What am I doing wrong

I like the atmosphere of the brick and mortar casinos, and the feel of the checks in my hand. Also, my wife likes to to play slots. Sad part is, I'm usually broke before her.

Thank you. Yes, I have kept track, reviewed play when I've gotten home. The only deviation is on doubling. I don't do it as often as suggested, because I'm losing so much, so fast.

Thanks. Yes. I last much longer on paid gowns poker tables. I enjoy that game as well. But I guess my problem is that I like variety.

Quote: JimmyB1474

Thank you. Yes, I have kept track, reviewed play when I've gotten home. The only deviation is on doubling. I don't do it as often as suggested, because I'm losing so much, so fast.

If there is ever a time you are not doubling because you are 'afraid you are losing so fast' then you absolutely should not be playing at all! The advantages you have are being paid extra for BJ, splitting, and doubling! Playing without always doubling when basic strategy tells you to is a way to INCREASE the house edge.

So when starting a conversation, you should actually say, I DON'T play basic strategy.....

Which is ok, by the way, as it is your money, and you can decide how to give it away. Just don't be surprised when you do! I agree with the others, that you probably have been unlucky as well, leading to the speed at which you are losing.

Quote: SOOPOO

If there is ever a time you are not doubling because you are 'afraid you are losing so fast' then you absolutely should not be playing at all! The advantages you have are being paid extra for BJ, splitting, and doubling! Playing without always doubling when basic strategy tells you to is a way to INCREASE the house edge.

So when starting a conversation, you should actually say, I DON'T play basic strategy.....

Which is ok, by the way, as it is your money, and you can decide how to give it away. Just don't be surprised when you do! I agree with the others, that you probably have been unlucky as well, leading to the speed at which you are losing.

That's why it might be a good idea for some people to play a mindless game like Baccarat or roulette. Even a toddler can play those game as well as any adult. There is no strategy to learn and you don't have to double down, split, stand or hit. Just played any number a pretty little chips on the pretty little spots.

Of course, you can always add in some bunk betting systems and methods to complicate things for yourself. Some find it entertaining to do so. Being that those games can get boarding real fast, I can see why people do come up with various betting systems.

Quote: JimmyB1474

Hi there. I've been using basic stratagy for about 3 years now, but continuously lose, and lose fast. I spent months using Wizard of Odds strategies on free online games, to memorize everything. Yet, I go to the casino with $500, play a $10-$15 table (depending on availability) and rarely last more than 30 minutes until I'm broke. 6 decks, 8 decks, hand shuffled, machine shuffled, continuous shuffle. Makes no difference. I can understand bad luck once in a while, but it's getting ridiculous. Is my bankroll too low? Should I be walking away sooner and trying a different table? Please help. I love the game, but I can't seem to last long enough to enjoy it.

50 bets when flat betting seems perfectly sufficient to have reasonably long sessions most of the time. Your expected loss per hour is probably somewhere around $10-$15 depending on game speed and exact rules. I assume this is just variance. I had a similar absurdly negative experience with craps for a while. Works both ways though. I had a span of time when positive variance led to a string of BJ wins over short sessions. Both losing games long term assuming no AP angle but the ride can be lots of ups and downs along the way.

Quote: JimmyB1474

Hi there. I've been using basic stratagy for about 3 years now, but continuously lose, and lose fast. I spent months using Wizard of Odds strategies on free online games, to memorize everything. Yet, I go to the casino with $500, play a $10-$15 table (depending on availability) and rarely last more than 30 minutes until I'm broke. 6 decks, 8 decks, hand shuffled, machine shuffled, continuous shuffle. Makes no difference. I can understand bad luck once in a while, but it's getting ridiculous. Is my bankroll too low? Should I be walking away sooner and trying a different table? Please help. I love the game, but I can't seem to last long enough to enjoy it.

JimmyB1474,

Wait... something doesn't add up. With a $500 bankroll and $10 flat bets, you'd have to lose 50 bets to go bust. How can you do that in only 30 minutes?

Dog Hand

Quote: DogHand

JimmyB1474,

Wait... something doesn't add up. With a $500 bankroll and $10 flat bets, you'd have to lose 50 bets to go bust. How can you do that in only 30 minutes?

Dog Hand

Someone has to get all of MDawg's negative variance.

Quote: DogHand

JimmyB1474,

Wait... something doesn't add up. With a $500 bankroll and $10 flat bets, you'd have to lose 50 bets to go bust. How can you do that in only 30 minutes?

Dog Hand

Are you suggesting this post is fiction?

I didn't notice not counting. And flat betting.

So this is blackjack for entertainment purposes only. Under this circumstance, leaving the table ahead for any amount is a statistical aberration, and over time you will end up losing at the established house edge - which will vary - sometimes greatly - depending on the specific rules of the game you are playing.

"Achieving" the statistical result dictated by the true house edge will only occur after a lot of hands have been played. It's possible to play a few hands and come out further ahead - or behind - than should be the case. That's true with any game - craps, roulette, etc. Assuming that you are playing correct Basic Strategy, you've done all that you can to reduce the house edge as much as possible without counting. It's not that you are "lucky" or not, and over time your luck will change as your profit (or more honestly - loss) conforms to the house edge.

Whatever variance occurs in your results demonstrate quite conclusively that counting works. Again speaking generally, your results are examples of swings in the true count. You are flat betting, so you are not taking advantage of a high true count. You are not avoiding negative counts. When the time comes to up your bet and take advantage of the situation, you are not doing so. When it's a good idea to back away, you don't do that either.

In point of fact, you would probably do better playing in a CSM game where the true count, every single round, is as close to zero as it can be. The mathaholics here will be all over that piece of advice, and I would defer to their expertise about it. It might also be advisable to play at a 6:5 game with a lower minimum and just bet that smaller amount every hand. A bankroll will last longer betting $5 per hand than at $10 or $25. Remember - the game is structured so that you will lose, but ideally for the casino, at a rate that you tend not to notice.