Boston_Jaxel
Member
These are my first two trip reports from last year. I figured that it may bring back memories for the veterans, and may be interesting for peeps like myself who are new to AP.
I can not stress enough that it is crucial to have sufficiant bank roll, and the need to wong under these conditions, and never to over bet, but at the time I was still learning, and just wasn't aware that these issues are crucial.
Since these trips, I have have adjusted my bank roll, will only play at $10 min tables, and although it took a while, I am getting good at back counting and wonging in and out. I have only played at one casino, and so far little to no heat. (Not counting St. Louis because I only played 4 hands due to the dreadful conditions.)
Day One:
My first card counting adventure: "Applying theory to real life."
Prior to this trip, I have never been in a casino, read a few well known books, and learned and practiced the Hi-Lo for about 3 months.
The cab was late, I just made it to the bus terminal in time to catch the 7:20am bus from home town. There were a lot of trashy people on the bus. But it was OK. Instead of practicing counting on the way, like I planned too, I stuffed my laptop in the overhead and was trying to get some sleep on this 2 and a half hour ride.
I got to the casino at about 10:00am or so. Everyone on the bus dashed for the entrance, to get to their favorite slot machine! I was just happy this long ride was over and I didn't get car sick. I got off the bus, got some much needed fresh air, and had a smoke.
I walked into the casino but had no plans to start to count today, unless I felt comfortable. I was just trying to get acclimated to a casino environment, not ever being in one before. I found a table with the lowest minimum bet, $15 (8 Deck shoe - good rules) and asked the dealer for $100 worth of chips.
I was betting $15-$30 using basic strategy, I won at first, but after about an hour I was down to my last bet. It was a friendly table, so I bought another $100 worth of chips, again using basic strategy, that was gone in about 20 minutes.
Being $200 in the hole, almost half of betting capital was gone, but I still had 4 hours to go before my bus would leave, so I knew that I had to change what ever I was doing.
I went into the Keno bar to use my $10 Keno coupon that came with the bus ticket. It was good for 5 free games. I didn't win, but it was good just to relax for a half hour, have a cold soda, and regain my composer.
I went to a different area on the other side of the casino. It was very different form the one I just left. Instead of being wide open, well lit, more friendly peeps, it was more like dark, very crowded, very loud. Not that I am prejudice in anyway shape or form, but I couldn't help but notice that 95% of people there were Asian.
Now it gets good...
I approach a table with an open seat. It is a $25 minimum, 8 deck shoe, with great penetration. Everyone except for the dealer is Asian, and they are all talking to each other in Korean or something. Like I said it was very loud, but for some reason, I felt a lot more comfortable than earlier today, in the more friendly casino.. go figure.
I figure that I would stay at this table for at least an hour, so I would try to keep the running count of the cards, just to see if I can do it in real life. I figured no body was speaking English, so I wouldn't have any distractions..
The count was running high, It was RC +13 with about 75% of the shoe gone. Then it was like vultures swarming on dead corpse. The guy sitting to my left, went from playing $25 a hand, to putting about $600 worth of chips on the next hand. Some guy who acted like Vinny Barbarino sat to the right of me. I could tell he wasn't from money, but he was betting $100 a hand now, instead of minimum. I also noticed that 3 ladies had people back betting on their hands, all high wagers. I then was certain I was at on of these so called "HOT" shoes.
If there was any heat to be had from the dealer, or Pit boss, it would surely be directed at anyone one of the obvious people around me.
Me and Vinny double, tripled, our bets, cleaning up. At one point, the guy to the right of me brought so much attention to him self, that I felt my cover wouldn't even be suspect.(He doubled down on 10-2 with the dealer showing 15??? This confused me, I'm still not sure of the reasoning behind this?) He won the hand.
The positive shoe ended. Most of the people left this table, as I should of. It was basically just me and Vinny, and the cute girl he was trying to pick up. I don't think Vinny was actually counting, but I think he was smart enough to know when other people was. I was looking a about $1100 worth of chips in front me! With about 2 hours to go before by bus would leave.
I still counted, I was like a fly on the wall, watching people swarm the table as the count grew, to abandon it as soon as got to be a -1. This actually gave me confidence that this whole thing of counting is actually plausible and possible.
This was getting very draining, but I was flying off adrenaline, betting $100 a hand. I thought if I could turn this table's sittings into $1000 I could do anything!
In no time at all, I was down to just being a head of the house $100. At this point I was sour. I should have left that table right after that hand with the great count, and looked for another one. Or went home.
In fact, I had about 45 minutes left, and I figured I would go to another table and place one bet with this $100 profit.
I drew and 11 with dealer showing 16. I had to double down, so I took $100 out of pocket, I got a 20. Dealer drew to 21!! I ended leaving with $100 less than what I had when I walked in. I learned many lessons with this $100. Don't be at he mercy of the bus schedule. And most important: "KNOW WHEN TO LEAVE THE TABLE" "KNOW WHEN TO LEAVE THE CASINO" (I think Micky Rosa may have said it first, not sure)
I hope you enjoyed this story of my first adventure. It wasn't very profitable, but I did learn a lot. I figure I will go one more time, as one more recon mission before I go all out, and count all of the time.
Trip Two:
"Give me back my $100"
After calling 5 different cab companies, I finally found one in the nick of time to make the Bus. This seams to be the hardest part of my trip. I expected to see the same people on the bus as my last trip, exactly one month ago, but this was a fresh set of ploppies and slot machine junkies, I would have to say the better behaved of the two groups.
After finding the Players Club, I registered for my official "Players Card". Well now they my name, address, social security number, and probably can do a retinal scan. I mainly did this to avoid heat and to pick up some discounts and freebies. But I must say, it's weird now that they call me by name, but I got used the non-sincere politeness.
I walk in with my roll of 500 beans, looking for a better start than last month. I went to the same area as I did first last time. Out of the 3 main areas, I think it's the most wide open, and friendly. The lowest min table I could find was $25 min. Well, just like last month, I dropped $200 right away. I wasn't counting, but it didn't matter. I just wanted to warm up, and I figured I could play basic strategy for at least one shoe, stay on or about even, then start counting. But it didn't matter. After about 30 minutes, and about 12 hands, I was starting off in this sour hole again.
With 5 hours to go, and $300 left, I was determined to find a $15 table. After asking around, I did in fact find out where the lowest minimal tables are located.
I buy $100 worth of chips at this fine $15 table. The count never got really good, it took me about an hour to loose my $100, so I bought another $100. At this point, only have $200 left of my roll. I have $100 in chips on the table, and my last $100 in my pocket.
I was holding my own staying even with what I had on the table. At this point, I was thinking about "Plan B" If was to go down to my last $100, I was going to go to the Horse Racing room and bet $5 across the board to fill the rest of my day....
Glad I hung in there.... After several positive shoes, a little bit of luck, and oh yea, the dealer paying me on two pushes... I was in my groove. The table went to $25, but the pit boss put a big round chip in front of me marked "15". I was bale to play $15 if I wanted to as long as I stayed at the table. It was worth it's weight in gold.
After 4 hours, I had made my money back, plus a little more. I then stacked $600 worth of chips off of the side slightly, and swore to my self that I was not going to touch it no matter what.
I ended up cashing in $650 worth of chips on my way out. That and the $100 plan B money left, made it a profitable day. Not so much money, but learning that it is key to find a $15 table using a bank roll as low as I do. But most of all, the fact that I left where their money, even if it was $1, the fact that it was their money gave me a moral victory.
Life time stats: Up $150.
I can not stress enough that it is crucial to have sufficiant bank roll, and the need to wong under these conditions, and never to over bet, but at the time I was still learning, and just wasn't aware that these issues are crucial.
Since these trips, I have have adjusted my bank roll, will only play at $10 min tables, and although it took a while, I am getting good at back counting and wonging in and out. I have only played at one casino, and so far little to no heat. (Not counting St. Louis because I only played 4 hands due to the dreadful conditions.)
Day One:
My first card counting adventure: "Applying theory to real life."
Prior to this trip, I have never been in a casino, read a few well known books, and learned and practiced the Hi-Lo for about 3 months.
The cab was late, I just made it to the bus terminal in time to catch the 7:20am bus from home town. There were a lot of trashy people on the bus. But it was OK. Instead of practicing counting on the way, like I planned too, I stuffed my laptop in the overhead and was trying to get some sleep on this 2 and a half hour ride.
I got to the casino at about 10:00am or so. Everyone on the bus dashed for the entrance, to get to their favorite slot machine! I was just happy this long ride was over and I didn't get car sick. I got off the bus, got some much needed fresh air, and had a smoke.
I walked into the casino but had no plans to start to count today, unless I felt comfortable. I was just trying to get acclimated to a casino environment, not ever being in one before. I found a table with the lowest minimum bet, $15 (8 Deck shoe - good rules) and asked the dealer for $100 worth of chips.
I was betting $15-$30 using basic strategy, I won at first, but after about an hour I was down to my last bet. It was a friendly table, so I bought another $100 worth of chips, again using basic strategy, that was gone in about 20 minutes.
Being $200 in the hole, almost half of betting capital was gone, but I still had 4 hours to go before my bus would leave, so I knew that I had to change what ever I was doing.
I went into the Keno bar to use my $10 Keno coupon that came with the bus ticket. It was good for 5 free games. I didn't win, but it was good just to relax for a half hour, have a cold soda, and regain my composer.
I went to a different area on the other side of the casino. It was very different form the one I just left. Instead of being wide open, well lit, more friendly peeps, it was more like dark, very crowded, very loud. Not that I am prejudice in anyway shape or form, but I couldn't help but notice that 95% of people there were Asian.
Now it gets good...
I approach a table with an open seat. It is a $25 minimum, 8 deck shoe, with great penetration. Everyone except for the dealer is Asian, and they are all talking to each other in Korean or something. Like I said it was very loud, but for some reason, I felt a lot more comfortable than earlier today, in the more friendly casino.. go figure.
I figure that I would stay at this table for at least an hour, so I would try to keep the running count of the cards, just to see if I can do it in real life. I figured no body was speaking English, so I wouldn't have any distractions..
The count was running high, It was RC +13 with about 75% of the shoe gone. Then it was like vultures swarming on dead corpse. The guy sitting to my left, went from playing $25 a hand, to putting about $600 worth of chips on the next hand. Some guy who acted like Vinny Barbarino sat to the right of me. I could tell he wasn't from money, but he was betting $100 a hand now, instead of minimum. I also noticed that 3 ladies had people back betting on their hands, all high wagers. I then was certain I was at on of these so called "HOT" shoes.
If there was any heat to be had from the dealer, or Pit boss, it would surely be directed at anyone one of the obvious people around me.
Me and Vinny double, tripled, our bets, cleaning up. At one point, the guy to the right of me brought so much attention to him self, that I felt my cover wouldn't even be suspect.(He doubled down on 10-2 with the dealer showing 15??? This confused me, I'm still not sure of the reasoning behind this?) He won the hand.
The positive shoe ended. Most of the people left this table, as I should of. It was basically just me and Vinny, and the cute girl he was trying to pick up. I don't think Vinny was actually counting, but I think he was smart enough to know when other people was. I was looking a about $1100 worth of chips in front me! With about 2 hours to go before by bus would leave.
I still counted, I was like a fly on the wall, watching people swarm the table as the count grew, to abandon it as soon as got to be a -1. This actually gave me confidence that this whole thing of counting is actually plausible and possible.
This was getting very draining, but I was flying off adrenaline, betting $100 a hand. I thought if I could turn this table's sittings into $1000 I could do anything!
In no time at all, I was down to just being a head of the house $100. At this point I was sour. I should have left that table right after that hand with the great count, and looked for another one. Or went home.
In fact, I had about 45 minutes left, and I figured I would go to another table and place one bet with this $100 profit.
I drew and 11 with dealer showing 16. I had to double down, so I took $100 out of pocket, I got a 20. Dealer drew to 21!! I ended leaving with $100 less than what I had when I walked in. I learned many lessons with this $100. Don't be at he mercy of the bus schedule. And most important: "KNOW WHEN TO LEAVE THE TABLE" "KNOW WHEN TO LEAVE THE CASINO" (I think Micky Rosa may have said it first, not sure)
I hope you enjoyed this story of my first adventure. It wasn't very profitable, but I did learn a lot. I figure I will go one more time, as one more recon mission before I go all out, and count all of the time.
Trip Two:
"Give me back my $100"
After calling 5 different cab companies, I finally found one in the nick of time to make the Bus. This seams to be the hardest part of my trip. I expected to see the same people on the bus as my last trip, exactly one month ago, but this was a fresh set of ploppies and slot machine junkies, I would have to say the better behaved of the two groups.
After finding the Players Club, I registered for my official "Players Card". Well now they my name, address, social security number, and probably can do a retinal scan. I mainly did this to avoid heat and to pick up some discounts and freebies. But I must say, it's weird now that they call me by name, but I got used the non-sincere politeness.
I walk in with my roll of 500 beans, looking for a better start than last month. I went to the same area as I did first last time. Out of the 3 main areas, I think it's the most wide open, and friendly. The lowest min table I could find was $25 min. Well, just like last month, I dropped $200 right away. I wasn't counting, but it didn't matter. I just wanted to warm up, and I figured I could play basic strategy for at least one shoe, stay on or about even, then start counting. But it didn't matter. After about 30 minutes, and about 12 hands, I was starting off in this sour hole again.
With 5 hours to go, and $300 left, I was determined to find a $15 table. After asking around, I did in fact find out where the lowest minimal tables are located.
I buy $100 worth of chips at this fine $15 table. The count never got really good, it took me about an hour to loose my $100, so I bought another $100. At this point, only have $200 left of my roll. I have $100 in chips on the table, and my last $100 in my pocket.
I was holding my own staying even with what I had on the table. At this point, I was thinking about "Plan B" If was to go down to my last $100, I was going to go to the Horse Racing room and bet $5 across the board to fill the rest of my day....
Glad I hung in there.... After several positive shoes, a little bit of luck, and oh yea, the dealer paying me on two pushes... I was in my groove. The table went to $25, but the pit boss put a big round chip in front of me marked "15". I was bale to play $15 if I wanted to as long as I stayed at the table. It was worth it's weight in gold.
After 4 hours, I had made my money back, plus a little more. I then stacked $600 worth of chips off of the side slightly, and swore to my self that I was not going to touch it no matter what.
I ended up cashing in $650 worth of chips on my way out. That and the $100 plan B money left, made it a profitable day. Not so much money, but learning that it is key to find a $15 table using a bank roll as low as I do. But most of all, the fact that I left where their money, even if it was $1, the fact that it was their money gave me a moral victory.
Life time stats: Up $150.