Newcomer to both forum and game (long)

[darbotic]

Hey all. As stated in the title I'm new to both the game and these forums. I first came across blackjack a couple of months ago when I had a friend tell me of a good experience he had while playing; and, I also met a guy who comes to my place of business who plays weekly and seems to do ok (tells me he comes back hundreds ahead using a 2k session bankroll, says he's 18k up for the year). This man is the guy who introduced me to card counting. Since then I've been all over the interweb in search of information regarding this phenomenon and would like to thank a lot of you for much of the information I've found on these forums. I live somewhat close to Wendover, Nevada and mainly just go there to hit comps for free rooms monthly for getaways with my wife but have only played blackjack once for about 30 minutes (came out even). I believe the rules there are Single Deck, H17, No surrender, NDAS, Double any 2 cards and they use a cut card that the players get to cut with. The last month I've been studying and dealing multiple hands and have nearly 100+ hours of practice in using BS and counting. I started using Hi-Lo, but over the last 2 weeks have been using balanced Zen. I haven't studied indices much yet so I still have a LOT of work to do there. I'm not planning on making a living off of this game and would more than likely not be playing more than 2-3 times a month and my bankroll is far from recommended. I'm going this weekend with 100 mainly just to get away and have some fun but would like to see how well I do and hope I get a good run or two. With this in mind am I just wasting my time and small amount of money on a strategy that needs sufficient backing and long-term commitment? Anyways, this book is getting long enough. Just wanted to introduce myself and say thanks for information!

 

[creeping panther]

Welcome

Welcome to the site.

You should participate in the chats where much learning and info is revealed.

Peruse the site and take advantage of the wealth of wisdom here.

CP

 

[FLASH1296]

ZEN is the way to go

ZEN is a good intermediate choice for attacking the easy games in Wendover.

Contact me for additional information on ZEN.

 

[QFIT]

Welcome to the site.

You should participate in the chats where much learning and info is revealed.

A comment. Participation in chats can have some value. But, keep in mind that the only comments to comments that you will get are limited to the people on hand at the time and the often rapid responses. Look for confirmation elsewhere.

 

[FLASH1296]

When you have demonstrated that you are a regular contributor to these forums, you will gain additional privileges, including Private Messaging.

 

[darbotic]

thank you! though being so "young" in the game I don't know how much of a contribution I'll be :laugh: I'm sure there will be plenty of learning though. Oh, and how might one contact you, Flash?

 

[21gunsalute]

With a $100 bankroll you could be done in 10 hands or less.

 

[darbotic]

@21gun I know the br was small, I mainly wanted to go down and see how well I could keep up since I have only 1 other session of experience.

Regarding my trip, I came back with nothing. Nothing of my bankroll anyways. I know it had a big contribution to losing because it couldn't support the negative swing; the other was a bad run of cards I was dealt. I went down to the floor and found 2 tables, one had 3 people playing, the other was empty so I opted for the empty table. I went in with the plan to play a 1-3 spread betting 5 for the min, and 15 for max. I played 2 rounds using only bs and not counting just to get the feel of the dealer and the game and not to get a head start on possible heat. I'm freaked out about the heat (regarding everything I've read of novice counters getting busted being so new to the scene) and would consider myself a wuss when it comes to that. It could be a downfall to my game but I'm sure with more experience I can get a handle on recognizing when to step up the game, and tone it down respectively. After the 2nd round was over I was slightly down and so began my count. The third and fourth rounds I lost track of the count about halfway through but I know that they were quite negative so just finished the rounds at minimum bets. Fifth and sixth rounds I caught positive counts but the run was not in my favor. Lost a +4 count 4 unit bet (2 units original bet) on a Double down 11 v dealer 6 when the dealer ended at 21, pushed a +3 count 4 unit bet (2 unit original bet) splitting aces versus a dealer 5. I had a 15 and a 21, dealer ended at 20. At that point 2 other people joined up, count stayed low for the next 2 rounds but I lost a few and won a couple at minimum bets. At the first hand of the ninth round I had 2 units left to bet so I put down 1 unit. Dealer showed a 3, I had a pair of nines, one of the guys had blackjack and the other guy stayed. I split the nines and ended at 15 and 19, dealer turned and ended at 20. All in all not a total loss, the 45 minutes of play I had just let me know how much more I need to learn and how much harder I'll need to work for the next go around. I'll set aside a larger bankroll and will hopefully have some indices memorized. I just took the count and bs with me (which is another thing I'll need to work one a little more). I was quite nervous, actually, and made a couple mistakes. Tried to converse with the dealers a bit, ordered a beer, shot some comments to the guy next to me about him winning his royal matches. It was a good time though. Any other input from the vets would be appreciated, I'd love some constructive criticism regarding any mistakes that were obviously made (other than my bankroll, or rather lack thereof).

 

[Deathclutch]

@21gun I know the br was small, I mainly wanted to go down and see how well I could keep up since I have only 1 other session of experience.

Regarding my trip, I came back with nothing. Nothing of my bankroll anyways. I know it had a big contribution to losing because it couldn't support the negative swing; the other was a bad run of cards I was dealt. I went down to the floor and found 2 tables, one had 3 people playing, the other was empty so I opted for the empty table. I went in with the plan to play a 1-3 spread betting 5 for the min, and 15 for max. I played 2 rounds using only bs and not counting just to get the feel of the dealer and the game and not to get a head start on possible heat. I'm freaked out about the heat (regarding everything I've read of novice counters getting busted being so new to the scene) and would consider myself a wuss when it comes to that. It could be a downfall to my game but I'm sure with more experience I can get a handle on recognizing when to step up the game, and tone it down respectively. After the 2nd round was over I was slightly down and so began my count. The third and fourth rounds I lost track of the count about halfway through but I know that they were quite negative so just finished the rounds at minimum bets. Fifth and sixth rounds I caught positive counts but the run was not in my favor. Lost a +4 count 4 unit bet (2 units original bet) on a Double down 11 v dealer 6 when the dealer ended at 21, pushed a +3 count 4 unit bet (2 unit original bet) splitting aces versus a dealer 5. I had a 15 and a 21, dealer ended at 20. At that point 2 other people joined up, count stayed low for the next 2 rounds but I lost a few and won a couple at minimum bets. At the first hand of the ninth round I had 2 units left to bet so I put down 1 unit. Dealer showed a 3, I had a pair of nines, one of the guys had blackjack and the other guy stayed. I split the nines and ended at 15 and 19, dealer turned and ended at 20. All in all not a total loss, the 45 minutes of play I had just let me know how much more I need to learn and how much harder I'll need to work for the next go around. I'll set aside a larger bankroll and will hopefully have some indices memorized. I just took the count and bs with me (which is another thing I'll need to work one a little more). I was quite nervous, actually, and made a couple mistakes. Tried to converse with the dealers a bit, ordered a beer, shot some comments to the guy next to me about him winning his royal matches. It was a good time though. Any other input from the vets would be appreciated, I'd love some constructive criticism regarding any mistakes that were obviously made (other than my bankroll, or rather lack thereof).

One thing I'd recommend (other than getting a legit bankroll) is ignore heat right now. Play optimally, you can't handle the loss of EV right now at this point. And what's so scary about heat at this low of a level? The pit boss looks at you? Maybe even stands by the table? Get up and leave if you feel like you may be drawing attention. Come back and fight another day.

 

[21gunsalute]

Counting isn't going to do any good with such a limited bankroll. Counting works by spreading your range of bets and telling you when to increase or decrease your bets. If you're spreading properly a $100 bankroll would give you at most 1 max bet. Lose it and you're done, and more likely you would have already lost too much if not all of your bankroll before being able to make a max bet or near max bet.

Also, I'd probably go all in before I got down to 1 or 2 units. With so few units you'd need an incredible run to get back in the game. While not impossible to do so it's very unlikely.

 

[darbotic]

Thanks for the advice 21gun. I think the biggest thing I am afraid of right now is that I hear all these AP's saying that nickel chippers are the fasted to get barred because they don't know what they are doing. Being so young to the game and the concept, Wendover is the closest place that I can get to (2.5 hrs drive from SLC) where I have the op to play and have a cheap getaway. I just don't want to blow it already and I don't know how well tracked I would be if I were to get barred then plan another trip a month later to try it again. I'll try to build a more sustainable bankroll before I play again, I guess. My wife told me to go play in a tournament or 2 just for the practice since the entry fees are about the same amount as I just bought in for. I know it's not as effective since it's short term, but 2 free nights, free food and a chance at 15k for 150 entry fee? I would have spent the money in another 45 minute session with limited EV with that br anyways... Thanks again