Small-time player happy with small-time comp

Last month, after reviewing basic strategy and practicing a little card counting, I sat at a blackjack table (at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno) again for the first time in more than five years.

I never counted cards before, so it was pretty tough keeping track of the count even with only one other player, and I salute those who can do it at a full table.

My one anecdote is that I was so busy keeping track of the count, I could barely keep up with decisions on my cards! But on one deal, I noticed ithe dealer's 6 showing against my A-8. With the dealer hitting on soft 17, I stopped the dealer in the nick of time from flipping over his hole card so I could double down. He paused with a curious look before giving me my card. Unfortunately, I lost the hand. Afterward, the dealer made an occasional joke, such as asking the other player whether she'd like to double down on her 20.

I finished ahead $45 (having fared well on my other double downs and splits) so I went upstairs to my room in a good mood.

The next morning I had on my player card $1.32 in comps, which I happily used toward a latte at Starbucks (sorry Nick).

I had bought in for $100, and played half an hour at an average of $6 a hand at 70 hands per hour with an estimated house advantage of 0.638%. By my calculation, this means .5 x $6 x 70 x .0063873 for an expected loss of $1.34.

My comp was $1.32, or 98.5% of the expected loss! Woo-hoo!

I hope my math is not off. In any case, I had a great time with my small-time play!

I do these kind of calculations all the time. I am also happy with a $3.00 Starbucks comp :)

And you were counting, so you theoretically had the advantage!

Nice play on the double A-8 against the 6. Tough play to make.

Thanks much!

Oh, and where are my manners? I was too excited telling everyone my tale that I forgot to introduce myself!

I'm new to the WoV forums, and that was my first post.

I've enjoyed immensely the reviews, forums, and other content on this site!

I especially enjoy the gambling stories and what comps the play earned. I'll probably never see what four hours of play at $25/hand earns me, but at least I tasted a piece of the action in my last trip!

Welcome.

The Wizard does a really good job of providing gambling and comps info. His reviews are very informative -- I admit I ape his style in my own reviews that he graciously allows me to write for the site.

I think there should be a Wizard of Reno, but I don't think he's interested in expansion at this point :)

The Grand Sierra is very nice. Check out John Ascuaga's Nugget next time you are there for a similar experience and good comps. See my blog for more gambling/travel stories.

Comps are usually based on the amount of money that you put at risk, not whether you won or lost it. So you got your 1.32 in comps and you happened to have been ahead 45.00. That is good.

Was that your only play that trip?

by the way, the dealer or the floor chatting with you is technique they use if they think you are counting though usually at a low table they don't much care. If you want to practice counting do it then learn to count under realistic conditions: alcohol, beautiful women and chatty players with chatty floormen.

I don't even try to count because I simply cant do it. Remembering Basic Strategy is all I can do and I seem to have trouble with that from time to time.

I hope you go back and do even better. Be sure to let us know.

Thanks for making me feel welcome!

I just read the Reno portion of your blog. Sorry to hear about your run-in with the NHP! I have never heard about the "no right turn on red" law.

I would love to be the Wizard of Reno - but it'll have to wait until my kids are grown! I've been a regular visitor to Reno since childhood, and have to admit it's sadly gone way downhill. Virginia Street used to have a lot of character, but all the boarded-up properties make it painful to see.

I like John Ascuaga's Nugget, especially the big arcade with pinball and the indoor swimming pool. My family and I once met Mr. Ascuaga roaming the halls, and that was quite a thrill! (The casino used to have radio ads about he walks miles through the hotel/casino each day!)

Grand Sierra Resort has been offering free rooms to out-of-towners, and you can't beat that rate! I like all the amenities and activities there as well.

It's closer for me to visit California Indian casinos, but I still would prefer going to Reno for my gambling fix. Maybe it's the nostalgia of being at Circus Circus when it was brand-spanking new and playing pinball and Nintendo Punch-Out!! Then playing Sigma Derby after I turned 21. Then playing $1 blackjack! Then playing their $15 poker tournament. Then...oh, you get the idea.

Thank you!

The first night I played $1-2 no-limit hold'em and won $32. Grand Sierra Resort has a $2/hour comp promotion for poker players. (Pretty generous, I think. I've seen $1/hour at other casinos.)

I estimated I played a little more than one hour, but found a comp of "only" $1.70 on my player card the next morning. I was among a group of eight players who formed a new game, so maybe we weren't clocked in right away?

As far as detecting card counting, I felt like it was painfully obvious I was trying to keep up with the count. The first shoe was mostly negative, getting down to -10 at one point, so I was flat-betting $5. The second shoe was much better, and at the point it was something like +6, I bet $15 for the first time. I wound up having to double down, and I won! The dealer remarked that he was making me double on my "big bet" - I think it was something like a 10 against a 5. I got a bad card, like a 3, but the dealer busted. Woo-hoo!

I'll be back in December!

Quote: smoothgrh

Grand Sierra Resort has been offering free rooms to out-of-towners, and you can't beat that rate! I like all the amenities and activities there as well.

Sure can't. I may look into it, even though I fear my companion would be complaining "but its not Las Vegas" all day and night.

I spend 6 or 7 weeks this summer in Reno. Stayed at the Peppermill while on a work assignment. I can't say enough good things about the casino and the hotel (on the Tuscany) side. They take your card everywhere and your comps show up right away. There are bonuses all of the time.

Quote: smoothgrh

I never counted cards before, so it was pretty tough keeping track of the count even with only one other player, and I salute those who can do it at a full table.

!

When I first started I actually found it easiest to count when I'm 2nd base among 3 players. Not many to keep track of, gave me a second to figure out my basic strategy while the first player played, and count my own hit cards while the 3rd player played. And it also kept the dealer from short-cutting (i.e. assuming my stand on 20, etc). That said, now that I can play basic strategy more effortlessly than I can tie my shoes, 1 on 1 is the easiest way for me to count.

$45 and a free coffee is a win!


Chasing comps costs more than getting comped. True today, and true tomorrow. They absolutely should be figured into the value of the entertainment dollar, but they should never be chased for their own sake. If you want a good parking spot, use the valet and pay the $10 (or whatever), it's cheaper in the long run.

Quote: smoothgrh

Thanks much!

Oh, and where are my manners? I was too excited telling everyone my tale that I forgot to introduce myself!

I'm new to the WoV forums, and that was my first post.

I've enjoyed immensely the reviews, forums, and other content on this site!

I especially enjoy the gambling stories and what comps the play earned. I'll probably never see what four hours of play at $25/hand earns me, but at least I tasted a piece of the action in my last trip!

GH

You are an admitted card counter. You can't have manners.

Quote: smoothgrh

The next morning I had on my player card $1.32 in comps, which I happily used toward a latte at Starbucks (sorry Nick).

Oh don't worry I might have to take a job at sbux because nothing else is happening soon enough... I do have an interview for station casinos on Monday though.

Good luck. Santa Fe would be a great place to land.

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I agree I'm extremely cordial.

Pick up a copy of Comp City by Max Rubin. The book teaches you the way the comp system works and ways to exploit their weaknesses.