Trip Report

[john]

Wow, what a trip I had. I really surprised myself and I had probably the most profitable 2 days in my life. To summarize, in a 2 day trip to a neighboring state, I'm up 200 units. I never lost, either. I don't know why I didn't but I just didn't. I visited 4 casinos and made an average of 40 units in each one. I hit 4 9s in video poker after putting in 10 dollars for a 230 dollar win. I hit the 4 9s on a 4 dollar bet. This is the second 4 of a kind I've had in one week. I'm just starting out and am really starting to get serious as in going to the casinos every week (different ones of course). So far, I've turned a starting bankroll of 50 units (which isn't much but all I needed) into 370 units in 20 days. I didn't work all 20 days. This is from Jan. 2nd to Jan. 22 . I'm really happy and I hope you guys can be happy for me since I've been reading the messages on this board since it was created. I mean since The Mayor had re-created it about a year ago I think.

I'm happy because I made in 2 days as much as I made in an entire month before at my old job. That blows my mind. I just hope I don't get banned. I think I need to chill out a little on the wonging in. The wonging out is okay but the wonging in probably looks suspicious. I try to watch TV and glance at how big the discard tray is and time it just right with the start of the shuffle so I don't spend too long watching.

 

[revereman]

Congratulations. And now back to reality--anyone who has played BJ as an AP will tell you that it is a rollercoaster ride. The highs are higher but the lows are lower. For every double and split you won on this trip you could lose 5 of them the next trip. Certain VP games are good and others not so good, so be careful there. I'm really not trying to rain on your parade but just trying to provide a reality check. Continued good fortune.

 

[Automatic Monkey]

Great trip! But don't get too happy and don't quit your day job. For the opposite will happen on other trips. Some days, anything that can go wrong will.

Don't take this wrong, because I don't mean it as a putdown or anything, but the fact that you are putting $10 into a VP machine may indicate that you are relying on your luck more than your math. It feels great, but you know what your EV is. EV is noncumulative, meaning that next time you go out don't be planning on losing almost as much as you won because the game has no memory and your EV for that next session has not changed. Just hang on for the crash and the awful results, because it is not a matter of if, but when. But in the long term, if you are playing your game right, you'll be ahead.

 

[john]

Yeah, that damn reality. I am enjoying it now but I know you are right. The thing is, I'm reaching every goal that I am setting for myself and it seems unreal. Also, video poker is kind of what I do while I'm waiting for opportune blackjack games so that is why I put in 10 dollars. Thanks for your input. I'll keep you up-to-date (if you care) as to how I'm doing. BTW, I am going to the casinos next week as well. I'll let you know what happens even if I get hit hard. I was so "high" after that trip that I didn't sleep for ummm....about 48 hours. Well, it was a little medicine, the caffeine, and the winning, and I was on a good high for a while. Not a narcotic high just walking on air. Its hard to come down for me. I'm usually okay but the win was the biggest I've ever had. I was doing so well that I actually started to loosen up at the tables and joke with the ploppies. Also, I don't worry about my ups and downs because I have no kids or wife.

 

[wong out]

Congrats on a nice win! You got lots of good advice here. Dont make the mistake of confusing variance with the thought that somehow you found the mother lode or are "supergambler". On a typical trip my swings (which are expected) would allow me to buy or lose a luxury car; at the end of the trip I am happy if I have enough left over to pay for the 1SB upgrade package on my GM. You have to expect big swings but dont get excited about (certainly dont spend them)the wins and dont get depressed about the losses (expect them) - get the hours in and hope that you make your ev.

21 is a tough grind; its even tougher if you feel any emotion in response to the wins/losses.

wong out

 

[Tom]

Good going John. What's your bet spread and how many hours of actual BJ did you play,units won?
I've started the year off on a good roll,myself. 22 hours of action and up 92 units. I'm not going to get cocky,you can bet on that.

Tom

 

[john]

Well, I don't set any real limits as to how long I play. I usually have a goal in mind but if things don't go well then I forgive myself for not achieving it and change the game plan.

1 to 10 unit bet spread.

Wong in at around +2 as much as possible but sometimes I just sit down.

Wong out at -1 or -2 unless I'm winning then I stay.

Also, if it is hand shuffled, many times if you just had a good shoe, the next one will not be too bad either so I stay many times and get as much as I can.

As far as time goes, the trip went like this:

Casino one: 10 minutes + 32 red units or 6 green and change

Casino two: 3 1/2 hours + 36 units

Casino three: 4 1/2 hours + 74 units

Casino four: 2 hours + 20 units and video poker +230 dollars

Then went home.

 

[The Mayor]

>1 to 10 unit bet spread.
Not necessary if you are wonging ... A 1-4 spread is almost as good.

>Wong in at around +2 as much as possible but sometimes I just sit down.
Good.

>Wong out at -1 or -2 unless I'm winning then I stay.
If you are playing with a negative count, then you are losing. Period.

>Also, if it is hand shuffled, many times if you just had a good shoe, the next one will not be too bad either
This is absolute crap -- sorry

 

[Hal Jordan]

"Also, if it is hand shuffled, many times if you just had a good shoe, the next one will not be too bad either so I stay many times and get as much as I can."

Be careful following advice like the above. If you continue to play with a mindset like this you will be down those three hundred and some odd units in no time. Trust the math, forget the voodoo.

HJ

 

[revereman]

An overreaction

by you and the Mayor. All he's saying is that if he has a good shoe, he will stay at the same table. He didn't say anything about playing through a negative count in the next shoe just because he had a good shoe previously. If you really want to get analytical, it's probably good to stay at the table after a good shoe since many counters will just take the money and run.

 

[Tom]

Even though you have been extremely(?) lucky, I think you're doing a mighty find job. I like your strategy,it's almost the same as mine, except I come in on any RC over 6 and make a 2 unit bet. My spread is a little different,I often go to two hands of 6 units any chance I get,otherwise I'll bet up to 10 units on one spot and leave if the count (TC) drops to -2. I started this ruthless strategy years ago and stuck with it. My results have been most rewarding,winning at twice the rate as when I use to play-all.

Good luck,
Tom

 

[john]

>Also, if it is hand shuffled, many times if you just had a good shoe, the next one will not be too bad either
This is absolute crap -- sorry

Mayor, I was just refering to the MIT students and how the dealers don't have enough time to shuffle the cards as well as they should. Is it bull?

 

[Hal Jordan]

Re: An overreaction

I agree that he should do all that he can not to look like a counter, what I am unsure about is where he states: "many times if you just had a good shoe, the next one will not be too bad either."

Everyone has their own style, but I think thoughts like this running through the head are the reason many players stay to play bad games.

HJ

 

[revereman]

Re: An overreaction

The answer lies in how he plays the next shoe. There is nothing inherently wrong in playing the next shoe after a good one. Only he knows the answer to that one.

 

[Hal Jordan]

Agreed

 

[Cyrano]

MIT = Shuffle-tracking

What they do in the book is a form of shuffle-tracking.