Just got off the AC treadmill

[Kasi]

You're not turning smartass on me, are you? :laugh: ]

:grin: Not at all lol.

And thanks for making such a long reply to all those comments - I didn't see it before my last post lol.

Anyway you shouldn't be up this late lol and, for sure, neither should I lol.

Biut I don't think no DAS is in and of by itself in no way a reason that making money at a DD is game is impoossible. Or even close to impossible. Now that I mention it, I think it's quite possible indeed lol. So I guess I have a different opinion on that while agreeing, well almost anyway lol, as to the cost of that rule.

So, if I'm the only one that disagrees with that conclusion so be it. Anyone else wants to comment, I'm listening.

As to the rest, I'll catch you later. Have to drive to Michigan tomorrow. Maybe I'll get to the new MGM there or something.

Happy Turkey day to you!

 

[aslan]

As both a card counter AND a compulsive gambler I can see through this...

Even in my worst uproars from my days as a CG I would NEVER throw down $1000 on a roulette bet. Did you get hit with negative variance? Or were you just over betting? Betting according to running count or true count?

I was tired after little sleep and pushing it with my marathon play for two days. I've been getting away with these long sessions since I started counting last Spring, but now I know I have to stop it. When I was young I could play pool for 36 hours straight. Now, I play frequently for ten hours with above average success. Marathoning seems to be a character trait whether I'm gambling or just working on some project or other. I never put $1,000 bet on a roulette wheel before either. lol I know I wouldn't if I had not been so tired. That's why I think staying rested is a key decision in my future play. Impaired judgement is not compatible with any form of gambling--poker, blackjack, etc., and roulette is not even an acceptable gambling pursuit unless you have a biased wheel or something.

You are playing on emotion and I something tells me you know a decent amount about AP play, but you have yet to master it. How true! The Borgata DOES have beatable games, although it takes discipline and patience. There are enough pits in there to be able to find a decent game. I've never seen truly atrocious penetration there like you claim to have seem. Go there recently. It has changed. My last two trips have witnessed this and others on the forum have confirmed it. The dealer even told me they were told about three weeks ago to start cuitting 2 1/2 decks, although some dealers still disregard the new policy if you can find them when you want them.

I'd really look at my bankroll management... $225 bets at a $5 table? In all my time card counting I very rarely see a count that justifies a 2x 25 unit bet or even a 60 unit bet. I think it's beautiful. I would rather bet $225 at a $5 table then $225 at a $25 table, if I can get away with it. Just think about it! Instead of having to bet $25 in negative counts, I only have to bet $5. If I could get away with $500 in +4 and over counts and I had the BR to afford it I would do it. Does anyone disagree with this?

I would really look at your gambling history and maybe even if addictions run in your family... 'cuz it really looks like you've got a problem.

When I was 18 to 21 yo I did a lot of stupid gambling at pool. When I was 25 to 28 yo, after 4 years in the service, I learned a lot about advantage gambling at pool. In pool, which is a game of skill, the biggest lesson I learned was that the money is always made "before" you play the game. That is, the money always goes, or nearly always goes, to the player who has the best game-making skill, not the player who is the best player. I never play this game where I don't think I have a decided advantage, either through talent or handicap. Heck, if you always match up even, you're going to come out even in the long run. I don't want to come out even, I want to win. Also, I seldom bet large sums at pool because it plays havoc with one's nerves, especially at my age. The one exception is if someone else is backing me 100%; then it's not my money at risk. For 28 years I never entered a pool room, because I had a good job, which would not be compatible with staying up all night playing pool, and because before I had a good job I was using pool to pay my rent, gas and food, which I no longer needed to do. Pool is not that profitable unless you are a world's champion; that's why I quit it and worked for a living. Now I am retired. Everyone needs passion in their lives. Pool is one of my reacquired passions. I'm hoping to make BJ another. There's nothing more satisfying then entering the pits of hell (the casino) and returning with a pocket full of money. My sole goal is to win house money; if I can't, I'll quit. So far I have won about 36 of 42 sessions, and I'm just a novice. Imagine what I will be able to do if I actually learn how to AP. Hey! It's a hoot!

 

[aslan]

Friend, we are not trying to put you down.
Just want to make sure if you are complusive, are in danger of being so or already.
If you realise that you have gambled money that you cannot afford it is usually too late.
Problem gamblers are normally detect by their playing habits and state of mind. To me the real test like alcohol addition is whether you can stay away from booze or in your case the casino for an extended period of time and not suffer withdrawal symtoms.

I hear what you're saying and I appreciate it. Speaking of alcohol, I once had a pal who drank a double fifth of vodka every day. When he was on the wagon it meant that he drank no vodka, only a case of beer a day. lol We partied so much that it started getting to me. One day I woke up and my whole body was craving for a drink. It was a physical craving, which was something I had never experienced before. It scared the hell out of me. I stopped hanging with my buddy. That was 25 years ago. Now, I rarely drink more than three beers in a day, sometimes drink two beers in a day, mostly drink only one beer in a day, and generally only drink three or four beers a week (Substitute mixed drink or single malt scotch for beers some weeks). Everyone is susceptible to addiction, but I fear addiction so much, I don't believe it will catch me. I have worked too hard for what I've got to risk throwing it away because of some damned addiction or other.

I steer real clear of anything that has the potential to affect my lifestyle. I don't do drugs, not even marijuana. I'm constantly around people who do drugs but it's not even a temptation. I went to Reno last Spring with a a guy to play BJ. He spent a ton on smoking coke and prostitutes, and lost at BJ, while I just played poker and BJ. Now he just got out of a rehab center and his wife has left him. Not for me!

 

[aslan]

Aslan,
I almost always rent a car in Vegas.If you are casino hopping,its the easiest way to go.The week of Dec 10th,I'm paying $111 plus gas for a Cobalt class
car. That's $15 a day,less than the cost of one taxi ride.

Right. When my wife and I go to Vegas, usually twice a year, we rent two cars. she goes her way, shopping, and I go mine, poolrooms and casinos. Also, we have friends in Vegas, and a few relatives, to visit, not to mention all the great off-the-strip restaurants in Vegas, Henderson, Green Valley, and Summerlin, and not to mention jaunts to Boulder City and Pahrump where I have an acre I'm considering building on. That's a great price you got for a week. Which rental company is it?

 

[aslan]

Only as gifts for people I knew were into them.

I'm really not a gambler, honestly. It's the concept of getting rich by being smart that appeals to me, not the risk and unpredictability.

Your chances of hitting the lottery are slim and none. However, someone will win, but if you don't have a ticket, it can't be you. That concept appeals to me. I play a subscription to the Virginia lottery. It's two dollars a week and the proceeds go to education. It's almost like giving to charity except you don't get a tax deduction, and you might get rich (of course, don't hold your breath!). In a way there's no risk or unpredictability, since it's nearly a sure thing that you're not going to win! lol

 

[aslan]

................

Were you saying you will spread 100 to 1000 backcounting? No, I was just saying you could win a certain rate just by flatbetting at a certain count. I would probably spread 1:2:4:8 units whatever they might be, say, $15:$30:$60:$120, in a 6-deck game.

I apologize for using Hi-lo numbers but I'm more comfortable with them than with KO.
No problem. I have a KO to TC chart.

Like Snyder says this or that, what were his assumptions? Never jumping a bet? Always jumping a bet? What ROR is associated with his $100 bet?

He describes many, many scenarios, explains his favorites, and leaves it to you to decide which you like best, giving you all the basic assumptions and statistics you need to make your own evaluation.

May I ask what you have done in the past, like last trip say, or is this some new approach, at least in some way, to you?

Up til now I have been hardheaded trying to win comfortably without backcounting, but occasionally wonging out. Now I plan to play aggressively, seeking the best games from a number of casinos, backcounting wherever possible, wonging out at all planned exit points, and limiting play to short sessions.

....................
Do you have a sim? I'm guessing no. If you don't, I'm asking why?

I have a free sim I downloaded here, but I don't use it often.

....................
And sorry my glass is almost always half-empty.

But I'm rarely disappointed that way lol.

I've got to get to bed. This the latest I've stayed up in years, other than at casinos. lol

 

[Preston]

I don't know when you were last there (I remember the sleeping in the car story last year...) but things have changed in the last month. I heard they got hit hard by a team recently and since then, dealers have been instructed to cut off 2 1/2 decks. Personally, I've seen mostly 2 decks cut off there in the last few weeks, which still sucks compared to what it used to be.

Well that would change things then.. sorry.

I haven't been there since February and won't be back there for a while. When I do go there I'll probably be spending most of my time in their poker room anyway -- as that is one of the nicest around.

 

[Preston]

Thanks, 21. Good advice. Maybe a two hour limit per session would help break the marathon habit. The game will still be there when I get back.

Yes I found found I do better and get less heat when I do short spurts rather than long sessions.

 

[shadroch]

This trip I'm booked with Alamo. But you won't get a rate like that thru the website. PM me when you are making reservations and I'll see if I can get you a current code.Best rates without codes are usually at CarRentals.com.
Their current rate for the car I got is $148. Still a good rate,but like BJ,it pays to shop around.

 

[aslan]

This trip I'm booked with Alamo. But you won't get a rate like that thru the website. PM me when you are making reservations and I'll see if I can get you a current code.Best rates without codes are usually at CarRentals.com.
Their current rate for the car I got is $148. Still a good rate,but like BJ,it pays to shop around.

Thanks, I'll do that in February. My wife will be "all ears" that someone can get better rates than her. She was born with an AP personality, whereas I have to work on it.

 

[bj bob]

Another angle

Thanks, I'll do that in February. My wife will be "all ears" that someone can get better rates than her. She was born with an AP personality, whereas I have to work on it.

When checking in to anyone of your "usual" casinos always check with the "Player's Club" desk as well as the concierge for rental rates. You may be surprised with what some the casinos will do for their "valued" customers.

 

[shadroch]

When checking in to anyone of your "usual" casinos always check with the "Player's Club" desk as well as the concierge for rental rates. You may be surprised with what some the casinos will do for their "valued" customers.

Now that is something I've never tried.It's such a good idea I'm not sure why I didn't think of it myself.

 

[Tarzan]

Wow, what a message thread!

I have just read through this whole thing and WOW. I have to feel your pain, though...because I have had "tough days at the ranch" before... just never quite THAT tough to where I would get near a roulette table or anything like that or go what seems to be totally on "tilt". Stay cool, calm, collect...or at least I try to! This morning I battled out back and forth losing a few critical double downs and splits and such in good ol' AC and knew today was just not my day and walked out with a whopping 150 bucks ahead after gas, tolls, etc., moving onto other things, like getting home to gnaw on the carcass of a large, dead bird.
I won't get near the craps, roulette or much of anything for that matter and will on occasion take the "change" I am ahead above 100 dollars increments and dump a twenty dollar bill at most into the joker poker slot machine on my way out the door for entertainment's sake and knowing full well that I am going to lose my twenty bucks. My problem is when it goes WAY bad and I am in the minus I don't do what Stanford Wong says to do, which is graciously accept that they kicked your butt one time because if you lose once in a while you can get comps and stuff. I will shrug and pull out a 5000 brick and say,"Okay, let's go to town, Buckaroos!" and grind anything I was down back and THEN some even if it takes a few hours.
I should have listened to ol' Stanford because I haven't had a losing session since last year and many of the casinos in AC have lumped together so I show a players card and play often, about every day and get NOTHING in comp...roughly 2-3 dollars for every hour I play which is less than what I may dole out in tips. This is from refusing to take a loss and just playing "marathon style" even if it takes bouncing around for 6 hours to however many tables instead of what I prefer which is to play for an hour or two and call it a day and get the hell out of there! I play until I have achieved some sort of profit for the playing session...stubborn? Arrogant? Gosh, I don't know but it has cost me comp in the few places that I have handed them a players card. I hate hanging around the casino from being there about every day and I often will just wander out for a stroll on the boardwalk for a break. For me, it's all about nailing down a profit for the playing session but I can never get out of there fast enough once I have achieved what I deem a reasonable profit for the trip/playing session.
Stanford Wong says that it's good to show the casino (that you use a player's card at) that you are able to lose specifically so you score some good comp on top of turning a profit in the long run and in the big picture. Stanford, I have failed you...I can't stand to take a loss in a playing session. Even with that being the case, I will never try anything crazy or chancy and have never played any roulette or craps or "carnival games" such as 3 card poker even for fun. That 20 bucks into the joker poker machine after I whacked them for 1000 seems frivolous and stupid to me but I have fun and wind down doing it on my way out the door.

 

[aslan]

I have just read through this whole thing and WOW. ........................................ That 20 bucks into the joker poker machine after I whacked them for 1000 seems frivolous and stupid to me but I have fun and wind down doing it on my way out the door.

Good post. I can relate to your obsession with leaving victorious. After this week, however, I'm thinking the Wong way is the right way. :laugh:

 

[InPlay]

For me, it's all about nailing down a profit for the playing session but I can never get out of there fast enough once I have achieved what I deem a reasonable profit for the trip/playing session.


That's what I am talking about brother. F--K their comps! I find comps sort of trap you into playing were you really don't want to be. I would rather pay for my dinner, room or whatever and not be beholding to the man at the casino. I found myself it that situation a few times and it cost you more then paying for dinner yourself.

 

[shadroch]

Except that life is one big session and until you learn that and play accordingly,everything else is just so much bullshit.

 

[InPlay]

Gambling is Gambling no matter what you call it AP or square. The chance to loose money. It's not a business it's GAMBLING plain and simple nothing else.

 

[aslan]

Gambling is Gambling no matter what you call it AP or square. The chance to loose money. It's not a business it's GAMBLING plain and simple nothing else.

Buying stock on the NYSE is gambling no matter what you call it investment or square. The chance to loose money. It's not a business it's GAMBLING plain and simple nothing else.

 

[aslan]

Buying stock on the NYSE is gambling no matter what you call it investment or square. The chance to loose money. It's not a business it's GAMBLING plain and simple nothing else.

For that matter--

Business is gambling no matter what you call it investment or square. The chance to loose money. It's GAMBLING plain and simple nothing else.

 

[aslan]

For that matter--

Business is gambling no matter what you call it investment or square. The chance to loose money. It's GAMBLING plain and simple nothing else.

In the final analysis life's a gamble plain and simple.