BJ Burnout!

[phantom007]

Anyone besides me experienced this?

For my Feb. LV trip, I studied, counted, practiced, etc., etc. Upon my return home, subtracting losses, and adding back in free rooms, beers, food, etc., I ended up losing $15. for a 9-day stay.

Certainly, ploppy's would be estatic...pro's would say it was a "break-even" fluctuation...I AM PISSED, because I was about $1,800. ahead, and had a FPM, i.e. "FULL PLOPPY MELTDOWN", i.e., bet big and STUPID, and gave back my hard-earned winnings. Literally, up to 6,000 hands of hard-earned profits were given back in a few hands of "ploppy" losses.

And please hold the "join G.A." posts...I just made big bets in appropriately pos. counts, when my B/R could not "take a hit"...but I made the bets, and they did not hit.

And since:

1. I spent 3 days in the "Tunica area" in March...I did not gamble, I did not even go into a Casino. I had coupons for free rooms, and coupons worth about $120., just to cash them in. Instead, I paid for my RFB

2. In April, m/l "ditto".

3. In May, I will go to a Casino, and am trying to get the "Charge" back. Have not counted through a deck of cards since Feb. (but will)...have not studied indicies since Feb...(but will).

4. Just read "Blackjack Autumn", by Barry Meadows...felt even more "burnt out" after reading same!

ANYHOW, Have any of you fellow CC-Types experienced BJ-Burnout? And how have you dealt with it?

Thanks,

phantom007.

 

[wong out]

what??? if you were betting with the count and within your br then why worry about how the week ended up?? If you were "taking a shot" and hoping to get lucky then I would find another gig. Burn out - sure bj is a physical and mental grind at times so rest up in between trips; once on them work hard to maximize ev; have fun when you get home.

good luck

 

[Coug Fan]

All the time

I experience BJ Burnout frequently. Usually every 2-3 months after a couple of really bad sessions. This disease ranges in intensity and the symptoms include a negative mental outlook that you carry away from the tables, and a strong desire to just throw a bunch of money on the table (regardless of the count) in an effort to overcome the negative SD you just experienced. If you cannot suppress this second symptom, then you are dead as an advantage player. If you cannot suppress the first symptom, then the consequences are even worse.

I always thank the dealer at the end of every session, and if I've lost big, I will comment "oh well, its only money. At least I didn't lose anything that is really important." When I stop believeing myself, then it is time for a break.

The cure to BJ Burnout (at least for me), is to take some time away from the tables. Maybe spend some time playing in the park with my kids, and take stock of what is really important. I don't go back into a casino until I am feeling completely refreshed and have my proper mental attitude back. This takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the severity of the burnout.

 

[Rob McGarvey]

Re: All the time

Yes, normally after the third day I am in LV. Had enuf cards, small talk, people, bells and whistles. My only consolation will be that I have more money for the plane ride home than everyone else. Cept for the old girl playing slots during 3000 Miles from Graceland.

 

[Hinoon]

Re: All the time

My take on it is this:

If you're playing professionally, or semi-pro, or even considering it...then BJ has become more of a job than a hobby.

A good job provides benefits, and one key benefit is vacation time. Depending on the nature of the job, vacation time varies. Most mundane desk jobs get 1-2 weeks per year, with a few long weekends thrown in for personal days. But some jobs get more...I know a fellow who spends six months of the year as a "smoke-jumper", fighting massive fires, and six months surfing in Bali.

So, if you're making a career out of this, even part-time...make sure that you allocate yourself appropriate vacation time. Every good boss knows that employee morale is essential to productivity.

Just my two cents.

-HiNoon