Craps as cover for BJ counters?
February 26th, 2014 at 3:31:45 PM
permalink
For those of you that are successful at counting in Blackjack: do you think playing craps is good cover? It seems like it may be especially at places with 10x or higher odds. If you can stomach the variance, it has to be good cover if the eye in the sky is watching you, right?
February 26th, 2014 at 3:37:11 PM
permalink
For the sole purpose of cover it isn't too great. If they are looking into your history to see how you gamble then you've already sent up too many red flags as a counter. You're better off using that as cover in cheaper ways in blackjack. Varying bet spread etc.
Of course if you just enjoy craps and play it for fun then it can be nice to have when they start looking into you.
Of course if you just enjoy craps and play it for fun then it can be nice to have when they start looking into you.
February 26th, 2014 at 3:59:03 PM
permalink
My problem with this strategy is that I enjoy craps too much, and cancel out my EV from playing blackjack :).
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
February 26th, 2014 at 4:09:55 PM
permalink
No. You're playing with too small of an edge to give that up the way it is, only play if you enjoy playi g craps and are ok with spending the money. Your thought process on the odds is flawed, you're not decreasing the edge on your initial bet, your just increasing your volatility by placing an additional even odds bet, really just increasing your overall risk of ruin to your bankroll if your purpose was to play a little bit for cover.
February 26th, 2014 at 4:12:22 PM
permalink
Quote: AcesAndEightsMy problem with this strategy is that I enjoy craps too much, and cancel out my EV from playing blackjack :).
This is a good point; good craps action can lull you in, it's been known to happen. It's kind of like mixing work and play at the same joint. (We are never not human). It can get to the point where card counting becomes cover for crap game action (and losses). Actually, I see no wrong in gambling for the fun of it, within reason, and no game has the juice of craps.
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes - Henry David Thoreau. Like Dealers' uniforms - Dan.
February 26th, 2014 at 4:23:33 PM
permalink
Quote: FroggerFor those of you that are successful at counting in Blackjack: do you think playing craps is good cover? It seems like it may be especially at places with 10x or higher odds. If you can stomach the variance, it has to be good cover if the eye in the sky is watching you, right?
Based on my experience craps has to be better than 9/6 JOB VP for cover. I tried the VP to show some losses in a casino I was smashing and hit 2 $20K Royals.
February 26th, 2014 at 4:39:20 PM
permalink
deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
February 26th, 2014 at 5:39:34 PM
permalink
When playing BJ you don't want to increase the variance if that is +EV for you. At any -EV game, variance is good; if ever +EV at anything, variance is bad.
So, I think you do not want to add a -EV game with high variance either. I'm *not* totally confident about this though, it's different.
So, I think you do not want to add a -EV game with high variance either. I'm *not* totally confident about this though, it's different.
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!” She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
February 26th, 2014 at 5:43:39 PM
permalink
You can moan and groan all you want in BJ pit about your hours and hours of losing a fortune at craps.... the job of the people in the BJ pit is politely listen to you but to keep watching your play in the BJ pit. You start varying your bets and showing your counting... they ain't gonna delay making that phone call to see what to do about you. Now if the CM verifies you dropped two million dollars at Craps and are winning five hundred by counting at BJ, they might be lenient, but the BJ personnel will report you just as promptly no matter what.
February 26th, 2014 at 6:00:19 PM
permalink
Quote: FroggerFor those of you that are successful at counting in Blackjack: do you think playing craps is good cover? It seems like it may be especially at places with 10x or higher odds. If you can stomach the variance, it has to be good cover if the eye in the sky is watching you, right?
If you're being watched they all ready know so unless you lose a ton at craps you will be toast. If you do lose a ton at craps your bankroll will be toast.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
February 26th, 2014 at 6:48:02 PM
permalink
You guys don't know how to have fun at work!!!
February 26th, 2014 at 6:58:40 PM
permalink
delete
I am a robot.
February 26th, 2014 at 7:03:52 PM
permalink
deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
February 27th, 2014 at 3:37:46 AM
permalink
Casinos have people, I'm sure, tuning in to these forums, so the question is moot, soon as asked. Besides, the casinos know every trick in the book & train their people for them.
February 27th, 2014 at 8:25:29 AM
permalink
Casinos employees are all-knowing, all-powerful? Phooey
March 5th, 2014 at 9:10:49 PM
permalink
Quote: FroggerFor those of you that are successful at counting in Blackjack: do you think playing craps is good cover? It seems like it may be especially at places with 10x or higher odds. If you can stomach the variance, it has to be good cover if the eye in the sky is watching you, right?
I don't think they really care what you do away from the BJ pits in the first place. Secondly, the only way that works as cover is if you actually drop a bundle at the dice tables. That, in turn, dilutes that razor thin edge you have from counting.
Better cover is what you do when you're actually playing Blackjack. Progression betting during negative counts when you're winning works better as cover. If you're seen betting bigger, bigger, bigger as the count drops, they pay less attention when you up your bets when the count's going positive.
Don't fritter away the profits at the Crap table.
