Welcome to New Posters

[Canceler]

We seem to have had quite an increase in the number of new posters recently, which is great. But why? Maybe some of the newer members could tell us what brings them here. Why blackjack? Why now? I’m just curious.

Of course, if some of the old-timers know what’s going on, feel free to chime in!

 

[shadroch]

I suspect part is as a result of the mvie.

 

[runningaces]

Why? I seen a show on the BIO channel on directv about the MIT guys. I googled card counting, the hi-lo looked ez, I practiced it at home, seemed ez still, did it at a smaller stakes non vegas casino, had no prob. keeping exact count. This was like 2 months ago. Then I googled to find this site and found all the info on here very helpful ( esp. some of the regulars) Tried to absorb that info and went to Vegas, went back again 2 more times and every trip has been profitable.

I like to gamble so thats why I became intrigued with it all. I've sat down with some of the best in the world in Holdem and BJ when the count is high is just as much as adrenaline. I plan on playing BJ until either 1) I become bored with it ( doubtful ) or 2) I get 86'd at so many places I can't play anymore without having heat constantly on me.

I believe with my experience in poker, It really helps with my act at CC to not draw any heat. But I do feel that most newbies are more interested in just firing away when the count is high without taking into consideration how easy it is get asked to leave.

 

[la_dee_daa]

i was learning way before the movie!! just starting posting when it was nearing the time i could legally go into a casino. i classify as the "pre-21" generation, barely.

 

[SPX]

I've also noticed the wave of new posters. I don't think it has to do with the movie, though. Maybe marginally. I think THAT wave will come after the movie is released. I suspect our membership may increase dramatically in the first 2 weeks or so after this weekend.

 

[vonQuux]

Movie, Indirectly

I think I stumbled upon (literally, using StumbleUpon) an article about the early-80's MIT blackjack group. That led to Breaking Vegas, the upcoming movie, this site, etc.

Personally, I'm not the gambling type. I don't ever buy scratch tickets. I've been to a casino precisely once, ten years ago. I realize that a big fat bankroll is absolutely critical to success and I don't have one so ...for me, this is more of a personal "hey, I wonder if I could pull this off" kind of attraction.

While I'm looking forward to the movie coming out, I'm not exactly sure I'm happy about it. It'd be a bad time for the casinos to get bombarded with AP's and adopt a bunker mentality.

vQ

 

[SPX]

While I'm looking forward to the movie coming out, I'm not exactly sure I'm happy about it. It'd be a bad time for the casinos to get bombarded with AP's and adopt a bunker mentality.

I really doubt the casinos are particularly worried about it. Casinos made a hell of a lot more money AFTER Beat the Dealer was released than they did before. Personally, I don't think this movie is going to be that big. But even if it is, and lots of people decide they want to learn to count cards too, I am sure that for a variety of reasons this will only help the casinos profit even more.

Then again, casino logic isn't always logical logic, so maybe they'll be on high alert for a while.

 

[mociferous]

"New" Poster

I am a fairly "new" poster, but I've been around for years. Reading mostly at blackjacktournaments.com, but no new posts over there...found more interesting discussions here. Still play tournaments mostly, but starting to travel.

 

[dangeroso]

I'm new to both backjack and the forum, and had not heard about the movie until I came here.

I went on a trip to Vegas a few months back for the first time, and blew $100 playing blackjack, with no idea how to play really.

When I got home, I decided to learn everything about it. It was fun, but I wanted to understand the game better. I have since memorized BS, and have read the Omega II, Hi-Lo, KISS systems before finally deciding to practice counting the KO system. Right now I'm just at the level where I can count down a deck by 1s in about 45 sec.

 

[SPX]

Right now I'm just at the level where I can count down a deck by 1s in about 45 sec.

Well you're ahead of me. I'm at about 60 seconds.

 

[dangeroso]

Well you're ahead of me. I'm at about 60 seconds.

Well, I should add that I count down a single deck as if it were a 6-deck shoe (Inital running count: -20) which eliminates the time spent going back and forth across zero. I don't end up a true end count of -4, but I think it's a more accurate represenation of what I would be doing in an actual casino.

FWIW, I need to get a six deck shoe.

 

[LiveBJ]

We seem to have had quite an increase in the number of new posters recently, which is great. But why? Maybe some of the newer members could tell us what brings them here. Why blackjack? Why now? I’m just curious.

Of course, if some of the old-timers know what’s going on, feel free to chime in!

I'll go ahead and admit that the movie sparked my interest when I saw the commercial for the first time. Then I realized I used to hear things about card counting from time to time and had an interest in it...but never the desire to learn...unitl now.

Since I saw the commercial Ive watched all the movies you know about on Card counting, learned plenty of formulas (last night ) and all I do is practice...Ill be checking out a few books too. I'm no gambler....not by any means, and thats why I choose BJ cuz I know it can be beat, but I don't want to learn just enough about CC to go to vegas and maybe lose less like most people are going to do...guaranteed.

So, yeah the movie awoke my desire to count cards, but Im definitely in it for the long haul now that I know what I know about it.

-Live

I really doubt the casinos are particularly worried about it. Casinos made a hell of a lot more money AFTER Beat the Dealer was released than they did before. Personally, I don't think this movie is going to be that big. But even if it is, and lots of people decide they want to learn to count cards too, I am sure that for a variety of reasons this will only help the casinos profit even more.

Then again, casino logic isn't always logical logic, so maybe they'll be on high alert for a while.

Exactly what I'm thinking/hoping.