Newbie Question

[Purple Chip]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to the forum but I wanted to thank everyone for all the tips and stories I've been reading over the past couple of months. As way of background, I've only started paying blackjack a couple of months ago but now I'm totally hooked. I've been through two marathon sessions of 9 hours and 13 hours (at same table, same seat). I usually play 15 and 25 dollar tables at cesars AC and the Borg. I'm a basic strategy player.


For comps, does it matter how much I buy-in. I usually buy in for $500 but my comps stink. I'm considering buying in for 1K but not actually spending the other $500 (can I trick the computer :laugh

 

[Wookets]

My advice to you would be to not give your money away. The only thing that playing BS does is make you lose money slower. You seem to be well funded so bankroll limitations won't hinder like they do with other new players. Keep that money in the bank for a few months and pick up a counting system.

 

[tthree]

Buyins don't change your comps. Maybe if you deposit a large sum in the cage and sign for markers that big lump of cash might get you a little more in the way of comps. If they think you are happy losing that much (even if you are never going to bet it all) it might get them to loosen up and give you better comps.

 

[Lonesome Gambler]

Comp City by Max Rubin

 

[FLASH1296]

By your own description, you are (at least close to getting) addicted.

Get help. This website is not for gamblers. It is for Advantage Players.

 

[FLASH1296]

The purpose of comp's is to seduce potential "pathological gamblers" like yourself, into playing many more hours than they ought to.

Wise up. BJ is fun, but you will soon realize that you are hemorrhaging money and are telling yourself that you are simply the victim of "bad luck".

Forewarned is forearmed. A word to the wise is sufficient.

 

[MasterofNone]

Buyins don't change your comps. Maybe if you deposit a large sum in the cage and sign for markers that big lump of cash might get you a little more in the way of comps. If they think you are happy losing that much (even if you are never going to bet it all) it might get them to loosen up and give you better comps.

Disagree. Depends on where you play. I have had good luck off strip, in Laughlin and at my local store buying in at high amounts for greater comps. I am sure it varies from loc to loc, but have had comps formulas confirmed by pit employees I have good relationships with. I have also (on occasion) been accused by the pit for buying in higher than my level of play to build inflated comps (which was ok because i thought i was being pegged as a counter!).

I would recommend if he is at a table for as long as he claims, he request food comps (at least) for every 4-5 hours of play. He needs to learn to count as others have mentioned, but he first needs to decide if he is a recreational player who doesn't care about losing his bankroll, a comps whore, or someone who wants to turrn a dime and learn proper strategy.

If he is satisfied with being a recreational player than we are all wasting our time trying to make him an AP.

 

[metronome]

I've been through two marathon sessions of 9 hours and 13 hours (at same table, same seat). I usually play 15 and 25 dollar tables at cesars AC and the Borg. I'm a basic strategy player.

Wow, talk about "play-all". You have much to learn my friend.

 

[Purple Chip]

Sounds like there is zero chance I could ever get ahead just playing BS. I don't know anything about counting but I know one aspect is to bet higher when the count is positive (spread, I believe). However, the problem is that I dont want to constantly go to different casinos and wong in and out of tables. Assuming I learn how to count, can I just double my bets when the count is positive (ie, bet $25 when count is negative and double to $50 when the count is positive)

This way I wont get heat from the pit boss and I dont have to worry about getting kicked off the property.

Also, some people just the strategy of progressive betting. Like every time you win, you bet an extra unit. Does that work? Thanks for the info.

 

[tthree]

Progressions dont work unless you are betting more when you have an advantage. Doubling your bets once you have an advantage is a start, it's probably not enouhh to make it a +EV game.

 

[pit15]

At borgata if you sit at 25 minimum table with people who are betting around 100 bucks, you can spread 25 - 200 forever with no heat. Not saying it's a worthwhile game, just saying that you can.

 

[Wookets]

Some of Borgata's $25 min. tables are S17 and 6 decks last I checked, so a 1-8 spread (25-200) should give you a marginal advantage. Almost not worth it, but I guess it beats losing.

 

[21gunsalute]

Sounds like there is zero chance I could ever get ahead just playing BS. I don't know anything about counting but I know one aspect is to bet higher when the count is positive (spread, I believe). However, the problem is that I dont want to constantly go to different casinos and wong in and out of tables. Assuming I learn how to count, can I just double my bets when the count is positive (ie, bet $25 when count is negative and double to $50 when the count is positive)

This way I wont get heat from the pit boss and I dont have to worry about getting kicked off the property.

Also, some people just the strategy of progressive betting. Like every time you win, you bet an extra unit. Does that work? Thanks for the info.

Read and study the Blackjack School link on the left margin and read the stickies in the card counting forum. As for progressions, no, they do not work, unless your goal is to lose all your money.

 

[Purple Chip]

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I really appreciate it. I think there is one silver lining to the 13 hour marathon at the Borg was in mid June (the first time I played there). When I went home, I checked the reservations and they were giving me all Fridays comped and Saturdays $99 for the whole summer. I knew the next time I played I would not play so long so I hurried up and booked almost every weekend during the summer (including the July 4 and labor day long weekend F-Sun). Dont worry, I'm not insane, I wouldnt go every weekend!

FYI, from those 13 hours, I was up $700 or $800 but it made up for the money I lost at cesars.

So I went to the Borg last week, played a couple of hours (made like $200 but again only made up for lost money at cesars) and when I checked online all of my Friday comps were gone. Fridays were $179 and Sat was $279. I guess I could take advantage of my booked weekends, go to AC, read a BJ counting book on the beach and not gamble. Or can they cancel my future reservations.....

 

[Bay Area Steve]

Purple,

I'm new here too, and just lost money this weekend, so take this with large grains of a whole bunch of salt:

Dude, you're risking huge amounts of money for a $100 room. I'm a comp-whore myself, but the room just doesn't have that much value, does it? I mean, I think I spent nine hours in my room over 2 1/2 days...

I'd put your expected loss rate at nearly a $100 hour (a barely-educated guess), as a $25-$50 BS player. With a bad weekend or two, you could easily lose several thousand dollars. In very little time, you could have down a simple level-1 count. Very little time. Forget the beach and the book. Read the stickies and use the trainer...

And, you'll have no trouble with just doubling your bets. There is a lot of great information here about bet-size, and ramps. There's a wide area between only doubling your bet, and betting to where they'll suspect you of counting.

 

[Purple Chip]

Purple,

I'm new here too, and just lost money this weekend, so take this with large grains of a whole bunch of salt:

Dude, you're risking huge amounts of money for a $100 room. I'm a comp-whore myself, but the room just doesn't have that much value, does it? I mean, I think I spent nine hours in my room over 2 1/2 days...

I'd put your expected loss rate at nearly a $100 hour (a barely-educated guess), as a $25-$50 BS player. With a bad weekend or two, you could easily lose several thousand dollars. In very little time, you could have down a simple level-1 count. Very little time. Forget the beach and the book. Read the stickies and use the trainer...

And, you'll have no trouble with just doubling your bets. There is a lot of great information here about bet-size, and ramps. There's a wide area between only doubling your bet, and betting to where they'll suspect you of counting.

Thanks Steve for the advice. I agree with you. I intend to play BJ for an indefinite amount of time so I will read all the stickies and gain as much info as possible. However, I respectfully disagree with you about the room. The Borgata this weekend is $400 for Friday $500 for Sat and $400 for Sunday. I'm paying like $150 for all three nights. (I know, they expect me to lose much more than that). I wish you the best in your BJ adventures and you should keep me and the forum posted as I will definitely post about my experience this weekend on Monday night. Have a happy and healthy weekend everyone! :cool2:

 

[paddywhack]

However, I respectfully disagree with you about the room. The Borgata this weekend is $400 for Friday $500 for Sat and $400 for Sunday. I'm paying like $150 for all three nights.

What's that bed really worth to you?? IMO, certainly not the $500 a night, unless it comes with a lace-cladden buxom blonde looking for action. :whip: