Introduction

[NewToTheGame]

I wanted to introduce myself on the board since I have been reading the posts for a few months now. I sent an email to The Mayor a few weeks ago, and he suggested I post to the board...so here I go.

I am a senior at New York University graduating this May (just 1 more semester of undergraduate life...) with a major in Finance. I have programmed for 2 years at a major investment bank (the same one as Don Schlesinger) and recently made the transition to the trading side (I actually interned with Don's daughter this past summer...just a bunch of coincidences).

Anyhow, I have been an avid fan of cards, and have played poker w/ family and friends for many years. However, I have a strong passion for blackjack because of the ability to remove the house's advantage. As such, I have taken many steps to immerse myself. I learned the Hi-Lo method, can count a deck down in 20-25 secs., and have read a number of books from Blackjack Attack, Beat the Dealer, Shuffle-Tracking for Beginners, etc. I went out to Vegas for my 21st this past summer and spent about 4 days playing blackjack (basic strategy (some deviations w/ Ill. 18), counting, kelly betting, etc...although because of lack of capital, I was playing $5 as my min. bet., but at this point, I am looking for the experience, and honestly, it was amazing in my opinion. It's one thing to read a book and practice, and another to be on the table.

I understand the complexity of the game, and at this point, I am looking to learn and improve. I've always thought about joining a team, and feel that it would be a tremendous experience.

If anyone can offer some suggestions on how I should proceed, or people I should speak with in the NY metro area, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your help, and I hope the cards fall well!

-NewToTheGame

 

[Rob McGarvey]

Nice to meet you. I was approached by a team that runs out of New York about a year ago. I am not sure where I have kept the gents number, but I do know the team has a reputation for winning. They would not disclose the count that they use, and they require you to train with them first and have up front money. I offered the guy my services for $200US an hour to play with their $$ using Hi Opt II with 20 BS departures but he didn't go for it. I'm sure you would be accepted with your credentials, but I am not so sure you will want to put a large BR into play with people you do not know. Intelligence and wisdom are two different things. You have both no doubt... ;>

 

[BradRod]

Welcome NTTG. You are right the game is full of complexities and it takes a lot of practice to work your way through them. I think you found a very supportive forum with many great resources to offer. Take advantage of them.

Good cards to you,

BradRod

 

[learning to count]

IMHO you need to play for your self awhile.

I am building a team now. In this environment you have to be wise not just a good player. Counting cards is hard not because of learning the actual skills but because you then have to apply them. This intails trusting your abilities and having a strong self worth and trust in yourself. We have a natural need to survive and improve. This added with pride and greed etc. has a great affect on our selves. You can become very emotionally involved in the game. Have a deep loosing session where your BR is scarred and see how you feel. Very few counters can actaully walk away from a big loss and not be effected

Being part of a team is like having a family. You are rsponsible for many facets of its inner workings. You need to have first of all hard working subjects who are smarter than the average bear. They have to be trainable and have the want to learn. It is like training an army. They have to be loyal. There are lot of thieves out there.

The good part part of belonging to a good team is how much you will learn fast. Apprenticeship is an excellent way to get to the heart of successful play. Finding such a team is hard. Your life seems filled right now. Learn and play for your self and strive to be a competent player. You will meet others who are similar and the team may form with you involved or you may form one yourself.

For now my team consists of a very close friend, a couple of cousins, and good friends. So far two are distinct begginers, one is a veteran who is an old dog, one is a computer engineer who learned hi-lo in a month including indices but needs experience and my self and I am still learning. The goal of this team is not financiel for now it is for player security, game/casino intelligence, and for backup/esprit de corp. After we make this team thing cohesive and work then maybe we will combine a bankroll and learn the team strategies such as the BP, gorilla, type approaches. From your post I think you would be a candidate for a team but you will have to give a lot of your time. LTC

 

[The Mayor]

>I offered the guy my services for $200US an hour to play with their $$ using Hi Opt II with 20 BS departures but he didn't go for it.

I can't imagine they would go for it under any circumstances. Hiring a new member of a team, without capital to invest, should get that person little more than the team-minimum wage until they are proven. I would think $20/hour would be more like it.

--Mayor

 

[The Mayor]

Experience -- that's the only way. Find games wherever you can, and play them. Weak games are OK. Just don't overbet your bankroll, and don't expect anything exciting to happen. You are just there to practice, to be able to count without a hitch, to practice cover, to get used to the ploppy attitudes, to feel the excitement of a high count with max bets out (as the dealer gets 3 burried BJ's in a row, or you split your 8's 4 ways and lose all 4). You need a lot of these experiences, 100's of hours of them.

The primary basic rule: don't overbet your bankroll.
The secondary basic rule: practice at the tables as much as possible.
The third basic rule: don't expect to win.

Best of luck!

--Mayor

 

[BradRod]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>..........In this environment you have to be wise not just a good player. Counting cards is hard not because of learning the actual skills but because you then have to apply them. This intails trusting your abilities and having a strong self worth and trust in yourself. We have a natural need to survive and improve. This added with pride and greed etc. has a great affect on our selves. You can become very emotionally involved in the game. Have a deep loosing session where your BR is scarred and see how you feel. Very few counters can actaully walk away from a big loss and not be effected<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Very well put LTC

 

[Rob McGarvey]

I know how much work running a team can be. I have an onLine team that I am a part of and we have done nicely over these last two years. In Mar and Apr I was getting $100 per new player I could send to certain casinos and I split the finders fee with each person that followed the instructions to make sure we got the $100. It takes a lot of communication, and a lot of trust on the players part. You need a spotless reputation. It has to be a win/win situation, not one that is only good for you. Anytime I see a good opportunity I sound the bell and hope that people will jump in for the big win. In February there is an amazing opportunity coming up that I am trying to get the best angle on for maximum results. My most recent attack was a $250/$500 "sticky bonus" that we did rather well on.

Your family type team sounds exciting. I wish your team muchos pesos in 2003!

 

[Rob McGarvey]

The guy was going hard sell on me so I gave him the hard sell back. I think he was talking about 100K up front so they could afford it if everything was legit. He approached me, not the other way around. I can make $20US an hour from home. I am working some overtime and am making $30US from home this weekend, so it would have to be something that would make it worth my while to fly or drive to NY, take a test, and then play for them.

 

[ZOD]

Mayor,
You make the game sound SO MUCH FUN!
Zod

 

[Rob McGarvey]

He's being totally honest. All the books and hooplah, movies, you name it can make it sound like a sure thing, but it is a hard row to hoe.

 

[The Mayor]

Yeah, I know (blush)

 

[ZOD]

I know. I know. I agree with the Mayor's advice, except for rules 2 and 3. They should both probably read "Don't overbet your bankroll" as well.
ZOD

 

[The Mayor]

I agree with you!

But, if the top 3 rules are "don't overbet", then rule four should be "don't underbet!" -- that is just as dangerous!

One of my weaknesses on trips is that I take it easy the first few hours, and underbet (kind of ramping up my nerve) and likewise, the last few hours I underbet (kind of a decompression period). I only overbet one trip. That was enough to learn that lesson!

--Mayor

 

[T-Hopper]

Re: I agree with you! *LINK*

> One of my weaknesses on trips is that I take it easy the first few hours,
> and underbet (kind of ramping up my nerve)

I like to think of it as warming up. Just go to a few casino that sweat the action, where you have to bet small. After a few hours you'll get tired of all the heat and WANT to bet bigger.

I can't really relate to your tendency to bet smaller at the end of a trip. Is this every time, or only when you want to "lock in" a nice win?