REVEL AC has deeeeeeestroyed me
6D
S17
DOA
DAS
$100min.
Session 1
Table 1 - lost first 10 hands
Table 2 - lost first 10 hands
Table 3 - lost first 10 hands
for those of you playing at home - yes 30 hands in a row NO LIE!!!
total down $3k
went to lunch
Session 2
Table 1 - up and down for about 3 shoes (down $400)
Table 2 - (friend of mine was dealing) - (down another $1,400)
pit boss acquaintance I affectionately termed "the mush" came in - I immediately lost 4 hands - she then took a bathroom break and I immediately got a blackjack (I am trying to find some humor in this story)
running total down $4,800
walked on the boardwalk to clear my head
Session 3
Table 1 - dealer began the shoe with 3 straight blackjacks (up and down and then doooooooown $2,500)
Table 2 - down about $300 and count went good for me (FOR ONCE LOL) - put up $500 got a k,k against dealer 7 (dealer flips a 7 and then yup, triple 7), $500 up again 9,5 against dealer 4 (dealer flips 10 then hits 3), $500 got a 5,5 against dealer 5 - I double down and get an 8 (dealer flips ANOTHER 5 then gets a 9) WTF!!!
running total down $9,300
had dinner with friends who could not believe the dealers refused to bust
now, at this point, EMOTIONS got high for me and I admit I stopped counting, I stopped caring and I played on adrenaline - which , in the end, was my demise
Session 4
Table 1 - $500 per hand lost first 5 hands
Table 2 - $1,000 per hand up and down dealer then me then dealer then me - then I caught a double down and LOST - eventually, ended up watching a magical dealer pull 2,3,4,5 or 6 - whatever was necessary to beat my hand buy one
ultimate loss for my first trip to Revel (which is a beautiful casino and hotel)
was NEGATIVE $16,900 (this wiped out all my wins to date in 2012) + another $1,700
so yes, for 2012 I am only down $1,700 BUT it stings as if I was down $1,000,000
Sympathy, comments, or a$$_kickings...?
WOW! That is an Anomaly! Sorry for your loss...don't go back there!
Nothing worse than chasing losses! Been there countless times not a $17k loss like yours but $1,500 loss when I came to the Casino with $500 multiple times.
I would love to see a psychological study on why gamblers (including myself) lose total discipline once we start losing rapidly.
Quote: CrapsForeverLost 30 hands in a row???
WOW! That is an Anomaly! Sorry for your loss...don't go back there!
Nothing worse than chasing losses! Been there countless times not a $17k loss like yours but $1,500 loss when I came to the Casino with $500 multiple times.
I would love to see a psychological study on why gamblers (including myself) lose total discipline once we start losing rapidly.
30 hands in a row - yes - I actually asked the pit boss for a copy of the tape so I could throw it up on YouTube and, of course, I was met with a huuuuuge "NO WAY!"
Psychology of losing streaks: My cousin and I spoke about this on the drive home - he said he is the same way - if he had lost $1,000 and won $999 back, he would continue to play until he was all the way back to $1,000 - I agreed with him - something does happen psychologically to gamblers on a bad losing streak - I throw caution (and money) to the wind
I suppose my saving grace LOL is that my host had me in a suite for a few nights, got all my meals comped - and I am now in a suite for Memorial Day weekend comped three nights plus 2 tix to Beyonce's Saturday night grand opening show LOL
Does all that equal what I lost - NOPE - but it is nice.
Or is it: Doesn't he realize he should just go get drunk even if he has to pay for the booze himself. (That is at the fifteen to twenty hands point in time).
If you had won ten grand you wouldn't sit there plowing it all back... so once you see its just not good karma time... Split!
What do you think pretty girls in piano bars are for? Sure they prefer winners ... but they are there for losers too!
Quote: aceofspadesSession 1
Table 1 - lost first 10 hands
Table 2 - lost first 10 hands
Table 3 - lost first 10 hands
for those of you playing at home - yes 30 hands in a row NO LIE!!!
total down $3k
went to lunch
You didn't double or split a single time in 30 hands? How many times did you have an ace? I assume you aren't counting some pushes.
Quote: pacomartinYou didn't double or split a single time in 30 hands? How many times did you have an ace?
There were splits and doubles (which merely increased my losses)
As I recall - I had three Aces total.
Quote: aceofspadesThere were splits and doubles (which merely increased my losses)
As I recall - I had three Aces total.
Do you remember roughly how many times you pushed? The odds of such a terrible streak are pretty low.
I went 5 months between winning Craps sessions (25+) and I didn't feel as horrible as I did during my Blackjack losing streaks.
Take a break for a while... Losing streaks lead us to very dark places...
After I went on a long streak of losing at poker I took a 10 month break of no gambling. I think it made me a much better gambler over all not just at poker by just clearing my head.
Quote: pacomartinDo you remember roughly how many times you pushed? The odds of such a terrible streak are pretty low.
Exactly why it shocked me and threw me into a depression
Quote: kmumfThats an amazing losing streak that made my brain hurt just reading that. I hope your next trip goes better a run like that might make stop gambling for awhile.
After I went on a long streak of losing at poker I took a 10 month break of no gambling. I think it made me a much better gambler over all not just at poker by just clearing my head.
Well I took November 2011 - March 2012 off and came roaring back with three consecutive weeks of ~$5k wins. Then - this past weekend happened blowing my 2012 good fortune out of the water. I have it in my mind to get a little back at a time - control my emotions.
(any suggestions on controlling gambling emotions when confronted with something like what happened to me?)
Quote: CrapsForeverThe sad thing is when you are on that INSANE losing streak, there's nothing you can do to stop it. Doubling Down, Splitting, Basic Strategy, Staying on 16, Hitting on 16, Staying on Soft 18, Hitting on Soft 18, changing tables, playing multiple hands, etc. It does not matter; every decision you'll make will be wrong. Happened to me last year when I lost 20+ consecutive hands playing Blackjack FOUR times in one week. Lowest point in my gambing life; felt borderline suicidal. I felt like a LOSER in every sense of the word.
stay 16 - yes
hit 16 - yes
stay soft 18 - yes
hit soft 18 - yes
changing tables- yes
playing multiple hands - yes
etc. - yes!
Quote:Losing streaks lead us to very dark places...
yes :(
Quote: kmumfI think your handling it well. Most people who have a "problem" really don't talk openly about there losing. You are looking at this and trying to learn and thats impressive most people can't do that.
I think that if you let it fester it builds up and then gets worse - I am trying to make sense of it (which is likely impossible) and perhaps get others thoughts and experiences with their own losing streaks and how they jump-started their way out :)
Quote: aceofspades(any suggestions on controlling gambling emotions when confronted with something like what happened to me?)
Uh, ... were emotions part of the problem?
If not, then they won't be part of the solution.
I think you had a run of terribly bad luck ... and had no reason to sit there until you were down to the felt.
When your luck is bad... don't sit there hoping it will change. Get up, find a diversion ... wait for awhile.
Quote: FleaStiffQuote: aceofspades(any suggestions on controlling gambling emotions when confronted with something like what happened to me?)
Uh, ... were emotions part of the problem?
If not, then they won't be part of the solution.
I think you had a run of terribly bad luck ... and had no reason to sit there until you were down to the felt.
When your luck is bad... don't sit there hoping it will change. Get up, find a diversion ... wait for awhile.
I have to agree with this. I play blackjack and midi-bac for about 25-50 per hand and found myself down 700 after about 6 hours of play. I went to get food, walked around, talked to some idle dealers, went up to my room for a few minutes. I then came back to the floor with a fresh mind. I lost another 150 at a blackjack table, then went to craps and went on a crazy roll and turned my last 150 into 1500, putting me 500 ahead for the trip just doing $5 pass line with 3x4x5x odds and come bets with odds. I can remember a few times when I was less experienced and had less discipline when losing. One time in particular I was down 800, went to the ATM and got another 500 and did 100 a hand trying to make it back. Lost that money in 10 minutes and didn't play again for 4 months. I think stepping away from the table and finding that diversion, even if very temporary, is essential. Sometimes your emotions just need to cool off.
statstically impossibly long.
But the unfortunate truth is that the losing streak can be even longer than the impossible.
Quote: aceofspades(any suggestions on controlling gambling emotions when confronted with something like what happened to me?)
That's tough. For people who gamble a lot, there seems to be two types: those that can accept losses and call it a session and those that can not. I generally am in the latter group as I try to have a winning session each time which leads to a lot of session wins with the potential for the occasional (inevitable?) big loss. Once you get in the mode you describe, I think it's hard to get out so my only suggestion would be limit your access to your bankroll- for example forcing yourself to use the hotel safe- or ultimately limiting your access to money on a particular session by leaving cards or cash at home- so when it's gone, it's gone.
Quote: pokerfacethe worst thing for us gambler in a losing streak is that we don't believe the losing streak can be that long,
statstically impossibly long.
But the unfortunate truth is that the losing streak can be even longer than the impossible.
As I am sure the wizard would tell us - variance variance variance - well I am going back next weekend for the grand opening - I will do my best to keep my emotions at bay
Quote: aceofspadesAs I am sure the wizard would tell us - variance variance variance - well I am going back next weekend for the grand opening - I will do my best to keep my emotions at bay
Good luck to your next session!
Quote: pokerfaceGood luck to your next session!
My next session plan is to win between $500 - $1,000 - go take a breather - then go back and do it again
Quote: aceofspadessomething does happen psychologically to gamblers on a bad losing streak - I throw caution (and money) to the wind
Thats funny, I just posted about this anger thing
in another thread. Its self destruction, you blame
yourself for whats happening, so you punish
yourself by seeing just how far you will go. Its
cutting off your nose to spite your face. Its a
very bad habit to get into and will destroy you
as a gambler if you continue. Set loss limits and
stick with them.
I think you needed a major cooling off session after session 1. It must have been a sickening lunch. And I think you needed to switch from tables to a different game entirely as part of session 2 instead. Clearing your head on the boardwalk made sense, but you should have done something in addition to slow down the action. Go to a day spa or something.
Session 3 clearly got worse. I hope you only played with a partial shoe and not a full shoe. (once again, slow down the action). Probably a bad dinner as well?
By session 4 you should have wound up at a roulette table or something. Notice how your losses are getting progressively worse as you play??? You've been psych'ed, tagged, beaten, ripped, poached, fried, dried, milked etc.....
They should have comped you better.
Quote: FleaStiffQuote: aceofspades(any suggestions on controlling gambling emotions when confronted with something like what happened to me?)
Uh, ... were emotions part of the problem?
If not, then they won't be part of the solution.
I think you had a run of terribly bad luck ... and had no reason to sit there until you were down to the felt.
When your luck is bad... don't sit there hoping it will change. Get up, find a diversion ... wait for awhile.
Those of us who might be in a jocular mood can get into the spirit of Vegas, Baby. Vegas! and suggest a diversion involving female companionship but the main task is to step away from the table and let some time go by. A drink that you actually have to pay for in a bar can be the cheapest investment you make because it forces you to get away from the Comped Drink atmosphere in the casino. A drink, some music, some walking around and gawking, a dinner ... anything at all. One advantage of Las Vegas is that you can simply take a short walk to the next casino. A short walk, a short cab ride ... its the break that is the real money saver.
Now of course when you end your break and resume your gambling your luck can continue or it can turn around. There are of course no guarantees but coming back with a fresh attitude is better than staying there morosely losing money and soaking up alcohol.
Quote: AsswhoopermcdaddySad to say, I had a similar losing streak. Fortunately, my bankroll is smaller so that it doesn't sting as much as that. I'd be vomiting if I was losing that much.
I think you needed a major cooling off session after session 1. It must have been a sickening lunch. And I think you needed to switch from tables to a different game entirely as part of session 2 instead. Clearing your head on the boardwalk made sense, but you should have done something in addition to slow down the action. Go to a day spa or something.
Session 3 clearly got worse. I hope you only played with a partial shoe and not a full shoe. (once again, slow down the action). Probably a bad dinner as well?
By session 4 you should have wound up at a roulette table or something. Notice how your losses are getting progressively worse as you play??? You've been psych'ed, tagged, beaten, ripped, poached, fried, dried, milked etc.....
They should have comped you better.
well three nights in a suite at a brand new Hotel/Casino - all food and beverages - plus 3 more nights in a suite for Memorial Day Grand Opening weekend including 2 fix to a sold out Beyonce show - hmmmm the comps add up - but never feel as good as not losing would have
Quote: FleaStiffQuote: FleaStiffQuote: aceofspades(any suggestions on controlling gambling emotions when confronted with something like what happened to me?)
Uh, ... were emotions part of the problem?
If not, then they won't be part of the solution.
I think you had a run of terribly bad luck ... and had no reason to sit there until you were down to the felt.
When your luck is bad... don't sit there hoping it will change. Get up, find a diversion ... wait for awhile.
Those of us who might be in a jocular mood can get into the spirit of Vegas, Baby. Vegas! and suggest a diversion involving female companionship but the main task is to step away from the table and let some time go by. A drink that you actually have to pay for in a bar can be the cheapest investment you make because it forces you to get away from the Comped Drink atmosphere in the casino. A drink, some music, some walking around and gawking, a dinner ... anything at all. One advantage of Las Vegas is that you can simply take a short walk to the next casino. A short walk, a short cab ride ... its the break that is the real money saver.
Now of course when you end your break and resume your gambling your luck can continue or it can turn around. There are of course no guarantees but coming back with a fresh attitude is better than staying there morosely losing money and soaking up alcohol.
I agree Flea - when I was at CP last month I was playing short sessions then taking a walk, a swim, people watching...it was wonderful - it seems when I get on a losing streak I cannot break away - I know you suggest a spa and my host would gladly comp me a spa day BUT, I would not be able to relax knowing the losing streak was in progress :(
Quote: aceofspadeshmmmm the comps add up - but never feel as good as not losing would have
Karl Marx said religion is the opiate of the
masses. Comps are the opiate of the gambling
masses. Comps are the most brilliant idea the
casino industry ever came up with. My wife will
get a free buffet offer in the mail and she's
happy as a clam. When I point out it only cost
her $300 in the slots last time, she gets very
ill tempered.
She's what the casino calls 'player oriented',
which means she's a good loser. I can't stand
that, it drives me nuts.
Quote: EvenBobKarl Marx said religion is the opiate of the
masses. Comps are the opiate of the gambling
masses. Comps are the most brilliant idea the
casino industry ever came up with. My wife will
get a free buffet offer in the mail and she's
happy as a clam. When I point out it only cost
her $300 in the slots last time, she gets very
ill tempered.
She's what the casino calls 'player oriented',
which means she's a good loser. I can't stand
that, it drives me nuts.
We were at Borgata last night, going into the buffet, and Mrs mentioned that they were taking 3 from the black card line for every one from the red. So I reminded her that we didn't have to lose ridiculous amounts of money to save 10 minutes before dinner, and every minute we stood in line we were even, that Borgata has a reason for wanting those folks back out on the floor ASAP.
6D
S17
DAS
DOA
$200 per bet
lost 6 out of 8 hands
switched tables
lost 7 hands in a row
switched tables
lost 6 hands in a row
Am I crazy or have I run into a casino where the rules of math and variance are thrown out the window?
Quote: aceofspadeswell three nights in a suite at a brand new Hotel/Casino - all food and beverages - plus 3 more nights in a suite for Memorial Day Grand Opening weekend including 2 fix to a sold out Beyonce show - hmmmm the comps add up - but never feel as good as not losing would have
Get back there and KNOCK THEM DEAD!
Quote: aceofspadesJust arrived for the grand opening weekend played
6D
S17
DAS
DOA
$200 per bet
lost 6 out of 8 hands
switched tables
lost 7 hands in a row
switched tables
lost 6 hands in a row
Am I crazy or have I run into a casino where the rules of math and variance are thrown out the window?
That is a small sample, and seemingly exaggerated report (you did not push, split or double in 21 hands?). You are playing a negative expectation game. You are going to have more terrible sessions than great sessions.
Quote: only1choiceGet back there and KNOCK THEM DEAD!
see above - I am getting my a$$ beat!
Quote: Moscathat Borgata has a reason for wanting those folks back out on the floor ASAP.
My wife will say at the end of dinner that she's
going to play $20 more in the slots and then
we can leave. What a joke. Usually we get
out of there 90min later and she's lost another
$200. She always wolfs down her dessert so
she can make the announcement while I'm
still eating so she can grab her purse and run
out of there before I can stop her. Then of course
its my fault all the way home that I let her play.
Oy..
Quote: MoscaWe were at Borgata last night, going into the buffet, and Mrs mentioned that they were taking 3 from the black card line for every one from the red. So I reminded her that we didn't have to lose ridiculous amounts of money to save 10 minutes before dinner, and every minute we stood in line we were even, that Borgata has a reason for wanting those folks back out on the floor ASAP.
If you push that logic far enough you'd be at home in front of the TV and have the grocery store deliver obscene quantities of food.
On the same note, one of the grocery stores in an effort to be competitive with the working parent has agreed to pack and bag your groceries that you order online, and have it waiting for you when you drive up to the store. This service costs only $5. While I am sure that it is more than $5 in labor to offer this service, they must feel that it gives them a customer that they may lose to another grocery store or fast food place. But at the same time, how much do most people spend on impulse purchases walking through the aisles?
Quote: pacomartinBut at the same time, how much do most people spend on impulse purchases walking through the aisles?
I remember reading years ago that like 1/3 of grocery store
purchases are impulse buys. The eye level shelves are fought
over tooth and nail by the sales dept's of major suppliers. At
any given time a grocery store can only display a tiny fraction
of all the available products that are out there, so every inch
of shelf space is valuable.
I like those coupon dispensers they have now in the grocery
aisles, that blink red off and on. Or the TV monitor with the
motion sensor that comes to life when you walk by. Anything
to get your attention. In a recent futurisic movie, everybody
has a chip implant, so when you go into a store the computer
knows you and the advertising uses your name and has your
preference info and everything is tailored to fit just you. Those
days are coming.
I think in this situation I would still play as normal, keep making correct decisions if I had money.
Just put my destiny in the long run & believe in Math.
This gets to my superstition, if the cards or dice see your bankroll is inadequate, they get a huge hard-on for it, excuse my language. Of course that is ridiculous, but it probably comes from observing small bankrolls get slaughtered, the mind translates that into 'bad luck' I think, and perhaps that is what you are doing now yourself.
Just a 4 year old thread =P... but it is a good one. All of AOS's threads were fun.Quote: ducruacuteo11New to the forum but feel your pains. I have been counting cards for about 8 years and am pretty decent at it just using the KO system. I have been keeping track of my results on a spreadsheet, and unfortunately, in 8 plus years, I am down about $22,500.00. The counting actually works but, whenever I am down the first couple hours, I could never control my emotions and keep increasing my bets to try and recover. Whenever I am up, they can hardly take back the money since I would set a limit and walk away. It is just those down sessions to start out with the would wipe out my few previous sessions of winnings. I need to learn how to control my emotions and stick with what works. Easier said than done!
Welcome to the forums ducruacuteo.
Sounds like you hit the bumps in the road a lot of newer counters do (when you were newer). The concept of RoR and bankroll management don't seem to matter as most just think "I have an edge, bet bet bet!" Have you since learned about RoR and bankroll management? Mind if I ask what your unit size is? After 8 years of counting, even if you only got 100 hours per year (less than 2 hours per week) you shouldn't be down that much unless your unit is sizable. If you're playing reds then something else must be wrong.
If you'd like feedback/advice you could start your own thread in the Blackjack sub-forum introducing yourself and your style of play. Food for thought =).
I can't imagine the count always falls in line with your emotions. It must be that you start going on tilt then stop caring about the count, and your big bets are probably mostly during negative count territory?Quote: ducruacuteo11The counting actually works but, whenever I am down the first couple hours, I could never control my emotions and keep increasing my bets to try and recover.
If after 8 years you haven't learned your lesson I fear you may never. I highly doubt any advice you receive here will actually help with your tilting. Perhaps there's another flaw in your card counting that someone can help with but there's no point if you're just going to tilt off any extra EV you gain.
You may just have to accept the fact that you have a $2800 a year habit/hobby, or go cold turkey. Hopefully your income is at a level that can handle that type of loss. Lots of people spend much more than that on hobbies and entertainment.
Sure it sucks that CC is supposed to bring in a profit, but it is what it is.
Sit down at 6 deck PA rules BJ.
I buy in for $130 at $10 table right as a new shoe is being shuffled.
I flat bet $10 and don't play the side bet.
I was out of money before we were half done with the shoe.
Annoyed I take a walk to the bathroom, I come back as the new shoe was being shuffled. Re buy for $150. Flat bet $10 and no side bet. I am broke again around midshoe.
I didn't count but I would estimate that I played 33 hands. Winning 1 and pushing on 3
I then said F it and took $100 and play jurassic park, ellen, and monopoly at an average of $1.50 a spin and played for 2 hours winning $75. Go figure.
Ouch... I feel your pain =(.Quote: GWAE...I didn't count but I would estimate that I played 33 hands. Winning 1 and pushing on 3
Actually, that sounds exactly about right... lol.Quote: GWAEI then said F it and took $100 and play jurassic park, ellen, and monopoly at an average of $1.50 a spin and played for 2 hours winning $75. Go figure.
