
I just got finished commiserating with a dealer over what a loser I am.

She agreed.

I probably should have brought a teddy bear.
 

ihate17

Well-Known Member
A soft spot for Rhinos

EasyRhino said:
I just got finished commiserating with a dealer over what a loser I am.

She agreed.

I probably should have brought a teddy bear.
Besides most dealers thinking that most players are just plain losers, she might have a soft spot for Rhinos.
 

bj bob

Well-Known Member
EasyRhino said:
I just got finished commiserating with a dealer over what a loser I am.

She agreed.

I probably should have brought a teddy bear.
And don't forget to tell her to reach into your pocket for that lollipop.:devil: :devil:
 

forwhat77

Well-Known Member
This question my shy folks away. But with all this hype out and all about the new movie and "team play" I come to wonder how many teams are actually still up, successful, and running strong? Also in the midst of my daydreaming amongst studying post, how hard is it to find these people, or do they find you?

Just asking, but I guess this is every young starting counter's question. I mean it's not like you can say "I want to be on a team" and then go apply for the position with a corporation. But I do think their is more money available an hour to people who are specifically trained to do this. And as a disabled veteran who is very young, and the exact opposite of the description of a counter, I really have nothing much else to do, but wonder about the oppurtunity of enjoying casino life.
 

forwhat77

Well-Known Member
thanks...I guess I was really trying to maybe involuntary invite myself to individuals who could guide me in the right direction.
 
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