Using alcohol as a cover

[BrokenSaints]

Has anybody ever gargled alcohol before playing blackjack to make it seem like you are drunk? I have never tried it myself but to me this would seem like a pretty effective and easy cover to pull off. Maybe spill a bit of whiskey on your clothes to add to the effect. Before you know it you are just another drunk mark for the casino and counting cards at your leisure.

 

[Sonny]

That’s a little drastic. It doesn’t hurt to smell like alcohol, but gargling is an unnecessary step. It doesn't really give you any cover because the casinos will gladly kick out a skilled player even if they think he's drunk. If you have to go that far to subdue the heat, you aren’t going to last long anyway. It’s a better idea to find ways of avoiding heat in the first place. A good sense of timing is the best cover any player can ask for.

-Sonny-

 

[callipygian]

Alcohol can be used effectively for a BP team. The BP can constantly leave to piss, get more alcohol, pass out, or stare longingly at a cheerleading team heading out to a competition.

It's also a convinient explanation for why the BP returns from the bathroom, goes to a different table, and demands to know who the **** took his chips.

:grin:

 

[zengrifter]

You can fall off your chair too (see ZGI), but Sonny is right -
its not a total panacea for cover, just a piece of the camoflauge. zg

 

[prankster]

just buy a bottle of bud-empty it into a sink and fill the bottle with water.

 

[Sonny]

just buy a bottle of bud-empty it into a sink and fill the bottle with water.

It even tastes the same. :grin:

-Sony-

 

[callipygian]

It even tastes the same. :grin:

Only if you fill it with Belgian water.

 

[bj bob]

Hear, hear

Only if you fill it with Belgian water.

Yeah, I'm just wondering how long it's going take the new ownership of Anheuser-Busch to start adding raspberry flavoring to their new product.
God bless America!! We really do need it.

 

[sagefr0g]

It even tastes the same. :grin:

-Sony-

it might after this take over get's underway. :joker:

 

[Mimosine]

Yeah, I'm just wondering how long it's going take the new ownership of Anheuser-Busch to start adding raspberry flavoring to their new product.
God bless America!! We really do need it.

you never know, it might finally be drinkable!

 

[Doofus]

Before I hit a table I play a little VP at the bar and order an O'Douls in a glass. I then take the glass of beer to the table and proceed to nurse it. After a half an hour I finish it, and make a big deal about ordering a vodka. I then take a nip of the vodka and let the ice melt. By this time my 45 minutes of table time are up, and as far as the pit can tell, I have been drinking the whole time.

 

[ChefJJ]

Before I hit a table I play a little VP at the bar and order an O'Douls in a glass. I then take the glass of beer to the table and proceed to nurse it. After a half an hour I finish it, and make a big deal about ordering a vodka. I then take a nip of the vodka and let the ice melt. By this time my 45 minutes of table time are up, and as far as the pit can tell, I have been drinking the whole time.

It shouldn't hurt you that much to drink a vodka tonic in 45 minutes. Enjoy it.

good luck

 

[SD Padres]

Has anybody ever gargled alcohol before playing blackjack to make it seem like you are drunk? I have never tried it myself but to me this would seem like a pretty effective and easy cover to pull off. Maybe spill a bit of whiskey on your clothes to add to the effect. Before you know it you are just another drunk mark for the casino and counting cards at your leisure.

Another ploy I have heard from others is to order a coke and let the pit think you are drinking a mixed drink. The problem with that is most casinos use a different style of glass for non-alcoholic beverages.

I think Doofus has the best idea and that is to get an O'Douls at the bar before sitting down to play.

The bottom line is that you want to avoid heat upfront though.

 

[ChefJJ]

I think Doofus has the best idea and that is to get an O'Douls at the bar before sitting down to play.

If a REAL beer is going to take you off your game, is your game really that tight to be challenging the casino?

Just a thought.

 

[SD Padres]

If a REAL beer is going to take you off your game, is your game really that tight to be challenging the casino?

Just a thought.

Not what I meant.

It could be several O'Douls that one might get from the bar during bathroom breaks etc. If the pit sees you nursing one beer for a 1-2 hour session that would look somewhat strange.

Anyway....I just think it's wise to stay away from alcohol completely when counting cards. That's my personal rule. Call me a lightweight or whatever but once you start drinking you have gone from an AP to just another gambler. I want my head completely clear and sharp.

 

[Doofus]

Not what I meant.

It could be several O'Douls that one might get from the bar during bathroom breaks etc. If the pit sees you nursing one beer for a 1-2 hour session that would look somewhat strange.

Anyway....I just think it's wise to stay away from alcohol completely when counting cards. That's my personal rule. Call me a lightweight or whatever but once you start drinking you have gone from an AP to just another gambler. I want my head completely clear and sharp.

I agree about alcohol being -EV. However, 90% of people at the table are drinking. If counters usually don't drink, it makes identifying them that much easier.

Occasionally I have a drink at the table, but as a general rule I do as I noted above; drink a non-alcoholic beer as cover. A further bit of cover is the fact that I do regularly interact with PCs and dealers. I'm not afraid of them, and to be honest, if they like you because you are friendly and sociable, that makes it that much harder for them to ID and toss you because you're an AP.

How many drinks does one need to order in a session of 45-60 minutes? One. If you're sitting at a table for longer than that, in most shops you're running an unacceptable risk of being caught.

 

[rollem411]

I think Doofus has the best idea and that is to get an O'Douls at the bar before sitting down to play.

Problem here is that it costs about $8 a beer when you can just get it for free while sitting down at the table. I seriously doubt one beer will effect anyones ability to keep a straight count and sharp play.

 

[moo321]

If the beer's free, order one, and sip it. Counters don't drink. Just having a beer in front of you is great cover. And if you can't count while drinking a half beer an hour, you either weigh 80 pounds, or you can't count.

 

[Automatic Monkey]

If the beer's free, order one, and sip it. Counters don't drink. Just having a beer in front of you is great cover. And if you can't count while drinking a half beer an hour, you either weigh 80 pounds, or you can't count.

Everybody has their own relationship with alcohol. Some people can't drink at all, for a variety of reasons. My advice would be to drink up to an amount where you would still consider driving, if it is a natural thing for you to drink. I wouldn't recommend starting up with alcohol just for blackjack cover.

If you are drinking for cover another good rule would be to only drink at the table. No drinks with dinner, nor when taking a break sitting at the bar watching a game or something.

 

[moo321]

Everybody has their own relationship with alcohol. Some people can't drink at all, for a variety of reasons. My advice would be to drink up to an amount where you would still consider driving, if it is a natural thing for you to drink. I wouldn't recommend starting up with alcohol just for blackjack cover.

If you are drinking for cover another good rule would be to only drink at the table. No drinks with dinner, nor when taking a break sitting at the bar watching a game or something.

Yeah, I'd agree with this.