Random Thoughts

It's been a while since I've posted anything, so I apologize in advance for the rambling nature of my post.

I've read many threads on here talking about stupid play, but it wasn't until a couple of recent sessions that I witnessed it for myself. I mean, I can immediately tell if someone doesn't know basic strategy simply from how they play their 12-16 stiff hands, much less how they split (or don't) or double hands. I don't consider this stupid play, but simply not knowing basic strategy. As I observe everyone else's play I often I'm the only one who really know basic strategy. But last week I saw this guy double his 7 against a deal 10!! The dealer even paused and asked, "Double?" Of course, he was dealt a small card and promptly lost when the deal exposed another 10. Then last night I watched this guy go on a winning streak, despite poor play (e.g., doubling A-2 v. dealer 2, standing on 13 v. dealer 7, 8, or 9, etc.). No matter how he played, he seemed to win--for a while. He was very jovial and even bought a round of drinks for the table during the middle of his hot streak. Of course, it came to a crashing halt and before long he lost it all and was reaching into his wallet for more money, followed later by visit to the ATM. He was very quiet the rest of the evening I was there. When I left I thanked him for the drink and wished him luck.

My attempts at card counting have been mediocre at best, and this is due to my own fault: I simply don't practice. However, it has helped a little bit, in that, for example, even when I am not quite sure the RC is, say, -14 or -15, I do know that the TC is > -2, so I have learned to "take a bathroom break," followed by a leisurely stroll by the TVs in the bar area to check scores before returning to table, where I take out my phone and check facebook, etc. (The casino where I play has a single BJ table, so I have no choice but to return to that table.) I tell my fellow players that I'm a bit superstitious about finishing out the shoe and that I like to wait for a new shoe. Those times when I know that my counting is accurate and the TC is +2 or more, I have increased my bet, only to watch in dismay as I'm dealt 13-16 while the dealer is dealt 19s and 20s. However, I know from my experience on this forum that mediocre hands happen in spite of high counts. It's still frustrating!

I know that I'll never be an AP, because I'm not willing to invest the time and money into what it would take. I enjoy playing BJ and over the last 4-5 months I'm up about $600 or so. (I'm a red-chip player.) Last night I won $16.50 over 3 hours of play (a lot for me), which I know is chump change for most folks on here. Still, I felt a sense of victory for clawing my way back after losing over half my bank roll ($100) during an earlier losing streak. I have a spreadsheet where I keep track of my visits to the casino and can see that most of my wins are very modest ($5 - $45), but lately I've been able get 5-6 winning session for every losing session.

Finally, I'm coming to Vegas in July for a convention and will be staying at Balley's. Can anyone tell me anything about its casino? I'm gonna guess and say that they've switched to mostly 6:5 BJ for their low-end tables. Is there anything walkable from their where I can find a cheap 3:2 BJ game?

Thanks for reading!

Quote: theoriemeister

It's been a while since I've posted anything, so I apologize in advance for the rambling nature of my post.

I've read many threads on here talking about stupid play, but it wasn't until a couple of recent sessions that I witnessed it for myself. I mean, I can immediately tell if someone doesn't know basic strategy simply from how they play their 12-16 stiff hands, much less how they split (or don't) or double hands. I don't consider this stupid play, but simply not knowing basic strategy. As I observe everyone else's play I often I'm the only one who really know basic strategy. But last week I saw this guy double his 7 against a deal 10!! The dealer even paused and asked, "Double?" Of course, he was dealt a small card and promptly lost when the deal exposed another 10. Then last night I watched this guy go on a winning streak, despite poor play (e.g., doubling A-2 v. dealer 2, standing on 13 v. dealer 7, 8, or 9, etc.). No matter how he played, he seemed to win--for a while. He was very jovial and even bought a round of drinks for the table during the middle of his hot streak. Of course, it came to a crashing halt and before long he lost it all and was reaching into his wallet for more money, followed later by visit to the ATM. He was very quiet the rest of the evening I was there. When I left I thanked him for the drink and wished him luck.

My attempts at card counting have been mediocre at best, and this is due to my own fault: I simply don't practice. However, it has helped a little bit, in that, for example, even when I am not quite sure the RC is, say, -14 or -15, I do know that the TC is > -2, so I have learned to "take a bathroom break," followed by a leisurely stroll by the TVs in the bar area to check scores before returning to table, where I take out my phone and check facebook, etc. (The casino where I play has a single BJ table, so I have no choice but to return to that table.) I tell my fellow players that I'm a bit superstitious about finishing out the shoe and that I like to wait for a new shoe. Those times when I know that my counting is accurate and the TC is +2 or more, I have increased my bet, only to watch in dismay as I'm dealt 13-16 while the dealer is dealt 19s and 20s. However, I know from my experience on this forum that mediocre hands happen in spite of high counts. It's still frustrating!

I know that I'll never be an AP, because I'm not willing to invest the time and money into what it would take. I enjoy playing BJ and over the last 4-5 months I'm up about $600 or so. (I'm a red-chip player.) Last night I won $16.50 over 3 hours of play (a lot for me), which I know is chump change for most folks on here. Still, I felt a sense of victory for clawing my way back after losing over half my bank roll ($100) during an earlier losing streak. I have a spreadsheet where I keep track of my visits to the casino and can see that most of my wins are very modest ($5 - $45), but lately I've been able get 5-6 winning session for every losing session.

Finally, I'm coming to Vegas in July for a convention and will be staying at Balley's. Can anyone tell me anything about its casino? I'm gonna guess and say that they've switched to mostly 6:5 BJ for their low-end tables. Is there anything walkable from their where I can find a cheap 3:2 BJ game?

Thanks for reading!

You may not be an AP, but playing perfect BS and just being able to recognize when to leave the table in negative counts puts you above about 99.73%(probably higher) than the rest of blackjack players.

I don't know if you play video poker, but recently I saw a player hold 3-3-5 on purpose -- not a fast player, but studied the cards for a few seconds, made their decision, verified that's what they wanted to do, then hit draw.

AP'ing isn't for everyone. If counting cards and making a small profit or losing less is what you enjoy, then by all means play, assuming you're playing with money you don't need to live on (doesn't sound like it).

Not much, if anything that I know of, on the strip that's 3:2 for low limits. Hooters over behind Tropicana has 3:2, if I remember correctly. Definitely walking distance is Silver Sevens and they have 3:2 BJ last time I checked.

The cheapest 3:2 table on the strip would likely be a $15 table during a slow time of the day (morning). Even then, not sure how likely that is, especially if you come during some busy event and/or weekday vs weekend.

Quote: RS

I don't know if you play video poker, but recently I saw a player hold 3-3-5 on purpose -- not a fast player, but studied the cards for a few seconds, made their decision, verified that's what they wanted to do, then hit draw.

Earlier in the week while running free play on 9/6 JoB, I was dealt QT8 suited xx. The 8 didn't hold but I drew QQQ for quads. That was my "special play" for the week. ;-)

Thanks for reading!

You may not be an AP, but playing perfect BS and just being able to recognize when to leave the table in negative counts puts you above about 99.73%(probably higher) than the rest of blackjack players.

Thanks, IBYA.

I went and played for about an hour earlier today and had one of those days where I couldn't win anything! I lost 12/15 of the first hands I played! On the bright side, our Gonzaga Bulldogs (I live in Spokane) made it to the final 4 for the first time!

Quote: RS

AP'ing isn't for everyone. If counting cards and making a small profit or losing less is what you enjoy, then by all means play, assuming you're playing with money you don't need to live on (doesn't sound like it).


Not much, if anything that I know of, on the strip that's 3:2 for low limits. Hooters over behind Tropicana has 3:2, if I remember correctly. Definitely walking distance is Silver Sevens and they have 3:2 BJ last time I checked.


The cheapest 3:2 table on the strip would likely be a $15 table during a slow time of the day (morning). Even then, not sure how likely that is, especially if you come during some busy event and/or weekday vs weekend.

Right now I'm playing on my winnings, and I play at such a low level that even a complete loss of my session bankroll ($100) is not a problem. I just hope I don't have too many bad sessions in a row!

Last time I was in LV (about 3 years ago), I was staying at the MGM but quickly discovered the Hooter's across the street. They had 1-2 tables for $5 min, but also had cheap eats and 'two-fers' during happy hour, which I haven't seen in years! I'll definitely stop by and see what they have to offer.

Thanks for the tips!

Thanks for sharing your story/etc. It's definitely a great perspective of someone that doesn't want to fully count/ap but yet how you still take the time to apply what you do know to play, as IBYA said "approximately" 99.73% better than other players ;-). Simply knowing FULL basic strategy for H17 and S17 puts you above 99% of players in my opinion. I was really glad to see that you even understood that even in bigger counts the dealer "could" get the good hands just the same as you and that when you do get the bad hands that's just the bad variance of the game.

As far as Vegas I'd suggest consulting the Wizards Blackjack Survey to find the cheapest 3/2 games around. Downtown is usually a bit better than the strip for that.

Quote: theoriemeister

Finally, I'm coming to Vegas in July for a convention and will be staying at Balley's. Can anyone tell me anything about its casino? I'm gonna guess and say that they've switched to mostly 6:5 BJ for their low-end tables. Is there anything walkable from their where I can find a cheap 3:2 BJ game?

I wish I could add some comments about your play, but I am myself a BJ newbie, having just learned Basic Strategy last Oct 2016. Now, 6 months later, I've been drilling & practicing card-counting. I wish I could borrow your "smarts". Hope to not embarrass myself this coming Apr to card-count for the very first time.. Will be going to Las Vegas for 5 days and have entered for a VP Tournament at the Cal.

The newest casino in town is called Lucky Dragon, up by the Stratosphere area:

http://vitalvegas.com/lucky-dragon-casino-opens-las-vegas/

The article says they have 4 BJ tables paying 3:2 however, I can't find info on the table minimums. Perhaps you might venture a call; other WoV members will probably post something. Google Maps says it's about a 16 min drive from Bally's. I have no clue about traffic or driving. We will be in Las Vegas next week, with a plan for dinner at the Golden Steer, then walk around the block to the Lucky Dragon. They have lots of specials for their "Lucky Wednesday".

Thanks, LostW, for the info.

I may have to check out this new place, if it's walkable from where I'll be. The one thing I discovered the last time I was n Vegas is that the blocks are so freakin' long! (Side story, short version: when I was here last time I lost my wallet. Amex sends me $$ to some local check cashing place. I look up the place on Google and think, "Oh, it's only 6-7 blocks from here; that shouldn't take too long to walk." Geez, it must have been a good 1.5 miles! And since it was early July, I was drenched in sweat by the time I got there. Needless to say, I took a cab back to the hotel!)

Quote: theoriemeister

Finally, I'm coming to Vegas in July for a convention and will be staying at Balley's. Can anyone tell me anything about its casino? I'm gonna guess and say that they've switched to mostly 6:5 BJ for their low-end tables. Is there anything walkable from their where I can find a cheap 3:2 BJ game?

The great thing about Bally's is it's right in the middle of the strip. Easy walking distance to all the cool things to see and do.

The bad thing about Bally's is it's right in the middle of the strip. So you're not going to find a cheap blackjack game with good rules anyplace nearby. I think your best bet is to walk East on Flamingo Rd. a few blocks to the Tuscany hotel and casino. The Wizard's review (from several years ago) indicates that they have good rules on BJ with $3 and $5 minimums.

It also looks like Ellis Island and the Westin casino are right behind Bally's. Those should also be options for $5 BJ.

Quote: PapaChubby

It also looks like Ellis Island and the Westin casino are right behind Bally's. Those should also be options for $5 BJ.

take an uber to one of the station casinos, or the el cortez in downtown vegas. $5 3:2 tables all over.

I'm with the OP. I was on a casino cruise, have never gambled on a real BJ game before, and even I rolled my eyes on the amount of player stupidity presented on the BJ table. Because basic strategy has been out for how long by now, like 60 years? Besides all the BJ related info is so readily available In the age of smartphones.

Yet nobody was using basic strategy, while the same crowd was so furiously pissing away their money on 1:11 odds initial pair side bets.