Best games in South America

I'm hunting for the best Blackjack games for a card counter in South America. Preferably places that have low heat, favorable rules and don't mind big spreads.

I have been reading as much as I can but there doesn't seem to be a ton of info out there on the subject.

I would be careful. Not too long ago back rooming and getting roughed up was a peril for card counters (still is occasionally). I don't know how tolerant casinos in South America would be, but I would think they'd be years behind U.S. casinos.

And, you'd be in a foreign country, and many countries in South America are not stable. Crime, abduction, ransom...

Be careful.

Delete

I am totally willing to risk it. If they have good games down there with the potential for big pay offs than I am definitely going for it. I appreciate the wise words to be careful though.

If you have any info on places with favorable rules, deep deck pen and the option for wide spreads please do tell. It would be much appreciated.

I have no idea about casinos down in South America. I'm sure you could search the web though.

Just remember one thing about the United States. "right to a speedy trial". I don't think you're going to find that anywhere else. I would not leave America for a million bucks, not even on vacation. Life's too short.

Life's too short NOT to do it! I have been to ten foreign countries now (pre learning card counting) and have never had a problem. People were always friendly (except the French), polite and hospitable. I definitely don't think we have as much freedom, justice, and rights as we think we do here. That's neither here nor there though.

I have been reading up on possible locations and so far I have found two countries that look promising. There is very little information on the subject. If anyone has traveled there and found a couple good games I'm all ears. Obviously, I'm going to have to do some exploring myself as well.

Quote: 72Blazer

Life's too short NOT to do it! I have been to ten foreign countries now (pre learning card counting) and have never had a problem. People were always friendly (except the French), polite and hospitable. I definitely don't think we have as much freedom, justice, and rights as we think we do here. That's neither here nor there though.

I only mentioned one right, and that was the right to a speedy trial. That we still have.

And if they're going to kidnap me and cut my ear off it's going to have to be in Fresno.

Did we have the right to a fair and speedy trial when we put the American citizens of Japanese heritage in internment camps with no due process? It wasn't that long ago friend. Point being you may have "rights" on paper but the government can suspend or deny these rights anytime they want. Which actually make them privileges.

I'm not worried about getting kidnapped, robbed, stabbed, etc. The risk is worth the reward in my eyes. Plus, I'm a poor target at best. Not what one would consider a "soft target". I'm going to die one day. I want my life to be full of travels, experiences and adventures.

Big spreads might get you some adventures.

Quote: 72Blazer

Did we have the right to a fair and speedy trial when we put the American citizens of Japanese heritage in internment camps with no due process? It wasn't that long ago friend.

You're really reaching here. I've said my piece. I think an American has to be out of their friggin mind right now to go globe-hopping. I know I could just go to Mexico right now and get thrown in jail and never be seen again. And that's just the cops there, let alone the "bad guys". If I get arrested in Fresno, I'll be before a judge in a matter of hours. And I'm talking just Mexico, not all the way to South America. Why don't you try the blackjack games in Somalia or Syria right now, I hear they have early surrender and good penetration.

Good luck, I wish you safety. But somehow I don't feel too sympathetic when I see Americans on television stuck in some foreign rat hole that decides to suddenly have a revolution. What are they doing there in the first place? Are they crazy? The world's a dangerous place. I'm stayin my ass in Fresno, or Vegas. In fact, if they ever get online gambling going again, I may never leave my bedroom. I'm scared of my own shadow.

Quote: 72Blazer

Did we have the right to a fair and speedy trial when we put the American citizens of Japanese heritage in internment camps with no due process?

At the risk of sounding petty "we" did no such thing. The government did that and we are not part of them.

"I'm scared of my own shadow"

Can't tell if serious or just trolling me. I have been to Bogota, Colombia and Aguascalientes, Peru (Machu Picchu). This was before I got into Blackjack. Honestly, it's not as bad as everyone here seems to think it is. Am I the only adventurous soul here? I mean I know the guy who started this forum visited Panama, so at least someone else has some spirit. Let's hear from the brave bunch on this forum who ventured out side of their safe little spaces.

I'm not a troll. I'm a longtime gambler who has a little history on vpfree, and only recently joined this group. Do I sound like a troll just because I think it's crazy to globe-trot, especially right now with what is in the news every day? You don't have to convince me of eroding rights in this country but again I only mentioned one and it still stands true. People do not get snatched up by the police in this country and disappear. Can you say the same of any South American country? So then there's the governments, and then there's the kidnappers. Take your pick.

I have a friend who recently visited relatives in Mexico, not the border but deeper down into the country. They have money. They also have full-time guards with machineguns escorting them everywhere. No thanks, I'll stay right here. Hey, and 3X points tomorrow.

Quote: 72Blazer

"I'm scared of my own shadow"

Can't tell if serious or just trolling me. I have been to Bogota, Colombia and Aguascalientes, Peru (Machu Picchu). This was before I got into Blackjack. Honestly, it's not as bad as everyone here seems to think it is. Am I the only adventurous soul here? I mean I know the guy who started this forum visited Panama, so at least someone else has some spirit. Let's hear from the brave bunch on this forum who ventured out side of their safe little spaces.

I've been to nearly every Caribbean Island, 48 States, Mexico, Canada, UK all several times, Spain, France. Hope to do many more. Life is for the living. Two dream trips are Anzac for a month to 6 weeks, and a World Cruise of several months that includes SA, Asian ports, and Scandinavia.

So, no, you're not the only one.

Edit: you might read back Wizard's blog. He's been many places, I think all continents except maybe Antarctica, and written quite a bit about his travels.

Considering "we", as a whole, elect our government officials to govern and represent us I believe it is safe to say we are responsible for their actions to some degree. If you do not agree with your government's actions there are many options for recourse. Regardless, the point still remains. If the government can take away a right, which they have time and time again, then it is not a right at all but merely a privilege.

Quote: beachbumbabs

I've been to nearly every Caribbean Island, 48 States, Mexico, Canada, UK all several times, Spain, France. Hope to do many more. Life is for the living. Two dream trips are Anzac for a month to 6 weeks, and a World Cruise of several months that includes SA, Asian ports, and Scandinavia.

So, no, you're not the only one.

Edit: you might read back Wizard's blog. He's been many places, I think all continents except maybe Antarctica, and written quite a bit about his travels.

I'm trying to be like this guy. "Life is for the living". Awesome quote. I respect you for not getting kidnapped yet. Got any tips or clue on any good games in the South? I am definitely researching as much info as I can find on where to play.

Quote: 72Blazer

Considering "we", as a whole, elect our government officials to govern and represent us I believe it is safe to say we are responsible for their actions to some degree. If you do not agree with your government's actions there are many options for recourse. Regardless, the point still remains. If the government can take away a right, which they have time and time again, then it is not a right at all but merely a privilege.

Which is all still poorly challenging my point that we have a right to a speedy trial in this country and people do not get snatched up and disappear at the hands of the cops. Is the same true of South American countries? Sorry to repeat my question, but I think you forgot to answer it the first time I asked.

Quote: bobbartop

I'm not a troll. I'm a longtime gambler who has a little history on vpfree, and only recently joined this group. Do I sound like a troll just because I think it's crazy to globe-trot, especially right now with what is in the news every day? You don't have to convince me of eroding rights in this country but again I only mentioned one and it still stands true. People do not get snatched up by the police in this country and disappear. Can you say the same of any South American country? So then there's the governments, and then there's the kidnappers. Take your pick.

I have a friend who recently visited relatives in Mexico, not the border but deeper down into the country. They have money. They also have full-time guards with machineguns escorting them everywhere. No thanks, I'll stay right here. Hey, and 3X points tomorrow.

What I see on the news everyday is cops shooting citizens, riots and terrorist attacks. South America has been pretty quiet in comparison to our "safe" country. If you don't think people have gotten kidnapped or killed by our own government then you haven't done your research. We are not as squeaky clean as you think friend. As imperfect as my country is I still love it and it will always be home.

I have been to many states and the following countries . . . Finland, Sweden, France, Bulgaria, Hungary, Crotia, Slovania, Serbia, Mexico, Colombia and Peru. Want to know where I felt the most unsafe? Baltimore, Maryland.

I'm not a perfect human being and I may die before I hit 80 but I'm going to do it living life to the fullest.

Quote: 72Blazer

I'm not a perfect human being and I may die before I hit 80 but I'm going to do it living life to the fullest.

Have a safe trip. If you run into any trouble, post collect.

Quote: beachbumbabs

I've been to nearly every Caribbean Island, 48 States, Mexico, Canada, UK all several times, Spain, France. Hope to do many more. Life is for the living. Two dream trips are Anzac for a month to 6 weeks, and a World Cruise of several months that includes SA, Asian ports, and Scandinavia.

Sounds like a successful Martingale.

Quote: 72Blazer

What I see on the news everyday is cops shooting citizens, riots and terrorist attacks. South America has been pretty quiet in comparison to our "safe" country. If you don't think people have gotten kidnapped or killed by our own government then you haven't done your research. We are not as squeaky clean as you think friend. As imperfect as my country is I still love it and it will always be home.

I have been to many states and the following countries . . . Finland, Sweden, France, Bulgaria, Hungary, Crotia, Slovania, Serbia, Mexico, Colombia and Peru. Want to know where I felt the most unsafe? Baltimore, Maryland.

I'm not a perfect human being and I may die before I hit 80 but I'm going to do it living life to the fullest.

I commend you for wanting to do this. I only wish I was that ambitious. I never really liked traveling myself hell I haven't even been to Hawaii or Key West, I have been on a cruse to Mexico.

If you have a BR and know what yo are doing you can make a great deal of money. There are a few GWAE shows that feature travlling Blackjack players.

How was Columbia do they have anything good? I'm thinking of going there. My brother lives there but he knows zero about gambling even after living in Las Vegas for many years. He sent me some Video and I think most of it was continuous shuffle machines. It looked like they had promotions and new games including VP and slots.

Quote: 72Blazer

Am I the only adventurous soul here? ... Let's hear from the brave bunch on this forum who ventured out side of their safe little spaces.

It's been 14 months since my wife and I were in Europe. We next had a disaster Caribbean cruise (on our "least-favorite cruise line", which we have now sworn off completely) back in January.

The next "international" travel we have planned will take us to Canada (if you count that) in about three weeks. After that, for a bit more adventure, we are now booked on a cruise in December that will take us from FL to Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile. Most of that itinerary will be completely new to us.

Because I collect souvenir casino chips, I have tried to look into what casinos might be available for me to visit during that cruise (in addition to the one on board). I have discovered it is quite difficult to find reliable info on what casinos are currently in operation in distant locations.

For example, just before passing through the canal, we will spend a day in Colon, Panama. There are many on-line resources that talk about a Fiesta Casino located in the Hotel Washington in Colon, supposedly open 24 hours and having a number of table games.

Unfortunately, the deeper I dig, the more murky the info becomes. It seems the hotel is now called the New Washington Hotel, and its web site does mention a casino, but with no details at all, not even whether it has a name. At the MoGH Chip Guide web site, I found a link associated with the chain of Fiesta casinos in Panama and to the (alleged) owner, Thunderbird Resorts. That site claims that they now operate in Peru and Costa Rica. I dug through their financial reports and learned that back in 2010 they sold the Panama operations to "the Panama based subsidiary of CODERE, S.A." That company has a web site that describes their operations in numerous countries, including those in Panama, but I could find nothing to indicate that they still have a casino at the New Washinton hotel, even though I did learn that they have a Crown Casino at the Radisson in Colon.

Yep, it's difficult to find out whether a casino really even exists at the location for which you can find on-line reviews about its games. I saw vestiges/premonitions of similar difficulty in gathering info on casinos at other stops on that upcoming cruise, so I really haven't yet dug in deeply for the other ports.

Quote: AxelWolf

I commend you for wanting to do this. I only wish I was that ambitious. I never really liked traveling myself hell I haven't even been to Hawaii or Key West, I have been on a cruse to Mexico.

If you have a BR and know what yo are doing you can make a great deal of money. There are a few GWAE shows that feature travlling Blackjack players.

How was Columbia do they have anything good? I'm thinking of going there. My brother lives there but he knows zero about gambling even after living in Las Vegas for many years. He sent me some Video and I think most of it was continuous shuffle machines. It looked like they had promotions and new games including VP and slots.

My BR I consider adequate. I own a small business where I restore and sell classic cars. It provides me a comfortable life and a ton of freedom. I will look into those shows and research further. I didn't check out the casinos in Colombia. I certainly should have. I was down there for two weeks. I did stay busy the whole time though. From my research the vast majority have CSMs and a few handle shuffles as well. I believe this is to make up for their lack of knowledge and skill with card counters, shuffle trackers, etc. That tells me there is opportunity.

If you are going to Bogota I highly recommend checking out the Salt Cathedral. Very cool place. It's about a 45 min bus ride outside of the city. Bus fair is very cheap. Uber is crazy cheap there too.

I took a taxi from from Cusco, Peru to Ollantaytombo, Peru. It was a two hour ride if I remember correctly. Only $50. Would have been cheaper if I paid in the local currency. I was headed to the Machu Picchu ruins. I love traveling.

Quote: AxelWolf

I commend you for wanting to do this. I only wish I was that ambitious. I never really liked traveling myself hell I haven't even been to Hawaii or Key West, I have been on a cruse to Mexico.

Axel, you really need to get out of your mom's basement more often ( Pls, just joke ).
Key West is overrated, it would be hard to overrate Hawaii.
Nah, no AP available there, at least not for a Haole, but you should go anyway.
You prolly thought the Japanese were after the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor.
Think real estate man, there's magic hidden on those islands.
Skip Oahu unless you're just changing planes. You need to go, you should have already gone, you missed out on a very special play. Except the play remains intact (mostly).
Take someone you love with you, bonus points.....

<edit> Note, do not take video of you riding the sea turtles off Kauai like a Texas cowboy. It is a serious offense in the eyes of the law. The turtles don't seem to mind, but how DO YOU read the mind of a turtle? Pardon, I forgot, you said you could read minds ;-)