kewlj
kewlj
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December 19th, 2012 at 7:45:57 AM permalink
I do it a little differently. As a player who supports himself from AP play, my playing partner and I eat at and courtesy of the casinos at least once a day, more like 10 times a week. I count this perk as part of my compensation, but not to the extent of the face value of the comps. Without these comps meals, we would not be eating 20 meals per week at the casino, we would be eating many more meals at home, so the value of these comped meals is what I am saving by having reduced grocery bills.
Hunterhill
Hunterhill
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December 19th, 2012 at 8:05:18 AM permalink
I look at it the same way that you do Kewl,and for a room comp I value it at what I would have to pay to stay in a nearby motel.
The mountain is tall but grass grows on top of the mountain.
FarFromVegas
FarFromVegas
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December 19th, 2012 at 9:20:01 AM permalink
Quote: Hunterhill

I look at it the same way that you do Kewl,and for a room comp I value it at what I would have to pay to stay in a nearby motel.



And I'd want better than that. I'll stay someplace close and cheap when I go visit my son away at school, but when I'm going someplace to play I want better than IP/The Quad.
Each of us is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts. Preparing for a fight about your bad decision is not as smart as making a good decision.
Ibeatyouraces
Ibeatyouraces
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December 19th, 2012 at 9:32:15 AM permalink
deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
FarFromVegas
FarFromVegas
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December 19th, 2012 at 9:37:56 AM permalink
Quote: Ibeatyouraces

All I want is a clean room.



Which is kinda why I eliminated IP, from what I've read. You can do better and still not pay, like up at LVH.
Each of us is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts. Preparing for a fight about your bad decision is not as smart as making a good decision.
Ibeatyouraces
Ibeatyouraces
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December 19th, 2012 at 9:40:14 AM permalink
deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
TIMSPEED
TIMSPEED
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December 19th, 2012 at 9:51:03 AM permalink
I value the comps a little differently...
The way I value a room, is the price of the ABSOLUTE CHEAPEST I could find it, with ZERO casino action (ie: hotwire, priceline, etc)
The way I value food, is the cheapest I could possibly eat a similar quality meal (ie: not cooking at home)
Usually, I value things:
around $50 a night for a weekend room in Reno.
around $8 per meal in Reno.
So if I play an amount, that my THEO is $75 per day...then I'm basically breaking even.
Gambling calls to me...like this ~> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nap37mNSmQ
Ibeatyouraces
Ibeatyouraces
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December 19th, 2012 at 9:53:00 AM permalink
deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
RaleighCraps
RaleighCraps
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December 19th, 2012 at 9:59:39 AM permalink
Quote: Ibeatyouraces

The ones I stayed in at IP were fine. Everyone has their own preferences.



This is getting rather interesting. At first glance it would seem that anything free would be what someone would be happy with. But now we are starting to see that what one person accepts as free and perfectly fine, another person would not consider it to be fine at all.

I am not a snob by any means, but when I am going to a casino to play games that probably should result in my making a substantial donation to that casino, I think it is only reasonable that the casino treats me as a valued friend. I would not ask my friends to stay at the local motel.

Now I am starting to wonder if my casino trips have anything to do with my recent desire to stay in nicer hotels when we travel. I had always assumed it was due to having more disposable income available now, than I used to have. I'm still not going to stay at any 5 diamond hotels, but I don't automatically go for the cheapest place I can find anymore either. I have found it is a bit more comforting to be 99% sure the room you are booking is not very likely to have any issues, and I have found that to be the case when we stopped looking for the cheapest rate.
Always borrow money from a pessimist; They don't expect to get paid back ! Be yourself and speak your thoughts. Those who matter won't mind, and those that mind, don't matter!
1BB
1BB
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December 19th, 2012 at 10:27:55 AM permalink
Quote: kewlj

Ace, are you playing or attempting to play with an advantage? Are you counting and using a big enough spread to be playing a pos EV game and disciplined enough to keep throwing out the proper bets despite losses? Disciplined enough to exit some of the negative counts? I ask, because from your reports it is kind of hard to tell what you are doing? Playing with an advantage or just having a good time. I am not going to go back and read all your reports, but aren't you playing other games besides BJ?

I mean the thing is if you are there to gamble and have a good time and you are breaking even for the year that's not so bad. That's a pretty good result. But if you are seriously trying to play with an advantage and make some money, I feel like you have some discipline problems. Not trying to put you down here, Ace. Just trying to understand what you are up to. For the kind of money you are throwing around, you should be playing at an advantage and seriously trying to make some money. For starters, I would cut down the trips to AC. The place is a dump. Bad BJ rules. They dug their own grave. Let them rot away and drift out to sea. Airfare is pretty cheap right now, you should turn some of those 4 day weekends into Vegas 4 day weekends, where you can make some real money.

Someone mentioned Valley Forge in this thread. Valley forge, like most of Pa has real good games, but they tolerate zilch. Don't play Valley forge if you are counting. I am not sure who is running the show over there, but they must have gone to the El Cortez
school of casino management as they are very sweaty and VERY quick to backoff anyone they think is moving money with the count. I was backed off there 3 times in 2012 out of only 6 times in the building. That is 37% of my BJ backoffs for the year (3 of 8) occurred in this building where about .4% of my yearly play has taken place. They are the El Cortez of the east. lol As a matter of fact I have a better record at the real El Cortez. I also have 3 backoffs there for the year but have played almost 3000 rounds.



I've read all of ace's posts and think I have a pretty good take on it.

He plays 6 deck S17 games at $100 minimums with AC rules. Penetration is 70% and slightly dealer dependent. He uses Speed Count, plays all and has a small betting spread. He uses minimal if any index play and receives no heat. He has been comped tournament entries and has received free slot play.

He has gotten a lot of advice from this board most of it unsolicited. The only thing I remember him asking was opinions on the Speed Count. He brings friends and relatives on his trips and treats them to the finer things that Revel has to offer. I sometimes think that he keeps returning there because he is comfortable, he is treated well and he doesn't want to let those folks down. He may not want to let his host down either. That wouldn't be the first time that has happened.

I'm a big fan of his posts and can't wait to read them. He's the kind of guy that you just have to root for and I do every week. That's why I try to refrain from throwing a bunch of statistics and other advice down his throat. I believe he knows exactly where he stands.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
AcesAndEights
AcesAndEights
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December 19th, 2012 at 11:39:01 AM permalink
Quote: 1BB

I've read all of ace's posts and think I have a pretty good take on it.

He plays 6 deck S17 games at $100 minimums with AC rules. Penetration is 70% and slightly dealer dependent. He uses Speed Count, plays all and has a small betting spread. He uses minimal if any index play and receives no heat. He has been comped tournament entries and has received free slot play.

He has gotten a lot of advice from this board most of it unsolicited. The only thing I remember him asking was opinions on the Speed Count. He brings friends and relatives on his trips and treats them to the finer things that Revel has to offer. I sometimes think that he keeps returning there because he is comfortable, he is treated well and he doesn't want to let those folks down. He may not want to let his host down either. That wouldn't be the first time that has happened.

I'm a big fan of his posts and can't wait to read them. He's the kind of guy that you just have to root for and I do every week. That's why I try to refrain from throwing a bunch of statistics and other advice down his throat. I believe he knows exactly where he stands.


+1
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
aceofspades
aceofspades
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December 19th, 2012 at 12:13:42 PM permalink
Quote: 1BB

I've read all of ace's posts and think I have a pretty good take on it.

He plays 6 deck S17 games at $100 minimums with AC rules. Penetration is 70% and slightly dealer dependent. He uses Speed Count, plays all and has a small betting spread. He uses minimal if any index play and receives no heat. He has been comped tournament entries and has received free slot play.

He has gotten a lot of advice from this board most of it unsolicited. The only thing I remember him asking was opinions on the Speed Count. He brings friends and relatives on his trips and treats them to the finer things that Revel has to offer. I sometimes think that he keeps returning there because he is comfortable, he is treated well and he doesn't want to let those folks down. He may not want to let his host down either. That wouldn't be the first time that has happened.

I'm a big fan of his posts and can't wait to read them. He's the kind of guy that you just have to root for and I do every week. That's why I try to refrain from throwing a bunch of statistics and other advice down his throat. I believe he knows exactly where he stands.




1BB - I think you nailed it (on my behalf). My original intent of coming on this board was to have a dialogue with others and to share stories (gambling stories are the best stories out there). As time went by, it seemed as if many forum members (with good intentions, I am sure) felt it was their duty to offer unsolicited advice rather than allow me to be the player I am ( speed count in AC and Vegas )

I believe that quite a few people here enjoy my posts and hope to keep posting my adventures. Will I ever learn a better count system...maybe...maybe not. However, that being said, I would like everyone to keep commenting, but please base your comments on the fact that I enjoy playing in AC, enjoy it socially with friends, and do not use an aggressive count system. I think this can make it more enjoyable for us all.

I will not be in AC again until New Years Eve (comped - since this thread has become about comp values as much as about my play).

I will be attempting to get about $2,500 back in my pocket on that trip (if I get it back on NYE itself, then any monies won on NYE will be profit for the year as I am even for now).
TIMSPEED
TIMSPEED
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December 19th, 2012 at 2:12:28 PM permalink
Quote: aceofspades

I will not be in AC again until New Years Eve (comped - since this thread has become about comp values as much as about my play).


and we can't wait for your trip report! : )
Gambling calls to me...like this ~> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nap37mNSmQ
EvenBob
EvenBob
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December 19th, 2012 at 2:17:49 PM permalink
We like your reports because you play a lot and
aren't afraid to tell what really happened. Like
when you tried to murder the host, or the time
you tried to throw yourself thru the 22nd story
picture window in your room only to discover
it was plexiglas. That was my fave...
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
aceofspades
aceofspades
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December 19th, 2012 at 2:21:39 PM permalink
Quote: EvenBob

We like your reports because you play a lot and
aren't afraid to tell what really happened. Like
when you tried to murder the host, or the time
you tried to throw yourself thru the 22nd story
picture window in your room only to discover
it was plexiglas. That was my fave...



Bob - am I sensing a theme?
rainman
rainman
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December 19th, 2012 at 2:23:36 PM permalink
I find Ace's AC posts honest, informative, and entertaining. I read them all and am quite entertained. Keep it up Ace.
aceofspades
aceofspades
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December 19th, 2012 at 2:25:09 PM permalink
Quote: rainman

I find Ace's AC posts honest, informative, and entertaining. I read them all and am quite entertained. Keep it up Ace.



Thanks rainman - I tell the good and the bad - whether I am elated or ready to walk out into the ocean
Dynamite
Dynamite
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December 19th, 2012 at 3:18:40 PM permalink
Quote: 1BB

I've read all of ace's posts and think I have a pretty good take on it.

He plays 6 deck S17 games at $100 minimums with AC rules. Penetration is 70% and slightly dealer dependent. He uses Speed Count, plays all and has a small betting spread. He uses minimal if any index play and receives no heat. He has been comped tournament entries and has received free slot play.

He has gotten a lot of advice from this board most of it unsolicited. The only thing I remember him asking was opinions on the Speed Count. He brings friends and relatives on his trips and treats them to the finer things that Revel has to offer. I sometimes think that he keeps returning there because he is comfortable, he is treated well and he doesn't want to let those folks down. He may not want to let his host down either. That wouldn't be the first time that has happened.

I'm a big fan of his posts and can't wait to read them. He's the kind of guy that you just have to root for and I do every week. That's why I try to refrain from throwing a bunch of statistics and other advice down his throat. I believe he knows exactly where he stands.




+2
EvenBob
EvenBob
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December 19th, 2012 at 3:22:11 PM permalink
Quote: aceofspades



Bob - am I sensing a theme?



Thats what I fantasize about you doing, strangling
the host and being tackled by security. Hey, it could
happen...
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
aceofspades
aceofspades
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December 19th, 2012 at 3:30:17 PM permalink
Quote: EvenBob

Thats what I fantasize about you doing, strangling
the host and being tackled by security. Hey, it could
happen...





I was informed by a floor manager that I was almost barred last week for letting fly a litany of "F"-bombs after the 5 hands in a row I spoke of in a previous post (wherein the dealer got 21 each hand)

I was told that if it was anyone else but me I would no longer be welcome and that he knew I was not personally yelling at anyone, but that I was merely upset with the cards.
Mission146
Mission146
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December 19th, 2012 at 4:13:32 PM permalink
Quote: RaleighCraps

I have to disagree with you on this point Mission. As a player who is being led to believe the casino is giving me something of value, I want to know exactly what I am getting. And there are 2 things that need to be considered.

1. What is the perceived value to me?
2. What is the actual cost to the casino of giving me that perk?



I would suggest that we agree completely on the first item, but I personally think that is where it begins and ends...subjective value.

I still consider the second item irrelevant because the player cannot get it for what the casino pays for it. Let's say we're talking about some sort of buffet that we want to say costs the casino $3.00 and a room that costs them $10.00, that's fine, but you're not going to just walk into a place and pay $3.00 for a comparable (or any) buffet or $10.00 for a comparable hotel room. If you told me to give you one of my rooms for $10.00, I'd laugh at you...and with the market right now...I'd probably scoff at anything less than $75. I want to say that one exception is if someone is really hurting, broke down or something like that, if we can determine that they are, in fact, out of town and broke down, then it is not unheard of for us to give someone a free night. I can smell a rip off from a mile away, though!

Quote:

The casino knows what they are getting from the player. They track our bets, they know their edge on the game, they calculate our Theo. They do not need to track the actual win/loss because they know that in the long haul, for ALL of their players, the Theo will be the casino actual. Some players will win, most will lose, but in the end, the casino actual will be close to the theo. In return for our action, the casino offers us incentives to stay, or return.
In order for me to evaluate how generous the casino is being to me, I need to know what it is really costing them to give me that perk. The value the casino assigns (the published room rate, or the inflated food costs) are just white noise. They do not help me answer either question 1 or 2.



I agree with all of this except the relevancy of question #2.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
Mission146
Mission146
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December 19th, 2012 at 4:17:43 PM permalink
Pursuant to Pages 11-12, I think the one thing that all of us can agree on is that we love reading about As' adventures!
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
Buzzard
Buzzard
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December 19th, 2012 at 4:29:34 PM permalink
I would think that you, Mission 146, of all people would know that Evenbob and Aces are both the same person. DUHHH
Shed not for her the bitter tear Nor give the heart to vain regret Tis but the casket that lies here, The gem that filled it Sparkles yet
aceofspades
aceofspades
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December 19th, 2012 at 4:42:13 PM permalink
Quote: Buzzard

I would think that you, Mission 146, of all people would know that Evenbob and Aces are both the same person. DUHHH




How did you find me out? I posted here as EvenBob for two years then WHAM-O...I begin posting as AceofSpades!!! LOL
Only you Buzz - only you!
aceofspades
aceofspades
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December 19th, 2012 at 4:42:31 PM permalink
Quote: Mission146

Pursuant to Pages 11-12, I think the one thing that all of us can agree on is that we love reading about As' adventures!





You like me, you really like me!
BedWetterBetter
BedWetterBetter
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December 19th, 2012 at 4:55:57 PM permalink
Ok, not to throw gas on the dying fire of AC's lousy variance.

But just went to Sands PA today, and recouped $400 in less than 3 hours.

So from my 1k loss I've recouped roughly $700(after the costs of gas, tolls, bus tickets and food)

Most of it being from PA casinos like Mt. Airy and Sands.


The one truly amazing thing about my session today was the dealer had 13 Aces up in 4 shoes and not ONCE did she have Blackjack! 8 times she had a 6 in the hole and 4 times he busted showing an Ace. The other time she made a 21 by catching an 8 with A-2, but I had BJ(and didn't take even money) so it was all good for me!!

Looks like I've got my NYE location set!
aceofspades
aceofspades
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December 19th, 2012 at 4:59:01 PM permalink
Quote: BedWetterBetter

Ok, not to throw gas on the dying fire of AC's lousy variance.

But just went to Sands PA today, and recouped $400 in less than 3 hours.

So from my 1k loss I've recouped roughly $700(after the costs of gas, tolls, bus tickets and food)

Most of it being from PA casinos like Mt. Airy and Sands.


The one truly amazing thing about my session today was the dealer had 13 Aces up in 4 shoes and not ONCE did she have Blackjack! 8 times she had a 6 in the hole and 4 times he busted showing an Ace. The other time she made a 21 by catching an 8 with A-2, but I had BJ(and didn't take even money) so it was all good for me!!

Looks like I've got my NYE location set!





Congrats bedwetterbetter I am happy you got your money back and variance shone upon you :)
Let's hope we are all in the positive by year's end!
aceofspades
aceofspades
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December 21st, 2012 at 2:20:20 PM permalink
Oh this was one of the many hands where I pushed having a total of 21


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