El Cortez Single Deck
Didnt do too well. Oh well
Had an encounter with a real polite gambler.
Was playing alone at a table.
A guy approaches the table. He looks at me and asks if its allright to sit down or do I want to play alone.
What a nice guy to ask 1st.
I told the I am fine with him sitting down.
Quote: terapinedA few more sessions at the EL.
Didnt do too well. Oh well
Had an encounter with a real polite gambler.
Was playing alone at a table.
A guy approaches the table. He looks at me and asks if its allright to sit down or do I want to play alone.
What a nice guy to ask 1st.
I told the I am fine with him sitting down.
It would seem to me that the house would frown on BJ players telling other players they can't play at their table.
Quote: mickeycrimmIt would seem to me that the house would frown on BJ players telling other players they can't play at their table.
I've never understood this "ask first" philosophy. If it's not a private or reserved table then it is open to anyone between each hand or roll of the dice, and a player can walk up to or sit down at a table at any time. If this open-at-any-time philosophy is presented, encouraged and written about in gambling books and by casinos then elitist attitudes would wane.
If you don't want anyone to join you at a blackjack table then bet all the spots.
Quote: GreasyjohnI've never understood this "ask first" philosophy. If it's not a private or reserved table then it is open to anyone between each hand or roll of the dice, and a player can walk up to or sit down at a table at any time. If this is the philosophy presented, encouraged and written about in gambling books and by casinos then elitist attitudes would wane.
No way man! Can't mess up my flow of the cards!
Quote: mickeycrimmIt would seem to me that the house would frown on BJ players telling other players they can't play at their table.
Place was fairly empty. Guy was just being polite, lots of empty seats.
Been playing there a lot in the morning, low stakes, generally alone so see lot of hands with one deck.
Quote: terapinedPlace was fairly empty. Guy was just being polite, lots of empty seats.
Been playing there a lot in the morning, low stakes, generally alone so see lot of hands with one deck.
It may be polite to ask to join a table, but it would not be polite for the person ask to say no. I don't ask because it implies that I will defer to whatever the answer is. And if you may not like the answer, don't ask the question. But if someone is just a few hands before the shuffle I may oblige the player's request to play alone if the request is made politely.
Quote: AyecarumbaThis is potentially explosive information. Does the Gaming Control Board offer rewards or whistleblower incentives for ratting out?
I doubt they reward whistle blowers. Ultimately, they know which side of their bread gets buttered. Besides, I don't have any hard evidence. Just nod and wink kind of comments from executives.
I am a total rookie counter.
Just doing it for fun.
Every once in a while the dealer will use a lot of cards to hit their number and win.
They misinterpret me looking hard at the cards as if I dont believe their math and add up their hand out loud.
My hard look is compiling the count, not questioning their math.
Overall about 9 or 10 90 min sessions for me, lost overall :-(
I had fun, interesting expereience. The most I ever played BJ on a Vegas trip.
I started upping the spread from 1-3 to 1-4.
Just seemed to be unlucky more then lucky with a good count.
Quote: terapinedA funny thing while playing for me.
I am a total rookie counter.
Just doing it for fun.
Every once in a while the dealer will use a lot of cards to hit their number and win.
They misinterpret me looking hard at the cards as if I dont believe their math and add up their hand out loud.
My hard look is compiling the count, not questioning their math.
Overall about 9 or 10 90 min sessions for me, lost overall :-(
I had fun, interesting expereience. The most I ever played BJ on a Vegas trip.
I started upping the spread from 1-3 to 1-4.
Just seemed to be unlucky more then lucky with a good count.
Be careful. Most people will assume you are bad at math, but it only takes 1 pit boss to assume that you are counting. If the pit boss realizes you can actually do math, but yet you still study the cards, well that's not a good look for you. And now you are going for the 1-4 spread....
You actually need to be compiling to the count AND questioning the dealer's math. So if you are struggling with 1, you probably aren't doing the other thing.
Quote: WizardI don't want to quote anybody, but I think rigged drawings are fairly common in Vegas. The Venetian was just unlucky to be the only one caught.
I truly believe I was cheated in a drawing at Venetian. By my estimate I had about 20% of the tickets and wasn't chosen for any of the 25 places paid. The drawing was not done publicly and a list of the winners was posted the next morning.
Quote: AvincowBe careful. Most people will assume you are bad at math, but it only takes 1 pit boss to assume that you are counting. If the pit boss realizes you can actually do math, but yet you still study the cards, well that's not a good look for you. And now you are going for the 1-4 spread....
You actually need to be compiling to the count AND questioning the dealer's math. So if you are struggling with 1, you probably aren't doing the other thing.
He's played ten 90 minute sessions. That's more than enough time for the casino to get a good look at him. Apparently they don't see him as a threat. Maybe they're even following this thread. How funny would it be if the pit boss said "hello terapined" the next time he shows up?
Quote: 1BBHe's played ten 90 minute sessions. That's more than enough time for the casino to get a good look at him. Apparently they don't see him as a threat. Maybe they're even following this thread. How funny would it be if the pit boss said "hello terapined" the next time he shows up?
That's funny, I was actually thinking the same thing. He's clearly detailed every session he's had.
Quote: AxelWolfI disagree it means I failed and should have done something different perhaps more cover play or something. Mabey I should've let up and visited less often.
Great story! Get 86ed from the bar due to AP. You could generate 70% of the tickets. I suppose that it is a very high EV game if it did not take much time and money to get a ticket. Why don't you let your employees/teammates play that drawing instead?
They drastically changed the rules.Quote: KickassGreat story! Get 86ed from the bar due to AP. You could generate 70% of the tickets. I suppose that it is a very high EV game if it did not take much time and money to get a ticket. Why don't you let your employees/teammates play that drawing instead?
It was a time consuming commitment, part of the value was... you had to be present, If not, your tickets remained and the drawing progressed until the next drawing.
I would also be concerned others would be less alert about more possible drawing shenanigans going on. I'm a 100% confident had I been any less alert or less willing to call that bartender chick out. Her friends would have won that drawing.
I'm certain she/they were waiting for the drawing to get high enough before they started cheating.
I may revisit the possibility and see if there's any value next time things get slow. I still get E mails inviting me back ;) ... of course I save them
On a side note: I have a feeling they are very careful nowadays with promotions, I estimate they lost appointment 20k in 10hrs on a botched promotion just before this innocent .
When me and my GF won the fist drawing at the main location, the district manager welcomed us with open arms with free food and encouraged us. He always came and chatted. I tried avoiding him but he was even popped in at a different location at 3am. He probably felt slighted after he realize we were APing the place.
Quote: GreasyjohnYou must earn 1500 points in a month to be eligible for $50 in free play in the following month. No more ATM withdrawal is required though.
Correction: 2-15 update. You need the 1,500 points and you do indeed have to make a $1,000 ATM withdrawl (in one transaction) to receive the $50 in free play in the following calendar month. So if you put $1,500 through a machine on the last day of the month you could go back the next day and receive the $50 free play (after the ATM withdrawl). You can repeat this promotion in future months but the ATM withdrawl is required.
Quote: GreasyjohnIt may be polite to ask to join a table, but it would not be polite for the person ask to say no.
Any time I've suggested "no" to someone wanting to join a game that's going well, that seems to mark the turning point to a losing streak.
(Yes, I recognize this is pure superstition, completely unscientific, poorly documented, and subject to my fallible memory.)
Quote: DieterAny time I've suggested "no" to someone wanting to join a game that's going well, that seems to mark the turning point to a losing streak.
(Yes, I recognize this is pure superstition, completely unscientific, poorly documented, and subject to my fallible memory.)
I should have said, "...for the person that was asked to say no."
Quote: GreasyjohnI should have said, "...for the person that was asked to say no."
There are many acceptable answers...
"I don't care."
"It's your money, you're welcome to lose it here..."
"Wong into somebody else's game, buddy."
"Sure, but wait a hand?"
But yes, saying "No, you can't play here" is just rude. If you really want to play alone, take a walk to another table, rather than saying that other people aren't welcome to play at this one.
Quote: DieterAny time I've suggested "no" to someone wanting to join a game that's going well, that seems to mark the turning point to a losing streak.
(Yes, I recognize this is pure superstition, completely unscientific, poorly documented, and subject to my fallible memory.)
If the count is high, and I got half a deck left in a shoe, I don't want some idiot sitting down and taking half my aces and 10s. I very often ask them to wait. It's not superstition. Good if they think it is, don't want them thinking I'm looting the place or that now's their chance.
I've gotten called into shoes before where another player starts barking about how I'm gonna f*** everything up and not to play. Not that I would honor his request (perhaps sit out one hand then jump in on the next one, but definitely won't wait until fresh shoe lol)...but if someone barking up a storm, it makes me want to play even more. Hell, try to get that guy to leave. Play 1 hand the first round then 2 hands the second round. Switch it up every round. Eventually he'll get too annoyed and storm off. A few times the dealer would say something too, and not to join now....but it's funny, if you start pushing blacks and purples out there, they suddenly change their mind. Lol. :)
Never play at home casino.
Just finished a couple session at my favorite joint, the El
Yesterday morning. Very rusty, losing tack of the count sometimes. Just doing easy high low and low roller spread 5 to 15
Just wanna have fun.
Ugly, dealer was killing me. Lost a 100 pretty quickly playing alone.
No matter the count, dealer was getting the cards. ugh
Was still waiting for a drink, threw down a 20, played and lost as drink arrived.
Yesterday evening, single deck, me and 1 other player. No rust, never lost track of count.
I like playing with another on single deck, 1 hand and you can get a decent count sometimes.
I was crushing, seemed everytime I increased a bet I won.
Up 150.
Colored up
I was wondering, do real counters color up or just get up and leave so casino unsure how much they won.
Love the El due to rules, only place I ever play BJ :-)
Quote: terapinedAfter reading aceofspades adventures in Bj, gotten back into Bj just for fun
Never play at home casino.
Just finished a couple session at my favorite joint, the El
Yesterday morning. Very rusty, losing tack of the count sometimes. Just doing easy high low and low roller spread 5 to 15
Just wanna have fun.
Ugly, dealer was killing me. Lost a 100 pretty quickly playing alone.
No matter the count, dealer was getting the cards. ugh
Was still waiting for a drink, threw down a 20, played and lost as drink arrived.
Yesterday evening, single deck, me and 1 other player. No rust, never lost track of count.
I like playing with another on single deck, 1 hand and you can get a decent count sometimes.
I was crushing, seemed everytime I increased a bet I won.
Up 150.
Colored up
I was wondering, do real counters color up or just get up and leave so casino unsure how much they won.
Love the El due to rules, only place I ever play BJ :-)
I color up. Kewlj doesn't.
We're both hard core counters who have played for over a decade.
I like the morning, slow, usually get a table to myself.
Play alone a while, 2 more sit down.
The pit boss is watching closely.
Its slow so very little for him to do but watch us
Makes me a bit uncomfortable when I go from 5 to 15 on good counts.
On the flip side, got the rookie look with the strategy sheet out
1st hand of a deck and dealer burns like 6 low cards in her hand alone.
Its so obvious count is rediculous, pit boss watching closely.
I want to put out 25 but bet 15. other 2 just flat bet.
I almost feel like saying my god, did you see that dealer hand, all those low cards gone and you are flat betting?
I get 2 aces, split, dealer shows 14 and busts like she is supposed to do on that count:-)
I play a few more hands, just up 70, color up.
Even though the pit boss never batted an eye when i raised my bets, still made me feel uncomfortable wuth the game constantly watched. Pit boss was gracious, Thanked me for playing.
Will go back when they are a little more busier
Quote: terapinedThis morning at the El
I like the morning, slow, usually get a table to myself.
Play alone a while, 2 more sit down.
The pit boss is watching closely.
Its slow so very little for him to do but watch us
Makes me a bit uncomfortable when I go from 5 to 15 on good counts.
On the flip side, got the rookie look with the strategy sheet out
1st hand of a deck and dealer burns like 6 low cards in her hand alone.
Its so obvious count is rediculous, pit boss watching closely.
I want to put out 25 but bet 15. other 2 just flat bet.
I almost feel like saying my god, did you see that dealer hand, all those low cards gone and you are flat betting?
I get 2 aces, split, dealer shows 14 and busts like she is supposed to do on that count:-)
I play a few more hands, just up 70, color up.
Even though the pit boss never batted an eye when i raised my bets, still made me feel uncomfortable wuth the game constantly watched. Pit boss was gracious, Thanked me for playing.
Will go back when they are a little more busier
Nice post--good read. Try not to more than double your bet in good counts. Go from $5 to $10. What you did when you went from 5 to 15 is called jumping your bet. Sticks out. A civilian can do anything, you're a counter, don't jump your bet. At least not when a suit is watching.
One of the tricks I like to employ in what has become 'a very sweaty' Vegas is to avoid the best game, which usually translates to the most closely watched game, at each location. At EC that means skipping the single deck game and playing double deck.
Another 'trick' I will share about hand held games. Start with a non-minimum bet and spread BOTH ways. This has a little cost, the but really does work surprisingly well. There is nothing more obvious than retreating back to that minimum wager at the shuffle, which occurs frequently in hand held games.
Quote: kewljEl Cortez is STILL great place for low limit counters. Especially if you are willing to play at least somewhat shorter sessions. You just can't sit there for hours showing your spread even at very low limits.
One of the tricks I like to employ in what has become 'a very sweaty' Vegas is to avoid the best game, which usually translates to the most closely watched game, at each location. At EC that means skipping the single deck game and playing double deck.
Another 'trick' I will share about hand held games. Start with a non-minimum bet and spread BOTH ways. This has a little cost, the but really does work surprisingly well. There is nothing more obvious than retreating back to that minwager at the shuffle, which occurs frequently in hand held games.
What KJ is saying is spot on. In a SD game you're seeing between three cards and 20+ cards depending on how many people are sitting at the table (after the other players have played their hand) so you're not really playing at a negative expectation at single deck because you have knowledge, powerful knowledge before you play your hand.
Played late afternoon, a lot busier.
Was totally ignored by the pit bosses which is the way I like it
My low roller 5 to 15 maybe 20 was totally ignored.
A lot better then in the morning when its so dead pit boss has no choice but to check out my play.
Afternoon session a lot more fun in that I can count, have a small spread to take advantage of the count and do it in a totally relaxing atmosphere because the pit has bigger fish they are keeping their eye on instead of me.
Eventually cashed out with a small 30 dollar profit.
Overall a fun Vegas BJ experience. Came out a bit ahead :-) With my low roller bets and spread, just evening out the odds and just got lucky.
Now back in Tampa, no more BJ.
Could play at Tampa hard Rock but crummy rules and high minimums
I'll wait, be back at the El in December, my favorite place to play BJ.
Suncoast,Fitz,Ca club,palace,etc
But rookies think hey the game is gambling and house has such a huge edge, well how come they kick out so many players.
Then rookies will say look at the vid on you tube of the lawyer who lost millions counting and playing bjack,
Well maybe he did, maybe he was over betting , maybe he always played drunk, maybe he was just lousy,etc..
