Streaks? Am I thinking like a ploppy?

Billy C1

Well-Known Member
StandardDeviant said:
Actually, we could argue that there is no such thing. It's sort of like when we look up at the clouds and say "That cloud is shaped like a bunny rabbit."

But actually it isn't.

The cloud isn't "shaped" at all; it just is. We look at the clouds and see a pattern that isn't really there. We distort reality by assuming patterns where there are none. We make cognitive errors when we do that.

The same thing happens when we see "streaks" in the cards. They aren't there.
You've misunderstood my post. If you'll reread it you'll notice no mention of "streaks in cards". I'm making reference to "winning and/or losing" streaks and most everyone agrees that THEY happen!

Billy C1
 

Billy C1

Well-Known Member
kewljason said:
Here's what I know about streaks.

1.) The casinos were built for (and by) you guys that are looking for streaks.

2.) Every gambler is one good streak away from getting even.

The only post that made any sense to me in this thread was Bojack's. (as he usually does)

As for cover, in a game where you have a tiny long term advantage, you just can't afford to give much back, and thats what cover does. The best cover is playing short sessions!
So let's be real and say it like it is-------playing ANY negative counts can only be called one of two things
#1 Stupid
#2 Cover

Billy C1
 

psyduck

Well-Known Member
The reason some players remember winning streaks and are excited about them is they do not remember the numerous choppy periods. Statistically no betting progression or index play will generate positive EV.

Has anyone been winning with Target 21 consistently?
 
Bjc

bjcount said:
Your winning... the streaks continuing.... the counts down to TC -4.... your bets near max... you got a 9 vs 5.....

You should have a min bet out but you chipped up to near max.

How ya gona play it?

Well I'm in a streak.... double down? Risk it all for one more hand in the current streak?

Placing big bets with big risks (-2% disadvantage) is not how we do it.

BJC
Very simple, you hit:laugh: You sure are not gonna stand.

If you have gotten to near a max bet, by chipping up the positive way that I do, you would have won so much at this point that you would be a very happy AP. But in reality you will never get anywhere near a max bet the way I do it, but if you do... great.

BJC, you play a $25 min table, if you were to win in neg and you were play all or near play all, your next bet would be $30, win, $36, win $42, win, $48, count goes +2, bet is $72..,,you slip the green under the white and reds,,,I like even numbers... and I do not drink from paper cups.

CP
 
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Billy

Billy C1 said:
So let's be real and say it like it is-------playing ANY negative counts can only be called one of two things
#1 Stupid
#2 Cover

Billy C1
Not really, if you have a very trackable shuffle, or if your skillz and confidence are such that you can win no matter what the count, or if conditions are such that you cannot wong out willy nilly.

I have said for years there are games I can beat no matter of the count, and often flat betting, such as at a certain dd game I love to play.

Please do not be so eager to judge.. Billy, or for that matter to go along with the CW.

CP
 

psyduck

Well-Known Member
creeping panther said:
if you have a very trackable shuffle, or if your skillz and confidence are such that you can win no matter what the count,
Your self-confidence is amazing! It must have worked well for you.
 

LV Bear

Administrator
Only 16 "units" ???

p8ntballsk8r said:
I've noticed when playing that blackjack seems to be a pretty streaky game. For example, I went to the casino underbankrolled with only 16 units today ...
The streak nonsense is ploppy voodoo, of course, as others have already commented. What I don't see a comment about is the silliness of going to a casino with only 16 "units." This is ploppy behavior as well.
 
Bear

LVBear584 said:
The streak nonsense is ploppy voodoo, of course, as others have already commented. What I don't see a comment about is the silliness of going to a casino with only 16 "units." This is ploppy behavior as well.
Calm down,,,geez!!

Why do you feel a need for derision? You never experienced a streak in a negative count? They only happen in the positive count? "16 units", so that is all he had, not a rich man as you may be, so why ridicule him?

"nonsense, ploppy, silliness, voodoo.":(

CP
 

Billy C1

Well-Known Member
creeping panther said:
Not really, if you have a very trackable shuffle, or if your skillz and confidence are such that you can win no matter what the count, or if conditions are such that you cannot wong out willy nilly.

I have said for years there are games I can beat no matter of the count, and often flat betting, such as at a certain dd game I love to play.

Please do not be so eager to judge.. Billy, or for that matter to go along with the CW.

CP
Yes it's true that shuffle tracking, hole carding, dealer collusion, etc. would be factors but my game doesn't include any of those. Truth is, the latter two are cheating or border on cheating (in my opinion)
Can I presume that "CW" means counting world?

BillyC1
 

daddybo

Well-Known Member
Billy C1 said:
Yes it's true that shuffle tracking, hole carding, dealer collusion, etc. would be factors but my game doesn't include any of those. Truth is, the latter two are cheating or border on cheating (in my opinion)
Can I presume that "CW" means counting world?

BillyC1
How is hole carding cheating? If using your eyes and brain to play cards is cheating... then you are cheating at most anything you do.

P. S. CW = conventional wisdom?
 
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FLASH1296

Well-Known Member
My belief

"STREAKS", like "LUCK", are purely chimerical.

They only exist AFTER the FACT, that is to say in the (unknown) future.
The future does not (YET) exist; so as such "STREAKS" and "LUCK" do not exist.

"STREAKS" and "LUCK" are merely convenient <?> misleading LABELS that we apply to observations that impress us,
but lure us away from empirical discoveries of mathematical foundations.

If I win a lottery I am lucky. If I am then killed (a moment or a year later) while trying to cash it, I am unlucky.

I cannot be both now, can I ?

Before the winning numbers were drawn I was not lucky, and before I was killed I was lucky !
 

daddybo

Well-Known Member
Hmmm

In the Realm of Practicallity...I agree totally with the above statement... Philosophically there may be room for thought about some events being predetermined or predestined by circumstances or forces that may not be understood. It is always dangerous to be absolutely sure about anything. :)

Therefore, it is entirely possible that streaks do exist in the future as well as luck. We just may not know how to predict or define either accurately. :whip:
 

Billy C1

Well-Known Member
daddybo said:
How is hole carding cheating? If using your eyes and brain to play cards is cheating... then you are cheating at most anything you do.

P. S. CW = conventional wisdom?
Notice "border on cheating" and "my opinion" in my post. Very little holecarding can be done in a totally honest way.
There again, is only my opinion.
Thanks for the CW answer.

BillyC1
 

StandardDeviant

Well-Known Member
FLASH1296 said:
If I win a lottery I am lucky. If I am then killed (a moment or a year later) while trying to cash it, I am unlucky.
Reminds me of the story of the Taoist farmer...

This farmer had only one horse, and one day the horse ran away. The neighbors came to condole over his terrible loss. The farmer said, "What makes you think it is so terrible?"

A month later, the horse came home--this time bringing with her two beautiful wild horses. The neighbors became excited at the farmer's good fortune. Such lovely strong horses! The farmer said, "What makes you think this is good fortune?"

The farmer's son was thrown from one of the wild horses and broke his leg. All the neighbors were very distressed. Such bad luck! The farmer said, "What makes you think it is bad?"

A war came, and every able-bodied man was conscripted and sent into battle. Only the farmer's son, because he had a broken leg, remained. The neighbors congratulated the farmer. "What makes you think this is good?" said the farmer.​
 

politcat

Well-Known Member
StandardDeviant said:
Reminds me of the story of the Taoist farmer...

This farmer had only one horse, and one day the horse ran away. The neighbors came to condole over his terrible loss. The farmer said, "What makes you think it is so terrible?"

A month later, the horse came home--this time bringing with her two beautiful wild horses. The neighbors became excited at the farmer's good fortune. Such lovely strong horses! The farmer said, "What makes you think this is good fortune?"

The farmer's son was thrown from one of the wild horses and broke his leg. All the neighbors were very distressed. Such bad luck! The farmer said, "What makes you think it is bad?"

A war came, and every able-bodied man was conscripted and sent into battle. Only the farmer's son, because he had a broken leg, remained. The neighbors congratulated the farmer. "What makes you think this is good?" said the farmer.​
uh...then what happened?

hehe

I got lucky and found this website

happy new year all!
 

Lonesome Gambler

Well-Known Member
Billy C1 said:
Notice "border on cheating" and "my opinion" in my post. Very little holecarding can be done in a totally honest way.
I agree that very little holecarding can by done just be "accident," but I think this is an interesting topic to explore for a moment. What's the justification for using card counting to beat blackjack? Obviously, the casinos don't intend for you to be able to obtain an edge in the game, but you've discovered a loophole that gives you that ability. So if you're skilled enough to do it, and the casino's not skilled enough to catch you, you're good to go. Even though the game isn't being played "on the square" in the casino's eyes, you've not cheated in any way.

Many people look at holecarding as cheating because you have to actively scout weak games where extra information is being given. I was initially leaning somewhat toward this school of thought because often, the only justification of what seems like slightly less-than-legitimate techniques is, "the casino will gladly take your money if you make a mistake..." However, if you think for a second, you'll realize that people that scout games for HC opportunities are no different from a card counter that buys CBJN to find the best penetration and rules, a shuffle tracker that looks for dealers with a predictable and trackable shuffle, a sequencer that finds dealers that can't conceal cards during the shuffle or before the cut, or a casino that gives premium comps and mailers to their players playing at the highest disadvantage (slot players) and refuses the business of players that win a lot or win consistently. All forms of AP require the capitalization on a particular weakness, whether it's easily beatable games, low heat, or bad dealers.
 

kewljason

Well-Known Member
This is an interesting topic, indeed. My opinion of holecarding has changed in the short time I have played the game. I am sure six years ago I would have thought it bordered on cheating. You set out to gain an advantage by getting info that you weren't supposed to have. But really that is card counting too. :eek: Somehow to me, holecarding just seemed different, somehow less ethical.

After witnessing the behavior of the casino industry during my brief six year career, I am now of the opinion that anything goes. All is fair in love and war and this most definately is war. :laugh: I mean seriously, look at the rule changes they have imposed, from h17, to 6-5 payout, first for single deck, and now even shoe games. This game barely resembles blackjack as it was invented. Add in things like preferential shuffling, which is just flat out cheating by their own rules and as I said. All is fair now.
 

psyduck

Well-Known Member
My thought on this subject has also been shifting. Right now I lean toward cheating. The reason is the player tries to see the hole card that the house tries to hide. Not showing the hole card is built in the game. The game is designed to be played without knowing what is in the hole. In contrast, the house shows you all cards in shoe games. It is also part of the game design. What information (such as count) the player can extract is up to the player.

I have nothing against hole card players. If they can see/guess the hole card with good accuracy, it is the casino's fault for not doing a good job.
 

Lonesome Gambler

Well-Known Member
Imagine you walk into a casino and watch a few dealers. Most are cutting off 1.5 decks on the 6D games, but you notice a dealer that consistently cuts less than a deck from the shoe. All other things being equal, which table do you sit at? Now suppose that this casino has a policy that dictates that the dealer give penetration based by notch, but this dealer ignores the notch. Do you play the table with extra information that the casino has expressly trained their dealers to hide from the players (extra cards dealt), or do you seek out this dealer, knowing that you can profit more by counting in this game than the ones utilizing proper cutting procedure?

I think almost all counters would agree that using this extra information is not cheating. If you see dealers that are not protecting their hole card, and you know how to use that information, why not play against that dealer? You're still using information you're not supposed to have, but you benefit more from it.
 

psyduck

Well-Known Member
The game rule allows the cut card to be placed at differrent depth. However, the rule disallows the hole card to be shown.
 
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