Playing High Limit Pits

[tribute]

Most of the casinos I play have "high-limit" separate rooms with table limits ranging from $25 minimums to $100 minimums. I have talked with other big bettors (and even $25 bettors) who prefer to stay away from these rooms. Other than bet size limitations, what are the pros and cons of playing in high limit pits? One advantage is that the games usually offer better rules such as S17 and late surrender. Do AP's avoid them mostly because of increased surveillance and monitoring from from the pit personnel?

 

[Blue Efficacy]

All things being equal, as highstakes usually doesn't offer special rules in my parts, I would avoid "high limit" rooms like the plague if I were a $25 player

You can spread higher in high limit, sure. But you also have higher levels of surveillance by both the eye and the pit. I would opt for $15 tables on the main floor.

 

[nottooshabby]

Funny you should bring this up . . . I was just out this past weekend and one of my teammates and I noticed that the high-limit pits offered better penetration. We're talking 75% (or better) vs 67% (or worse) on the main floor.

 

[21forme]

Depends where you play. In AC, the high limit pits are usually 6D, S17 while the main floor at most places is 8D with some S17, some H17.

There generally is more scrutiny in the hi limit pits, especially if you play without a card, but it varies from places to place. In some casinos, I play the hi limit room exclusively because the games suck on the main floor and other places I avoid them like the plague due to the heat.

 

[ihate17]

Besides a better game

You should compare the regular floor and the high limit area. Differences in rules, pen and the number of players at the table are all very important.

In my case there can be times where my bet level could be about the highest on the regular floor but I might be the smallest player in the HL area and there can be big advantages if you become invisible because you are surrounded by whales.

ihate17

 

[itrack]

Playing Speed

Often times there will be less people in a HL room, so your hands/hour will increase. I've also found that they put the faster dealers in the HL room. If you could double or triple your hands/hour, you are essentially doubling or tripling your winrate, or you could leave the casino that much faster.

 

[Thunder]

In general, I'd say to avoid the high limit rooms. Yes you may get more hands, but the increased heat, fat chance of there being a dealer mistake, and the NMSE makes it better I think to play on the main floor all things being equal.

 

[daddybo]

my humble opinion

Playing conditions and heat vary greatly in HLs from store to store... There are advantages and disadvantages to playing HL rooms... If you have your act together and play it right, look like you belong there, and have the right crowd around you making big bets you can often get way more money on the table with less heat in HL rooms.

 

[FLASH1296]

H.L. Rooms/Pits are always front and center on the Surveillance Dept. monitors.

Casino management would have it no other way. Would you ? Of course not !

In most casinos the Pit has to pick up the phone to get a "skills check" run on your play.

In the H.L. room you are always on camera.

 

[nj45lady]

Do they skill check every player or only the players in the HL area?

 

[Automatic Monkey]

All things being equal, as highstakes usually doesn't offer special rules in my parts, I would avoid "high limit" rooms like the plague if I were a $25 player

You can spread higher in high limit, sure. But you also have higher levels of surveillance by both the eye and the pit. I would opt for $15 tables on the main floor.

I agree, and the biggest reason is the NMS which is universal in high limit rooms. Being able to come and go as you please is one of the most valuable situations you can get.

 

[win21]

Hi limit area has a big advantage. The casino thinks you can afford a personal lawyer the moment you stepped in. The HL players are treated better by most accounts. As seen on tv. Most reports you see on tv are shot in the HL rooms.

 

[tribute]

In most casinos the Pit has to pick up the phone to get a "skills check" run on your play.

Would a perfect basic strategy player be considered "skilled" and subjected to heat to a greater degree in the high limit pit?

 

[ihate17]

understaffed, underpaid and undermotivated

Do they skill check every player or only the players in the HL area?

This may sound like a joke but there is truth here that many who work in the eye are just zooming in on the most attractive women on the casino floor.

Facts are that it is most often an underpaid and understaffed department that just run the machines that are copying the action on the floor and only do a skill check when they get a call from the pit.

As far as high limit surviellance goes, it will always be stronger there and especially if you play the high limit room unrated. I still do this often and have done it for many years and though I have been backed off many times in my life I have only once been backed off in a HL room and that was upon my return, when I returned too soon on the same shift.

1. Keep sessions short
2. If not playing heads up, play with players who bet bigger than you.
A. Besides the bigger players getting more attention, there have been times when big players have bought my hand so I would play it there way. There also may be times where (if you can afford it) scavage a double or split from a big player.

ihate17