Avoiding heat

I'm wondering about bet spreads and what can be spread safely without to much heat. Would a 1 to 10 unit spread get much heat if it's on a $5 table? I can definately see where that kind of bet spread would get attention at a black chip level. I will be playing in Tunica. I'd hate to get thrown out on my first trip lol. I understand that the Tunica casinos share information and if you get backed off at one your likely to be done everywhere. Just wondering how safe I would be to play long sessions with this spread. I appreciate any information or advice anyone could give.

I'm not positive since I am not much into blackjack or counting, but if $5 is your base unit, you probably won't get too much heat for 1-10. Their rules and other ploppies will likely keep the pitbosses happy I would think. Hopefully other counters can weigh in on this.

Based on extended play at home with a six deck shoe I think I would have to have that big of a bet spread to even stand a chance at breaking even. The more time I spend studying this and learning about it the more I'm beginning to think that counting isn't even worth it for such a low roller like I am. I enjoy playing BJ a lot but I really don't have the BR, and I really won't get to make enough trips to play to make it very profitable. I'm wondering if I should just sit in a chair like the rest of the ploppies and just play for fun and comps lol.

Thanks a lot for your input I appreciate it!!

Quote: Mikey75

Based on extended play at home with a six deck shoe I think I would have to have that big of a bet spread to even stand a chance at breaking even. The more time I spend studying this and learning about it the more I'm beginning to think that counting isn't even worth it for such a low roller like I am. I enjoy playing BJ a lot but I really don't have the BR, and I really won't get to make enough trips to play to make it very profitable. I'm wondering if I should just sit in a chair like the rest of the ploppies and just play for fun and comps lol.

Thanks a lot for your input I appreciate it!!

With Tunica rules, I would expect a 1-10 spread would get you around even longterm. Maybe a little ahead on a double deck game (one is at Resorts; not sure about other places). But it is definitely not going to a money maker by any means. Now that doesn't mean you have to avoid counting altogether. Any counting activity will improve your expected result. Last time I played at Resorts at double deck, I would just up my bet a bit after I saw a bunch of small cards come out. They had a pretty horrible penetration, so you only had a few hands to keep track of before the shuffle. So if I somehow lost count, I just bet more conservative and tried again next shoe. I don't seriously count at all, but my actions may still have shaved off 0.1% off the house edge roughly. I only quadrupled my bet at the most (I'm poor), so no one cared. One other thing to remember if you are playing on a more limited budget, spreading a little less will reduce swings as well. But ideally you want to have as big of a spread as possible without pissing people off...haha

If you think counting really takes the fun out of it, just have basic strategy down cold and have a good time.

Quote: Mikey75

Based on extended play at home with a six deck shoe I think I would have to have that big of a bet spread to even stand a chance at breaking even. The more time I spend studying this and learning about it the more I'm beginning to think that counting isn't even worth it for such a low roller like I am. I enjoy playing BJ a lot but I really don't have the BR, and I really won't get to make enough trips to play to make it very profitable. I'm wondering if I should just sit in a chair like the rest of the ploppies and just play for fun and comps lol.

Thanks a lot for your input I appreciate it!!

This is a good opportunity to practice your skills so go ahead and count. Bring a bankroll of 30 or 40 max bets or more if you can. If you start losing you can't lower your base bet when it's $5 to begin with.

With a 1-10 spread you're going to have to wong somewhat aggressively. It may be too crowded to back count and wong in so make the most of wonging out. Sitting out negative hands makes a difference.

If you haven't already done so, print out the basic strategy charts to all the games offered there just as a back up.

Thanks again for all the replies. In my practice here at home spreading only 1 to 5 I'm down only 9 units after playing straight through 25 6 decl shoes. The most I was ever up was 20 units and the most down was 35 units. Playing at a red chip level that's not a lot of money either way. I am willing to include comps that I can get into my winnings. If I can break even including comps this trip I will be happy. I reall don't have a large enough bankroll to play at a higher level than red chip at the moment. I'm getting excited about my upcoming trip and I will certainly let everyone know how it went afterward.

There is no doubt I would notice if you were spreading from $5-$50. I see people doing it all the time. Just because you count doesn't mean you are going to get asked to leave. I love people that think they can count. The movie "21" was a great boost for Blackjack Pits. Counting and winning some and losing some is not a big deal.

Spread $25-$250 or $50-$500 and/or win big consistantly and things would probably be a little different. That kind of spread can cause some damage and leave a mark.

ZCore13

Quote: Zcore13

There is no doubt I would notice if you were spreading from $5-$50. I see people doing it all the time. Just because you count doesn't mean you are going to get asked to leave. I love people that think they can count. The movie "21" was a great boost for Blackjack Pits. Counting and winning some and losing some is not a big deal.

Spread $25-$250 or $50-$500 and/or win big consistantly and things would probably be a little different. That kind of spread can cause some damage and leave a mark.

ZCore13

Thanks for your comments ZCore!! I really appreciate it. I'm sure there are a lot of people trying to count after 21 came out. I know I'm not as good as I need to be yet and that will come with lots of practice. I can count a deck down in under 30 seconds but I can't break the 20 sec mark yet. I've also being playing some DD here at home and I'm keeping the count well. Can't wait to try it out at the tables.

Quote: Mikey75

I'm wondering about bet spreads and what can be spread safely without to much heat. Would a 1 to 10 unit spread get much heat if it's on a $5 table? I can definately see where that kind of bet spread would get attention at a black chip level. I will be playing in Tunica. I'd hate to get thrown out on my first trip lol. I understand that the Tunica casinos share information and if you get backed off at one your likely to be done everywhere. Just wondering how safe I would be to play long sessions with this spread. I appreciate any information or advice anyone could give.

I've never been backed off spreading $5-$50, and that is how I started practicing in casinos. The first time I got backed off it was when I started spreading $10-$100, or sometimes even $5-$100. That was around my hometown which is a small gambling market. In Vegas I doubt anywhere would back you off for a $100 max bet. Not sure about Tunica.

I'll be in Tunica this time next week trying it out. I'm going to check out what games are avaliable then decide where I'm going to play. I'm definately a flea and I don't think I'll attract any attention at all but we will see. Can't wait to get there.

Quote: Mikey75

I'll be in Tunica this time next week trying it out. I'm going to check out what games are avaliable then decide where I'm going to play. I'm definately a flea and I don't think I'll attract any attention at all but we will see. Can't wait to get there.

Let us know how it goes and good luck to ya.

Thanks a lot!! I need all the luck I can get lol.