First time counting

[Roy]

After months of practicing both on the computer and dealing cards at home I made my first foray to LV to experience actual combat conditions. I used Knockout and played single deck and some double deck -- mostly at the LVC and 4Q. My bet spread was low: 5 to 25. My greediest play was moving from 5 to 50 when I had a +7 and the dealer turned up a 6. The dealer wheeled a 5 card 21 on me and I lost the hand. Brutal.

The actual process of counting was intially difficult as I lost track of the count on several occasions. As time went on I began to keep an accurate count and was able to deflect the usual distractions -- stupid players, waitresses with big racks, toke hustling dealers, etc. I was also able to relax after awhile and enjoy the whole process. In addition to increasing my bets on plus counts I made several successful insurance plays and stands on 15's and 16's against dealer 10's when the count was appropriate.

By the end of the trip (third day) I felt very confident and was able to keep track of the count accurately but also to maintain some sense of comfort at the table. I was able to process the table distractions while maintaining an accurate count.

I did however end up with a negative cash flow when it was all said and done. My biggest hits were on meaty counts where double downs failed to hit a solid card, dealer 20's and 21's, and most brutal the 4-5-6 card 20's and 21's that seemed to happen fairly often this trip. To hear "Sorry boys, house lucky again" from several dealers was enough to make me sick on more than one occasion.

Anyway, this post is for all you prospective counters out there who think it cannot be done. Counting takes practice and it does take concentration but it is attainable for anyone.

 

[Automatic Monkey]

Welcome to card counting! My first experience was at the Venetian back in October. Now I'm preparing to write a book. This is something you can catch on to very, very quickly. Sorry you didn't have a good first time out. I did, but I've always been very lucky. Losing on the big counts is tough, but at least you were getting good counts. Here on the East Coast all we have is 6D and 8D shoe, and you can play all night waiting for a count and just bleed to death.

Anyway, I think your attitude is great and belies an understanding of what it takes for success. You'll learn to get over the distractions; just think of yourself as a Special Forces soldier who has to do his job with explosions and ugly scenes all around him.

 

[The Mayor]

I'm sorry your first trip out wasn't more successful, but it sounds like you got the swing of it pretty fast. The one thing you wrote that concerned me is:

>My greediest play was moving from 5 to 50 when I had a +7

In other words, you played with a max bet of $25, but once in a while, when you got the itch and couldn't resist you put out more, sometimes twice your max bet. This is as sure a course to ruin as one can steer. You have to decide what your bankroll can tolerate and stay within it. Then make that max bet at EVERY +5 TC.

--Mayor

 

[Roy]

Thank you for the advice on that play. In retrospect I realize that such a play was quite foolish, especially if it had turned into a double down or split situation and I lost. Part of the problem was that I was influenced by some greedy friends who demanded "I put some more out there" when the count was favorable.

On a side note, here's how one of my friends got himself permanently banned from the LVC in DTLV.
1. Enter the game playing $25.
2. On a meaty count move from $25 to $180 and win the hand.
3. Several hands later on the second deal when it was a negative count lower your bet to from $25 to $10.

The result was an immediate tossing. This character cannot even use the restroom in the LVC anymore.