Gambling With an Edge - guest card counter SmallCap
June 23rd, 2015 at 11:49:14 AM
permalink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzT4nWUKAM4
The Terror of Casinos.
June 29th, 2015 at 12:06:04 PM
permalink
How did I miss this? Anyone interested in blackjack should listen to what this guest has to say. I won't give it all away but here's a few nuggets.
He's been counting for 2 1/2 years. In that time he turned a 25K bankroll into mid six figures. He has played 2000 hours. He was losing after the first 180 hours. He was backed off 63 times in his first year. He plays long hours, rated, under his real name. His hourly win average is $375. His hourly win average this year is $800. His bets went from 2x $300 to 2x $600 to 2x $1500. He lost for 500 hours straight and took a year to dig out. He went through airport security with 50K in cash and 20K in chips with no problem. He's been barred multiple times in Atlantic City. Once when being evicted from a room in AC, he found something strange in the safe when he went to retrieve his money and it was right in front of security. I'm not telling what it was. Listen to the show.
He's been counting for 2 1/2 years. In that time he turned a 25K bankroll into mid six figures. He has played 2000 hours. He was losing after the first 180 hours. He was backed off 63 times in his first year. He plays long hours, rated, under his real name. His hourly win average is $375. His hourly win average this year is $800. His bets went from 2x $300 to 2x $600 to 2x $1500. He lost for 500 hours straight and took a year to dig out. He went through airport security with 50K in cash and 20K in chips with no problem. He's been barred multiple times in Atlantic City. Once when being evicted from a room in AC, he found something strange in the safe when he went to retrieve his money and it was right in front of security. I'm not telling what it was. Listen to the show.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 29th, 2015 at 12:21:36 PM
permalink
Just to add a couple thoughts:
The player, SCG, is a member of both Norm and Wong's BJ site, so many of us on those site, and there are a number of overlaps here as well, have witnessed SCG's journey in real time.
Munchkin first referenced SCG about 2 years ago, when he compared two very different playing styles of two Professional BJ players, SCG and myself (I guess technically SCG is semi-professional as he does work a job with a flexible schedule). SCG is a slash and burn, get everything you can right now guy, while my top priority is longevity, identifying and playing within each locations comfort or tolerance levels. It's basically the sheering vs slaughter debate.
I don't know if SCG is a member here, if he is, I don't think it's the same handle. I really don't want to speak for him, but it is my understanding that his slash and burn style is starting to have consequences. He is beginning to run out of places and find it harder to play here in the US. I believe he is contemplating or has begun more overseas play.
SCG's story is a great story. Very fascinating. His style is to get all he can right now and not worry about any consequences. And he has had major success doing just that.
The player, SCG, is a member of both Norm and Wong's BJ site, so many of us on those site, and there are a number of overlaps here as well, have witnessed SCG's journey in real time.
Munchkin first referenced SCG about 2 years ago, when he compared two very different playing styles of two Professional BJ players, SCG and myself (I guess technically SCG is semi-professional as he does work a job with a flexible schedule). SCG is a slash and burn, get everything you can right now guy, while my top priority is longevity, identifying and playing within each locations comfort or tolerance levels. It's basically the sheering vs slaughter debate.
I don't know if SCG is a member here, if he is, I don't think it's the same handle. I really don't want to speak for him, but it is my understanding that his slash and burn style is starting to have consequences. He is beginning to run out of places and find it harder to play here in the US. I believe he is contemplating or has begun more overseas play.
SCG's story is a great story. Very fascinating. His style is to get all he can right now and not worry about any consequences. And he has had major success doing just that.
June 29th, 2015 at 12:38:07 PM
permalink
I need to start listening to these shows.
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
June 29th, 2015 at 12:38:33 PM
permalink
I listened to the podcast as well, it was great. Perhaps to clarify one thing in kewlj's above post, it seems like SmallCap tries to get in a lot of hours, up to 200, at one place before he is barred. So not exactly winning as much as possible "right now", but maybe winning as much as possible in one week or one month. What's interesting is that he sits for long sessions, I think he mentioned 10 hours, and a lot of heads up... Which is a LOT of hands.
"Rule No.1: Never lose money. Rule No.2: Never forget rule No.1." -Warren Buffett on risk/return
June 29th, 2015 at 1:06:19 PM
permalink
Quote: 1BBHe plays long hours, rated, under his real name.
I listened to this twice last week and got
the impression he plays under lots of names
until he gets busted. He implied that's a
whole other subject and wouldn't go into
it. That's the impression I got, anyway.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
June 29th, 2015 at 1:12:15 PM
permalink
Quote: EvenBobI listened to this twice last week and got
the impression he plays under lots of names
until he gets busted. He implied that's a
whole other subject and wouldn't go into
it. That's the impression I got, anyway.
Listen again at 27 minutes in.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 29th, 2015 at 1:55:05 PM
permalink
Quote: 1BBListen again at 27 minutes in.
He says he plays in his own name NOW.
He says in the same sentence that he
was pushed into using his real name
MORE and not other names. Meaning
at one time he used other names.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
June 29th, 2015 at 1:59:04 PM
permalink
Quote: EvenBobHe says he plays in his own name NOW.
He says in the same sentence that he
was pushed into using his real name
MORE and not other names. Meaning
at one time he used other names.
What did you think of the show?
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 29th, 2015 at 2:13:28 PM
permalink
Quote: 1BBWhat did you think of the show?
It was OK. I take everything any AP says
with a grain of salt. Maybe it's true, maybe
it's not, but it makes for a good story.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
June 29th, 2015 at 2:21:11 PM
permalink
No talk of wonging? He plays 10hr sessions and nobody asks him about wonging. Dancer, Munchkin your Fired!
June 29th, 2015 at 2:23:27 PM
permalink
He was asked why he didn't play full time since he was making $800 an hour. He didn't really answer the question.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
June 29th, 2015 at 3:17:09 PM
permalink
Lesson 1 - ALWAYS CHECK THE SAFE BEFORE THROWING YOUR BANKROLL IN THERE
"Man Babes" #AxelFabulous
June 29th, 2015 at 4:27:37 PM
permalink
Quote: djatcLesson 1 - ALWAYS CHECK THE SAFE BEFORE THROWING YOUR BANKROLL IN THERE
Truth.
Worth listening to guys, at least through 25 minutes (currently am).
Also, what was the "right" solution for him and his $50k in chips? He said it was a rookie mistake to tell them he was playing under a false name, but I don't think I heard him say the right way.
Its - Possessive; It's - "It is" / "It has"; There - Location; Their - Possessive; They're - "They are"
June 29th, 2015 at 5:54:49 PM
permalink
Quote: 1BBHe was asked why he didn't play full time since he was making $800 an hour. He didn't really answer the question.
I thought he sort of did. If not in the interview, he answered some follow-up questions on another site, so I could be mistaken.
Anyway, he said something about he is a financial advisor and it's a family owned business, I believe his father owns it, so he didn't want to leave completely, but he has stopped taking on new clients for the time being, which gives him the flexibility to travel for long 3-4 day weekends.
ya know what, I'll ask him if he wants to post here and answer a few questions.
Edit: I sent SCG a message, making him aware of this discussion and asking if he might pop in and answer a few questions.
June 29th, 2015 at 8:26:00 PM
permalink
Quote: kewljJust to add a couple thoughts:
The player, SCG, is a member of both Norm and Wong's BJ site, so many of us on those site, and there are a number of overlaps here as well, have witnessed SCG's journey in real time.
Munchkin first referenced SCG about 2 years ago, when he compared two very different playing styles of two Professional BJ players, SCG and myself (I guess technically SCG is semi-professional as he does work a job with a flexible schedule). SCG is a slash and burn, get everything you can right now guy, while my top priority is longevity, identifying and playing within each locations comfort or tolerance levels. It's basically the sheering vs slaughter debate.
I don't know if SCG is a member here, if he is, I don't think it's the same handle. I really don't want to speak for him, but it is my understanding that his slash and burn style is starting to have consequences. He is beginning to run out of places and find it harder to play here in the US. I believe he is contemplating or has begun more overseas play.
SCG's story is a great story. Very fascinating. His style is to get all he can right now and not worry about any consequences. And he has had major success doing just that.
To milk, or to slaughter? It depends on ages.
Due to bj websites, the ages of APs are getting younger & younger (i.e., scg & masterhoudini) . Most older APs has milked AC casinos for decades, but now the younger APs has fired away and burned AC casinos.
Guess what? The Seniors/Oldtimers have paid the price for the 30ish APs' slashing and burning, which have pissed off table game directors/managers. For examples, (1) after a BACCARAT player won $2,000 from a blackjack game, that player gets his account locked because the pitboss doesn't like the way he fires away big bets at a bj game. (2) a poker player also gets his account locked because he bets $75 instead of $50 . That restricted-poker-player knows he is not suppose to bet over $50 in a bj game.
In the good old days, the game managers don't bother the milking oldtimers, but not now since the younger aggressive APs have slaughtered casinos. Perhaps the older guys just fade away to pave the way for the younger ones.
I'm OK with Corps which pick and choose clienteles. Both insurance companies and casinos have the right to pick and choose customers. They may keep profitable ones and kicked out the rest. But, I'm not OK with a casino supervisor who says counting cards... is like stealing food from a buffet (a foodlifting offense), or video-taping a movie in a cinema (a piracy offense).
June 29th, 2015 at 10:53:14 PM
permalink
I gave up 21 back in 2007, because at CT casinos, the AP smell was ruining the tables. Lotsa young guys tossing 300-1000 for one hand and answering celly. As I recall lotsa AP's hit those joints in the 2000's. Unlike the 90's, where the shear crowd helped to keep them at bay until the wee-hours/small hours of the morning. They could, and did hit tables with ferocity. And either place didn't mind, they cleaned up on the earlier drunks/ploppies. But in the 2000's the AP's really hit the tables early in the day, not so much at night. That was my territory at the time milking out 5-10 green any time, losing 4-7 on bad days. But hey, AP gaming is a Pirate's game. I'll take my 50G's (minus 25G's for a new car) and move on, even though it took years instead of days.
Some people need to reimagine their thinking.
June 30th, 2015 at 7:43:24 AM
permalink
I'm a member of this forum... I just troll since there isn't a ton of serious bj aps here..
As for people burning out ac that is pretty comical..
They make so much money but just Are super sweaty.. I highly doubt any card counter is hurting them
As for people burning out ac that is pretty comical..
They make so much money but just Are super sweaty.. I highly doubt any card counter is hurting them
June 30th, 2015 at 8:57:49 AM
permalink
Smallcap, as a finance/investment guy who likes to look like a gambler and have fun while I count, I appreciated that podcast. You should hang out here, everyone is nice and there is never any drama.
"Rule No.1: Never lose money. Rule No.2: Never forget rule No.1." -Warren Buffett on risk/return
June 30th, 2015 at 9:07:29 AM
permalink
An APer that spends more time APing than telling people how great an AP he is on WoV. Now I've seen everything!
Nice podcast Smallcap, real info, no BS, no drama.
Nice podcast Smallcap, real info, no BS, no drama.
June 30th, 2015 at 2:09:33 PM
permalink
Can you tell us about actual small cap growth? Maybe you can get together with steeldco (another forum member who has a knack for small caps).
Apologies if you answered this in the radio show, but what parallels do you see between investing in stocks and gambling on table games?
Apologies if you answered this in the radio show, but what parallels do you see between investing in stocks and gambling on table games?
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
June 30th, 2015 at 9:45:12 PM
permalink
SmallCap,
Just wanted to say that I listened to the show last night and found it excellent. I'm actually glad someone mentioned it because I was a bit more behind on my GWAE shows than I like to get. In any case, I have no questions for you as I have little interest in Blackjack card counting, but just wanted to say that I am impressed with how well-spoken you are and how quickly you were able to answer questions.
Just wanted to say that I listened to the show last night and found it excellent. I'm actually glad someone mentioned it because I was a bit more behind on my GWAE shows than I like to get. In any case, I have no questions for you as I have little interest in Blackjack card counting, but just wanted to say that I am impressed with how well-spoken you are and how quickly you were able to answer questions.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
June 30th, 2015 at 10:14:29 PM
permalink
Quote: CanyoneroAn APer that spends more time APing than telling people how great an AP he is on WoV. Now I've seen everything!
Nice podcast Smallcap, real info, no BS, no drama.
Hey now my future books won't sell themselves!
"Man Babes" #AxelFabulous
July 1st, 2015 at 2:09:33 PM
permalink
Quote: smallcapgrowthI'm a member of this forum... I just troll since there isn't a ton of serious bj aps here..
As for people burning out ac that is pretty comical..
They make so much money but just Are super sweaty.. I highly doubt any card counter is hurting them
You said you were banned multiple times in Atlantic City. When telling the eviction story you said that the casino you were evicted from was the only one you could still play. The implication was that you were banned for card counting. Banned means not allowed on the property. Were the bans for counting or for something else like causing a disturbance etc?
Every single casino in AC completely disregarded Uston v. Resorts International Hotel, inc?
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
July 1st, 2015 at 4:00:05 PM
permalink
The reason why I have been avoiding questions or have been evasive on air is because I gave all the Info I'm comfortable giving out. I have no intention to write a book or be famous or anything like that.. All I Want to do is continue to play and make money. Munchkin asked me on the fly and I was just trying to help him out if he thought it would make a good show.
Sorry I can't be of more help but I can't give out anymore info cause it would damage me.
Ac casino bosses are complete pricks and unethical. If u do t go away and make a good amount of cash they will try to find a million different ways to evict u I including gettig in ur face and cursing at u to get u to start back at them as 86 u on bullshiy
Sorry I can't be of more help but I can't give out anymore info cause it would damage me.
Ac casino bosses are complete pricks and unethical. If u do t go away and make a good amount of cash they will try to find a million different ways to evict u I including gettig in ur face and cursing at u to get u to start back at them as 86 u on bullshiy
July 1st, 2015 at 4:00:39 PM
permalink
Thanks dude u appreciate it man
July 1st, 2015 at 4:01:08 PM
permalink
Quote: smallcapgrowthThanks dude u appreciate it man
This was for mission
