How long could I last?

Over time, I am getting good at the blackjack game, and start making money using card counting. Certainly before I perfecting my skill, I did paid my tuition. My question is, how long could I last and remain unnoticeable? Limit the amount of winning(how much in each visit)? Cut down the frequency of the same casino visit(once in two weeks)?. Could someone out there share their experience?

Quote: ricardo

Over time, I am getting good at the blackjack game, and start making money using card counting. Certainly before I perfecting my skill, I did paid my tuition. My question is, how long could I last and remain unnoticeable? Limit the amount of winning(how much in each visit)? Cut down the frequency of the same casino visit(once in two weeks)?. Could someone out there share their experience?

Every joint is different but I would suggest you read some of the reality behind how counters live and what you see in the movies. If all you want is a few hundred dollars per week you should be able to stay under the radar if you had say 6-7 places to play. But the rub is to get that few hundred a week you need to take a couple thousand from a joint from time to time to make up for losses and that will get you noticed. Learn to bet sports.

Norm Wattenberger suggests 45 minutes as the hard limit in Modern Blackjack, and leaving sooner if one thinks the staff is getting suspicious. Suspicion doesn't carry over to the next shift or the next week, a ban does.

Session length is the most important factor, multiple short sessions being better than fewer long ones, although coming to a casino every weekday at 0915-0930 will get you noticed just as well.

How much you win is less important, don't shortchange yourself. However, to get these 45 minutes of no fame, you need camouflage. Some hints can be read in his book, section Cover, but you should really invest in rather buying the second edition on paper as well as some other classics, they are heavily +EV.

May I suggest a female companion as cover from time to time. Also some sessions wherein you play but don't count cards or vary your bets much as a sort of cover too. Multiple short sessions on different shifts can be good. Remember though Pit People arrive earlier than the dealers for that shift do so they see who is around. Also I'd play a few rounds of baccarat from time to time and never make a bee line for blackjack. Keep ogling the ladies and be sure to appear interested in free drinks. In other words, act normal. Don't act like a card counter. Good luck.

You have to not only limit the length of your sessions, but also play on all three different shifts to maximize the amount of different playing venues. How much you are betting is, of course, a factor in how conspicuous you will be.

My own experience, admittedly from about twenty years ago, was that I only got noticed about half a dozen times. Two of those casinos not only knew I was counting, but the floormen always said hello and wrote me a coffee shop comp. Two of them just started shuffling up on me. Two of them told me I couldn't play blackjack there any more. Of course, I was betting $5-25, which probably kept me well under the radar.