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Thread: Mike H: Bad Dealer at Barona

  1. #1
    Mike H
    Guest

    Mike H: Bad Dealer at Barona

    I'm very suspicious that I was dealt seconds. The dealer had a funny movement, held the cards towards his chest, and I could see the top card bend as he may have been peeking to see what it was. Not to mention, this guy had an uncanny knack of showing an Ace up. I'm not 100% certain I was cheated and find it hard to believe they would cheat me betting 1-3 in green. However, if they don't like card counters at all I wouldn't put it past them. Eventually I stopped playing against the dealer and I plan to watch him closely to confirm my suspicion. I won't say the dealer's name here but it starts with the last letter in the alphabet.

  2. #2
    Mike H
    Guest

    Mike H: If they can't cheat you they'll 86 you

    I guess no mechanic was dealing tonight so they took the next logical step and told me I couldn't play. This was on a busy Saturday night- I was at 2'nd base with 5 players spreading $25 to $75. Apparently they don't want anyone to win, which by the way, I'm still over a grand loser from the other day. The pit boss told me they were tightening down due to the recession. I looked around and said, "looks like you're doing pretty good to me."

    I didn't make a scene and told the other players, "I guess they don't want me to play." The other players wanted to know why but I didn't say anything- I just colored up and left. Part of me regrets not saying anything. Even if I had it wouldn't change anything- they would still sit there and not double 11 etc.

    If you play at Barona you had better disguise your play. I'm frustrated now because my whole count/ indices, etc. was tailored to that specific game. Are there any other playable games in San Diego? I think I might try SuperFun or Spanish21... any suggestions?

    Just out of curiosity what could they do if I went back? What are the laws on a California Indian Casino?

  3. #3
    Parker
    Guest

    Parker: Re: If they can't cheat you they'll 86 you

    > I guess no mechanic was dealing tonight so they took
    > the next logical step and told me I couldn't play.
    > This was on a busy Saturday night- I was at 2'nd base
    > with 5 players spreading $25 to $75. Apparently they
    > don't want anyone to win, which by the way, I'm still
    > over a grand loser from the other day. The pit boss
    > told me they were tightening down due to the
    > recession. I looked around and said, "looks like
    > you're doing pretty good to me."

    Not exactly deserted, is it? However, people are indeed not staying as long, and/or reducing their stakes at all of the local joints. In addition, the casinos are spending more on promotions, which cuts into their bottom lines.

    > If you play at Barona you had better disguise your
    > play. I'm frustrated now because my whole count/
    > indices, etc. was tailored to that specific game. Are
    > there any other playable games in San Diego? I think I
    > might try SuperFun or Spanish21... any suggestions?

    SuperFun 21 can be profitable, but you need good pen and a big spread. Good pen is hard to find, and a big spread will get you noticed, and there aren't that many SuperFun games in the area, most casinos having discovered that the rubes will just as happily play 6:5 games.

    However, there are still several playable games in San Diego. There are double deck games, but you have to hunt for acceptable pen, and be ready to walk when it goes south. In addition, these games are closely watched.

    Still, the best games in town are, IMHO, the 6 deck shoes, especially for long-term play. These are in abundance at several of the casinos, they tolerate light wonging well, and you'll get a lot less attention playing these than you will at the DD tables.

    It isn't a good idea to plan your strategy around one game, or even one casino for that matter. If you are playing a winning game, sooner or later you will get the boot - you can count on it (oops, bad pun).

    > Just out of curiosity what could they do if I went
    > back? What are the laws on a California Indian Casino?

    Do you value your scalp?

    Seriously, while scalping is pretty much relegated to the past, the reservations are sovereign nations, and you leave many of your constitutional rights at the entrance. They certainly have the right to bar anyone they want from the reservation. At the very least they could arrest you, detain you for a period of time, and turn you over to the local athorities to be prosecuted on trespassing charges.

    BTW, you've probably posted way too much detail here about your experience at Barona. Casino personnel definitely read these boards, and if they had any doubt about you, they don't any more.

    Of course, since you've already been 86'ed, it probably doesn't really matter.

  4. #4
    Rockky176
    Guest

    Rockky176: Re: If they can't cheat you they'll 86 you

    What game were you playing, single or DD?

  5. #5
    Mike H
    Guest

    Mike H: Re: If they can't cheat you they'll 86 you

    > What game were you playing, single or DD?

    Single deck, I made the mistake of assuming they wouldn't kick me out for a $25 to $75 spread. I wasn't concerned with cover or camouflage and knew they were on to me. If they really understood my expectation and required bankroll they should have let me continue playing. Seriously, at that level and slow pace of play their bathroom attendants are making as much money as I would be. Besides, having a player that wins from time to time is good advertisement.

    What gets me is they let me play all day as long as I was losing. Come back a few days later and start to win and they give me the tap. Come to think of it they weren't specific about leaving or not being welcome back. I'll lay low for a while and go back disguised to attack their 6 deck shoes. Don't worry, they don't know who I am and my name sure isn't Mike.

  6. #6
    Rockky176
    Guest

    Rockky176: Re: If they can't cheat you they'll 86 you

    I think the purpose of the single deck table outside the HL area is to attract many low level players to the casino in general. So, people will play that for a while, slots for a while and so on. The casino edge is only 0.02, so they are very aware of the risk of having this table out there. I think it is constantly watched. I sat on it for 5 minutes head on. I over heard a floor person giving the pitboss a run down on every bet I made "he started with a 100, went down to 50 and then went up to 150.... etc. He asked her if I was the same person who was here earlier, I almost said "no I just came". Any way it is a trap.

  7. #7
    mikmuk
    Guest

    mikmuk: Re: If they can't cheat you they'll 86 you

    > Single deck, I made the mistake of assuming they
    > wouldn't kick me out for a $25 to $75 spread. I wasn't
    > concerned with cover or camouflage and knew they were
    > on to me. If they really understood my expectation and
    > required bankroll they should have let me continue
    > playing. Seriously, at that level and slow pace of
    > play their bathroom attendants are making as much
    > money as I would be. Besides, having a player that
    > wins from time to time is good advertisement.

    > What gets me is they let me play all day as long as I
    > was losing. Come back a few days later and start to
    > win and they give me the tap. Come to think of it they
    > weren't specific about leaving or not being welcome
    > back. I'll lay low for a while and go back disguised
    > to attack their 6 deck shoes. Don't worry, they don't
    > know who I am and my name sure isn't Mike.

    I got the boot at Barona. Like everything else in this place, this was done nicely, with the manager smiling at me and explaining that my game is "too good" for them. I was playing the high limit table, spreading $100 - $3000 for few hours, till they came.
    California is almost burned, though it was the best place for the past 4 years.

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