Interview with KewlJ
The following is what is sure to be an excellent interview with KewlJ, so for this thread, I would ask that anyone save any comments/questions until after KewlJ has responded to the initial interview questions.
I'd like to thank KewlJ for taking the time to conduct this interview, I'm really looking forward to the answers.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation, and I turn the floor over to KewlJ!
1.) You have self-identified as a, "Blackjack Specialist," given the other proven AP opportunities out there such as hole-carding and weakly protected side bets in many California card rooms, why do you choose to focus on Blackjack?
2.) It has often been discussed that many of the measures taken by the casinos, an example of which being more shallow penetration, to protect the game from counters probably have more of a time cost due to lost hands than the money that they actually save themselves losing to the AP because of better protection. If you were a casino executive, and your Blackjack game wasn't as liberal as the single deck game at El Cortez, for example, what, if anything, would you do to protect yourself from counters?
3.) I understand that you recently made a trip out East, did you take advantage of the liberal State Mandated Pennsylvania Blackjack Rules?
4.) How many counting systems have you tried, and could you briefly describe the one you employ and state why you use it?
5.) I understand that you tend to float from casino to casino not playing too much in one place because of the potential for a back-off, but if you were playing Blackjack at a House with a flashing dealer, would you throw caution to the wind and continue to attack that dealer's table until the flashing was corrected (or backed-off) or would you still be pretty conservative about how much time you spend in that one place?
6.) Despite your focus on Blackjack, I understand that you have two roommates (a poker player and a somewhat less advanced counter) and you'll often engage in bonus chasing AP with the help of the counter roommate, may I ask what this bonus chasing consists of and what percentage of your overall EV on AP it represents?
7.) I understand that you engage in sports betting as a pastime and do not consider it an AP activity, are there any other pastimes involving gambling in which you participate when you are not at an edge, or is that the only one?
8.) To paraphrase your signature, you tend to measure your sessions in EV rather than money actually won or lost, knowing that the two will come back in line with one another? Given this statement, though, you have mentioned being down from AP activity in one year in the mid-upper five figures, have you ever considered quitting?
9.) You seem to be a very generous fellow who occasionally talks about volunteering and charity, so straight up, do you tip your dealers?
10.) Does it worry you to have roommates, and essentially divide living expenses with two other professional gamblers when neither of them are as successful or as skilled as you are?
11.) If you were at a table with a five dollar minimum, what would be your biggest spread and what would the true count have to be for you to pull out your biggest bet?
12.) You relocated to Vegas from Atlantic City a few years ago, was that because there were more games to hit in Vegas? If Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia had all legalized table games at that time (especially with those good PA rules) would you have stayed in the Northeast?
13.) Besides sports betting, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
14.) Many AP's seem to have a goal of, "Beating the casino," why do you think that is? Is that your goal? Shouldn't the goal simply be to make money?
15.) If the Blackjack card counting opportunities were to dry up, for instance, if you could no longer find enough houses with reasonably good Rules, would you move on to a different AP method or get into a different line of work?
16.) Do you consider edge sorting to be cheating or a legitimate AP tactic, and why?
17.) What was the most beatable Blackjack game you have ever found, including ONLY those that no longer exist?
18.) You have mentioned bonus chasing, but also trying to keep your sessions short so as not to be backed off, so do you play Blackjack with a player's club card always, never or depending on the promotion?
19.) You have mentioned being backed off in the past, have you ever had a back off in which you felt that the safety and security of your person was reasonably at risk?
20.) Prior to being a Blackjack card counter, what was your occupation(s) and what do you feel most qualified to do?
21.) How much of a starting bankroll, based on hourly expectation, would you suggest someone have to do what you do, which is primarily card counting?
Quote: Mission146
1.) You have self-identified as a, "Blackjack Specialist," given the other proven AP opportunities out there such as hole-carding and weakly protected side bets in many California card rooms, why do you choose to focus on Blackjack?
I have used that word 'specialist' a few times. I am kind of sorry that I did, because I think it implies a level of expertise that I do not have. I was trying to imply that my main focus is on blackjack play and main focus of my AP play is the good old elementary method of card counting. I don't play the Cal card rooms, but I know players that do and am familiar with some of the opportunities there. But for me it really is all about blackjack. When I came across my first book on card counting a decade ago and began studying the game, I fell in love with it. I love blackjack. Period. I dabble in some other things, bonus chasing, some big six wheel play. But those are just supplemental things. Blackjack is my bread and butter and I like beating it with this simple time tested technique (card counting). I kind of feel like I am a throwback. Maybe a misplaced soul from decades earlier. A member on another site, was not so kind and just referred to me as a dinosaur. Lol
Quote: Mission146
2.) It has often been discussed that many of the measures taken by the casinos, an example of which being more shallow penetration, to protect the game from counters probably have more of a time cost due to lost hands than the money that they actually save themselves losing to the AP because of better protection. If you were a casino executive, and your Blackjack game wasn't as liberal as the single deck game at El Cortez, for example, what, if anything, would you do to protect yourself from counters?
I like the Bill Zender approach. Basically let low limit and even mid level counters play. They aren't really hurting you that much. Focus on the higher limit guys and teams. For the last decade, much of the industry has engaged in tightening up such as lowering penetration to protect against all counters. This costs them far more than they are saving in down time, shuffling. It's literally spending a dollar to save 5 cents. I feel like some where along the line these decisions started being made by bean counter, accountant types upstairs, rather than casino guys that know the game. A few places like a couple of the station properties, have seen the light and have recently adopted Zender's approach. They are offering deeply dealt games and really not even worrying much about counters unless you play higher limits or camp out there. And guess what? I have been told their BJ table holds have increased.
Quote: Mission146
3.) I understand that you recently made a trip out East, did you take advantage of the liberal State Mandated Pennsylvania Blackjack Rules?
Yes I did. My partner and I hit a number of them very hard, did extremely well and received very little heat. At one location (near where Washington's Army spent the brutal winter), I had been backed off during each of my previous two trips, and on one visit I had my own private security kid (20 something) tailing me. But this trip I made multiple visits, played longer and won far more than previous trips, but saw no evidence of heat. Maybe they have gotten past that new casino paranoia stage.
Quote: Mission146
4.) How many counting systems have you tried, and could you briefly describe the one you employ and state why you use it?
One of the first books on card counting that I read, was 'The World's Greatest Blackjack Book' by Humble and Cooper. The count the book was pushing was the hi-opt 1 count. It is a simple level one count, but does not account for the most powerful card in the deck, the ace. Even in my early learning stage, I concluded this was a problem. They recommend side counting aces, but then you have defeated the purpose of a simple level one count. Hi-lo accounted for the ace and is kind of the industry standard, so that made more sense to me and that's where I started. Now, after a few years, I decided to switch to Revere's Point Count (RPC), for the extra 10-15% gain that a level 2 count is supposedly worth. I learned it ok and played it for 18 months. But I never felt like there was any real benefit. My experience, both full time actual play of 18 months and research on Norm's software, which is the best tool we have, lead me to believe that with today's games of multiple decks and crappy rules, there just isn't that much advantage to playing a higher level count. That 10-15% that some books and proponents talk about just isn't there in real life. You win by getting the money out in advantageous situations. You are better off keeping the count simple. Free your mind up a bit and you will notice other opportunities that the extra half second of calculations may have had you miss. Or just maybe in that extra second you will notice some suits who have taken an interest in your play that you would have missed. This topic is often debated in the BJ community, but I am of the keep it simple camp.
Quote: Mission146
5.) I understand that you tend to float from casino to casino not playing too much in one place because of the potential for a back-off, but if you were playing Blackjack at a House with a flashing dealer, would you throw caution to the wind and continue to attack that dealer's table until the flashing was corrected (or backed-off) or would you still be pretty conservative about how much time you spend in that one place?
One of my top priorities right now is longevity. I'd like to play 10 more years minimum. All the recent books you read about different teams, MIT, Holy Rollers, and a few others, these guys all had short BJ careers. They had a small window and after a couple years they were burned just about everywhere. People think there is so much more opportunity with all the new jurisdictions that now have gambling, but technology is moving faster and working against you too. You can't outrun technology and groups like the Oregon Surveillance Network. One recent book that I read, tells the story of a small team, rolling around the southern part of the country. They were backed off or barred at one casino one night. They drove several hours to the next state to an unrelated casino and when they pulled into the parking lot, there were several security folks just sitting waiting for them. So, as I said, you can't outrun technology. I think you are better off doing two things. Playing anonymous short sessions, so they have a harder time gathering info on you. Try to play within each casino's tolerance level. Each casino has a comfort level or level that is better tolerated. Even if they suspect or have identified you as a counter, if you play within their comfort level and don't camp out there for hours or days, they will often tolerate your play. I have strayed a little bit, but yes, even if I encounter a better opportunity like a flashing dealer (and we will get into hole-carding in a bit), I still adhere to my own guidelines, and that means short sessions.
Quote: Mission146
7.) I understand that you engage in sports betting as a pastime and do not consider it an AP activity, are there any other pastimes involving gambling in which you participate when you are not at an edge, or is that the only one?
Yes, I do some sportsbetting during football and college basketball season. A limited amount. It is not a +EV activity for me and I although I didn't keep records before this year, I am sure I am in the red. Not a huge amount. But enough. Some AP's frown on any negative EV activity, but I look at it as entertainment. I am a big sports fan anyway and having some money on a few games, usually national televised games that I may be watching at home, doesn't cost that much. With the vig in sports betting, you are at what a 2-3% disadvantage. That's $2-3 for each $100 wager. Even if I do 10, 12, 15 per week during football and the later part of basketball season, That's the cost of a night out at the movies. No biggie. Oh, and by the way, I line shop a little on line, but usually wager at one of 3 places all, which give me credit for my action on my players card accounts. So there is a little bit coming back, plus, I am showing action that isn't blackjack related. That may be worth something as well to my longevity goals, I am not sure.
Quote: Mission146
8.) To paraphrase your signature, you tend to measure your sessions in EV rather than money actually won or lost, knowing that the two will come back in line with one another? Given this statement, though, you have mentioned being down from AP activity in one year in the mid-upper five figures, have you ever considered quitting?
You really have no chance of succeeding in card counting if you don't understand the concept that there are huge swings involved. Huge! All the books tell you that you need a large bankroll to withstand these swings and with today's crappy games, usually those numbers are outdated and you need even more than some of the classic books recommend. Now you need the proper bankroll to withstand these swings, but you need something else that isn't talked about as much. You need the mentality to be able to lose session after session, day after day, for weeks, and months at a time, and still believe in the math and know, that eventually you will come out the other side. And it's not easy. I am not going to lie. There are times, even earlier this year during a rough period, that despite what you know to be true, doubt creeps in and you begin to question yourself and the math involved. My signature is just one of several ways that I remind myself that the math is on my side. No matter how bad it looks at the moment, If I remain disciplined, I will emerge on the other side and be just where I want and am supposed to be, given enough time.
BTW, those numbers are incorrect. I have now had 3 years where I have had substantial losses and losing periods, losses in the 30 thousand dollar range. The first two occurred in the second part of years in which I had already had a strong start of first half. So despite big losses, I was never in the red for the year. This year was different. I was in the red from day 1, bottoming out around 32 grand after 3 and a half months. 3 big wins (for my level of play) over the next 6 days and that hole was gone.
And no, no matter how bad things have gotten for me I have not considered quitting. My roughest time was my first few years, when I was playing at the red chip level and just not making much money playing those crappy Atlantic City games. If I can make it through that, I can make it through anything. :)
Quote: Mission146
9.) You seem to be a very generous fellow who occasionally talks about volunteering and charity, so straight up, do you tip your dealers?
I am guessing you know the answer to this one already from our too many threads on the subject of tipping.
I believe in the concept that if we are doing well in life, that we have a responsibility to look after and help out those that are not, if we can. Homeless folks and particularly homeless youth and I include young adults in that group tug at my heart just a bit. Surely many homeless folks have made poor choices in life and may be to blame for their predicament. Others may be less to blame and may have just stumbled upon rough times. I lived in a homeless shelter for 3 months during my senior year in high school, from my 18th birthday until I graduated, so I know a little bit about being homeless and how it makes you feel. I was lucky. My situation was temporary and I got out of it quickly, but others aren't so lucky. I think once you get into that situation for an extended period, it is brutally hard to get out. Just try finding a job, when you have not worked in a while, have no address, no phone, no clean cloths. It's a dead end. Now yes, I know many of the street folks that we see here in Vegas or other cities don't look like they are trying very hard. The fact is they have given up and I personally have no less compassion for them because they have. And the truth is that the time, energy and money I spend helping others probably benefits me just as much if not more than them. It helps keep me grounded and focused.
Now, dealers are not homeless, nor struggling folks. Most are doing quite well at their occupations. I don't dislike them or anything, but it just is not my responsibility to compensate them. It is their employers responsibility to compensate them and I resent the industry trying to push that responsibility off on me. I also don't buy the line that they are providing me a service. They are doing there job and it isn't a service tailored directly towards me, like a waiter, or barber, or bellhop. They are just doing their job, much like the public transit driver, policeman, cashier at the grocery store. I don't tip any of them.
Quote: kewlj...tells the story of a small team, rolling around the southern part of the country. They were backed off or barred at one casino one night. They drove several hours to the next state to an unrelated casino and when they pulled into the parking lot, there were several security folks just sitting waiting for them.
How the hell did that happen? That's just plain creepy.
Quote: Mission146
11.) If you were at a table with a five dollar minimum, what would be your biggest spread and what would the true count have to be for you to pull out your biggest bet?
I am a midlevel player, green to mid black, because that level is well tolerated by many places, especially here in Vegas. But I don't have any set spread that I use. That varies by casinos, game (double deck vs shoe), and even time and day of week. I try to indentify and play within the casino's comfort level at that particular time. Generally speaking, I don't play $5 tables, I stick to $25 tables. They are less crowded and sometimes the rules are slightly better, which both translates to a higher win rate. If I do find a low limit table that is exceptionally benficial for some reason, I still stick to my $25 minimum wager. I have a pit friend who told me that one thing he looks for is a player playing through more than 2 colors. Red chip non-AP playes will often wager up to green, but it is more unusual for them to wager black. Green chip non-AP players will wager green and black but it is unusual for them to wager purple. So even if the table is lower than $25, I am not going to spread red-green-black. It draws attention. But in the spirit of your question, a spread that I commonly use for 6 deck is $25-$400, a few places I max higher than $400, some smaller local places, I max $300. Most players max somewhere around a true count of +4 or +5. For a shoe game, I go earlier at +3. Strong TC's just happen too infrequently in shoe games, so I go just a bit more aggressive.
Quote: Mission146
12.) You relocated to Vegas from Atlantic City a few years ago, was that because there were more games to hit in Vegas? If Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia had all legalized table games at that time (especially with those good PA rules) would you have stayed in the Northeast?
Yeah, I was wearing out my welcome in AC. There weren't that many playable games, and I had a small rotation of casinos to play regularly. I saw the same dealers and pit folks far too regularly and there were starting to be some counter measures. New Jersey can't bar or back you off, but they can shuffle at will, shuffling away any good count, cut the deck in half (very poor 50% penetration), flat bet you or the one that I was starting to see a few times, they restrict your spread. They actually pull out a special table minimum ($5) and maximum card ($50) which applies only to you. It's kind of comical, because it confuses the hell out of other players at the table. But the pit guy is really just sending you a message.
At the time, I relocated, Pa had approved casinos, but Pa and Delaware still only had slots, although table games were on the way. I didn't know just how liberal the BJ rules would be in Pa, but the set up of casinos spread out, miles from one another, doesn't really work well with my hit and run style of play. I need a large rotation of playable games in close proximity. That's Vegas! By the time I made the decision to relocate, I had taken a number of trips to Vegas, and frankly from the moment that I first set foot on the ground in Vegas, I knew I was home. It just took me a couple years to make that officially happen.
Quote: Mission146
13.) Besides sports betting, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I lead a pretty boring life actually. Back in Philly, I ran 4 or 5 miles several times a week and roller-bladed and rode my bike every day. In Vegas I am less active. I liked to swim in the pool almost every day. I do hike and walk around Red Rock Canyon at least once a week. Being a big sports fan, I had season tickets to the Philadelphia Eagles and attended quite a few Phillies games each year. With no major professional sports teams here in Vegas, that's out. I also was a big club guy back in Philly and my first year and a half here in Vegas, but I got a way from that. I had a heart value operation 2 years ago and wasn't allowed to drink for a period afterwards, and that seems like a good time to stop. I recently turned 30 and getting drunk on overpriced club boozes, and the hangovers that follow are much less appealing to me now. Geez, I told you all the things that I used to do. I guess I am back to my first line. I lead a pretty simple and boring life.
Quote: Mission146
14.) Many AP's seem to have a goal of, "Beating the casino," why do you think that is? Is that your goal? Shouldn't the goal simply be to make money?
I am not sure I understand this question. I mean, in blackjack, unlike poker, your aren't competing against the other players, you are competing against the house. So in order to 'make money', you HAVE to beat the casino.
In my own case, it started out being all about making money, and it still basically is. But for me, it isn't about making money at any cost. There are methods that I am comfortable with and methods that I am not. And it so happens that the good old simple method of card counting is one that I really like. I really enjoy winning this way. As I have come to live in this town, which is all about this industry, I have really come to dislike this industry. They have every right to make money. That's what business is about. And in this business they are making money off of many people that can't afford it. That's ok too. People make their own bad choices in life. But there is something about some of the practices that this industry engages in that just crosses the line of decency to me. I am talking about things like the pay check cashing promotions that many of the local type casinos here in Vegas engage in. Enticing working folks to cash and spend the paycheck at the casino before they ever make it home to pay the rent or buy food. And not just pay checks, government checks, tax refund checks. And the pushing of alcohol is just disturbing. As long as a player has money, they just keep the liquor flowing, knowing it will impair his judgement. A drunk player can be nasty, abusive to other players, spilling his drink at the table and as long as he has money, he is still welcome to play. I personally have seen one horrendous scenario several times. A players so drunk, spilling drinks etc, that any responsible bartender would have cut him off, but the casino didn't. Not while he still had money. But as soon as the money ran out, they asked him to leave the property. Three times I have seen this exact scenario and I suspect I would have seen it many more times except for my short session playing style.
So my point is, yes, it is about making money for me, but I do get a little extra enjoyment in doing so from this industry that I feel has become predatory, preying on the weak.
Quote: Mission146
15.) If the Blackjack card counting opportunities were to dry up, for instance, if you could no longer find enough houses with reasonably good Rules, would you move on to a different AP method or get into a different line of work?
I just don't know. You do what you have to do to survive. But, I am hoping to reach some of my goals before BJ dries up. Maybe then I will be ready to move to something else, non-AP related, although I have no idea what. I am just not qualified to do much. lol
Quote: Mission146
16.) Do you consider edge sorting to be cheating or a legitimate AP tactic, and why?
We all know what cheating is...capping bets, electronic magnet devices, switching cards, marking cards. All that good stuff that not only is against the rules of the game, but is against the law. Most legitimate AP techniques are not cheating. There are a few, like hole-carding, which I sometimes say are in the grey area. But it isn't the grey area of cheating. It's just the grey area of what I am comfortable with. I like to beat the game honestly, with the information, I was intended to have and to me, hole-carding doesn't fall into that category. You have information that you are not intended to have. Now, I don't blame anyone who engages in it. They are not doing anything wrong, as in illegal or cheating. It really is the industry's responsibility to protect it's games against things like that. I, myself engaged in some hole-carding for a short period, several years ago, when I first moved to Vegas. I was even to the point of almost stalking one weak dealer. I knew his days and shifts. Winning that way, just didn't feel right to me. It's just not what I am about.
Edge sorting is very similar. You legally have information that you shouldn't have. The strange thing about edge sorting is that it is an easy fix and yet the industry knows about it and has been slow to do so.
I do want to clarify that hole-carding is only an issue to me, if you seek out those opportunities, search for weak dealers, slump low in your chair to get a certain view point etc. If you don't seek out those situation and you happen to see a dealers card now and again, that's just part of the game.
Quote: Mission146
17.) What was the most beatable Blackjack game you have ever found, including ONLY those that no longer exist?
Oh, I don't know. I have a couple pretty good games that I have been hitting quite a bit this year. With card counting it is all about penetration, so there have been a couple deeply dealt games that disappeared, but nothing worth singling out.
Quote: Mission146
18.) You have mentioned bonus chasing, but also trying to keep your sessions short so as not to be backed off, so do you play Blackjack with a player's club card always, never or depending on the promotion?
I rarely play blackjack rated. Once in a great while at an independent type place, never a chain or sister properties. Just too much to lose. I can get the comps I need through VP as part of my bonus activities.
Quote: Mission146
19.) You have mentioned being backed off in the past, have you ever had a back off in which you felt that the safety and security of your person was reasonably at risk?
I did have one 'tense' back off about 6 or 7 years ago in Vegas, prior to relocating here. 2 security guys and a guy in a suit (not from the pit) came up behind me and told me to come with them. One of the security guys had hold of my arm as we walked across the casino floor, I guess towards some sort of backroom off the floor. Just as we turned into a little hallway, I said I wanted to call my attorney and threw out the name of Vegas attorney Bob Nersesian, who's specialty is casino patron abuse cases. The suit leading the way stopped dead in his tracks, turned, glared at me and then said, “go on, get the hell out of here”. I ran like the wind. At that time, I had not met Mr Nersesian, just knew of him and had his name and number programed on speed dial. Always felt like I should have sent him a check. Lol
Except that one, all my backoffs have been polite. A couple weird ones, but still polite. Usually some compliment about being too good or your game is too strong. It's a different era now. Those day before my time of beatings and broken hands are a thing of the past, with the exception of an occasional holdover from the past that does something stupid. Almost all cases that go forward the casino pays a hefty price and in this era or corporate casinos, that's just not acceptable.
Quote: Mission146
20.) Prior to being a Blackjack card counter, what was your occupation(s) and what do you feel most qualified to do?
I didn't have the opportunity to go to college. I had planned to do so, but as I already mention, I finished high school living in a homeless shelter, so, college wasn't even a consideration at the time. I though I would go at some point, but fate took me a different direction. Still possible someday, but it seems like the odds get longer with each passing year. My previous occupation was a low level position in retail sales. It was a crappy job and I was held up several times. The last time I was held up, I quit the next day to begin my blackjack career. I am really not qualified to do anything substantial, so I think I'll just keep on my current path. I love my life and that I am able to support myself in this manner.
Quote: Mission146
21.) How much of a starting bankroll, based on hourly expectation, would you suggest someone have to do what you do, which is primarily card counting?
You know what....I am not the one to ask this question. I did EVERYTHING wrong. I was severely underfunded with a bankroll of $4300 and little knowledge of what I was doing or getting into. I learned a little along the way, and just got extremely lucky. I mean, if you are going to quit your job and rely on card counting for a living, you really need a decent size bankroll. You gotta have access to decent games, and have to spread green to black or above and you probably need 50 grand to really be able to weather the storms. But as I already said, the bankroll is only part of what you need to weather those storms. 10 years in, I am still working on the mentality to do so.
experts like Cathy Hulbert refused to go into single player
BJ because the of the awful downturns. And she had a
huge BR. Poker isn't much better. Doyle Brunson, who's
been playing since the 50's, almost quit a few years ago
because he hadn't won a session in 4 months. So unless
you're prepared to get beat up psychologically, why would
you even consider these games.
I am moving to Vegas very soon to take advantage of AP in the form of video poker. Do you think I should be looking into different types of AP just in case, and if so how do I seek these opportunities out? Of course you don't have to reveal what you're doing currently, but any tips on someone getting started?
Quote: Mission146
6.) Despite your focus on Blackjack, I understand that you have two roommates (a poker player and a somewhat less advanced counter) and you'll often engage in bonus chasing AP with the help of the counter roommate, may I ask what this bonus chasing consists of and what percentage of your overall EV on AP it represents?
10.) Does it worry you to have roommates, and essentially divide living expenses with two other professional gamblers when neither of them are as successful or as skilled as you are?
I separated these two questions because they mention my living situation, which is a little unusual. I refer to it as my non traditional Vegas family. One is a friend twenty years my senior, who I shared a residence with back in Philadelphia. He followed me to Vegas a year after I relocated. He was a bit of a degenerate gambler (not that there's anything wrong with that), especially with video poker. I have been transforming him into an AP. He is doing quite well. I have pushed much of the responsibility of our bonus chasing activities on him, so he still gets to play his video poker, but now is playing +EV. This has freed me up to once again, concentrate more on BJ, which is more my passion.
He had been trying to play blackjack at an advantage at low limits, which is hard to do, because of poor rules and crowded conditions, so we worked on his game over the last year and got him playing my mid level stakes and now are partners in blackjack as well. He has some physical issues which places some limitations on just how much play he can get in, so on the blackjack side of things my play accounts for about 75% of our total, which is really the way I want it.
Now our other roommate is a poker player in his late 20's. He calls himself a professional poker players. I don't. lol Maybe a struggling poker player. You know, the kind always struggling to scrap together a bankroll and always that one break away from 'taking off'. Anyway, when I met him shortly after moving to Vegas, he was getting comped rooms at the lower end Caesar's properties during the week and sleeping in his car on weekends. So I let him start crashing on my sofa on weekends. It just became a permanent thing and now he gets fewer comped rooms, so he basically just lives with me. He pays the cable bill when he can afford it. lol
So living expenses....I don't count on either although my older friend does contribute. I have trust issues and don't want to put my fate in someone else's hands. Next month, we are all moving into my new home, a single family home in the western 'burbs' part of the valley. Just wait til the neighbors get look at MY Vegas family. lol
Now the bonus chasing: What I refer to as 'bonus chasing' mostly consists of maximizing free play, match play and free bet oportunites which are part of the monthly promotional mailer that the local type casinos (stations, boyd, terribles, D resort, Eastside Cannery, Jerry's nugget, Tuscany to name a few) mail out each month. These mailers contain free play amounts based on your play during a previous cycle and are disproportionately high. I am not talking about points earned while playing, that is crap. Slightly less crappier on multiplier days, but still crap.
An example of what I am talking about is $4000 played through a video poker machine at one of these local type places might earn you a few bucks in points and/or comps, but when when the mailer come you will have $80 in free play, usually broken up into $20 per week or different segments. Since the expected loss on that $4000 played through is about $20, you are $60 ahead (in EV). Actually a little more because you do earn a couple bucks in points/comp dollars as well.
Now the trick is that you have to manage this opportunity. You have to figure out just what levels of play are required to receive certain levels on your mailer and then you have to maintain those levels or future mailer amounts will drop. It takes a lot of scheduling, managing and running around, and you have to be very disciplined with your play to play only the pre-determined amounts.
In addition to the numbers which you can readily see, there are also some 'hidden' benefits. You will rack up points and become top or higher teir player card members, which comes with extra benefits. You will earn food comps and your mailer will have extra food offers ($25 food credits, free buffets etc). And your play can generate entries into drawings and/or contests, which if you win, can provide even more hidden EV. Last year I won a car, $2000 in gasoline, several thousand in free play in drawings that I was entered in as a result of my play and I won $7500 in a football contest that I was entered in as a result of my free play. This year I have not done so well.
Last year this 'bonus chasing' accounted for about 20% of my total EV. The actual results were higher at about 30% of my total because of the 2 large prize wins.
Quote: SOOPOOQuestion- Do you have health insurance? If so, how? Thanks!
Yes. I do have health insurance, SOOPOO. A few years ago, when I started playing a little higher level and making a little bit more money, I decided to purchase health insurance. The previous year, I had broken my collarbone and was unable to play for a couple months. It occurred to me that this was a bad situation. Not only, no money coming in during that time, but additional money going out in the form of medical expenses. I figured the lease I could do was protect myself against that part of the equation.
Interestingly enough the year after I got health insurance, I had a major medical situation requiring heart surgery. I was sidelined for 10 weeks, which meant no money coming in, but it would have been so much worse if I had to pay those bills on top of it.
How? I am not sure I understand the question. But I did shop around and purchases a policy that has pretty high deductibles. I am willing to pay some money out, in order to keep costs down. What I really want to protect against is that costly, major medical situation that took place just after I got insurance.
Quote: kewljI had a major medical situation requiring heart surgery.
How? I am not sure I understand the question. But I did shop around and purchases a policy that has pretty high deductibles. q]
You answered my question... you went into the marketplace as a single purchaser and selected a plan that worked for you. Good decision. I'm guessing if you had a valve replacement your bills would have amounted to between $50,000 and $100,000.
Thanks for answering my and Mission's questions! Continued good luck to you......
Quote: djatc
I am moving to Vegas very soon to take advantage of AP in the form of video poker. Do you think I should be looking into different types of AP just in case, and if so how do I seek these opportunities out? Of course you don't have to reveal what you're doing currently, but any tips on someone getting started?
You didn't say whether this video poker AP play would be your main source of income or something supplementary, like you have a job. I can't imagine VP APing as a main income. Yes, I know there are those that do. For me, it works much better as supplementary thing to my main source of income, which is blackjack play.
Quote: kewlj
Interestingly enough the year after I got health insurance, I had a major medical situation requiring heart surgery. .
Good grief, what are you, 30? And you had heart surgery
already? What was wrong?
Quote: EvenBobGood grief, what are you, 30? And you had heart surgery
already? What was wrong?
Endocarditis is a disease in which bacteria enters the blood stream and attacks (eats away) the heart valves. It can occur at any age. As a matter of fact my cardiologist, says that the majority of cases he has seen are younger people.
If caught early, Endocarditis can often be treated with a simple anti-biotic regiment. Unfortunately it is rarely caught early. It comes on quickly and by the time the patient feels sick and is showing symptoms, it is usually pretty progressed.
Quote: kewlj
I did have one 'tense' back off about 6 or 7 years ago in Vegas, prior to relocating here. 2 security guys and a guy in a suit (not from the pit) came up behind me and told me to come with them. One of the security guys had hold of my arm as we walked across the casino floor, I guess towards some sort of backroom off the floor. Just as we turned into a little hallway, I said I wanted to call my attorney and threw out the name of Vegas attorney Bob Nersesian, who's specialty is casino patron abuse cases. The suit leading the way stopped dead in his tracks, turned, glared at me and then said, “go on, get the hell out of here”. I ran like the wind. At that time, I had not met Mr Nersesian, just knew of him and had his name and number programed on speed dial. Always felt like I should have sent him a check. Lol
I don't understand this story at all. Surely, even before you moved to Vegas, you were sophisticated enough to know that even in Vegas, they can't forcibly backroom you for counting cards. They can certainly ask you to go with them, but in your story, you said the security guy "had hold of" your arm.
So why did you agree to go in the first place? Why didn't you say no at the table?
And then if the security guy really did forcibly take hold of your arm, why didn't you actually call that lawyer or some other attorney? You'd have a pretty solid case, and the settlement would be worth a hell of a lot of positive shoes.
You say you don't usually play BJ rated anyway, and didn't even live there at the time, so I think you missed a big opportunity to sue the casino.
By the way, really enjoying this Q&A format...thanks to Mission and Kewlj for participating.
Quote: kewljEndocarditis is a disease in which bacteria enters the blood stream .
From what I just read, you have to have a damaged
heart to begin with, like from rheumatic fever, for
this disease to take hold. It says it never effects
healthy hearts.
Quote: EvenBobFrom what I just read, you have to have a damaged
heart to begin with, like from rheumatic fever, for
this disease to take hold. It says it never effects
healthy hearts.
Stop reading wikipedia, Bob. You are getting incorrect information. lol Anyway, I didn't really want to discuss my medical history.
Quote: kewljStop reading wikipedia, Bob. You are getting incorrect information. lol Anyway, I didn't really want to discuss my medical history.
It was the Mayo Clinic that said it, not Wiki.
So its not true?
"Endocarditis is uncommon in people with healthy hearts. People at greatest risk of endocarditis have a damaged heart valve, an artificial heart valve or other heart defects."
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/endocarditis/DS00409
I'm sorry I mentioned this in the first place. Oh, wait,
I didn't....
Quote: EvenBobIt says it never effects healthy hearts.
Quote: EvenBob
"Endocarditis is uncommon in people with healthy hearts."
Never and uncommon don't mean the same thing.
Quote: sodawaterQuote: EvenBobIt says it never effects healthy hearts.
Quote: EvenBob
"Endocarditis is uncommon in people with healthy hearts."
Never and uncommon don't mean the same thing.
Close enough for a cigar in medical terms. Uncommon
means almost never.
"Risk factors include having
An abnormal or damaged heart valve
An artificial heart valve
Congenital heart defects"
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/endocarditis.html
'If you have a normal heart, you have a low risk for endocarditis. But if you have a problem with your heart that affects normal blood flow through the heart camera, it is more likely that bacteria or fungi will attach to heart tissue. This puts you at a higher risk for endocarditis."
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/tc/endocarditis-topic-overview
Quote: kewljYou didn't say whether this video poker AP play would be your main source of income or something supplementary, like you have a job. I can't imagine VP APing as a main income. Yes, I know there are those that do. For me, it works much better as supplementary thing to my main source of income, which is blackjack play.
It's gonna be supplemental. I got to grow the bankroll before taking money out.
I really appreciate the detailed response kewlj, much better than last time we did this...
Ahigh has requested to be next ... j/k
Quote: tringlomaneI really appreciate the detailed response kewlj, much better than last time we did this...
I agree, well done. And I say that as "Face", not as "Sheriff Face". It was an interesting look into your life and I appreciate the honesty.
Quote: odiousgambitAhigh has requested to be next ... j/k
LOL
Quote: kewljThey are just doing their job, much like the public transit driver, policeman, cashier at the grocery store. I don't tip any of them.
Several questions about tipping dealers in your position...
1. Is tipping in your view a prime cover tactic? In other words, does tipping a BJ dealer almost always disqualify the player as an AP in the eyes of casino management?
2. If your answer to no. 1 is in the affirmative, may we assume that your decision not to tip any BJ dealer you deal with is driven, at least in part, by a philosophical and not business motive?
Thanks, great interview...
Quote: kewljThey are just doing their job, much like the public transit driver, policeman, cashier at the grocery store. I don't tip any of them..
As somebody who was in two professions where tips
are expected, cab driving and bartending, people who
don't tip usually aren't conflicted philosophically, they're
conflicted about money. They feel they don't have
enough, they never have enough, and they certainly
never have enough to leave a tip. We're a tip giving
society, do you tip waitresses or bartenders or room
service? You must not, they're no different than dealers.
I used to count cards and always tipped the dealers. I
did it because I wanted to, but I also did it because
card counters are well known skinflints, they hold every
dollar like its their last, and I didn't want to be seen as
being like them. Tipping is always the right thing to do
and its always good cover.
Back when I counted cards, I knew guys who would never
eat out unless it was comped. Some casinos gave packs
of cigarettes as a comp and these guys were delighted
when they got a pack. They'd change the dates on comp
slips, amass coupon books, and do anything they could
to improve their so called EV. Including never tipping.
They called it their 'philosophy', I called it being a cheapskate.
Quote: kewlj
Now the bonus chasing: What I refer to as 'bonus chasing' mostly consists of maximizing free play, match play and free bet oportunites which are part of the monthly promotional mailer that the local type casinos (stations, boyd, terribles, D resort, Eastside Cannery, Jerry's nugget, Tuscany to name a few) mail out each month. These mailers contain free play amounts based on your play during a previous cycle and are disproportionately high. I am not talking about points earned while playing, that is crap. Slightly less crappier on multiplier days, but still crap.
An example of what I am talking about is $4000 played through a video poker machine at one of these local type places might earn you a few bucks in points and/or comps, but when when the mailer come you will have $80 in free play, usually broken up into $20 per week or different segments. Since the expected loss on that $4000 played through is about $20, you are $60 ahead (in EV). Actually a little more because you do earn a couple bucks in points/comp dollars as well.
Now the trick is that you have to manage this opportunity. You have to figure out just what levels of play are required to receive certain levels on your mailer and then you have to maintain those levels or future mailer amounts will drop. It takes a lot of scheduling, managing and running around, and you have to be very disciplined with your play to play only the pre-determined amounts.
In addition to the numbers which you can readily see, there are also some 'hidden' benefits. You will rack up points and become top or higher teir player card members, which comes with extra benefits. You will earn food comps and your mailer will have extra food offers ($25 food credits, free buffets etc). And your play can generate entries into drawings and/or contests, which if you win, can provide even more hidden EV. Last year I won a car, $2000 in gasoline, several thousand in free play in drawings that I was entered in as a result of my play and I won $7500 in a football contest that I was entered in as a result of my free play. This year I have not done so well.
Last year this 'bonus chasing' accounted for about 20% of my total EV. The actual results were higher at about 30% of my total because of the 2 large prize wins.
This is to an extent what I'm trying to do. What's the best way to find out what type of play generates the best mailers, and do you recommend I learn how to count cards to take advantage of table game offers?
Quote: JW17Kewlj, I enjoyed the q/a. I have a question, you often talk about your partner, is this a partner in business so to speak, or a partner in life, such as you are a homosexual? I dont mean to sound rude, I am just curious. And no to all that will say it I am not a homophobe.
When used to indicate a romantic relationship, the word "partner" does not imply homosexuality or heterosexuality.
Most of my [male] friends call their wives their "partners."
It's just a very common expression nowadays, at least on the East Coast.
Quote: sodawaterWhen used to indicate a romantic relationship, the word "partner" does not imply homosexuality or heterosexuality.
Most of my [male] friends call their wives their "partners."
It's just a very common expression nowadays, at least on the East Coast.
Over here on the west coast, it's mostly gays/lesbians who use the word 'partner'.
...not that there's anything wrong with that.
Quote: sodawaterWhen used to indicate a romantic relationship, the word "partner" does not imply homosexuality or heterosexuality.
Most of my [male] friends call their wives their "partners."
It's just a very common expression nowadays, at least on the East Coast.
I understand, here in AZ openly gay people have referred to their husbands/wife's as their partners. In AZ gay marriage is not legal, but I have several friends that were married elsewhere mostly Canada, but still refer to their significant other as their partner. This is why I ask
Gay men use partner among the people I know in the antique
business.
Quote: EvenBobBack when I counted cards, I knew guys who would never
eat out unless it was comped.
Being cheap has nothing to do with it. Some of us simply hate casinos for the unfair game they play and refuse to fork over any money to casinos.
Were you really a card counter or a dealer? If a CC, why did you quit? Were you unsuccessful at it?
Mission146 and KJ took the time to write thoughtful questions and answers. It sucks the rest of us (well mostly) cannot do the same.
Hopefully this thread will be locked before it turns into another dice control thread.
Quote: HowManyIt didn't take long for this thread to morph into a bunch of nonsense replies. It's a bit disappointing.
Mission146 and KJ took the time to write thoughtful questions and answers. It sucks the rest of us (well mostly) cannot do the same.
Hopefully this thread will be locked before it turns into another dice control thread.
No, let it go. I want to see just how much information KewlJ is going to give up about himself.
Quote: 1BBNo, let it go. I want to see just how much information KewlJ is going to give up about himself.
"The only way to keep a secret is to say nothing."
I don't think KJ said anything that will blow his cover, yet. But I could be wrong. You would know better than me.
Quote: 21formeSome of us simply hate casinos for the unfair game they play and refuse to fork over any money to casinos.
How is it an "unfair" game if you're playing with an advantage? (Don't get me wrong, I hate casinos too!)
Thank you for the excellent interview, and well thought out and lengthy replies! I don't think I have enjoyed reading anything here so much in the history of forever!!!
I have, I believe, two really brief follow-up questions that I will post tomorrow. Thanks again for the excellent interview!
KewlJ expects "heat" to exist at minimum tables and at any incident of excessive greed such as marching through color changes like there is no tomorrow.
Heat comes to red chip players particularly if they escalate to green chip... but those who start out green and stay green or black tend to avoid heat.
Okay,,, so there is a niche that casinos tolerate even though they may be counting.
Even my drunken review of the Seminole Hard Rock in Fort Liquordale noted there were far more hawk-eyed suits at the 6:5 red chip tables than at the 3:2 tables with green chips. It may be a temporary trend in casino management or not. Who knows.
One casino boat has a tie-in with a local topless bar: the ship's crew makes sure they keep their clothes on when on board the ship, but its obvious the rules in the casino are applied differently to the young girls from the bar than to the ordinary female players.
Quote: Beethoven9thHow is it an "unfair" game if you're playing with an advantage? (Don't get me wrong, I hate casinos too!)
I meant unfair games, as in tactics, such as getting players drunk and letting them continue to play, causing misery to compulsive gamblers and their families, backing off anyone they believe has an advantage, etc.
Quote: kewljMy experience, both full time actual play of 18 months and research on Norm's software, which is the best tool we have
What software are you referring to? I'm trying to find a software that will allow me to better understand and manage my game. Thanks in advance.
Quote: DreamerWhat software are you referring to? I'm trying to find a software that will allow me to better understand and manage my game. Thanks in advance.
Qfit.com. Norm has it all. There is a lot of free information and some to be purchased. Do purchase with confidence. It will be money very well spent.
is blackjack risk manager what u are referring too??Quote: 1BBQfit.com. Norm has it all. There is a lot of free information and some to be purchased. Do purchase with confidence. It will be money very well spent.
