aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 24th, 2012 at 12:23:03 PM permalink
OK here I am back in AC - at the usual locale - just sat down to play my first session:

Started off winning the first two hands - tons of low cards out - things looking good - up and down for the next 10 hands - then, DUM DA DUM DUM DUM!!!

I proceeded to lose the next 20 hands - however, the insane (and now laughable) part was that 12 out of the 20 hands hands the dealer had 21
-one of those was a blackjack
-the rest were all 3 to 6 card 21's
pure insanity


However, variance came back for me the next shoe and I got even (well, actually +$50 as I got a blackjack on the last hand)

Lunchtime!!!
Mission146
Mission146
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August 24th, 2012 at 12:25:00 PM permalink
I'm glad Lunch is thus far paid for, at a minimum.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 24th, 2012 at 12:30:50 PM permalink
Quote: Mission146

I'm glad Lunch is thus far paid for, at a minimum.




Thanks Mission - you playing this weekend?
TIMSPEED
TIMSPEED
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August 24th, 2012 at 12:33:18 PM permalink
W00t W00t!
Myself, I'm heading out later today (after work) to my usual haunt in Reno...of course, I'm just going to pickup $400 this weekend..no playing (no point multipliers or other incentives; however there IS a VIP Slot Tourney this weekend...)
Good variance to both of us...
Gambling calls to me...like this ~> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nap37mNSmQ
Mission146
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August 24th, 2012 at 1:51:51 PM permalink
Quote: aceofspades

Thanks Mission - you playing this weekend?



Yes, No, Not Really, Sort of.

I plan to make it out there either tonight or tomorrow night for the first part of an experiment. It might not all get done in one go, but it works just as well broken up into bits and pieces.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
EvenBob
EvenBob
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August 24th, 2012 at 2:05:28 PM permalink
Quote: aceofspades


-the rest were all 3 to 6 card 21's
pure insanity



But but but its only insanity when it happens to the
dealer. When all the players get a bunch of 21's in
a row, its big gins all around, lots of high fiving.

Its not insanity that you lost 20 in a row, you have
a miniscule pipsqueak edge as a counter, this has
to happen. Read the two volumes of You've Got
Heat, its a BJ diary of a guys Vegas play over an
8 year period. The same thing happened to him all
the time, it HAS to happen.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 24th, 2012 at 3:29:57 PM permalink
Quote: EvenBob

But but but its only insanity when it happens to the
dealer. When all the players get a bunch of 21's in
a row, its big gins all around, lots of high fiving.

Its not insanity that you lost 20 in a row, you have
a miniscule pipsqueak edge as a counter, this has
to happen. Read the two volumes of You've Got
Heat, its a BJ diary of a guys Vegas play over an
8 year period. The same thing happened to him all
the time, it HAS to happen.




EvenBob are you a psychic? I actually just downloaded the book a few days ago!
aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 24th, 2012 at 3:31:00 PM permalink
Session 2:

Sat down to play again, up and down through 3 shoes - then, negative variance again for -$2k
Next shoe, positive count and variance, pressed the bets, got it all back plus $1k

Trip is +$1k
Mission146
Mission146
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August 24th, 2012 at 3:56:03 PM permalink
Nice!
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 25th, 2012 at 11:43:59 AM permalink
DEVASTATION!!!


I have been broken like a wild stallion.

4 separate tables
20 shoes
$10k in losses!!!

Too much insanity (yes, I used the word insanity again) to go into detail without wanting to walk out into the ocean a la A Star is Born!!!

Then played in the BJ tournament and won every hand!!! I will be at the final table where the minimum pay out will be $500 for places 4,5,6; $1500 for 3rd place; $2,000 for 2nd place; and $5,000 for 1st place...


1st place is the only thing the even remotely helps me at this point.


I need a hug
CrapsForever
CrapsForever
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August 25th, 2012 at 12:11:29 PM permalink
Play some Craps...
Craps is the most "Jekyll and Hyde" casino game ever invented!
Mission146
Mission146
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August 25th, 2012 at 1:33:56 PM permalink
$100 Slot Pull, one time! Even if you lose, it's beans in comparison. If you have a break-even pull, and you pull again, that doesn't count. However, if you video your first pull with your cell phone, and miss, I'll send you a check for $10. The ER on the pull is now positive. It's an advantage play, at this point, have to take it.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
EvenBob
EvenBob
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August 25th, 2012 at 2:00:41 PM permalink
Quote: aceofspades


4 separate tables
20 shoes
$10k in losses!!!



Don't you have like a $15K BR? You way overbet your
BR. For the size of the bets you make, 10K isn't devastating,
if you had a $100K bank.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 25th, 2012 at 4:52:36 PM permalink
Break for a tournament update!!!

Digital blackjack tournament

8D
H17
DOA
DAS
no double for less

in the first round, I won 10 straight hands and ended up with the high score for the tournament $136,000

making it to the second round guaranteed each of the six finalists $500

10 hands - each player begins with $5k
button moves from player to player and once each player bets they cannot change their bet

I got great cards and played average bet $1k per hand
was dealt 2 blackjacks as well and by hand #10 I was in the lead with $12,400 - the next closest player was $6,900 and all the players left besides him only had amounts where, even if they were dealt blackjack, would not beat me...
I was the last to bet (the honor given to the player with the highest score from Round 1)
- the $6,900 player only bet $1,500 (he later claimed that he was more worried about securing 2nd place than overtaking me)
-once I saw this, I bet the minimum $100 and had it in won

1st place was $5k
I'm now halfway home on recouping the losses!!!

WOOHOO!!

Onward and upward!
Mission146
Mission146
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August 25th, 2012 at 4:58:31 PM permalink
Great win, Ace!!!

Lots of luck involved with digital Blackjack. You know, while that luck's on your side, maybe you should go give one of those $100 machines a little pull, don't you think? Positive ER!
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 25th, 2012 at 5:00:12 PM permalink
Quote: Mission146

Great win, Ace!!!

Lots of luck involved with digital Blackjack. You know, while that luck's on your side, maybe you should go give one of those $100 machines a little pull, don't you think? Positive ER!




Mission - let me get back to even for the trip!!! Then I will do the $100 pull!!!
Mission146
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August 25th, 2012 at 5:07:01 PM permalink
Quote: aceofspades

Mission - let me get back to even for the trip!!! Then I will do the $100 pull!!!



I have quoted that!

Ladies and Gentleman, Ace of Spades will Even up (actually a little better) as of the third shoe he plays tonight, and then he's going to take a $100 pull and hit for $1,000 on a 10:1 Bars payout.

One time.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 25th, 2012 at 5:14:29 PM permalink
Quote: Mission146

I have quoted that!

Ladies and Gentleman, Ace of Spades will Even up (actually a little better) as of the third shoe he plays tonight, and then he's going to take a $100 pull and hit for $1,000 on a 10:1 Bars payout.

One time.




I will video it!
TIMSPEED
TIMSPEED
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August 25th, 2012 at 6:54:05 PM permalink
Halfway home, woowoo!
Gambling calls to me...like this ~> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nap37mNSmQ
aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 25th, 2012 at 11:19:35 PM permalink
Quote: TIMSPEED

Halfway home, woowoo!




OK - got another $2k back
so - I am 70% of the way back - I think I will stop for the weekend and wait for the big Labor Day weekend - thoughts/comments?
Mission146
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August 25th, 2012 at 11:49:27 PM permalink
Quote: aceofspades

OK - got another $2k back
so - I am 70% of the way back - I think I will stop for the weekend and wait for the big Labor Day weekend - thoughts/comments?



Keep going. If you didn't go there anticipating that you might lose 10k, then you wouldn't have lost 10k. My suggestion is that you play up to $0.00 or down to -5k. Either way you're ahead compared to -10k.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
EvenBob
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August 26th, 2012 at 4:13:40 PM permalink
Well? And? What happened.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
Boz
Boz
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August 26th, 2012 at 7:34:01 PM permalink
Which AC Casino are you playing it if you can disclose?
dwheatley
dwheatley
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August 26th, 2012 at 7:38:17 PM permalink
He should not disclose that. Discussed before, he counts casually and should not want to get identified.
Wisdom is the quality that keeps you out of situations where you would otherwise need it
aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 26th, 2012 at 8:10:43 PM permalink
Quote: EvenBob

Well? And? What happened.



Well , I ended up getting 7k back out of the 10k lost
5k came from the tournament win and 2k at the tables
If I could have kept my eyes open, I would have played
longer and attempted to get it all back BUT, I was
exhausted so I went to bed and figured I will be back there
next week for more fun and adventure. Basically, the 3k I lost
consisted of what I won the prior two weeks.

The man next to me last night and I got to talking and it turns out
he plays BJ professionally and we discussed various counts (he uses Hi-Lo)
and I use the much-mailgned Speed Count. Lady variance hit him hard even
when we concurred the count was positive. It is the time-tested lesson
of variance always trumps the count (at least in my experience), which is why
I would not choose to play BJ professionally.
aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 26th, 2012 at 8:10:56 PM permalink
Quote: dwheatley

He should not disclose that. Discussed before, he counts casually and should not want to get identified.




Exactly!
1BB
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August 27th, 2012 at 2:29:30 PM permalink
Quote: aceofspades

Well , I ended up getting 7k back out of the 10k lost
5k came from the tournament win and 2k at the tables
If I could have kept my eyes open, I would have played
longer and attempted to get it all back BUT, I was
exhausted so I went to bed and figured I will be back there
next week for more fun and adventure. Basically, the 3k I lost
consisted of what I won the prior two weeks.

The man next to me last night and I got to talking and it turns out
he plays BJ professionally and we discussed various counts (he uses Hi-Lo)
and I use the much-mailgned Speed Count. Lady variance hit him hard even
when we concurred the count was positive. It is the time-tested lesson
of variance always trumps the count (at least in my experience), which is why
I would not choose to play BJ professionally.



I'm glad that you got a lot of your losses back but that doesn't change the fact that you lost $8000 dollars playing blackjack. There may be no tournament next time. With no mid-shoe entry I'm curious how you handle negative counts. Do you "play all" or do you stop playing and wait for the next shuffle?

Professional means different things to different people. If someone at the table claims to be a professional blackjack player most likely they are not. Pros don't play with other pros or other counters and in fact take great pains not to be seen or associated with them in any way. They're mobile and will travel to find the best games and they certainly don't discuss strategy at the table.

Your adventures add greatly to this forum and I hope you'll keep them coming.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 27th, 2012 at 7:18:23 PM permalink
Quote: 1BB

I'm glad that you got a lot of your losses back but that doesn't change the fact that you lost $8000 dollars playing blackjack. There may be no tournament next time. With no mid-shoe entry I'm curious how you handle negative counts. Do you "play all" or do you stop playing and wait for the next shuffle?

Professional means different things to different people. If someone at the table claims to be a professional blackjack player most likely they are not. Pros don't play with other pros or other counters and in fact take great pains not to be seen or associated with them in any way. They're mobile and will travel to find the best games and they certainly don't discuss strategy at the table.

Your adventures add greatly to this forum and I hope you'll keep them coming.




1BB - thank you for the compliment! I am hopeful that my stories are entertaining and give some insight into the ups and downs of a weekend counter. By no means would I venture into the hour sit takes to become a professional - the risk/reward is just not worth it (in my eyes).

This weekend should have me posting some stories as well.

I am up for the year but, considering I lost 3k this past weekend, I will make getting the 3k back my goal - hopefully in short and sweet sessions.
Mission146
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August 27th, 2012 at 7:20:10 PM permalink
Make getting $3,100 your goal, and taking that $100 pull. I still offer a $10 check if you lose. How can you turn down +ER?
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 27th, 2012 at 7:31:21 PM permalink
Quote: Mission146

Make getting $3,100 your goal, and taking that $100 pull. I still offer a $10 check if you lose. How can you turn down +ER?




Agreed Mission - I said I would do it once I got back to even from last weekend (and I will video the pull)
Mission146
Mission146
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August 27th, 2012 at 8:37:27 PM permalink
Yes!!!

Ten Grand, One Time!!!
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
buzzpaff
buzzpaff
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August 27th, 2012 at 8:39:48 PM permalink
Just remember SCARED MONEY never wins. And I mean NEVER !!!!!
aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 27th, 2012 at 8:41:01 PM permalink
Quote: buzzpaff

Just remember SCARED MONEY never wins. And I mean NEVER !!!!!





You and Mission are great gambling coaches!
buzzpaff
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August 27th, 2012 at 8:42:19 PM permalink
Easy when you have a student who is more interested in learning than bragging about his own expertise.
aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 27th, 2012 at 8:54:27 PM permalink
Quote: buzzpaff

Easy when you have a student who is more interested in learning than bragging about his own expertise.





I would hate to suffer the consequences from certain board members if I even insinuated I knew what I was doing...no way do I need to suffer those slings and arrows.
buzzpaff
buzzpaff
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August 27th, 2012 at 8:57:23 PM permalink
It's the fire that tempers the steel.

3k this weekend or next, it all adds up the same.
aceofspades
aceofspades
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August 27th, 2012 at 8:59:52 PM permalink
Quote: buzzpaff

It's the fire that tempers the steel.

3k this weekend or next, it all adds up the same.




Thanks Buzz - when I am in the moment when variance has utterly destroyed me and I begin to recite Hamlet's soliloquy, it is tough to believe that the cards will ever change - but, alas, the forum members here always stand behind me!!! And for that, I thank all of you.
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