A unique position: thoughts/opinions welcomed!

Hello to everyone! i am intending to go to Vegas, and do some gambling and have some fun at it! I am in a rather unique position...I am a blind gambler...yup....blind, can't see crap! Several years ago, I went to a couple of downtown casinos, and had no problems playing. The dealers were generally nice, and basically told me what the cards were...both what I had and the dealer's upcard. Obviously, there are some disadvantages here! First off, there's not a chance in heck I'm counting cards...so I did the next best thing and have practiced basic strategy to such a fine art I can play hands in split seconds of time. So my questions are these. What basic bankroll requirements are good to lessen the risk of ruin? Obviously as basic strategy as my only weapon here, what bankroll is good for a 25-75 bet spread? To balance out the losses I know I'm going to receive, I'd like to include comps in the value of the playing experience. So, who comps at least decently? Who's good, who's stingy? I'm just looking for the basic stuff...maybe a free room/show tickets, free meals, that kind of thing. I also have one more question...these days, are dealers likely to deliberately cheat a player who already stands at a disadvantage? Are there casinos I should simply avoid? I'd welcome any thoughts from players and professionals alike. For purposes of background, I've been blind for 30 years of my life, so I'm no patsy to cruelty, dirty tricks, people's dishonesty, Etc. I'm just looking for good advice, so I can have an enjoyable and fun experience!

Hello, Jeff. I assume you're going to be playing shoes. I also assume that you know that a 1-3 betting spread is not enough so I'll spare you that lecture. You'll probably play games with decent rules so how about a bankroll of 40 to 50 max bets? More if you can because I'm concerned about the weak spread. Shoot for 3k to 4k. If that's not doable you may want to lower your base bet.

I cannot fathom a dealer cheating a player much less a blind one. That's not to say there aren't cheating dealers but it's much more likely that they would cheat the house for various reasons.

There is a blind, older gentleman who is a regular at one of my casinos and he is very comfortable there. He informs the pit that he needs the hands called out and the dealers are very accommodating. Some dealers have trouble with their English but the guy never misses a beat and doesn't slow the game down for a second.

The Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles jokes are never ending but the guy's a good sport. You know the ones you've heard a thousand times but weren't that funny the first time. If I had a nickel for every time someone asked him who's driving. ;-)

What casino are you referring to?

One more question off topic to the original post...what is the best appropriate spread? If i'm not counting cards, when would it be optimal to raise/lower the bets along the spread-- going from 25-50, and 50-100, as progressive systems fail? Raising the bets after both winning and losing are more likely than not, going to maximize my potential ROR.

Jeff, you might want to consider playing craps.

I've watched several blind players seem to enjoy it quite well.

The next time I'm at a slow table with a sightless person I will try to facilitate a chance to throw the dice, it seems perfectly feasible to me.

I'm sure you are aware that other player's would probably be more likely to pilfer chips than a dealer who could lose their future for doing so.

A simple system is to reduce the bet after a Blackjack, two card hand etc. and raise after seven of more cards between you and the dealer or a split/double. It isn't counting but is based on two card hands typically using two good cards - you could also add the same if the dealer does it, and "seven or more"/split typically will have used small cards.

Hopefully there's a mathematician out there who could say whether 7 (or 6 or 8) is a better number to use.

^ Personally while Craps is really fun, I'm not too sure about whether dealers could keep their eyes on your chips. I did have a problem at one Blackjack table many years ago, but it's probably easier for the cameras to see if anything's going on a table game than at Craps.

My chips weren't my concern, as they're rather close to me on the felt layout...players might try to steal them from me...hint, please don't try it, I'm watching my back...but anyways--consider the following. I'm playing devil's advocate here...I can see someone who may be less than honest thinking "I have a king up, but I'll tell this blind guy it's a 7." Either something like that, or being read back incorrect cards. I'm sure its a slim chance...the last time I was in vegas I can't remember a dealer even making a mistake once when reading my cards! That does remind me of a funny tale! I was sitting at a BJ table, and this drunk guy was sitting next to me...he was attempting to grab a chip or two from me. Someone stepped in, not sure whether it was a player or personell, "Do not touch his chips!" The employee was even faster than me at catching his intent...and of course the drunk's response, "I was just trying to help him!" Yeah, (shaking my head rapidly) I don't know this guy...funny stuff, and quick thinking!

Yes, what would a good system to use be, assuming I'm unable to track the entire table? Should I trust the eb and flow of the cards...more big cards, less small cards? What are good indicators to raise/lower the spread?

If your blind the casinos should be nice and count for you

As far as possibly being cheated, I definitely would worry about other players before the dealer.

You guys are too funny...the casino counting for me...that one made me throw back my head and laugh! In Vegas, who gives decent comps for blackjack play these days? I know the math behind it, the formulas and such...what are the minimum requirements for the basic rooms and meals and such? Since I'm not counting cards, and losing to the 0.5 house edge, I'm hoping the comps can balance the action some...anyone's thoughts on this?

A simple system is to reduce the bet after a Blackjack, two card hand etc. and raise after seven of more cards between you and the dealer or a split/double. It isn't counting but is based on two card hands typically using two good cards - you could also add the same if the dealer does it, and "seven or more"/split typically will have used small cards.
---
Referring to the above exerpt, wouldn't 8 or 9 be the better choice? When counting with high-low, 7 is in the middle of neutral card values, 8 is at the high end of neutral, I wonder if there's any quantifiable probability that higher cards at times, clump, as opposed to lower cards?

We had a blind player playing Blackjack at my place for a few years, until he got banned for always "accidentally" touching females inappropriately The Dealers would call out the cards to him and he was very quick in playing his hand. We would stack his chips in front of him and let him know which stack was which color. He was very good at keeping them correct. Once in a while he would need some help.

There was no chance a Dealer would ever purposely try and rip him off. It is not worth a Dealer's job to do something like that. It would get caught by a Supervisor or Surveillance in no time flat, especially when everyone knew the player was blind and would try and help him anytime he needed it.


ZCore13

What casino are you referring to? And, accidentally touching the females...go to a strip club! If the girl likes you, she'll grab your hand and let ya cop a feel! I've gone to those clubs, and have met such awesome girls!

One more thing....wouldn't a stern warning..."you pull that crap one more time, your gonna get banned!" be sufficient and scare that guy just a tad? I know it would darn sure get me to straighten up! Unless that blind idiot had no conscience...the nerve of some people. you wanna touch girls, there are more appropriate ways to accomplish that goal...lock your valuables in the hotel room safe, and erm, hire a service for pete sakes! I'm sure a bellman or doorman might answer a couple of discretely asked questions in a semi-private setting!

I'm not in Las Vegas. I'm in Prescott Arizona. And Strip Clubs aren't legal here so I guess he thought his best option was to sneak one in when being helped to the cage or bathroom.

ZCore13

Quote: JeffGrejordanen

...raise after seven of more cards between you and the dealer...wouldn't 8 or 9 be the better choice?...7 is in the middle...

Sorry if it wasn't clear: you raise your bet if the number of cards used, in your hand and the dealer's, is seven or more; I guess this becomes more apparent if the dealer keeps telling you the total fairly often, e.g. "5", "7", "17", "9", "11", "15", "Bust". The fact that it's taken so many cards to complete the two hands suggests there were some small-valued cards used (e.g. 2 3 2 10, 9 2 4 10).

Well, the best solution would be to ask a doorman/bellman, if you feel that certain vibe ya feel that he'll help you...or ask a bartender...always more than one way to skin a cat! When your blind, and have lived life for a while, you notice small things...like the cabby with a rough or gruff voice who may have a seedy reputation for example....stuff like that. Just use your intuition....too funny!

Yeah, a good strategy...I see what your saying now! I wonder how using a shoe with a continuous shuffler would effect play? Would it horribly increase the house edge? And, where can I find more info concerning good comps policies/formulas for rated play? Where in these forums or other reputable websites? I could use the bet times the hours of play, times hands, times house percentage to get an estimate, but I'd like to see more concrete results for different casinos in Vegas.

Quote: JeffGrejordanen

Yeah, a good strategy...I see what your saying now! I wonder how using a shoe with a continuous shuffler would effect play? Would it horribly increase the house edge? And, where can I find more info concerning good comps policies/formulas for rated play? Where in these forums or other reputable websites? I could use the bet times the hours of play, times hands, times house percentage to get an estimate, but I'd like to see more concrete results for different casinos in Vegas.

Jeff, if you spread $25-$100 (not counting), you should get comp rooms and meals in most of the off-strip casinos. I would imagine most of the downtown casinos would welcome your play. Specifically, I would recommend the Boyd Gaming properties (Main Street Station, California Club, Fremont), the D casino, and the Golden Gate. I would be confident in saying that 4+ hours play per day at any of those properties at your bet level would get you whatever food and rooms you desire. They are also very friendly casinos and I'd imagine would be happy to help you out by calling out card values.

Unfortunately, your bet level won't even get you a second look at most of the Strip casinos. And forget about any of the Caesars Entertainment properties (they have terrible comps for table games players).

Be sure to take into account your expected loss at the rules you are playing it and add it back to your bankroll. Obviously it will trend downward as you are not counting (though I wish you positive variance!)