lv trip report

[deZerTomB]

OK here goes nothing, hehe.
First off, I'm a newbie, only been seriously counting for 3 months. This is my 3rd trip to vegas and on the first one I spent 4 days learning to count on SD. Now I mostly play DD.
Second, I'm the first to admit I dont know all the indexes. Shame. shame, but I practice every day on my puter and now have the 15v10 and 16v9,10 automatic. I have to think about 12v2,3,4,5,6 and guess on 13 hehe. This is all part of the learning process.
Third, counting is automatic, discipline is not. I even count when I come in mid-deck and after the shuffle card comes out and my hand is played, I can't not count now. Discipline comes with experience(I guess!) and I'm getting more of each every time sit at a table.
Bankroll for trip $1200 cash. Access to more if I need it.
Wed.
Cal DD $5 min. -$200
GN DD $10 min. +$400 raised to $25 after I sat down. 2 new decks.
Cal DD $5 min. +$200
4Q DD $5 min. +$150 raised to $10 after I sat down.
Thurs.
Cal DD $5 -$500 lack of discipline evident here, plenty of ploppies though!
GN DD $25 min. +$300 $25 min for first time, woo hoo!!!
LVC SD $5 min. -$300 I think I'll stick to DD.
GN DD $25 min. +$175 I like it there.
Riv DD $25 min. +$175 first time counting on the strip.
Star DD $10 min. +$25 PC insisted I get a club card. Counter measure? hehe. Paranoia will destroya.
Fri.
4Q DD $5 min. +$125 no crowd before 10am. Penetration varies by dealer.
GN $25 min. +$75 in all of 2 minutes.
Time to get outta dodge, on the road to the low desert by 10:30 am.
Still a long way to go, But I'm getting there.
deZerTomB

 

[Hinoon]

Well documented trip report. Taking detailed notes is something that has oft been emphasized to me as a key habit to develop. Your records will tell you a lot, but only if you actually take the time to keep them consistently.

One note: You say that your bankroll was $1200 with "access to more" if needed.

This is dangerous territory. Either your bankroll is $1200 and you are willing to dip into non-bankroll money, a path that will lead to serious emotional ruin...OR you have a larger bankroll and are uncomfortable with it and thus are underbetting and reducing your returns.

Know what your bankroll really is...that way you can adjust your max-bet accordingly and wager with the most efficiency and the least risk of ruin.

Great job on the report!

-hinoon

 

[deZerTomB]

Thanks hinoon.
Yea I am a little uncomfortable at this point until I learn all the indexes better and gain experience. Next trip I'll take $1500. I'm more comfortable gambling with their money than mine. 8+)
deZerTomB

 

[revereman]

I realize it's probably just a throw-away line but don't fall in to the trap that you are playing with house money because you won it. It is YOUR money. Don't bet higher stakes because it's FREE money. Stick with your game plan, which should really be not to play yet. It's certainly not terrible that you're playing now since it seems you know enough to win (or maybe just enough to be dangerous--to yourself). The swings are wild in BJ and be prepared for a rollercoaster ride. Not trying to be critical, but hopefully helpful.

 

[Hinoon]

I agree revereman.

If "their money" is in your hands...it's "your money"...you could cash out and buy a boat, pay for student loans, buy a Big Mac, whatever...but it's a mental illusion to start assigning ownership to cash. In that respect, a lot of heavy hitters will tell you that NONE of those chips are "your money" until you've managed to cash them out...a task which is sometimes easier said than done.

dezertomb, I know where you're coming from in terms of comfort levels with a bankroll. For me, it's a matter of making sure that my bankroll is completely independent from my lifestyle. My rent, my bills, my food...it's all paid for from my day job. I do freelance work on the side which builds my bankroll. Right now, that bankroll has a cap because my skills don't merit an open-ended bank. So, as the Mayor, as LTC, as most of these guys will tell you...practice practice practice!

 

[Sonny]

Good report

> I'm the first to admit I dont know all the indexes. Shame. shame,
> but I practice every day on my puter and now have the 15v10 and
> 16v9,10 automatic. I have to think about 12v2,3,4,5,6...

Don't be ashamed! If you're practicing every day you will learn them in no time. You should be proud! Just don't forget about insurance!

> Third, counting is automatic, discipline is not. I even count when
> I come in mid-deck and after the shuffle card comes out and my hand
> is played, I can't not count now.

GOOD! You obviously have good discipline and are putting in the time and effort necessary to learn. However, your next step (along with getting a few indecies under your belt) should be scouting good games. It sounds like you played mostly no-DAS games downtown. As long as you were getting good penetration this is fine, but maybe look into finding some DAS games if you're going to play DD. All of your card-counting skills will be much more worthwhile if you use them in good games.

It sounds like you're definately on the right track. Good luck, and keep in touch!

-Sonny-

 

[deZerTomB]

Re: Good report

Thanks everybody for the support and advice!!!
I'm still practicing. Everyday, Super Blackjack.

Yep, it's my money now, as soon as the chips get on my side of the table, I think of them as mine. But I would rather build up my BR with bj winnings than from another economic means. My plan right now is to re-invest part of my winnings in BR and spend the rest on normal daily living expenses.

Insurance was the first one I learned, 16v10,9 and 15v10 next. I have to think about some of the 12 plays, hopefully in a couple weeks those will be automatic. Then I see from the mayor's index, there's more. BTW thanks mayor for the indexes since the only book I could find had 4 deck indexes in it.

I'm definitely going to spend more time on the strip on my next trip. I just got my feet wet on the quarter tables last time and it seems that the conditions are much better than the nickel tables.

Yeah I know it's a high wire act, but that's what makes it interesting. It's basically a challenge to myself to take their money. I have the time, opportunity, hopefully the abilty(time will tell) and the bankroll to develop this hobby of mine into more than just a hobby.

Update next weekend.
deZerTomB