Ouchez: positive tipping experience and the tap...

[Ouchez]

On my way up to my beloved "Polar Region" I stopped at my local Kasino to see what was happening and found a few things that surprised me.

Two roulette tables had been removed as well as 2 craps tables and the entire back BJ pit was being torn down, some twelve tables.

The Carnival games had been moved to one pit and six Bj tables had been added to the front.

What I found to my liking was that these new tables were hand shuffled the old way but with low limits of $5 to $100. I liked what I saw.

I saw that one of my all time favorite dealers, now on a part time basis, was dealing a table there so I took a seat and proceeded to have a very nice go of it until his shift ended.

I decided that things looked good enough here that I would just stay and play and forsake the "Polar Region" this weekend.

I played up and down with some big swings at this first table, but settled down into a upward trend, but did not care for the new dealer so I took a comp to the steakhouse and when I came back found a spot on a different table with a FOXY young dealer, taking 2 spots on third base I settled in for a long stay.

At this point I was playing way up and had a real good feeling about this dealer and the cards and in a short time experienced the highest plus count of my long and fabled career, tc+24 with 4 deck out, I played it down to tc +4 before the stop card came out. That hot shoe went like clockwork, a real beauty to behold, and I amassed a large row of chips.

I used a spread of one to six, my one is $10 since you must play double the min bet to do two spots. If I were to spread more I am sure I would be booted permanently as I am a known commodity here. I played strong on the indice side, making many deviations in play, hoping to keep underneath the radar and avoid that heat seeking missle fired from the eye.

I liked this sweet dealer very much and used a generous tipping scheme and a different format of delivery.

This Kasino was getting packed and they have a full house rule about giving up the second spot if someone wants to play it and they allow mid shoe but only at min bet. I needed help from the sweet dealer so as not to lose my spot or have people jumping in at the wrong time.

It was my goal to achieve these goals through the tipping process.

Instead of placing my tip next to my bet I placed one on both of my bets, she did not know for sure if they were her's or mine so I induced a "Pavlov" factor, which I could tell excited her much! She would wait....to make sure I hade all my chips out before dealing and as the tips were rolling her way she would be sure to always give me the cut card as well as not allowing others to take my second spot and delay letting others jump in mid shoe unless I gave the ok, we became a ...team, but she made mucho dinero in tips, and as my play went on I won at an almost constant pace, with a small swing here and there and a trip to the bathroom now and then at the right times. I much prefer female dealers as I can, in most instances, establish that all important bond that I feel can be helpful, sometimes VERY helpful, in winning BJ.

As I was approacing my 14th hour of play, and almost constant onward and upward progress, having colored up way to many times to remember and laying a small fortune in tips upon my sweet dealer, I saw the green coated head of security slowly approach my table, circling like a shark, eyeing his prey, moving closer, tightening the circle...all eyes nervously glancing his way when....I sense his body close to mine, a tap on the shoulder, and he says," ---, enough Bj this weekend ---, and if you go to craps make sure you hit the wall".

"No problem", I bid all farewell, wink at the sweet dealer, get my coat, don't cash my chips, and I am tucked in my bed by 4am.

Why am I allowed to play?

I think because I do not always win, I am not greedy, keeping the spread down but still effective with my other playing strategies, and I go out of my way to form relationships with many of the Kasino workers.

Just the other night there were a group of players, youg guys, maybe a team, I think they were, and they were jumping big time and they lasted about 3 hours until they were surrounded, escorted out and trespassed.

The greed factor is a bad thing.

[Electric Kid]

I've missed all your good posts.

In a few weeks, I will be heading out your way. I have a wedding to go to down in "Datroit Faction" territory. I may hit the casino I never won at on the way down and the one I never lost at on the way back. Probably won't run into you as I will be going on a weekday.

[Ouchez]

> I've missed all your good posts.

> In a few weeks, I will be heading out your
> way. I have a wedding to go to down in
> "Datroit Faction" territory. I may
> hit the casino I never won at on the way
> down and the one I never lost at on the way
> back. Probably won't run into you as I will
> be going on a weekday.

If you stop on a weekday you should find some dreamy conditions!

In Datroit you will find the HS rooms of interest as I like some of the rules and policies and certain other things CAN be rather good.

I think you should check out all 3 Kasinos in Datroit and sample what they have to offer and then do a trip report.

There is another Kasino in the "Polar Regions" that has been controversial in the past but may
be worth checking out CERTAIN attributes of their shoe game. I believe I may pay them a visit soon to sample this.. *attribute*.

When in Datroit please visit my dear friends, Wizard and Nathan and don't forget BondTrader.

[bond trader]

> When in Datroit please visit my dear
> friends, Wizard and Nathan and don't forget
> BondTrader.

By all means! If you haven't been here in a while, the conditions have not improved....MGM has made many tables 8 deckers, with H17, Greektown is still 1/2 CSM, but with the other half 8 deckers, shop for pen that is just bad versus horrible. You'll need to wong in to get a good game. The HL area, as you say, offers the best conditions (6D). When in Greektown make sure to eat at some of the restaurants there, and go see the Tigers (a 10 minute walk) if they're playing that day.

And don't bring any cold weather with you...it's bad enough for this time of year as it is. Have a good time, and please send a report!

BT

[scobee 1]

Gordon Gecko says so.

How else could one grow a bankroll five times in a year? Even playing half Kelly gives you the opportunity to lose thousands of dollars in a bad beat. I am not sure what your objectives are in playing blackjack, but I am looking for the casinos to "show me the money." My inital plan to protect myself has long since faded now that I have hourly win rates to guide me. I am looking to build my bank so I can afford the best games available.

I see you have ignored Electric Kid's request for an accounting of your absence. I assume you addressed that in a private email.

We missed your unique approach to this game and the tall tales you share the past month. I enjoy taking the time to refute and agree with your points because there is no one quite like Ouchez when it comes to casino comportment. Only my friend 'M' has anything approaching your stamina in staying loyal to a mediocre game through several shifts, and not get barred. But usually he back counts and spreads from 1-40...or whatever he can get away with.

I agree that your small spread and generosity to dealers helps your longevity. I would also suggest that the reason you are not perceived as a threat is because you are no threat. Nothing wrong with this, but the attention I constantly get is because I give them the kind of gamble they salivate over....a chance to take thousands from a player who is not afraid to stack the chips while 'steaming.' The hosts come around and the comps flow freely because they know that I have deep pockets and will not be busted out if the cards are not going my way. Only when they check with marketing do they worry, so while I am a familiar face I do not always deliver my player's card right away. Or maybe not at all.

I am glad that a trip to the local store means blackjack is available to you again. Around here the games pretty much suck, and if I still played at your level I would be one grounded eagle. If my projected advantage is from .5% to 1% with a 1-20 spread, then your advantage at 1-6 would be what? and how many indices are you using in your shoe game strategy?

Personally, I think that jumping your bets around is excellent cover. But around here I am playing with many orientals who think nothing of going from $50 to $1000 on a hunch. It is kind of like 'bac-jack' with the betting schedules they use, and it infects my game in a positive way....if you catch my drift. The college students you play with may offer you some ideas on putting the money out there. How are you doing for the year so far?

As always, you give us an entertaining read and at least one controversial topic to explore. For this you win a free pizza, but you have to claim your prize in person.

Regards,
scobee

[Ouchez]

to being a real pro.

I revel in the great success you have attained in this exciting game of BJ.

You are indeed a shining example to the Bj community of how one can attain great heights.

Of course it helps to "just keep pushing out the money and steaming" when you have no dependents or responsibity to anyone but oneself and maybe a cat or two.

Im my case I head a family of five, with 2 kids in college and another on the way, in 3 years. This tempers all I do, as it truly must, if you care for those you are responsible for and have a love for, and that especially colors my approach to the BJ game, which is still...... gambling.

I cannot play it with the abandon you do for the above reason.

But I will take my family over BJ anytime.

As to my spread of 1 to 6 and my play style it truly gets the job done. I think all players who cannot play with abandon should follow my pattern.

Wonging out on negative counts has been a big help, something I have recently began to do with regularity.

I play every week.

And as to E.Kid, many of my posts have not been posted, denied by whoever for whatever reason, so I just tired of making the effort.

Actually my local game can be very satisfactory if you look around. But the minute you start jumping 1 to 20 you will be gone in no time, this I know for a fact.

Last night I did jump one to ten and after having a great run in a super plus shoe and many check plays I did do a quick stop and went to the Steakhouse. But for me that is unusal, 1 to 6 is my game. The one to 6 strategy, a few hundred and I hit the door.

I don't agree with Gecko.

Keep up the good work and I hope to make it to BC very soon, since you do say that is a good game and I should be able to use my strategy there without a problem.

I am happy for you and get to work on that book and screenplay!

Regards,
Ouchez

[Parker]

> And as to E.Kid, many of my posts have not
> been posted, denied by whoever for whatever
> reason, so I just tired of making the
> effort.

"Whoever" would be me (although it should be "whomever").

"Whatever reason" would be inappropriate content. Keep in mind that I do not edit or "censor" posts for content. A post either goes up in its entirety, exactly as the author posted it, or not at all. In other words, one grossly inappropriate comment can result in an otherwise acceptable post getting the axe.

[scobee 1]

Ouchez sez...

> I revel in the great success you have
> attained in this exciting game of BJ.
> You are indeed a shining example to the Bj
> community of how one can attain great
> heights.

So why do I feel like leaping off a cliff sometimes? My worst session loss still dwarfs my greatest win. My idea of a good time is hitting three casinos for half an hour each and making a few benjies on the run. But in this game you never know. I think I have just been exceptionally lucky, but I'm not complaining....

> Of course it helps to "just keep
> pushing out the money and steaming"
> when you have no dependents or responsibity
> to anyone but oneself and maybe a cat or
> two.

'Steaming' is a form of cover that shows you are a really stupid gambler who doesn't know when to quit. If they only knew how right they were sometimes.

> Im my case I head a family of five, with 2
> kids in college and another on the way, in 3
> years. This tempers all I do, as it truly
> must, if you care for those you are
> responsible for and have a love for, and
> that especially colors my approach to the BJ
> game, which is still...... gambling.

And marriage is not? I say you are a very lucky gambler in the game of love and family. Winning at blackjack is not gambling.....it is a grind with high levels of frustration and variance.

> I cannot play it with the abandon you do for
> the above reason.

I am scared shirtless sometimes. Variance, you know.

> But I will take my family over BJ anytime.

No debate there.

> As to my spread of 1 to 6 and my play style
> it truly gets the job done. I think all
> players who cannot play with abandon should
> follow my pattern.

I would be happy to play with fewer decks.

> Wonging out on negative counts has been a
> big help, something I have recently began to
> do with regularity.

Welcome to the white rabbit club, Easter bunny. As I am sure you know, the best way to limit your spread effectively is to avoid negative hands like the plague. A 1-4 spread starting at +1 and ending with -1 will get you the money. Wonging is the best way to utilize a truncated spread if that is your plan of action. Not all casinos will tolerate this, but more than you might think.

> I play every week.

That makes you more dedicated than me. I have less than 90 hours in since January.

> And as to E.Kid, many of my posts have not
> been posted, denied by whoever for whatever
> reason, so I just tired of making the
> effort.

Persevere, variance is a bitch.

> Actually my local game can be very
> satisfactory if you look around. But the
> minute you start jumping 1 to 20 you will be
> gone in no time, this I know for a fact.

Once I get to my big bets I am looking to leave anyway.

> Last night I did jump one to ten and after
> having a great run in a super plus shoe and
> many check plays I did do a quick stop and
> went to the Steakhouse. But for me that is
> unusal, 1 to 6 is my game. The one to 6
> strategy, a few hundred and I hit the door.

There you go.... and welcome back.

> I don't agree with Gecko.

Never said I did. I just pointed out his quote.

> I am happy for you and get to work on that
> book and screenplay!

Got any ideas for that novel? I think I have been 'trumped' by James McManus and his "Positively Fifth Street." It looks like it could become the biggest selling gambling book of all time.

In the meanwhile, look for me on your friendly neighborhood blackjack forum.

scobee

[Electric Kid]

> That makes you more dedicated than me. I
> have less than 90 hours in since January.

Scobee 1, looks like you and me have been playing about the same number of hours this year. So far this year I racked up 84 hours of bj play.

[scobee 1]

> Scobee 1, looks like you and me have been
> playing about the same number of hours this
> year. So far this year I racked up 84 hours
> of bj play.

I'll betcha I've got you beat in the squirreled chips department. I had to get a fill of green at a table I was being forced to play for hours not too long ago before I realized I may have been too aggressive with my little secret. That is another good indicator of a time to leave the table.... especially if you are the only green player there.

I never said I was smart, dedicated, or especially skilled. I just have a feel for this game. I believe explicitly in Mathprof''s theorem that conditions are the most important criteria for evaluating shoe games other than penetration. Sometimes I'll have to leave before playing a single hand if the conditions are not good.

I thought we decided last year you would wait until the stroke of midnight on Good Friday to play. You would have been ahead 80 units instead of only 20. So far I'm at 240 units for the year. That's approximately 15 big bets. I am so ready for fewer decks that I can taste the mint juleps already. That makes for less than three units per hour of play I am ahead. I think that is pretty lucky. My one abiding belief in this game is that you have to put in the hours to overcome variance. Last year I made 400 hours.

I have a special section in my playing logs for cover and repair. These do not become part of my permanent playing record. I have about another 12 hours at this...and a few tournaments.

My personal psychological straight jacket is to avoid entering a casino during Christian holidays and on Thanksgiving. Emotions and psychic projections may have some influence on play and affect results according to Lance Humble and Soren Kierkegaard. Mostly I try to avoid playing when I am depressed or distracted. My one unflagging rule of thumb is that when I feel like I am in the wrong place at the right time, I just head for the door. Unless, of course, there are still more rounds to be played in a positive count.

As a jovial critter at the MGM once said to me, "It's bad luck to be superstitious...."

scobee

[Minnesota Fats]

> As a jovial critter at the MGM once said to
> me, "It's bad luck to be
> superstitious...."

Scobee,

You ought to put that on the quotes page at bjfonline.com. Btw, I always enjoy your posts and congrats on your new job at the tangible BJF. Keep up the good work!

MF

[scobee 1]

Thanks for the kind words, Mr. Fats. I will get on it immediately.

scobee