Marc: Southern Indiana

[Marc]

Back to Evansville this weekend (convinced this is the best place in Indiana to play). I played for 1-1/2 hours on Saturday afternoon and walked away with $465. I was mainly $10 min. w/ 1-10 spread. My best (and actually only really good) hand was I played two spots with 3-greens ($75) each (at +4). Got dealt a 21 on my first spot and 2-8's on my 2nd spot...against dealer 5. Obviously won the blackjack ($112.5) and split the 8's. First 8 got a 10 for 18. 2nd 8 got another 8 for another split. 1st of them got a 7 for 15, hit and busted (lost $75). 2nd got another 8 for another split. First 8 got a 9 for 17, 2nd 8 got a 2 for a double down 10 (only had 2 greens left so I doubled for less) and got a 9 for 19. Dealer busted (thank God) and total take on the hand was $387.5-75 on the bust = $ 312.50 (the full table got pretty excited by all of this as all the ploppys were playing min. flat.) Played 1 more shoe and outta there with $465.
Once again pit critter was relatively friendly and, as usual at Evansville, dealers were cheerful. I did note that my relief dealer seemed to hint her hole when I had bad hand (14-16) a few times - I played along a few times and it worked out in my favor each time...she got tipped a bit more than I would normally do as "cover".

[Marc]

BTW, noticed a typo. this should have read against dealers 7 (obviously not a dealer 5!)

[Electric Kid]

>...against dealer 5..... 2nd 8 got
> another 8 for another split. 1st of them got
> a 7 for 15, hit and busted (lost $75).

It appears to me that you made a serious basic strategy error by hitting a 15 against a dealer 5 and at +4 this error will be even more costly.

[the_friendly_dealer]

> I did note that my
> relief dealer seemed to hint her hole when I
> had bad hand (14-16) a few times - I played
> along a few times and it worked out in my
> favor each time...she got tipped a bit more
> than I would normally do as
> "cover".

FYI, at Evansville, no dealer knows the hole card unless she has blackjack. Buy a deck of their cards in the gift shop and you'll understand why. I suggest relying on your counting ability rather than information you 'think' you have, because in this case you definitely do not have it.

[Marc]

You are right, of course. This was a typo. - dealer had 7 up, 5 in the hole. Sorry for the confusion.

[Mr. Ed]

Great story, Marc! This is what it's all about! It's great to turn two bets into six bets, and win four (and a half!) of them!!

> I was
> mainly $10 min. w/ 1-10 spread. My best (and
> actually only really good) hand was I played
> two spots with 3-greens ($75) each (at +4).

I use the same 1-10 spread with a $10 unit. But for two hands at +4, I would bet $60/hand. I would bet $75/hand at +5.

An easy rule of thumb (forgive me if I am preaching to the chior), is to increase your total bet by 50% when you spread to 2 hands. This keeps you variance the same, but increases your EV by 50%. So at +4, a single hand bet of $80, becomes two bets of $60. (To be precise, increase your total bet by 40% to keep variance level)

In my mind, I have a $20 unit for one hand and a $15 unit for two hands. My bet equals (TC)x(unit). If TC<1, I bet one hand at the table minimum (which, by the way is usually $10).

Whoops, I just thought of something. Marc, if your unit bet is $25, your $75 bet each for two hands was spot on. OR, if TC=+5 when you PLACED your bet, you were spot on as well.

[Marc]

Thanks for the info. I am still learning - I suppose one never stops ...unless one's name is Parker or Schlesinger - surely they are not still learning . I don't seem to have much problem keeping track of count - it is the permutations of all of the decisions based on the count that I struggle with. Practice, practice, practice of course. I practice on the computer and suppose I should not go live until I have all of it down - but I got into BJ for the love of the action, atmosphere, etc....the counting was only a late extension of that enjoyment. I limit my session BR more that most apparently do on this board (young kids are not even near college yet), so for me this is entertainment with the "advantage" of being a little extra income. I wonder sometimes if I am different from most on this board.

[Marc]

Thanks for the info. That is what I like about this board...I learn something new with virtually every post. You're info. surprises me, but I do believe it and will follow your advise.
From your handle, I assume you are a dealer. Can you admit to being in Indiana or which boat? What do you think are the chances of French Lick getting their casino? I am hoping that they do as that was a beautiful town when I was a youngster (many years ago).

[Parker]

> Thanks for the info. I am still learning - I
> suppose one never stops ...unless one's name
> is Parker or Schlesinger - surely they are
> not still learning .

I cannot speak for Don, but I learn something new on a daily basis. And stop calling me Shirley. :-)

[the_friendly_dealer]

> Thanks for the info. That is what I like
> about this board...I learn something new
> with virtually every post. You're info.
> surprises me, but I do believe it and will
> follow your advise.
> From your handle, I assume you are a dealer.
> Can you admit to being in Indiana or which
> boat? What do you think are the chances of
> French Lick getting their casino? I am
> hoping that they do as that was a beautiful
> town when I was a youngster (many years
> ago).

I'm a blackjack dealer at a southern Indiana casino, but I can't say anymore about which for job security reasons. As for the French Lick casino thing... I don't know if they're going to get it, but if they do I'll certainly be checking it out as a possible job opportunity.

I've been to all the boats in Southern Indiana, here's some useful info about Evansville for you (since you like going there so much): Dealers don't know their hole card... I've heard you can bet over the table max if you ask, but I'm fuzzy on that one... Drinks cost money but headline entertainment is completely free... the DD game on the first level is one of the best I've ever seen, and I'm shocked you're not playing it. It's S17, DA2, DAS, NRSA with about 50% pen. There's only one DD table though, so sometimes it's hard to spread to 2 hands. The limits are 10 - 100, but lots of players spread the whole thing, so you probably won't get much heat from it. Good luck.

[Marc]

Thanks for the info. I can not believe that I have not seen the DD game there? Where are they hiding it? From the limits I assume it is not in the "high stakes" area? I play Evansville once or twice a month for the past several years and have never seen it...is it available most of the time (i.e. I generally am there on weekends).
What are your thoughts regarding the Indiana boats - which are your favorites & why? BTW, I am VERY pleased that they finally docked these properties...someone like me who has to drive several hours to play anywhere hates "missing the boat" when they were "sailing".
Thanks again!

[the_friendly_dealer]

The Evansville DD game is on the lowest level of the boat, near the poker room and the big 6. I will not tell you which boats I prefer for need to not give away my employer, but I will say that I've played every Southern Indiana boat (some more recently than others), including the one where I work now. So I may not be an expert on the boats in the area, but occasionally I'll have a tidbit for you.
And dockside gaming did wonders for me both as a player and a dealer.
Good luck

[Marc]

Thanks again. I look forward to corresponding with you on this board.
During my trips to Las Vegas, I talk to dealers and have not found that dealers are allowed to play where they are employed...that is not the case in Indiana?
I am interested in your experiences both as player and dealer regarding heat you have experienced/seen. I have only been given heat once in Evansville, and it was light....and I was not exited.
Have a great weekend.