David: Observations

[David]

Thank you to the people who provide this page, along with all the generous information and excellent products.

Bankroll swings: One can read or be told something, but will never believe it until it happens to oneself. The extent of the wins and losses in this game are extreme. The wins convey euphoria, confidence, and much satisfaction. The loses shake you to the core of your bankroll, and make you serioulsly question whether you should be playing this game. Maintaining a clear perspective is as difficult as maintaining one's bankroll. The mental strength to survive this game's swings requires more effort and stamina than I ever anticipated.

Myths: I know all of the myths are just that. However, it is still annoying that other players are discourteous, impolite, and just plain rude. If one knows the proper play at the time is to hit your Ace/7 vs dealer 10, then dealing with ignorant verbalizers who make it a point to either embarass the player, or show their expertise, requires a skin thicker than the average person. The "You took the dealers break card" crowd is relentless. If one is not inclined to enter into a disagreement like this, then the only alternative is to change tables when the deck becomes negative. These incidents do affect one's composure and playing ability. It is unfortunate.

[Don Schlesinger]

Your observations are 100% accurate and are right on the money. I predict that you'll do well at this game.

Thanks for writing.

Don

[jim]

> Thank you to the people who provide this
> page, along with all the generous
> information and excellent products.

> Bankroll swings: One can read or be told
> something, but will never believe it until
> it happens to oneself. The extent of the
> wins and losses in this game are extreme.
> The wins convey euphoria, confidence, and
> much satisfaction. The loses shake you to
> the core of your bankroll, and make you
> serioulsly question whether you should be
> playing this game. Maintaining a clear
> perspective is as difficult as maintaining
> one's bankroll. The mental strength to
> survive this game's swings requires more
> effort and stamina than I ever anticipated.

> Myths: I know all of the myths are just
> that. However, it is still annoying that
> other players are discourteous, impolite,
> and just plain rude. If one knows the proper
> play at the time is to hit your Ace/7 vs
> dealer 10, then dealing with ignorant
> verbalizers who make it a point to either
> embarass the player, or show their
> expertise, requires a skin thicker than the
> average person. The "You took the
> dealers break card" crowd is
> relentless. If one is not inclined to enter
> into a disagreement like this, then the only
> alternative is to change tables when the
> deck becomes negative. These incidents do
> affect one's composure and playing ability.
> It is unfortunate.

Those were definitely two of my first observations.
Now that I actually have a clue about what i'm doing(as far as playing the game goes), I am finding out that the authors of these books and message boards are not kidding about the importance of cover. I have now felt heat twice and immediately afterwards thaught about some passage I had read and felt really stupid for being so careless(Bet spread offenses mainly).
Its easy for me to become blinded by greed, whether i'm winning or losing, and not notice or care about whose watching and how I'm playing(like a machine).
I am now consciously thinking, practicing, and working on cover(Blackjack Attack II, pg.2, 3rd paragragh).
I used to think this game was nothing like poker with all the bluffing and smack-talk. I'm now learning its alot like poker. It's us against the pit.
Up until now, I had not considered cover all that important. For those who are still non-believers....THE HEAT IS REAL!
I second the thanks to the providers of this site.

[Kasey]

The hardest lesson for me has been that watching my bankroll swing by a couple hundred units on my practice software is nothing like losing a couple hundred units when it is real money, in terms of emotional impact.

[ZOD]

I was talking with some (relatively) new counters a couple of weeks ago about whether they "had what it takes" to be successful at this game. This question came up during the discussion of that topic: What describes the single most important attribute of a successful counter?

There were several answers proposed: acting ability, mathematical acumen, superior memory, access to multiple facilities, a huge bankroll, brain damage, etc.

I thought that all of these were valid to varying degrees. But it was interesting to me that not one of these people mentioned the attribute that I considered to be the most important: COMPOSURE.

Serious blackjack is nothing if not stressful. Rude players, casino heat, and bankroll swings (but not necessarily in that order) will stretch the limits of your patience. I have had a player purposely blow cigar smoke in my face when I made a third base decision that cost him money. (The pit boss changed the table to non-smoking at my request.) I have been stared down by pit personel who talked openly about what to do to "the other counter on table six." (I complimented them on a great casino and then left.) I have seen hundred unit wins evaporate into two hundred unit losses. (Ever had a $5000 bowl of gumbo?) Blackjack is certainly not for the faint of heart.

Know what your level of composure is. Don't add unnecessary stress by arguing with other players, overbetting your dedicated bankroll, or playing in high heat situations. That possible coronary just isn't worth it. Relax, calm down, and accept the game as it is. Keep playing. Trust the math. Win a little here and there and have some fun doing it. Best...

ZOD

[Bert Nommel]

I used to get real pissed when I got heat. Now I just ignore it. Only two places have formerly barred me, the others just said don't play any more BJ. I just ignore the heat now. If they tell me not to play I say, "if you can't afford to lose you shouldn't spread the game" and just leave; I don't even feel angry. I have had the pit boss stand right beside me and I just spread anyway. Usually they just keep watching. I used to use heavy cover but when I lost I felt foolish purposely giving away so much advantage. I do however use some steam cover for the really big spread an with small bets I will use idiot plays like insurance. But I never limit my spread or size of bet increase for cover.

Bert